1983 · Born in South Philadelphia

Born in South Philadelphia in a two-bedroom row home with my grandparents, mom, and aunt. I shared a bed with my mom and I remember those days as the happiest in my life.

1988 · Mom takes charge

My mother and I move out and I got to see first-hand what it looked like to take charge of your life through my mommy.

1993 · Introducing Mayor Wilson Goode

I was so excited I got to introduce our guest speaker for fourth-grade graduation, former Mayor Wilson Goode. Yikes. IFYKYK (for my Philly folks).

1997 · High school at Southern

I was supposed to go to a Catholic school but the money got funny, so I had to go to my neighborhood school, Southern (South Philly High). I was devastated — my first experience in learning to let life flow. I loved Southern!

2001 · High school graduation

Accepted to 16 colleges, including a fashion design program my mom refused to sign off on. I chose Lincoln. I was also Prom King, Newspaper Co-Editor, graduation speaker, Yearbook manager, and I played Badminton for one semester so I could put a sport on my college applications. Forgive me!

2001 · Off to Lincoln University

Started college at the best HBCU on the planet — Lincoln University of PA, the first degree-granting HBCU in the country. I was supposed to go elsewhere and it didn't work out. Let life flow.

2005 · Senior class president — and a detour

Senior class president, but I couldn't walk with my class. Devastated. I told my mom I wasn't going back. She said "oh ok," packed me up, and sent me right back to LU. She wasn't having that!

2006 · First degree conferred

I ended my college experience having been Class President twice, SGA VP, President of my chapter of Groove Phi Groove SFI, and a student leader. I loved a leadership position.

2009 · First book — What My Colored Eyes See

I released my first book, What My Colored Eyes See, at 25. The book signing was at a restaurant in Chinatown with all my family and friends.

2011 · Journey 2 RAHA

Produced my first documentary, Journey 2 RAHA, following a Black woman rediscovering her love for dance while managing her mental health and career. One of my proudest moments.

2015 · MBA + South America residency

Earned my MBA with a corporate residency in South America — three weeks studying business in Santiago, Chile and São Paulo, Brazil. We stayed at the Ritz-Carlton. Fancy!

2019 · #InvestBLK is born

Fired after filing a whistleblower complaint about racism and discrimination at a large institution — which led directly to launching my racial-equity practice, #InvestBLK. Devastated (again), reminded to let life flow (again).

2020 · COVID, George Floyd, and inflection

My family had a rough go with COVID-19, but we survived. I had just started #InvestBLK, and on May 25th — the day George Floyd was murdered and the day my grandmother passed — everything changed. The firm took off as people purported a new racial consciousness.

2021 · Black Washed released

Released my second book, Black Washed — a celebration of Black life featuring forewords from 10 Black women.

2023 · The hardest year

Running a successful firm, working in the C-Suite of a national org, serving on boards, and finalizing my Ph.D. in Social Justice Education. Then two people close to me had crises — one ended in a death by suicide. It changed everything. I paused school, left every board, and went to an island for a few weeks to clear my head.

2023 · 40 and grateful

I also turned 40 this year and held a huge birthday party weekend with a few of my friends — about 150 or so.

2026 · The Mud Code™ and what comes next

Finalizing research for the Mud Code™ Leadership Framework, inspired by the Black Radical Tradition. My mother and I will release our book, Radical Sensitivity. Finalizing my doctorate in Executive Leadership and Ethics in AI & Technology Leadership as I prepare to become Dr. Dennis Maurice Dumpson in May 2027 (check my credentials). Still more to do!