As early as age three, I remember dancing with my mother and father to world music in our living room. I sang and danced along to Hugh Masekela (South Africa), Carlos Santana (Mexico), Joe Zawinul (Austria) and Weather Report, as well Tania Maria and Azymuth (Brazil). Throughout my childhood in Detroit I was introduced by my parents to the cultures of Africa, Europe, South America, Asia and the Middle East through music, books, and food. We would visit different communities throughout metro Detroit and my favorite time of year was attending the world festivals in Hart Plaza downtown.
Why is this important one may ask? I have carried the early introduction to world cultures with me throughout my life. I have a deep appreciation for all cultures and people and I strongly believe in a human being's right to BE. I believe that diversity is sacred and this has been the foundation of which I have created my life mission: to utilize my legal training and community organizing skills to advocate for the acknowledgement and preservation of human rights in the global community. I am a very proud American citizen AND a world citizen and I believe that my purpose is to work alongside many in our global community to continue to advance and protect the rights of all people.
After becoming a lawyer and working as a community organizer and advocate in several different communities in Metro Detroit, I knew I wanted to continue my journey in developing my place as a world citizen. So, I pursued my Master of Law in International Law from DePaul College of Law.
In my international law program at DePaul, I was able to merge my love of the law and my love of world cultures. I studied alongside fellow Master of Law students from Spain, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands and China. I studied the development of the international human rights legal system after World War II and how this system has advanced as well as how much further it needs to grow. I was able to fulfill my interest of learning about how the United States interacts with other countries on the world stage. I also studied the significance of our role as a member of the United Nations General Assembly, the United Nations Security Council, and as signatory to several international treaties and conventions.
I studied immigration and refugee law, international criminal law, international business law, and the law of the European Union. I even travelled to Madrid, Spain during my Master of Law program and studied European Union Human Rights Law. We visited several Spanish legal institutions and I truly felt that in my own way I was participating in the positive diplomatic relationship between my home country (United States) and Spain and the European Union. I felt like an unofficial ambassador as a student of law in Spain. This feeling was highlighted when I spent an afternoon as a tourist at the Royal Palace in Madrid and I stood in the same room where Spain became a member of the European Union in 1986.
From travelling to Peru, to sitting in class and participating in vibrant discussions with fellow classmates and law professors about the situations in Syria, Ukraine, and issues before the International Criminal Court, I knew I had answered my calling.
When I walked across the stage on May 18, 2014 to receive my Master of Law degree, I reflected on this full circle moment. I know that I am on a continuous journey of making a positive contribution to our global society. For me, it all began in Detroit. I am looking forward to the places my journey will continue to take me.
Why is this important one may ask? I have carried the early introduction to world cultures with me throughout my life. I have a deep appreciation for all cultures and people and I strongly believe in a human being's right to BE. I believe that diversity is sacred and this has been the foundation of which I have created my life mission: to utilize my legal training and community organizing skills to advocate for the acknowledgement and preservation of human rights in the global community. I am a very proud American citizen AND a world citizen and I believe that my purpose is to work alongside many in our global community to continue to advance and protect the rights of all people.
After becoming a lawyer and working as a community organizer and advocate in several different communities in Metro Detroit, I knew I wanted to continue my journey in developing my place as a world citizen. So, I pursued my Master of Law in International Law from DePaul College of Law.
In my international law program at DePaul, I was able to merge my love of the law and my love of world cultures. I studied alongside fellow Master of Law students from Spain, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands and China. I studied the development of the international human rights legal system after World War II and how this system has advanced as well as how much further it needs to grow. I was able to fulfill my interest of learning about how the United States interacts with other countries on the world stage. I also studied the significance of our role as a member of the United Nations General Assembly, the United Nations Security Council, and as signatory to several international treaties and conventions.
I studied immigration and refugee law, international criminal law, international business law, and the law of the European Union. I even travelled to Madrid, Spain during my Master of Law program and studied European Union Human Rights Law. We visited several Spanish legal institutions and I truly felt that in my own way I was participating in the positive diplomatic relationship between my home country (United States) and Spain and the European Union. I felt like an unofficial ambassador as a student of law in Spain. This feeling was highlighted when I spent an afternoon as a tourist at the Royal Palace in Madrid and I stood in the same room where Spain became a member of the European Union in 1986.
From travelling to Peru, to sitting in class and participating in vibrant discussions with fellow classmates and law professors about the situations in Syria, Ukraine, and issues before the International Criminal Court, I knew I had answered my calling.
When I walked across the stage on May 18, 2014 to receive my Master of Law degree, I reflected on this full circle moment. I know that I am on a continuous journey of making a positive contribution to our global society. For me, it all began in Detroit. I am looking forward to the places my journey will continue to take me.
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