What inspired you to become a lawyer?
When I was graduating from pre-K, we had this ceremony and all the kids had to get up, introduce ourselves,and say what we wanted to be when we grew up. I am not sure where I got the idea from, but I remember that was the first time I said out loud that I wanted to be a judge.
My mother told me after the ceremony that I would have to be a lawyer before I could be a judge, so that became my career goal.
Years later, I had lost sight of that goal until one of my undergrad counselors told me that I was a great advocate and would make a great lawyer. It reminded me of goal to be a judge. It feels like divine intervention.
What inspires you?
My faith and belief in God is what inspires me. It is the driving force behind everything that I do in life. I have been extremely blessed in this life, and it is mandatory that I pass those blessings along to others. So that inspires me to live life to the fullest and to hold myself to the highest standards of excellence.
How do you relate your undergraduate degree to your practice on the bench?
My undergraduate degree is in public relations. It is essential to what I do daily on the bench. It is important to not only meet people where they are, but also to truly listen to them and their perspective. Even if there is not an agreement, there must be respect.
In public relations it is necessary to understand people and find ways to bridge gaps in communication so that both parties can move forward in a mutually beneficial relationship. I use those skills every single day that I take the bench.
What community service have you pursued and why?
I think the nurturing and maturation of children is essential to our society continuing to move forward and progress. In that regard it is important to guide children and mentor them.
My community service is usually geared toward speaking to children in schools, reading books to children and just being an available source as best as I can. Anything involving the children will get me there.
What is your favorite book?
I have two: “Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry” by Mildred D. Taylor and “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen.
Do you have any special talents?
I love to cook, and I think I do so pretty well.
If you weren’t a judge what do you think you’d be?
I would like to think I would be a movie producer or a professor.
Have you traveled anywhere exotic?
Not really exotic, but my favorite place I’ve been is Freeport, Bahamas.
If you could meet someone from history, who would it be and why?
I would love to meet my grandparents. Unfortunately, only my paternal grandmother was still living when I was born and she passed away when I was still in elementary school.
I feel like I missed out on a lot of memories that I am now seeing my children make with their grandparents. I would love to talk to them about our family history and learn more about them.
What’s your favorite food?
I can’t choose just one. I love soul food, seafood and Mexican.
What’s your favorite holiday?
Thanksgiving, without a doubt. Family, food and football – my favorite trinity.