Tenure

First elected to the Maryland House of Delegates, 2006. Member of the House since 2007.

Current Assignments

2015 Deputy Majority Whip

2007- Appropriations Committee

2007- Oversight Committee on Pensions of the Appropriations Committee

2015 Education and Economic Development Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee

2016 Joint Committee on Ending Homelessness

2011- Joint Committee on Fair Practices and State Personnel Oversight

2015 Joint Committee on Pensions

2007 Member, Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland (Chair, 2014-2016)

2007 Women Legislators of Maryland

Past House Service

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; First Vice Chair, Legislative Black Caucus (Member, 2007), 2012-2014.

Public Service

Task Force to Investigate the Challenges of and Opportunities for Minorities in Business, 2016-; Pimlico Community Development Authority, 2015-; Mayor's Council on Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises, Baltimore City, 2012-; Second Vice Chair, Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, Inc., 2010-2011; Women Legislators of Maryland (Secretary 2015-2016), 2007-; Foster Care Review Board, Baltimore City, 1985.

Memberships

Baltimore City Democratic Central Committee , 2010-; 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 and Being the Boss (1996) ; Member, Bethel African American Methodist Episcopal Church, Baltimore ; Married, Four children .