I'’m navigating federal leadership and stepping into Oregon politics, and I’ll be honest: the climate here feels designed to weather us. I’m coming from Missouri, where I had a village that said, ‘I got you.’ In Oregon, I’m finding a lot of gatekeeping and a specific kind of 'polite' exclusion that is mentally exhausting. What I need right now is a Sponsor, not a Gatekeeper. I’m looking for the women who are willing to reach back and say, ‘I see what they’re trying to do to you, and I’m not going to let them get you down.’ I want a community that helps me navigate the 'racism of niceness' here so I can stay true to my faith and my ambition without burning out. I'm 29 and I do feel like I'm entering a different chapter.
I’m looking for opportunities to serve on city or state advisory boards where I can use my federal leadership experience to influence policy, specifically around housing, civil rights, and civic engagement. I want to connect with the political vanguard in Oregon—people who understand the local landscape and can help me navigate the transition from federal service into local civic leadership.I want to build deep roots with culturally specific advocacy groups. I’m looking for the 'Pioneer' spirits who have been doing the work in Oregon for years and can help me anchor my leadership in the local Black community.
