I am the fourth of five children raised by a single mother in a low-income predominantly Black neighborhood in Sacramento, CA. I attended (or was bused to) predominantly white middle-class schools beginning in kindergarten. I came out as a lesbian at 20. In 1983, I started a long college career at a community college, picking up an Associate of Arts degree in Social Science, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, and a Master of Arts degree in Research Psychology along the way before finishing at a professional school in 1997 where i earned a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology (minor: Multicultural and Community). In 2000, I was licensed by the state of CA to practice psychology. For over 20 years, I have provided clinical services (psychotherapeutic and case management direct service and senior management) to diverse, economically-disenfranchised children, youth, families, and adults of color, including gays and lesbians, in nonprofit, community mental health, and private practice settings. Other work experience includes being a Program Officer in philanthropy, doing grantmaking in youth development, community health, hunger/homelessness, gay/lesbian, community development, and families; teaching at the graduate level; and providing numerous trainings and presentations in mental health, power and privilege, diversity, ethics, and fundraising issues. I am a graduate of the National Community Development Institute’s Professional Development for Consultants leadership program where I was trained to provide culturally-based capacity building for social change with nonprofit organizations. I have been on the advisory boards of Homies Organizing the Mission to Empower Youth (a peer-based organization working with Latino youth involved in street culture) and the National Center for Lesbian Rights’ Sports Project (a program addressing homophobia and transphobia in sports). I am involved in various community efforts such as co-founding/co-organizing an LGBTQ Psychotherapists of Color Network (QTOC), being active members of San Francisco Frontrunners (an LGBT running and walking club) and the Organization for Black Endurance Athletes, and providing pro bono services for athletes on mental game and life skills issues with the Starlings Volleyball Club (a sports-based youth development program for low-income girls/women of color). Always striving for inner peace and balance, I play sports, read, write creatively, watch Star Trek, attend musicals, knit, play Taiko (Japanese drums), spend time with family and friends, and do everything I can to maintain my integrity.