“I ran for State Representative in 2018 after I lost my brother Michael to homicide. He wasn’t the first person I loved that I had lost. Truthfully, I have lost people my entire life. Losing my baby brother was a new kind of hurt. I was called and catapulted to serve in a bigger capacity. I felt like I was given this assignment to demand more and better for us from the systems that were meant to protect, serve and support families like mine. Losing my brother pushed me to look at myself as someone who was worthy, belonged, and was enough to lead with my community for that type of change we deserved. 

When I won, I brought those values with me to the State House, delivering for the community by ending solitary confinement, expanding voting access for incarcerated people, or elevating Black Maternal Health and birthing justice. These bills were all challenges—I’ve fought the tough fights and filed the hard bills, and I’ll continue to do so as the next State Senator of the 2nd Suffolk.”