Thirty years ago, I moved to Dallas from Columbus, Mississippi. I married Eric Price in 1995, and we built a life with love and family. I am a proud mother of three, a grandmother of twelve, and now, a great-grandmother to one—a blessing that guides my purpose.

My parents taught me traditional values and a conservative way of thinking. They believed in personal responsibility and limited government. They also believed in opportunity—the kind that allows people to make a difference in business or public service. Their guidance gave me a strong foundation, but it also made me fearless about exploring new paths. In many ways, my life shows the phrase, “accidentally on purpose.”

My small rebellions shaped me and gave me a powerful, hidden strength. Today, I stand before you as someone who has been through deep challenges. I was involved in illegal dealings, sold my body, had same-sex relationships, and was addicted to heroin and cocaine. I even led a female gang and went to prison. But prison didn’t just lock me up; it forced me to think. The promises we make to ourselves in jail often decide the struggle we face when we get out. We have to change our lives while also keeping the promises we made behind bars.

When there are no answers, no guidance, and no clear path to freedom, life itself becomes the path. My turning point came from Christianity. It was an anchor that led me from confusion to a new beginning, helping me rebuild my identity and purpose.

This journey found truths I never fully understood—truths that are often judged but rarely talked about. I faced things that were not human, but felt inhumane. This forced me to deal with dark realities. But even in those depths, hope is born. And it is that hope that has brought me here—not just to share knowledge, but to offer real help to others who need it.

I believe life should be lived freely, guided by our conscience and by creation's principles. But our conscience must serve a bigger purpose. It must push us to stand up for those trapped in terrible situations. Sometimes, we have to fight systems built on greed that create endless cycles of oppression. These cycles hurt both those on the outside and those caught within them.

We must rise with strong belief, fighting for hope and freedom. This moment is meant to wake us all up and bring us together for a reason.