As a 10 year citizen of Memphis, with ties to youth development, hospitality, ministry, and community engagement, I consider myself a proud transplant of the city and its constantly evolving culture. I aim to invest in the spaces around me as they strive toward their mission. American actress, Angella Bassett was quoted saying, “We all have a gift; we all have a passion - it's just about finding it and going into it. Being an asset to your family and community.” As a community focused professional with a wife and child at home, this quote resonated with me. My passion is for this city and I have a desire to be an asset, at home and abroad. I’ve spent the majority of my professional life serving in the city of Memphis with various organizations, each of them continuing to sharpen me vocationally and personally. I have supervised over 100 individual staff members, directed programming for more than 6,000 students, and been entrusted fiscally with organizational funds and annual budgeting responsibilities. I am two classes away from completing my bachelors degree, which is a personal desire of mine as I become the first graduate of my family. I desire to grow and I’m thankful to the organizations that have entrusted me and granted me the ability to do so thus far. The array of professional experience I have had has allowed me to see more of the composite picture of Memphis. I’ve worked across neighborhood, generational, and cultural lines as I’ve grown to appreciate the individuals who create the mosaic picture of this wonderful city. I moved here a decade ago to be a part of growing and accenting that picture.