Editor's note: This post is part of the Celebrating Black History Month series, which highlights the work of African Americans from across the Administration who are contributing to the President's goals for winning the future.
As Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of Policy and Special Projects for the First Lady, I help oversee the broad issue portfolio of the First Lady, including her work on childhood obesity, military families, mentoring, and work-family challenges. This role provides a unique vantage point from which to advance the President’s vision, particularly the goal of improving and strengthening the lives of young people. In our Let’s Move! initiative, we focus on educating youth about living healthy lives and making healthy choices. In our military families work, we focus in part on ways to improve the edu
As a native of Washington, DC, working in the White House today is a special privilege — something I dreamed about doing as a young person but was never quite sure truly would be possible. My greatest influences growing up were my parents, both of whom worked for the federal government like so many in DC, and family members. All believed in a strong work ethic and the power of education. My parents made huge sacrifices to give me a wonderful education, from the National Cathedral School here in Washington, to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and Harvard Law School. Along the way I met teachers and professors and colleagues who encouraged and challenged me and helped open my eyes to new opportunities.
What sustained me then — and now — were those values instilled by my parents early in life. Those that stressed the importance of fairness and mutual respect, commitment to community and our obligation to give back, having a healthy dose of humility and recognizing our own imperfections, and reaching for your dreams.
Fonte: White House