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I like a lot of things considered “traditional”, but that is not so when it comes to website biographies. When I’m perusing a biography on a website, I prefer the information to be presented in easy to digest, bite-sized pieces that the reader can easily access and understand rather than being bogged down with a long narrative chocked full of minutia. Hence, you will find that my biography is more like an a la carte menu that will allow you to quickly find the information that is of particular interest to you without having to wade through that which is not. I hope that you enjoy getting to know more about me!
The Beginning Years
Birthplace: Greensboro, North Carolina
Birth date: March 6, 1962
Hometown: Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Parents: Both of my parents are alive and well. My father, Timothy, is a retired educator who still lives in my hometown. My mother, Oshia, is a retired medical technologist who now resides in Los Angeles, California.
Siblings: I have two brothers. My older brother Timothy is an electrical engineer. My younger brother, Anthony, is a horticulturist and manufacturer of decorative window boxes and plant containers.
Extended Family: Family is one of the most important aspects of my life. Growing up I spent lots of time with both sets of my grandparents and I continue to have the great fortune of having lots of family members, most of whom live on the East coast.
Childhood: Being sedentary has never been a characteristic of mine. My parents believe that “an idle mind is the devil’s playground” and so they encouraged me to keep busy by participating in activities in my church, the community, and in my school. I was a girl scout, sang in the church choir, and for a couple of years I swam on an AAU swim team.
The Middle Years
I attended East Forsyth High School where I was active in a variety of activities ranging from serving in the student government to being a varsity cheerleader and a member of the Spanish Honor Society. The highlight of my high school years was being selected to attend Girl’s State ( a weeklong exercise in state government) and eventually being elected Governor by my fellow attendees. It was one of the most educational, exciting, and empowering experiences of my life. After graduating, I went on to attend The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Education: Bachelor of Arts-Speech Communications
College: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
While enrolled at Carolina, I worked in the International Center which served as a hub for many of the university’s foreign students.
One of the highlights of my college experience was being a Varsity cheerleader for two years. Although I don’t get to go back and visit as often as I would like, Chapel Hill will always hold a special place in my heart.
It was at Carolina that I began dating a young man named James Worthy. He was a member of the basketball team and became a leading pro prospect during the first year of our relationship. Eventually he decided to declare hardship, enter the NBA draft, and left Carolina at the end of his junior year to pursue a career at the professional level. We continued to date even though I was still in college and he was playing for the Los Angeles Lakers. After I graduated and three years of dating we got married in Winston-Salem, N.C. on August 18, 1984. One month later, we moved to Los Angeles, CA. where I began living the life that was the impetus for my book Powerful Mate Syndrome. We were divorced in 1996.
More Recent Years
Greatest Recent Accomplishments: The first would have to be going back to school while my children were still in elementary school. Furthering my education was part of the plan to gain control over my life. Plus, I needed to prove to myself that my brain had not turned into mashed potatoes.
Graduate Degree: Master of Arts-Clinical Psychology
Graduate School: Antioch University (Los Angeles)
I am a Registered Marriage and Family Therapy Intern in the state of California and am permitted to practice under the supervision of a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist or psychologist.
I would have to say that the next greatest accomplishment would be having written, edited, and finally getting my first book published. It was a long and often frustrating experience, but it was also filled with valuable lessons, not only about the literary process, but about life, business, and people in general. I think there is a book somewhere inside of me about the experiences I had while taking this extraordinary journey.
How Long It Took Me To Write Powerful Mate Syndrome: Reclaiming Your Strength and Purpose When Your Partner is the Star of the Relationship: It took me a total of five years to write this book. I bought a laptop computer and took it everywhere I went. I wrote most of the book while I waited for my children at orthodontist appointments, gymnastics lessons, soccer, basketball, and softball practices. If I was waiting, I was writing.
The Present
I wear many hats during this segment of my life’s journey. But the most important of all of them is my job as a mother. I am committed to being a “hands-on” parent to my two teenage daughters. I know that I only have one chance to raise my girls and I don’t intend to have the regrets outweigh the joys when I look back on the job that I did. Because that is the mindset that guides me, I choose to spend the majority of my “free” time supporting my children’s academic and athletic endeavors.
For the past year and a half, I have co-hosted a weekly radio show on local radio. Much of my time is dedicated to promoting my book through book signings, speaking engagements, radio interviews and television appearances. Some of the numerous television shows that I have appeared on include The CBS Early Show, BET News, The Oprah Winfrey Show, CBS 48 Hours, The John Walsh Show, CNN features (Greta Van Susteren, Wolf Blitzer, Paula Zahn) MSNBC’s Dayside, The Big Story with Rita Cosby, The Abrams Report, and Good Day L.A.
I am working on three new books. The first is a sequel to my current book. It is an anthology of other women’s stories and experiences with Powerful Mate Syndrome. The second is based on the lessons I learned while writing my present book that are applicable to many situations we encounter in life everyday. The third book is a children’s book about embracing, not erasing, our unique characteristics.
Another area that I am working in is television. My goal is to create and produce meaningful television that empowers women. I am definitely interested in working both in front of and behind the camera.
Fun Facts
My Chinese Astrological Sign: Tiger
Favorite Foods: Chocolate (in every form), Poached Salmon, practically any vegetable
Favorite Colors: Pink, Purple, Sage green
Favorite Type of Music: Classic Christmas Music
Favorite Form of Exercise: Swimming
Favorite Movies: The Red Violin; All About Eve (classic black and white), and People Will Talk (classic black and white)
Best vacation I ever took: A three week cross country road trip from California to North Carolina and back with my mother and daughters!
Most afraid I’ve ever been: I was on a flight during a snow storm once. I believed I was minutes away from meeting God.
Activities I enjoy: visiting art museums, libraries, and the planetarium. bicycle rides, rollerblading, bowling, going to sporting events, attending live art and music performances, singing, cooking, learning to ride a motorcycle
I strongly believe in: Community Service
On a Daily Basis I: Pray and talk to my mother!
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January 18, 2005
San Diego, CA
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Santa Monica, CA
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