My Story
I learned early how to read a room.
Later, engineering taught me how to read a system. Much of my life has been learning when to use each skill, when to listen, and when to begin again.
I am more interested in becoming than pretending everything is finished.
01 | Rochester
Family was the first example.
My mother showed me a kind of strength that did not need an announcement. Rochester gave me family, church, music, questions, video games, and an early sense of responsibility.
By fifth grade I was taking the lead in Freedom Bound. At Edison Tech, chess, yearbook, student government, National Honor Society, track, cross-country, and REEP gave the future engineer more than one way to be curious.
02 | RIT
Engineering trained my mind. Black community helped keep me whole.
At RIT, electrical engineering taught me to approach a problem carefully, ask useful questions, and learn with others. Gospel Ensemble taught me harmony, preparation, humility, and responsibility to the whole group.
NSBE, Unity House, BACC, CSTEP, NACME, Kings and Queens, RISTEP, WITR radio, and the Ebony Club helped turn a large institution into a Black community. West African drum and dance gave rhythm to years that needed more than ambition.
03 | Capital Region
Work, culture, and community grew together.
After RIT, I built experience across consulting, industrial facilities, power systems, and construction. Music, cultural arts, and volunteer service remained part of my life alongside the technical work.
Bush Mango, Bata con Pies, Iota Phi Theta, NSBE Region I, NPHC, and chapter-building work gave me opportunities to teach, collaborate, and contribute beyond the office.
04 | Richmond
Richmond became home.
I moved to Richmond in 2014 and continued building my engineering career. The city also gave me new opportunities in creative work, volunteer service, and community leadership.
Church, Iota, African dance, and friendships helped Richmond become more than a place to work. It became home.
Today, engineering, Third Street Bethel AME, Omicron Omega, NPHC Metro Richmond, Break It Down RVA, mentoring, websites, and writing are connected parts of my life.
Today · Still becoming
A life with room in it.
My education widened alongside my work. RIT gave me electrical engineering, Hudson Valley Community College gave me business administration, and San Joaquin Valley College gave me construction management. Together, they help me see the drawing, the organization, and the work needed to get something built.
These days, I’m learning to share the load. Younger brothers lead programs and calendars. Church media work includes preparing other volunteers. I can document what I know without becoming the only person allowed to know it.
Writing Lionheart brought the different parts of my journey into focus. Alongside the work, I make room for family, friendships, music, and dancing. The calendar may disagree. I’m learning to negotiate.