From Power to Prison: My Journey Through the Unexpected

One day, I was walking through the halls of power, making high-stakes decisions, and thriving in a career I had built with dedication and hard work. The next, I was standing at the threshold of a federal prison, stripped of my title, influence, and everything I thought defined me. Life can change in an instant, and when it does, you have two choices—let it break you or let it build you.

Serves as Deputy Chief of Staff for one of the most powerful mayors in the country, but nothing could prepare me for how easily a knock on my door would unravel everything I had worked for. It was the visit by the FBI, the trial, and all the media attention that turned my world upside down. I was no longer viewed as the successful professional, the community leader, or the woman who had dedicated decades to public service. I was labeled a felon. A prisoner. An outcast. Walking into Aliceville Federal Prison Camp was probably one of the hardest things I have ever done. As I traded my name for an inmate number, the weight of the new reality came crashing down. But even then, in the midst of desperation, I learned something: it wasn’t over.

In a surprising twist of fate, it was in the prison that growth began. The ladies I got to know carried burdens and fights, each for herself. My strength came through faith, and my clarity from solitude. There is resilience through loss. What was once perceived as success behind bars was nothing more than reshaped self-worth.

I am no longer the same person I was when I walked out of prison. I was stronger, wiser, and grounded in faith. A new chapter began there. So, I stand before you today to tell you that story, one step at a time.