I was born and raised in South Central LA in a big working-class family. Though I grew up in a family of 6, the number of people living in our household frequently grew from year to year as my parents constantly took in friends, family, and neighborhood children, despite their own challenges to make ends meet. This devotion to family and community greatly impressed upon me a duty and obligation to the well being of others that I carry with me in every aspect of my life.
Additionally, across my childhood and adolescent years, I was consistently exposed to a more full account of world and modern history and a wide range of various cultural traditions and values. This nurtured a deep pride, respect, and understanding of the immense contributions Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color have and can make in building and maintaining thriving societies.
I am a product of and a big believer in our public school system as I was blessed to have been supported by many passionate and inspiring educators throughout my K-12 journey in LAUSD. I attended Normandie Ave ES, Audubon MS, and THE Crenshaw HS, all schools in District 1. I then went on to earn two undergraduate degrees from San Francisco State University. My passions for education, social justice, art, and engineering led me to double major in Sociology and Industrial Design: Product Design & Development.
Family Fun Fact: My wife and I first met and became good friends in middle school at Audubon MS. We take immense pride and joy in raising our 5 beautiful children together, working to shower them with love, intellectual stimulation, and wide ranging exposure to different experiences. Regular hikes, trips to museums, and going to local community actions and events are just some of our favorite family activities we love to do together.
