I was born and raised in New Haven. Growing up, my family and my faith taught me that each of us has an obligation to do everything we can to help other people. When I was in high school, I decided I wanted to dedicate my life to public service. I tutored at Mauro Sheridan and volunteered to help kids learn English at Elm City Internationals. Through school, I organized fundraising drives for the Connecticut Food Bank.

As I got more involved, I was appointed to serve on New Haven's Homeless Advisory Board and Connecticut’s Commission on Community Service. Working alongside kids and families from across our city, I saw up close the impact that an unfair economic system and outdated, harmful government policies can have.

While I was doing this community service, Trump got elected in 2016. That stiffened my resolve. At rallies and neighborhood meetings, or talking to people on their front steps, I felt the fear and damage Trump's presidency caused. And I saw that working in state and local government offered a path for fighting back and making progress close to home. Six years ago, I was elected to the New Haven Board of Alders. I also helped organize and then directed the Connecticut General Assembly's Progressive Caucus. Four years ago, I started working as the Legislative Coordinator at Connecticut Voices for Children.