(1) Growing up in Atlanta Georgia, you were immersed in one of the most diverse cities in the US.

How did your upbringing in that community shape your sense of identity and ambition - and how does Juneteenth’s celebration of Black freedom and community resonate with those early experiences?

Growing up in Atlanta, Georgia, there was always an atmosphere of Black excellence - especially during Black History Month. Juneteenth wasn’t really celebrated, but there was a strong sense of advocacy for being Black and accomplished. Being in that environment showed me that I could achieve whatever I set out to do. I think about the past often and how people paved the way for future generations to have a chance to be great.

(2) Entering the Tech world often means overcoming “first‑gen” or “only” moments - maybe the first time you saw few Black faces in a server room or on a leadership meeting.

Can you share an instance where you felt those barriers the most, and how Juneteenth’s message of perseverance and liberation speaks to that moment?

I started in Tech at a data center where I was one of three Black team members. As I progressed through my career, I did come across more Black colleagues at my level, and they turned out to be some of the best co-workers I’ve had. But when it came to leadership, I never saw a Black person in a senior role until recently. That’s where representation has always been lacking. The barrier is real, and breaking through it takes perseverance. I’ve learned to equip myself with the tools and knowledge to push through, and that’s part of how I connect Juneteenth to my journey.

(3) In Queens you likely had a network of family, friends, mentors and role models who supported your journey.
How have those personal relationships mirrored the way Juneteenth highlights collective struggle and uplift?

Having a support system plays such a pivotal role. Many of the career decisions I’ve made have been shaped by the advice and encouragement I received along the way. That support helped shape who I am today. I’ve made it a point to pass that same support on to colleagues and family members too. We’re all striving to get to a better place in life, and no one gets there alone.

(4) As you navigated your path from public schools into military service and then corporate IT, you undoubtedly had milestones that felt like true freedoms.

Which of those milestones feels most aligned with Juneteenth’s original promise, and how does it inform what you see as “freedom” today?”

Freedom, the way I see it, has come a long way. Over the course of my journey, the access I’ve gained to information and resources is something I might not have had so easily 20 or 30 years ago. That’s the part of freedom that often gets overlooked. I was able to graduate from college, serve in the military, and become the first person in my family to work in Tech. I couldn’t have done any of that without the freedom to read, research, and access knowledge. That’s what freedom means to me - opportunity through access.

(5) Juneteenth is both a remembrance and a call to action: freedom is never finished. Reflecting on the obstacles you’ve overcome, what are the next “chains” you’re committed to breaking down for the next generation of Black technologists, and how does that connect back to Juneteenth’s ongoing relevance?

My personal goal is to step into a leadership role and create opportunities for others to aim beyond the status quo - especially for Black people who’ve been conditioned to believe they just have to follow orders and stay in their lane. Ambition dies quickly when no one shows you that there’s more out there for you. For me, the chase to be better will never stop. I want to reach my goals not just for myself, but to pave the way for others coming up behind me. That, to me, is what Juneteenth continues to represent - freedom as a legacy, not just a moment.


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