I am not a politician with a long resume. I am like you—I saw that change was needed, and I chose to do something about it. I’m the daughter of two first-generation Mexican immigrants who taught me the values of hard work, compassion, and standing up for our community. I grew up navigating systems not built for families like mine—facing housing insecurity, financial hardship, and the constant challenge of making ends meet, even with two working parents. Durham became my community, and it became my family. When you love a community like family, you fight for it like family.

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I began my nursing career just before the COVID-19 pandemic, and inside hospital walls, I witnessed the devastating health disparities that Black and Brown communities have faced for years. I knew lasting change had to happen beyond the bedside, which led me to pursue one of the only RN-to-PhD programs in the country—where I learned to turn community listening into evidence-based action. Since then, I’ve focused on advancing health equity, from supporting families at Lincoln Community Health Center to leading research on Black and Latina women’s health and adolescent well-being. Through it all, I’ve mentored future leaders because I want young people—especially those who look like me—to see themselves in power and surpass where I stand. I made a commitment: my patients would no longer be just individuals—I would fight for whole communities.

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Nursing is the most trusted profession because we listen, and we act. I’ve served Durham at the bedside for six years, and I’ve seen how decisions about housing, transportation, and economic development are health decisions. The consequences of action—or inaction—are felt immediately. We don’t need more passion alone—we need leadership that bridges advocacy and action, grounded in evidence. That is the art of nursing, and that is the leadership Durham deserves. This is why I’m running for Durham City Council—for us.