GROWING UP: I am from LA, I still live here and I love it. I graduated from Campbell Hall High School and have a B.A. in Anthropology from Cal State Northridge.
CURRENT GIG: I work in City Planning and Public Works for the City of LA. I take photos for land and title companies.
EXPERIENCES WITH RACE: I was at a party in a nice neighborhood with other black friends. We were walking to our car afterward when a police cruiser came up to us. They didn’t believe we belonged in the neighborhood and handcuffed eacb of us. We repeatedly told them we were at a party but they did not listen. Finally, one of the parents was driving by. They stopped and had to vouch for us so the police would let us go.
In my opinion, we were not dressed in the appropriate fashion. I strive to hold myself in the right way. I need to take that into my own hands. I can’t expect people to think of me in a certain way if I don’t present myself properly. I learned that lesson the hard way.
FINAL THOUGHTS: Family is important to me and I am passionate about what I do. One funny thing, I have a scar on my hand that looks like the number 14.
Photographed by Renee McMahon
