I was raised in the inner city of New Orleans.  I live across the street from where I attended first grade and less than a mile from where I graduated high school.  I am a product of my city  Thus, it makes sense that I want to make it a better place to live.   The Prophet Jeremiah wrote: "Seek the Shalom of the city where I have planted you."  The Hebrew word Shalom encompasses peace and prosperity.  If ever a city needed both, it is New Orleans. 

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After earning the BA in Psychology at Wheaton College and the Master of Social Work at the University of Illinois at Chicago, I spent 12 years as a psychotherapist, author and radio talk show host.  Subsequently,  I became a community organizer and developer working to improve living conditions for the marginalized of my city.  For the next 16 years of my professional life I endeavored to establish a community center, improve housing conditions, enhance education, reduce crime, and create a livable community for seniors.

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At age 50, I returned to higher education, earning my MS and PhD in Urban Studies.  Entering academia was my gateway to teaching the next generation of community leaders and extending the work into the future.  I currently serve as Associate Professor of Social Work at Southern University's Millie M. Charles School of Social Work, a BSW and MSW program located inside a historically Black university.