My Story
Background
I was born in Terre Haute, Indiana, and spent my early childhood years in Niagara Falls, New York, before completing most of my education in Jackson, Mississippi. My journey eventually brought me to Missouri, where my family settled in Boonville, just west of Columbia on I-70.
Today, I serve as the Founder and CEO of the Mid-Missouri Black Doula Collective, where I provide critical support to families during one of life’s most pivotal moments. Through this work, I’ve seen firsthand the power of compassion, advocacy, and the need for community-centered support.
But my most important role? Mom. I’m a proud mother of three — one Battle High graduate, one current Battle student, and one yet to enter CPS. As a parent, I understand the hopes, challenges, and dreams that every family holds for their child’s future.
I graduated from Boonville High School, Class of 2002, and went on to attend the University of Missouri-Columbia. Stepping onto a campus of that size was a whole new world — I wasn’t fully prepared for what it would take to succeed in that environment. After my freshman year, I found out I was pregnant with my first child, and that news sparked a sense of urgency to create a clear plan for my future. I decided to shift to a smaller collegiate setting, hoping it would be a better fit for me. I spent two years at Moberly Area Community College before transferring to Columbia College, where I majored in psychology with minors in sociology and education. In 2018, I also earned my Master of Arts in Teaching from Columbia College.
Education
Experience
While running my own community-based, school-aged program, I joined Columbia Public Schools in 2016 to gain a deeper understanding of the public school system and strengthen my ability to support students and families. I started as an attendance secretary at Alpha Hart Lewis Elementary and soon moved into an instructional aide role in media. The following year, I became the Homeschool Communicator, a position I held for two years before transitioning to the Neil C. Aslin building as Assistant Director of Student Services. I served in that administrative role until my departure in August of this year to focus on community-driven initiatives.
