Activist – “A person who campaigns to bring about political or social change.”
Never in a million years would I have ever considered myself an activist… I mean, it’s just not how I thought of myself, or a word I would’ve used to describe myself – until I looked it up!
Once I read that, I thought, duh… I’m absolutely, unapologetically an activist. No, you probably won’t find me marching in the front lines, but I have a strong stance on many of the things that go on in the world, and I use my platforms and influence to affect change in a positive way.
Being black, I’ve had the opportunity to see how other ethnicities view us. Being a woman, I’ve experienced what our male counterparts think of us. So, needless to say, being a black woman definitely proves to be “interesting”… and to be a black boss lady, well, that’s something that not everyone is able to understand.
Typically, I have been one to root for the underdog; I gravitate naturally towards those who are shunned or discriminated against – perhaps, because I can easily relate. So, I make it my mission, not to be a victim or throw pity parties, but to find a way to thrive DESPITE the obstacles. And beyond that, my life’s work is to empower others to do the same.
I have NEVER and I mean NEVER been into politics. Granted, I’ve voted since I was 18 – it was my civic duty, right? However, I never really understood why I was voting for the respective individuals other than the fact that they were Democrats. The way I was always (erroneously) taught was that poor and black or poor, black people vote Democratic; rich, white people vote Republican. Perhaps more was said and I just caught the cliff notes, but in either case, for most of my adult life, I was misinformed and uneducated. I had no clue what the candidates stood for; if I’m truthful, I didn’t really know what the democratic party believed. I just voted the way I was taught.
It wasn’t until 2020, while doing research for one of my social media broadcasts, that I discovered the Green Party. I’m a little embarrassed to admit that I had never even heard of the Green Party. However, once I read about them and their beliefs, I immediately decided that if I was going to support a political party, it would be the Greens. After all, their core values align with my own; the fact that they are independent was just icing on the cake!
In December 2021, they endorsed me to run for Commissioner of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District. A couple months later, I was appointed to serve as the Chairwoman of the Cook County Green Party. Even with these titles and responsibilities, I still don’t consider myself a politician – more like a public servant whose job is to help keep the people informed!
