In 1971, at the age of four, I moved with my family from Pennsylvania to Washington, DC. We were forced to leave our home after the Ku Klux Klan burned a cross in our yard because we were a Black family living in a white neighborhood. The incident terrified my family, and my mother, Barbara Patterson, told my father, Bill Patterson, that she wanted to raise her children in a Black city where we could feel safe, supported, and accepted. At that time, Washington, DC was nearly 89% Black, and it offered the community, safety and opportunity my parents were seeking.

I arrived in my new city with my parents, my sister, and our two beloved family dogs. Washington, DC, turned out to be everything my mother had hoped for and more. We settled in Ward 4 at 3rd & Madison Streets NW, where our family flourished both individually and collectively.

In 1972, my younger sister was born in DC, and my two sisters and I attended public and independent schools. We then pursued higher education. I earned degrees from Marymount University and American University Washington College of Law. My father built a successful career in engineering, and my mother became the long-term President of the Black Student Fund, a respected Washington, DC nonprofit that provides scholarships to Black K-12 students attending independent schools.

Inspired by my mother's commitment to creating educational opportunities, I followed a similar path. Today, I serve as National Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations at UNCF (United Negro College Fund), where I help expand access to higher education for students who seek support, guidance and assistance as they prepare for professional careers. 

The move to Washington, DC changed the trajectory of my family's life. What began as a painful flight from hatred became the foundation for generational achievement, service, and belonging. My family found a city where neighbors cared for one another, community mattered, and acts of kindness and support helped families flourish. Washington, DC provided my family with not only safety and opportunity, but also a sense of neighborly connection and togetherness. The values of education, resilience, service, respect, and community that shaped my childhood continue to guide my life and work today.

THANK YOU, DC!!  With love, Kim