“Community, safety, and well-being have always been at the heart of everything I do.”
I never set out to be a politician. In fact, I don’t even like politics, especially party politics. I didn’t study political science in school, and I certainly didn’t dream of becoming president as a child. My goal has always been simple: to leave my neighborhood better than I found it.
My roots in Meadowvale run deep—my parents grew up here, and I’ve spent my career working to improve my community. As a social worker and fitness professional, I saw firsthand the challenges people faced and dedicated myself to making a difference. During this time, I was inspired by the work of Pat Saito. She was constantly securing funding for nonprofit organizations, making social and physical improvements to our community, and proving that real change could come from civic leadership.
When I heard that Pat was retiring, I was sitting in a meeting with the Mayor’s Black Caucus advisory team. Surrounded by talented individuals, I was encouraged to consider running for office. I took that encouragement seriously. I started meeting with Pat regularly, attending committee meetings, and participating in town halls— learning the systems, meeting the people, and preparing myself for the responsibility ahead.
On October 24, 2022, I was elected to represent my community, becoming the first Black councillor in 20 years and the only Black councillor for the Region of Peel at the time. It was a historic moment, but for me, it wasn’t about making history—it was about continuing the work I had always done.
Community, safety, and well-being have always been at the heart of everything I do. Now, as a councillor, I am working to ensure that my neighbors feel safe, our young people feel empowered and hopeful, and our seniors feel protected and secure.
The funny thing is, I’ve always done this work. The only difference now is that I’m doing it from a different seat.
