Who am I?
I believe I was always destined to help people in some way. I initially thought my path would lead to law school as I entered intoEast Carolina University in 2001! I studied criminal justice and psychology during my time there but didn’t pursue law school. In fact, I realized much later that I never had an actual plan or path. After graduating, I entered into the field of social services, specifically behavioral health. I’ve worked with at-risk youth in their homes, communities, foster care and group-homes. Eventually opening my own group home for teenage girls and a community-based program for children and adults, my feet were completely in the behavioral health sand and they’ve been there ever since.
Further into my career, I began providing therapy to inmates and their families as they prepared for release from prison and throughout the past 14 years, I’ve continued to work in roles directly contributing to the well being of children, adults and families.I have worked as a psychotherapist in outpatient clinics, psychiatric hospitals, assisted living facilities, public and charter schools. My background in creating policies and procedures, developing new programs, auditing existing programs and consulting with those considering building their own practices has been another large part of my experience.To further my reach, I began working as an Adjunct Professor for BSW and MSW students at various universities and providing clinical supervision to Associate LicensedSocial Workers. The opportunity to teach and mentor others allows me to indirectly impact clients and communities that I wouldn’t otherwise reach. I currently hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice fromEast Carolina University, and a Master’s Degree of Social Work from North Carolina Central University.
[fade]I AM[/fade]
your sister, friend, mentor, motivator, advocate, and ally. I AM the person you call on when you need advice, support, guidance, information and counsel. I AM the person who is going to empower you to see things in yourself you never knew were there. As a black person, woman, and professional, I AM both a servant, and member of my community.
[fade]What’s My Purpose?[/fade]
Change should be an internal desire and not an external force of conformity. Of course some changes are naturally forced upon us in a way that is necessary for personal growth. Like when I decided to wear my natural hair, I had an internal desire for change but I was externally FORCED to manage it! Growth! Shout out to all my natural sisters and brothers. The struggle is real, real!
People work best in spaces where they feel comfortable, empowered, and valued. I’ve never met a person who enjoyed experiencing micro aggressions covered as misunderstandings.My goal is to give people, who look like me, a space to be all that they are without having to leave a piece of them hidden. I am 100% certain you can listen to J. Cole, Ari Lennox, and Cardi B; watch Snow Fall, The Chi and Queen Sugar; all while writing dissertations, saving lives, and building businesses.I’m hopeful that Counsel for the Culture will empower you to grow professionally and personally ;and within this growth you are equipped to work in spaces where you may not be the majority but are grounded enough to feel good about the work you are doing, confident enough to speak up and lead, and respected enough to be considered a partner to your colleagues