Tenure

Member of the Maryland House of Delegates 2007-1016. Appointed to the Maryland Senate on December 13, 2016. Sworn in on December 21, 2016

Current Assignments

2017 Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee

2017 Comptroller Issues Subcommittee of the Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee

2017 Environment Subcommittee of the Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee

2017 Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review (AELR)

2017 Joint Committee on Ending Homelessness

2017 Joint Committee on Fair Practices and State Personnel Oversight

2007 Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland

2007 Women Legislators of Maryland (Executive Board At- Large, 2009 - )

Past House Service

Deputy Majority Whip, 2015-2016; Appropriations Committee, 2007-2016; Education and Economic Development Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee, 2015-2016; Oversight Committee on Pensions of the Appropriations Committee, 2007-2016; Joint Committee on Ending Homelessness, 2016; Joint Committee on Pensions, 2016; Joint Committee on Fair Practices and State Personnel Oversight, 2011-2016; Public Safety and Administration Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee, 2007-2014; Special Joint Commission on Public Safety and Security in State and Local Correctional Facilities, 2013; Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland (Chair, 2014-16; 2nd Vice Chair, 2010-12; 1st Vice Chair, 2012-14), 2007-2016; Women Legislators of Maryland (Secretary 2015-16; Treasurer, 2015; Executive Board, at large 2009 -), 2007-2016.

Public Service

Pimlico Community Development Authority (2015-2016), 2017-; Commission on the School-to-Prison Pipeline and Restorative Practices, 2017-; Task Force to Investigate the Challenges of and Opportunities for Minorities in Business, 2016-; Mayor's Council on Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises, Baltimore City, 2012-; Special Review Committee on Coppin State University, 2012-2013; Foster Care Review Board, Baltimore City, 1985.

Memberships

Baltimore City Democratic Central Committee, 2010-2014; Co-Founder, Minority Women Business Owners Association; Board of Trustees, Bethel African American Methodist Episcopal Church, Baltimore; Employee Assistance Program Professionals; Maryland Coalition of Women for Responsive Government.

Awards

Maryland's Top 100 Women, Daily Record, 2009; Woman of the Year, Zonta International, Inc., 2006; Distinguished Service Award, Black Professional Women, Inc., 2004; Tree of Life Award, Breast Cancer Awareness Association, 2003; Passing the Torch Legacy Award, African-American Real Estate Professionals, Inc., 2003; Achievement Award, National Public Housing Residents' Association, Inc., 2003; Visionary Award, African-American Women in Business, 2002; Creating Self Sufficiency Award, Workforce Development Coalition, 2002; Welfare-to-Work Entrepreneur of the Year, Small Business Administration, 1999; Maryland Women's Hall of Fame, 1996; Small Business Owner Achievement Award, National Business League, 1996; Women of Enterprise Award, U.S. Small Business Administration, 1995; Business Woman of the Year, Ujima Society, 1992; Woman of the Year, 100 Black Women, 1992.

Biographical Information

Born, Alexandria City, Alabama; University of Baltimore, B.S., Business Management, 1975; Coppin State College, M.A., Criminal Justice, 1976; Deputy Administrator, District Court of Maryland, 1979-80; Supreme Bench, Baltimore, 1980-82; Circuit Court, Baltimore, 1982-85; Teacher/Educator, Division of Corrections, 1981-88; Adjunct Professor, Community College of Baltimore 1983-85; Adjunct Professor, Anne Arundel Community College, 1987-90; Adjunct Professor, Dundalk Community College, 1987; Founder and Executive Director, Self Pride, Inc., 1990-; Talk Show Host, WEAA Radio, 1990 -; Author, And Still I Cry (1992) Pursuing Your Passion: Things They Don't Tell You About Entrepreneurship; Member, Bethel African American Methodist Episcopal Church, Baltimore; Married, Four Children.