A Legacy of Service. A Vision for Tomorrow.

Rooted in Legacy. Guided by Service. Focused on the Future.

Schenectady is more than my hometown. It is part of who I am, where my family's roots run deep, and where generations before me helped shape the community I am proud to call home. My story didn't begin with public office. It began with a family that believed in hard work, standing up for others, and leaving something better for the next generation.

My great-uncle, Arthur Chaires, broke barriers as the city's first Black police officer in 1953. My cousin, Mark Chaires, continued that tradition of public service, rising to the rank of Assistant Police Chief. My cousin, Joseph L. Allen, made history as Schenectady's first Black City Council member, while another cousin, James Stamper, helped break racial barriers at General Electric, becoming the first Black machinist at its Schenectady Works and later its first Black supervisor.

My grandmother, Mildred Mason, was a dedicated civil rights activist who participated in the historic 1963 March on Washington and built a career in federal government service, including work with the U.S. Department of Energy.

These weren't simply names in history books. They were my family. People who challenged barriers, opened doors, and understood that progress requires courage, sacrifice, and a willingness to stand for something greater than yourself. Their examples taught me that a legacy is not simply something you inherit. It is a responsibility to build upon and ultimately leave stronger for those who follow.