In 2018, I became the first Black woman to run for the Georgia House of Representatives seat in District 103. I did not win the seat. The courage belongs in the story too. Before I focused on building platforms for others, there was a woman willing to put her name forward. I possessed a commitment to education, a heart for service, and a firm belief that my voice belonged in conversations about our community future.
Putting My Name Forward
Running for office makes a private conviction public. You move from discussing what matters to offering yourself for the responsibility of addressing it. In my case, this meant entering a space where no Black woman had previously run for that seat. I understood the significance of showing up. My name represented my own candidacy, but my participation also carried a message about who could imagine herself seeking public leadership.
What Being First Means
Being first comes with a responsibility to remember that history extends beyond you. There were women whose courage helped make my participation possible. I also think about the woman who might see someone like me enter a race and begin to reconsider her own possibilities. She may be an educator, a business owner, a mother, a minister, or a community volunteer. Representation can help her see her experience differently.
The Outcome and the Journey
I did not win the seat. That truth belongs in this story alongside the courage it took to run. An honest account of leadership needs room for efforts that do not produce the outcome we hoped for. It needs room for reflection, disappointment, learning, and the decisions we make afterward. There is dignity in stepping forward with a sincere desire to serve. I recognize my candidacy as a meaningful act of participation. I became part of the district electoral history.
Continuing the Work of Service
My commitment to helping people continued through education, ministry, advocacy, and community work. Through Trinity International University of Ambassadors, TIUA School of Business, and Trinity Girls Network, I have continued creating opportunities for people to learn, grow, and recognize their potential. Stories can preserve contributions that might otherwise be overlooked. They can also help us look at our own lives with greater honesty. My run for District 103 is an important part of that account. It speaks to my willingness to enter unfamiliar territory. Faith has helped me continue through the uncertainty that comes with meaningful work. Galatians 6:9 encourages us to remain faithful in doing good and to resist growing weary.
Reflecting on District 103 Today
As I reflect on my 2018 candidacy, I am also watching the close race between Representative Soo Hong and Chris Luchey. At the time of writing, the outcome remains too close to call. Having once sought this seat myself, I appreciate the commitment it takes to step forward. As the counting process continues, I hope everyone remains focused on the people of District 103 and the work ahead. I put my name forward. I embraced the opportunity to serve. And I continue the work of Bridging Gaps and Changing Lives.
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