Time for Change: Why I’m Running for a Healthier Alabama

As a candidate for U.S. Congress, I am often asked why I chose to engage with the political tumult currently dividing our country. My journey from Childersburg, Alabama, where I grew up below the poverty line – one of the 16% of Alabamians in that stark reality – shaped a truth I carry into this campaign: poverty is a policy choice, one I’m determined to fight.

My family's struggles were not just about where our next meal would come from – though that was often a concern. Healthcare was a luxury we could barely afford, if at all. And even if we could have afforded the help we needed, quality care simply wasn’t available.
When I was born, my mother drove over an hour while in labor to have me in Birmingham, because she believed that inadequate care at a closer facility had led to the death of her first child. Today, this journey is the only option for many, as 6 out of the 8 counties in our district lack maternal care facilities. This is not just an inconvenience; it is a crisis. And this crisis is contributing to our state having one of the highest maternal and infant mortality rates in the nation—a rate even more pronounced among Black women.

This is not just a statistic; it is a reality that fuels my campaign. The health disparities and barriers to necessary care in Alabama are a clear sign that our system needs an overhaul. We are facing a critical point where women’s autonomy over their bodies is under threat, and reproductive rights, including access to safe, legal abortion and in vitro fertilization (IVF), are being stripped away under the guise of political agendas.

In Alabama, we're not just battling for healthcare; we're battling for dignity and the right to make personal health decisions without fear. My mother’s perilous journey decades ago should not be the story today. Yet, women are still forced to undertake similar treks for basic maternity care, proving how little progress has been made. My opponent, like many politicians, seems to care more about controlling women’s bodies than improving their health and saving their lives.

Ultimately, our current lawmakers' decisions directly impact the lives of their constituents, particularly when it comes to healthcare. This is why I am advocating for accessible and quality reproductive healthcare for all, regardless of socioeconomic status.
This campaign is personal. It’s about all those still living in poverty, those who are pregnant and afraid, and those who wish to start families but are afraid of restrictive policies and high healthcare costs. We are at a point where silence and inaction are luxuries we cannot afford. Our state needs leaders who will advocate for everyone's right to health and wellbeing, not just those who can afford it.

I successfully clawed my way out of poverty with the help of Pell Grants, scholarships, SNAP benefits, luck, community support and so much more – becoming the first in my family to graduate from college. I went on to found my own tech startup, and I’m proud to say that my company, LunarLab, now operates globally and brings jobs back to Birmingham. But despite these achievements, my heart has never left the struggles of those growing up like I did. It’s at the core of my campaign and vision for Alabama’s future.

This is why I am calling on the residents of District 6 to join me. We need to channel our collective anger and frustration into action. My campaign is fueled by every tough experience I've faced, from relying on free school lunch programs to winning critical legal battles. If I can stand here today as a testament to overcoming adversity, we can together champion the cause for accessible healthcare and reproductive freedom.

We need more than your vote; we need your voice. Volunteer, donate if you can, or simply boost our campaign online. Every action you take brings us closer to a future where healthcare is recognized as a right, not a privilege. Together, we can fight for a system that uplifts everybody, ensuring that no one’s story ends where it started because of failed policies.

To join me in this fight, visit EAforCongress.com and follow our campaign on social media. Let's make history together, not just for our state, but for the dignity of every individual who calls it home.

Thank you for your support and commitment. Together, we are unstoppable. Together, we can transform Alabama.