About me

biography

My Story Starts with His Story: A Century of Service in Vallejo District 5

My story in Vallejo exists because of my grandfather’s story. A carpenter by trade who owned a lumber mill in Vicksburg, Mississippi, he taught me firsthand what it means to serve a community.

A Century-Long Legacy

In 1919, his uncle—a Buffalo Soldier and Vallejo’s very first African-American contractor—suggested he sell the lumber mill and move out West. Upon arriving in Vallejo, my grandfather immediately found employment. He became a first-class rigger at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard, a career that spanned 44 years and 11 months until he retired to help raise me.

Built to Follow His Footsteps Most of what I know about Vallejo came from him. While the traditional expectation for me was to become a nurse or a teacher—and his dream was for me to follow my two aunts into nursing—my dream was different. I always wanted to be just like him.

Instead of traditional hobbies, I built. I started with miniature doll furniture. Then, I moved on to building houses for our many cats, sourcing carpet remnants from the flooring store on Broadway Street. Whether it was crafting furniture or edging the lawn with hand edgers, I wanted to work with my hands just like my grandfather did.

As we drove through the city, he taught me how to read Vallejo’s history through its buildings. He explained the differences and commonalities in local architecture, showing me how the structures reflected the global homelands of the settlers who arrived here.

Charity Starts at Home:

From him, I learned that charity starts at home—and “home” is not just the structure you live in, but the entire community. I witnessed these lessons in action every day:

The Family Legacy Homes: He purchased two quarter-acre parcels, initially using them for lumber storage. He later built three homes on them—one for my grandparents themselves, and two for his children.

Shelter for Newcomers: My grandparents built a beautiful legacy of hospitality. They kept an open-door home and frequently provided vital support to local youth and newly arrived families settling into Vallejo. Community Support: By supplying an industrial generator to a business responsible for the daily functioning of Vallejo, he ensured they remain operational during emergencies—a major win for the city.

Faith in Action: He personally paved a local church parking lot. why I love Vallejo and district 5 in particular. because of the deep roots and dedication my family has shared with this community for over 100 years. Today, I am proud to honor that legacy by carrying forward my grandfather’s story, his tools, and his vision.