10 things to remember about me if we ever play the game “two truths and a lie”:

My hometown is Philadelphia, PA by way of Monessen, PA.

Major cat person.

I was an Americorps volunteer.

I walked from Altanta to New Orleans with the Interfaith Pilgrimage of the Middle Passage in 1998-99. The first time I ever saw New Orleans I walked into the city.

I was raised with, stand up for and appreciate working class culture and values.

I was home schooled by my grandmother until the age of 7 and then tested and placed in 4th grade. School was very important to me because it allowed me to get out of the house.

I once saved a dog’s life.

My favorite kinds of movies are sci-fi and horror.

You can always take me to a diner.

Oh yea, also I spend each day being an agitator, healer and strategist. I love to create conditions for people to grow, unite and take effective action together. I have been involved with starting or turning around a number of organizations including the International Women’s Peace Service, the Media Mobilizing Project, the Philadelphia Student Union, and Put People First! PA. I recently made a promise that I won’t start any new organizations – please hold me to it! I graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Arts in English, and I have a Masters Degree from Temple University in Geography and Urban Studies, where I received a University Fellowship. I am also a graduate of the Center for Progressive Leadership (2012), and I received a Windcall Fellowship in May 2013. I am passionate about ending poverty and I am a poverty scholar with the Poverty Initiative/Kairos Center at Union Theological Seminary. For my paid work I do consulting with local, regional, and national organizations and alliances.