Doing the Work 

 EXPERIENCE 

Missouri General Assembly, State Representative, St. Louis, MO     

                                   

  • Authors, debates and passes legislation that serve the best interest of 78th district constituents

  • Works with members of the House and Senate, Majority and Minority Caucuses to advocate for passage of a progressive legislation

  • Serves as Chairman of the Special Committee on Urban Issues, Ranking Minority Member of the Crime Prevention and Public Safety Committee, and member of the Corrections Committee

 

28 to Life, Founder and Executive Director, St. Louis, MO                                                    

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  • Founded 28 to Life, including but not limited to established articles of incorporation, and Board of Directors

  • Oversaw annual budget, and was responsible to fundraise to ensure the fiscal sustainability of the organization  

  • Established employment and administrative policies and procedures for all functions and daily operations

  • Served as primary spokesperson to the organization’s constituents, the media, and the general public.

  • Established and maintained relationships with various organizations throughout the state and utilize those relationships to strategically enhance the organization’s mission

  • Reported to and worked closely with the Board of Directors to seek their involvement in policy decisions, fundraising and to increase the overall visibility of the Foundation throughout the State.

 

Generation Progress, Gun Violence Prevention & Criminal Justice Organizer, Washington, D.C.   

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  • Organized gun violence and criminal justice organizers to advocate for common sense gun /criminal justice reform

  • Developed a platform to educate advocates/legislators on how to address urban gun violence in mainstream discourse

  • Created and facilitated workshops to educate individuals on how to recruit diverse staff and organizers

  • Partnered to create the Criminal Justice Roundtable series, where GP worked with local organizers, and law enforcement officials to help them develop effective community-police relationships

 

St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment, Mentor Coordinator, St. Louis, MO                                

  • Coordinated and supervised 500 mentors and mentee relationships

  • Co-created and implemented 24 hour mentoring a 24-hour high school, the Prison to Prosperity Program, and the Civil Liberties Jobs Program

  • Provided wrap-around services to mentees including but not limited to: advocated on mentees behalf in court, helped them identify employment opportunities, and provided tutoring, financial literacy and empowerment resources.

Speaking truth to power

Awards 

Delux Magazine Power 100 (2017)                                                                                                     

NAACP St. Louis  County Youth Chapter Leadership Award                                                                            

Harris Stowe State University  Martin Luther King Jr. Drum Major Award                                                      

Urban League Martin Luther King Tribute Honoree 

 

BET Great 28 Black History Month Award - 2018 Disruptors                                                                                       

Delux Magazine Power 100 (2018)                                                                                                           

St Peters Martin Luther King Jr Drum Major Award                                                                                          

Empower Missouri Legislator of the Year