My journey from a prison cell to a doctoral hood is not a story about myself; it is a testament to the untapped potential that exists within our most overlooked communities and a call to reconstruct the systems that confine it.

The Foundation: Forged in New York

Born in the Bronx and raised between the Patterson Projects and Spanish Harlem's Washington Projects, my early life was a masterclass in resilience. I witnessed the tireless efforts of my mother, a single parent navigating economic hardship, whose determination instilled in me an unwavering resolve to overcome circumstance. This foundation, built amidst the vibrant and challenging landscapes of New York City, taught me my first lessons in empathy and the complexities of the human experience.

The Detour: Adversity and Incarceration

Adolescence brought a move to Massachusetts and new adversities. Lacking stable guidance, I sought direction on the streets, a path that led me back to New York and, ultimately, to a 3.5-year sentence in a state prison. This period was not an end, but an unexpected and profound detour. Incarceration became the crucible where my purpose was forged, stripping away everything but the will to rebuild and the clarity to see the systemic barriers that trap so many.

The Turning Point: Education as Liberation

The turning point came from an unexpected source: an opportunity. Through the vision of Nyack College's prison education program, I earned a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management while incarcerated. This was more than a degree; it was a radical transformation of perspective. It ignited a passion for understanding the very systems I was navigating and sparked a commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) as the essential tools for unlocking human potential. Education became my act of liberation.

The Ascent: From Scholar to Architect of Change

Upon my release, my academic journey accelerated with a relentless and strategic focus. I first earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Strategic Leadership from the University of the Southwest, grounding my passion in the practical frameworks of finance and management. This was the first step in building a multidisciplinary toolkit. I expanded this arsenal with a Master of Science in Real Estate (MSRE) from Fordham University, adding a critical understanding of community development, and am currently pursuing a Master of Legal Studies (MLS) at Drexel University to master the policies that govern our institutions.

This rigorous academic pursuit culminated on April 12, 2025, when I successfully defended my dissertation and earned a Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) in Higher Education Administration: Organizational Leadership from Liberty University. This was not merely about collecting degrees; it was about deconstructing my own lived experience and synthesizing it with scholarly research to architect something new.

The result is the Cultural Synergy Framework™, a proprietary, data-driven methodology for transforming institutions by leveraging diverse perspectives for collective achievement. This framework, codified in my book, Reconstructing Student Affairs with The Cultural Synergy Framework™, is the culmination of my journey. I validated this approach with industry-leading credentials, earning certifications as a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt and a Change Management Specialist, ensuring my strategies are rooted in operational excellence. My expertise is further bolstered by DEI leadership certifications from the University of Michigan and Rice University.

Today, as Dr. Class, I am not defined by my past but empowered by it. Through my leadership at my nonprofit, Self3mpowerment, my teaching, my publications, and my advocacy, my story serves as a living case study in the transformative power of empathy and strategic leadership. I remain steadfast in my mission: to build a more equitable world where every individual, regardless of their starting point, has a substantive pathway to redefine their potential and make their own lasting impact.