I am a lifelong resident of Ottawa, and I come from a proud Jamaican Canadian family that has called this city home for decades. I am not a career politician—I am a mother, a grandmother, and someone who has spent her life raising a family, working, and serving my community.

I was raised in Gloucester–Southgate, and it remains the heart of my life today. I am the mother of four sons and the grandmother of six, and my family is still deeply rooted in the same community that shaped me. This is not just where I grew up —this is home, and it is where my commitment to community began.

In 2017, my life was forever changed when my son Ashton was tragically killed in a shooting. In the midst of that heartbreak, I made a choice: I would not allow his life to be defined by tragedy. I founded the Ashton Dickson Youth Empowerment Foundation in his honour to support at-risk youth, expand access to sports, promote youth mental health, and remove barriers that hold young people back. I have always believed that every child deserves opportunity, safety, and

hope, no matter their circumstances.

Since 2022, I have served as a trustee with the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, where I have focused on strengthening student mental health supports, improving school safety, and advocating for the well-being of every child.

During this time, I was also formally appointed as the Board’s representative to the Ottawa Student Transportation Authority, where I worked to ensure students have safe, reliable access to transportation so they can get to school and succeed.