A Record of Service in District 89

Nearly 14 years ago, I chose Wichita as the place where I wanted to build my life, raise my family, and serve others. My wife grew up here, and through her, this community became home for me too.

Since then, I spent years working directly with children and families here in Kansas. I worked in after-hours support, helping staff and care for young people in foster care when they needed someone to show up. More recently, I served as a permanency specialist in reintegration, working with families whose children had entered foster care and helping them do the hard work required to safely bring their families back together.

My wife and I are also raising five children and serving as foster parents ourselves. We believe every child deserves to feel safe, loved, and supported, and every family deserves a fair chance to stay together whenever it can be done safely.

I worked as a paraeducator, coach, and mentor, and I co-wrote Wake Up, Wake Up, It’s Time for Another Day to help Black children talk about identity, confidence, and pride in who they are.

My commitment to service also comes from my own experience with the healthcare system.

For years, I lived and worked in constant pain. I knew something was wrong, but it took years before anyone truly listened. It wasn’t until I found a neurologist of color who ordered genetic testing that I was finally diagnosed with Isaac syndrome, a rare neurological muscle disease.

After my diagnosis, I spent months undergoing treatments just to help me walk and complete everyday tasks. There is no cure, but with the right care, determination, and support, I have continued moving forward.

No one should have to fight that hard just to be heard.

Too many Black patients and other people of color have their pain dismissed, their symptoms overlooked, or their diagnoses delayed. I know what it feels like to be overlooked, and I want people of color to have a strong advocate in the Kansas Legislature who will speak directly about those disparities and work to make quality healthcare easier to access.

That means expanding access to affordable care, supporting a more diverse healthcare workforce, improving access to specialists, and making sure patients are treated with dignity regardless of their race, income, or ZIP code.

I did not suddenly show up in District 89 because I decided to run for office. I have been raising my family here, serving children here, helping families stay together here, and investing my heart in this community for years.

I am running because I love this district. I want to be a voice for working families, foster children, parents, people living with disabilities, and communities of color who too often feel ignored by the systems that are supposed to help them.

Now I am asking for the opportunity to serve you in the Kansas Legislature.