- Grew up here in Boston, raised in the city, mostly in Roxbury and the South End, where my family has very deep roots.

I come from a very large family of educators, entrepreneurs, artists, and activists.

They instilled in me a desire and love for public service, a deep commitment to give back to my community.

I saw activism all around me growing up.

My great grandmother's house in the South End was one street over from where Mel King lives to this day.

I got to see him run for mayor, which was so important for our city and for our community.

Actually, you know, passed out literature on his campaign - Oh.

- for mayor when I was much, much younger.

I was bused to, to Charlestown when I was living at the South End at my great grandmother's house.

That was a very difficult time.

My, my parents didn't agree with sending me there.

Prior to that, I had been going to elementary school in Roxbury, so for middle school during the second phase of busing in Boston, I was assigned to the Edwards Middle School.

We often had police escorts for our buses, lots of rocks, bottles, sticks, racial slurs thrown at us as children, which was very painful and hurtful.

Inside the school, did have friendships with, with children across the board from Asian kids, you know, Latino kids, White kids, Black kids playing together, not to say that there weren't sometimes issues, but had, you know, at 11 years old, you're more concerned about your friendships and who you're gonna play with at, at recess.

Did see my grades slip.

This was a very difficult time.

My parents, however, always fought for me and a better opportunity.

And I know, you know, families always want the best for their kids, so by eighth grade, I was in the METCO program, and I went to Reading Public Schools.

I had a daughter before I graduated.

She was with me at my high school graduation.

And then after school, had to go straight to work to take care of my daughter.