I recently graduated from the University of Southern California, double majoring in international relations and the global economy and journalism with a pre-law emphasis. The intersection of my studies aligns with my passion for media and social justice. Currently, I am a special education teacher in East Oakland. I want to be an advocate for my students and community and equip them with the tools to advocate for themselves in the future.

 

My interest in domestic and international politics stems from living abroad in India for four years and traveling to over 26 countries in six continents. 

 

I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty to find the truth. My fondest memories include traveling down the Nile River and debating with local fisherman over the existence of 9/11. They believed the U.S. government made up the fictional tragedy. In Cambodia, I heard tales of the Khmer Rouge from a man whose leg was blown away by a landmine, and later that day I met a monk living in complete silence a mile-deep in a cave. In a rural village in Karnataka, I listened to the tragedies suffered by the Dalit community and the lasting grip of the caste system on India's most vulnerable. I was later chased out of a brick factory by slaveowners infuriated by my trespassing. This was one of the many interviews I managed to sneak in my week-long trip in Karnataka, researching the root causes of modern slavery and debt bondage in India. These conversations and experiences opened my mind to our intricate and diverse world, allowing me to appreciate its cultures, and attempting to understand its complexities.

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The amazing people I met and the disheartening, yet inspiring stories I learned soon spilled over the pages of my two fictional novels, Freedom Child and Freedom Lost. 

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My investigative research and reporting also allows me to share my findings in professional settings. Some of my favorite experiences include discussing modern slavery with the U.S. embassy in New Delhi, and the future of U.S. foreign policy in Southeast Asia at the American Chamber of Commerce in Singapore.

 

These experiences shaped my love for telling stories. I want to continue fighting for justice. I want to give a voice to the voiceless. Education, awareness, and empowerment are the first steps.