The bare necessities of life, such as food, water, shelter, and healthcare, are fundamental inalienable human rights.

Through our independent living movement, we must ensure that North Carolina has the resources and services needed to eliminate barriers and ensure full inclusion and accessibility for people with disabilities in our community.

I look forward to all we will achieve together as a council in working toward the goals set forth in our state plan for independent living.

Having served over a year on the council, initially appointed in February of 2024 by Governor Roy Cooper and serving a year as Treasurer, I am grateful for the trust my fellow councilmembers have placed in me to lead us. I accept this responsibility wholeheartedly.

This election, coming after my appointment as Chair of the North Carolina Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, is especially significant for me, given that we are celebrating the 35th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. I am the youngest Chair in the history of the council.

We must aim to be leaders in public services innovation, interagency cooperation, and advocacy for the communities we represent.

I look forward to all that we will accomplish together as a council. We must ensure that North Carolina provides effective, coordinated, high-quality services for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind.

I accept this responsibility wholeheartedly. I am also glad that my friend Hope Turpin Turner will serve as our Vice Chair.

Having served four years on the council, initially appointed in July of 2021 by Governor Roy Cooper and serving over two of those years as Vice Chair, I am truly honored by the trust my fellow councilmembers have placed in me to lead us.

This appointment is especially meaningful for me, given that it is Disability Pride Month. I am the youngest Chair in the history of the council.