About Me
Born with a purpose
Born and raised in a place where the odds being stacked against you had become as common as government-issued I.D., I survived. Growing up in the Seth Boyden Terrace projects, Newark, NJ, surviving off welfare, I thrived despite those aforementioned odds.
Though the 4th of 5, I was the first of my siblings to attend college. Not without its hurdles, my road to matriculation was complete after 6 years. I earned a BA in Criminal Justice with a minor in Information Technology.
After graduating, I accepted a position as a Child Care Counselor at a residential treatment center. Soon after, I moved to Missouri to accept a position with the nationally recognized Division of Youth Services, where I supervised juvenile offenders 12 to 17 years of age. While in Missouri, I attended Saint Louis University Graduate School.
When I returned to New Jersey, I worked as an Investigator Trainee for Law Guardian, and as a Care Manager for adolescents with behavioral health issues.
Dreams and Nightmares
In 2012, I accepted a position with the New Jersey Judiciary as a Probation Officer. At the start of my tenure, I observed the oddly specific treatment of black employees. For instance, the seating arrangement of Black employees was such that all who fit the description were grouped in an area that had everything but a colored only sign. It felt deliberate.
Treatment could be described as hostile. As a black woman striving for success, I was treated as if I should have known my place amongst my fellow white employees. I immediately expressed my concerns to the union as the disrespectful unequal treatment was widely known.
Non-black workers knew they were not subjected to the same treatment as their black counterparts. Black employees were not properly trained. They are expected to know what they were doing and how to do it without any guidance from superiors. Black employees are literally punished for not asking questions about things they were never taught.
Breaking Point
The union did little to nothing to address my concerns but listen.
I never thought in a million years that I’d fight for justice against my former employer (an entire branch of government). The attempts made to silence my complaints after I exhausted all available administrative options, made it clear that I needed to escalate the matters.
The final straw was the Judiciary’s illegal handling of my mentally ill nephew case, for whom I’d continuously advocate. In addition to issuing a restraining order against me, my nephew was coerced into signing a plea agreement for an infraction that normally would have resulted in a lighter disposition. As a first-time adult offender, the court forced him into signing a plea for five years of incarceration NERA, meaning he would have to serve 85% of his time before the possibility of parole. Even though evaluations confirm he meets the criteria for a defense of not guilty by reason of insanity.
Living In my purpose
In October 2019, I filed my federal lawsuit against the NJ Judiciary with no attorney. Their first action was to file a motion to dismiss claiming my lawsuit was a sham. They lost!!!! In August of 2021, I filed a lawsuit in state court. Litigation is still pending on both matters.
In 2021, I founded Bonds Consulting. A consuItant firm where we utilize conflict resolution and crisis management skills to educate mankind, advocate for social justice/criminal justice reform and motivate future generations for true change.
Get In Touch
Address
525 Rt 73 N Marlton, NJ 08053
Phone
(732) 801-4284
