GROWING UP: I am from Exeter, NH and currently live in San Francisco. I have a B.A. in History and a B.A. in Black Studies from UC Santa Barbara. I am currently working on my Masters in Education and Computing from Columbia University.
CURRENT GIG: I am the 9th and 10th grade Dean at the Urban School of San Francisco. I also teach yoga and meditation and coach youth water polo.
EXPERIENCES WITH RACE: I have experienced racism in two forms: one is personal and one is systemic. The personal is shocking. When I get yelled at on the street, and called the N word, I am disappointed and get momentarily thrown off. The systemic challenges are more infuriating because people assume that certain people are limited and use stereotypes to prevent others from achieving their goals. This is the case in mass media in schools and in casual discourse. Ending personal and systemic racism is important to me.
FINAL THOUGHTS: I believe in working with people to develop greater understanding through education.
Photograph by Spencer Susser