I was born and raised in The Bronx, New York, but life took an unexpected turn when my family lost everything in a house fire. We relocated to Jacksonville, Texas, my father’s hometown, prior to me entering high school. It was a culture shock, but I learned to adapt, find my community, and make it my own.

Growing up as the youngest of four, with a significant age gap between my siblings, I had the unique experience of being both the baby of the family and, at times, feeling like an only child. My parents were my foundation—my mother, my greatest encourager, always reminded me to validate myself, and my father instilled in me the lesson of taking life one step at a time, like following the white lines on a dark highway. Their wisdom and love carried me through some of my toughest moments.