I was born and raised in Altadena, California, the youngest of six children with five older brothers. My father passed away when I was just eight years old, and my incredible mother ā now 98 ā raised us with strength, faith, and perseverance. Iām also the proud mother of my son, Marlon Farley, and currently engaged to Brian Baccus ā my sweetheart, my love, and my best friend.
My journey in sports and life has been one of determination and giving back. I attended Marshall High School in Pasadena and went on to earn a full basketball scholarship to the University of Southern California (USC), where I became PAC-10 Player of the Year, an All-American, scored a record 50 points in a single game, and set long-standing scoring and rebounding records. My achievements have been recognized with inductions into both the Southern California Hall of Fame and the Pasadena Hall of Fame.
After graduating from USC with a degree in Business/Public Administration, I played professional basketball in Japan and Italy. At just 21, I began investing in real estate, purchasing my first four homes. Today, I combine my passion for property with my commitment to community through Cherie Nelson Real Estate ā a business dedicated to helping families find their dream homes while giving back to those in need.
