First and foremost I’m a father and a grandfather as well. I was born here but my roots are from New Orleans, LA. I’m an only child and love that fact that it made me independent and imaginative.
My family means the world to me. I’m a heart attack survivor and I’m slowly working my way back to the health. I need to be in order to watch my granddaughter Zaia grow up. I’m a new impassioned swimmer. I’m a community guy and believe that changing the world for the better starts in our own communities. for Nearly 3 decades I’ve always been an educator in some capacity. I’ve taught middle school, high school, and college. I’ve coached youth sports for years. I was recently voted BIPOC Community Leader of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce, diverse professionals roundtable. I am also the founder and organizer of Thee Dinner Club and monthly networking dinner for Men of Color in the area. I’m becoming a tea connoisseur and love trying new teas.
Q: Please tell us about your current career and what you love most about what you do?
Professionally, I am the Director of Community Engagement from the Office of External Affairs for Quinsigamond Community College. I stepped into this role August 2023, and have loved it every day since I got here. I’m part of the best team in the institution, and I’m excited every day to get up and go to work. My VP. Dr. Viviana Abreu-Hernandez is the captain of the ship and guides us to be our very best representatives for QCC.
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Worcester, and what is your favorite dish?
Over the years I’ve watched the growth and change of Worcester and really love how the food scene has developed and grown. Since I was a kid, I have always loved Sole Proprietor. I honestly think it is more about the nostalgia at this point than it is the food, although I do love the food as well. I’m a big seafood guy so it’s probably bake stuffed lobster as my favorite dish there. I could eat seafood every day. NOLA Cajun Kitchen in West Boylston and now Shrewsbury comes in a close second because it reminds me of New Orleans. The Fix a close 3rd.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve ever met?
I’ve had a varied and super interesting career and have been lucky to travel and meet thousands of people such as dignitaries, leaders, politicians, change agents all over the country. So it’s a really tough question but I am going to have to say my former mentor, Lynne Hayden Simonds RIP. She was the greatest mentor I’ve ever had. She allowed me to grow and develop as a professional and gave me the tools I needed to become the person I became.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Right now I’ve been falling in love with the idea of traveling to the Caribbean, specifically Aruba first then the other islands. I’ve never traveled outside the US and I’m planning to make a trip this fall to Aruba. Going to attempt to check out the Dominican Republic, Canada, and most definitely Morocco, Spain and Portugal.
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
I don’t know if they could be considered a band, but Wu Tang clan is always in my rotation. It takes me back to simpler times in my life.
Q: What is your best advice?
My best advice, is not actually from me but a video interview with the artist Jay Z. “I walk in every room as myself, I don’t walk in any room as anyone else, I’m not cowering, I’m not speaking soft, my voice doesn’t change, it sounds exactly the same”. For me that “always resonates about being one’s authentic self, and at this point in my life and career, it’s super important to me that I always make sure that I am exactly that.
Q: What are the top three on your Bucket List?
Travel, travel and travel.
Q: What current/former local business makes you the most nostalgic about Worcester, and why?
Former businesses – Strawberries Music downtown on Front street, going there to buy tapes and CDs as a kid. There was no feeling better than being able to purchase new music and go home and listen to it. Skylight Roller Skating, grew up there. Kids these days will never know what it’s like to walk across the city at midnight after roller-skating all night. Current business, again it would have to be the Sole. I used to have dinner there with my mom as a kid growing up and I’ll never have that luxury again so that is very nostalgic for me.
Q: Choosing anyone alive and a non-relative with whom would you love to have lunch, and why?
Tough question, probably Barack Obama. I’d love to be able to have a conversations with him about what it felt like to break a barrier that no one will ever be able to break again. The first Black man to sit in the highest seat in the land.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Hopefully, being able to contribute to the community in positive ways. Whether it’s grass roots organizing , or just education and training. Along with being able to see my children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews as productive members of the city, country, and world. Obviously, this will be between my travels.
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you, even your friends or family.
Yeah a few things BUT If I shared them then they’d no longer be my secrets. Maybe I’ll reveal them in my autobiography. Huge MAYBE
Q: What 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Family, Safety, Love
Q: If a motion picture was made of your life, what actor/actress would you choose to play you?
I would say Denzel but he’s older than me so maybe Derek Luke (Antwone Fisher)
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about Worcester?
I’d have to say my favorite thing about Worcester, especially growing up here in the city, is that although we are the second largest city in New England, we still have a small town feel to us. Everyone knows everyone and is somehow connected or related.
Q: What is your favorite smell?
Fresh baked goods, a steaming hot cup of tea or almost everything in The Bean Counter
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
Personally, my family, Liza, Kadijah, Koran, Jose and baby Zaia. Physically, my fitness accountability partners. Especially Juan “Pito” Perez who never lets me forget why I’m doing it. My people that make sure I go to the gym daily, eat properly and rest. Professionally, my VP, Viviana, she leads by example and that makes me want to make sure we’re always our best selves in the community.
