June holds deep meaning for me. It marks both Pride Month, celebrating LGBTQ+ lives, and Juneteenth, honoring the liberation of Black people from slavery in 1865. These observances are personal, but for much of my life, they felt like opposing truths. As a proud Black LGBGTQ+ man, I was often made to feel I could only express one identity at a time.

As a military kid, my family moved constantly. When my dad traded in his uniform for the pulpit, the moving didn’t stop. I’ve lived in shelters. I’ve crashed on couches. I’ve struggled. And I’ve been saved—by community, by grace, by a friend who gave me a roof when I needed it most.

When our campaign speaks about expanding economic prosperity, we mean exactly that: prosperity for everyone. The truth is, when our local economy thrives, we all benefit. But for prosperity to be equitable, we must rethink who we consider “talent” and how we meet people where they are.

We all have a stake in this election. For me, it’s about turning deficits into assets, embracing innovation and collaboration, and tackling challenges head-on. That’s what truly matters. The little boy who once slept in a car outside Walgreens, washed up in a McDonald’s, and later found shelter learned that with hope and help, life can change. I’m ready to bring both to District 1 and the entire city of Wichita. This is my purpose, and it’s why I’m running.