Born and raised in Warren County, North Carolina, I am a first-generation college student. I earned a bachelor’s degree from NC State, master’s degree from Columbia University in New York and Ph.D. from Boston University.
I’m a member of the same sorority (Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.) as civil rights icon Rosa Parks (1913-2005), Vice President Kamala Harris and Betty Shabazz, wife of slain civil rights icon Malcom X. I met both of these amazing women when I was a graduate student at Columbia, and I have a photo as proof of this fact.
I have traveled outside of the United States a dozen times for pleasure and the purpose of presenting my research to international audiences.
My favorite basketball team is the NC State Wolfpack women’s team. My favorite football teams are the Kansas City Chiefs and Carolina Panthers.
I love comfort foods: macaroni and cheese, banana pudding, potato salad and sweet potato pie… a real southerner!
