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Recently, Da’Shon Carr, Policy Analyst for Education Policy at New America, sat down with me to discuss how philanthropic, non-profit, and advocacy organizations can revisit their policy and advocacy approaches related to student parents. Our conversation is published as part of New America’s ongoing Student Parent Spotlight Blog Series. This conversation holds significant meaning for…

When I took my first step, I was dressed in a sequin leotard with a pastel pink tutu and had struggling pigtails. It was Halloween, the day after my first birthday. (Yes, I’m a boo baby.) My parents still have this photograph of me. You can’t see my mom or dad in the photo, but…

The National Governors Association (NGA) released a report this month on “Optimizing Federal COVID Relief Funds: State Perspectives on Bolstering Child Care and Early Childhood Systems.” NGA examines 14 states and how they strategically approached managing and administering COVID-19 relief funds in the areas of: The report finds that “states have proven they can build…

In the summer of 2020, following the publicized and televised social injustices and protests, I wrote the article below that was published by Business Insider. All over social media and within various organizations, people asked, “What can I do to address racial inequities?” Immediately, my answer stemmed from a longstanding “ban” my mom imposed in…

Reflecting on My “Role Models Banned” Essay from Chicken Soup for the Soul’s I’m Speaking Now – Black Women Share Their Truth in 101 Stories of Love, Courage and Hope In 2021, I wrote the essay below that was published by Chicken Soup for the Soul. The essay explored how, in my 30s, I finally…

It’s true. I don’t think we can change people, but I sure do believe in change that liberates humanity. In 2022, I took a year-long journey of rest after quitting my job in late 2021. I was beyond burnt out. I was carrying the burden of not knowing myself, a burden that did not suddenly…