The reflection of my younger self is staring back begging for help. Raised in Detroit and a product of the public school system, I assumed I was going to be the product of my environment.

My journey into the legal profession has been deeply personal, rooted in a desire to heal and uplift. Witnessing the pervasive impact of systemic injustices, I felt compelled to become an advocate for those marginalized and silenced. Establishing Barton Law, PLLC, allowed me to channel this commitment into tangible action, providing a platform to support individuals facing criminal defense, civil rights, and personal injury challenges.

I didn’t always know I was carrying the Strong Black Woman trope on my back—it was just who I was. The responsible one. The capable one. The one who made things happen when they needed to happen.

For me, healing has always been connected to opportunity. Growing up in Detroit, I learned early that access to education, resources, and hope was never guaranteed. It was something you had to fight for and, at times, something you had to imagine for yourself before you could even see it.