Henry Bynum, Jr. Memorial Scholarship

As a Black student in STEM who is an aspiring psychologist and comes from a first-generation, African-immigrant, and low-income background, my dream is to use my education to nurture the minds of minoritized youth and make their dreams feel more accessible. This goal is important because I know what it feels like to push through the adversity of graduating from college as one of three percent of Black students who constituted my undergraduate class of 31,000 scholars. Even today, as I enter my second year as a clinical psychology graduate student, I work diligently to overcome the adversity of attending places of higher learning that were not historically designed to support students who look like me. I persevere by partnering with my peers who navigate challenges to accessing higher education. For example, as an undergraduate, I joined the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), to find creative solutions, such as study groups and low-income housing, to address challenges such as passing our classes and covering our living expenses. In short, I overcome the adversity of not belonging by investing my energy into environments where belonging is a core value so that my peers and I are equipped to thrive academically. In graduate school, however, this goal comes with greater challenges due to the competitiveness and scarcity of receiving funding support within my program. For example, I'm currently in the process of waiving my health insurance to have financial resources to cover the cost of my textbooks and school fees. The Henry Bynum, Jr. Memorial scholarship is an honor that will substantially help my ability to navigate these barriers. I aspire to help my community in the future by serving as a psychologist who provides wellness services to youth from underserved backgrounds. This aspiration fuels my volunteer experiences. I provide free yoga and dance classes to youth from underserved backgrounds that connect students to resources to support their longer-term mental health care. I have worked with over 1000 students who remind me of my peers growing up. For example, I attended public schools all of my life and observed how socioeconomic status and the lack of access to higher education impact a young person’s ability to dream. I know this because I attended a predominately Black and Latinx middle school with my peers who, similar to me, navigated feelings of imposter syndrome. Our environment did not have sufficient resources, such as a higher teacher-to-student ratio, to support our academic success. I transitioned into college and experienced how gaps in educational resources fueled self-limiting beliefs on what I was capable of achieving as I struggled through science classes and financing my education at the same time. I overcame these adversities by rigorously applying to scholarship opportunities and joining study groups throughout the week and weekend. Upon gaining acceptance into my graduate program, I felt academically prepared for the life transition yet financially short without a plan. The Henry Bynum Jr. Memorial Scholarship is connected to a developed plan that can help me overcome the adversity of accessing higher education as I pursue the goal of supporting my peers to achieve this goal through my professional pursuits. I strive to serve as a psychologist and as someone committed to opening doors for students to feel that their dreams are more accessible. Thank you for providing the Henry Bynum Memorial Scholarship as an investment opportunity for students who aspire to uplift our community.

During the darkest times in my life, my resilience was tested, and hope was created simultaneously. I’ve learned valuable lessons during those grim moments in my life, the power of a positive mindset being one of the most enlightening. I don’t believe in taking losses because I believe there is no loss, only gain. This shift in mindset has greatly benefited me on my journey of self-discovery. My mother is a school social worker and helps her school’s families access the help that they need. The families at this school have unique needs and this is why I wanted to be involved in the clothing and food drives. Speaking to the families and listening to their stories put the effort that we were putting into these projects into perspective. It takes courage to be willing to reach out and ask for help so I wanted to show these families that they were supported, seen, and heard. I’ve learned that tragedies do not have to prohibit us from growing. Whether the situation is a bump in the road or a mountain that you have to climb, there is always a way to overcome it. Everything that we go through in our lives contributes to our story. I am honored to be attending the University of Miami majoring in public relations. Receiving a quality secondary education is crucial to the progression of my professional career. I plan to focus my career on elevating BIPOC voices, and other voices that are typically silenced because there is power in language and spoken word. As a black woman, my goal is to foster diversity in both my professional and personal life. In addition to elevating the voices of BIPOC individuals, philanthropy is also going to be a major aspect of my work. I believe in giving back to underserved communities because I know how life-changing just one act of kindness can be. I’ve watched my mother give all that she can to those in her community and I plan to carry on that legacy through my volunteer work. I want to be that aide to those that need it the most, whether they need a person to talk to, a hug, or a scholarship. Community service has been an integral part of my life since I was a child and I am thrilled to continue collaborating with community partners to fulfill the needs of those in my community. The unforeseen circumstances that I have experienced motivate me to strive for excellence in all areas of my life so that I can lead by example and show others that they are capable of doing the same. I hope to one day be able to invest in students like myself that are interested in pursuing careers in public relations. Whether that be through mentorship, or providing academic scholarships, I want to assist the next generation of public relations professionals succeed in their careers. I hope that through my advocacy work, I can connect with members of my community that are feeling lost on their journey and can reassure them that they are not alone. I also hope that both my personal and professional achievements will inspire others to pursue the career that best suits them and their aspirations. If my story can motivate others to strive for excellence and give back to others, then I have succeeded in my life’s mission.

Adversity is not just an encounter; it's an instructor. My life, as I've come to know it, is a tapestry woven with challenges, resilience, and an unyielding spirit of perseverance. I am Lamaria Washington, a first-generation college student at Howard University, and this is my journey of overcoming adversity and my aspirations for the future. Growing up, I was surrounded by stories of grit. My mother, born with hydrocephalus, has battled the side effects of her condition her entire life. Every day, she defied her physical limitations, determined to provide for her family, even when my father was absent. Her strength became my guiding beacon, teaching me the importance of determination and resilience. I realized early on that life wouldn't hand me opportunities; I'd have to forge them. When the time came for college applications, I was on my own. My mother, with her health issues, couldn't assist in the paperwork or the process. The hurdles felt insurmountable at times - from understanding the intricate world of FAFSA to navigating college application prerequisites. But with every challenge I faced, I remembered my mother's determination, and it fueled my own. The path to Howard University was paved with trials, but my arrival marked the beginning of another journey: self-discovery. I pursued journalism, a field that resonated with my love for stories and advocacy. But with my passion also came the weight of Imposter Syndrome. At a prestigious institution like Howard, surrounded by immensely talented peers, doubts crept in. Was I good enough? Did I truly belong? But I remembered my mother's lessons and my past challenges, recognizing that self-doubt was just another adversity to overcome. It was this resilient spirit that drove me to not just excel academically but to venture beyond borders. I studied abroad in Oaxaca, Mexico, and Accra, Ghana, experiences that taught me about global narratives and the power of cross-cultural storytelling. In Ghana, I confronted another challenge: losing my athletic scholarship because I chose enrichment over athletics. But the lessons and experiences I gained abroad outweighed that loss, teaching me about sacrifice and long-term vision. Looking forward, I am driven by a single goal: to give back to my community that shaped my identity and resilience. I've witnessed firsthand the disparities that exist in our society, from healthcare to education. My experiences, both good and bad, have given me a unique lens, one that I aim to use to highlight the stories of my community. With my journalism background, I plan to create platforms that amplify marginalized voices. The Black community, rich in history and culture, has tales that need to be shared, struggles that must be highlighted, and successes that should be celebrated. I envision community programs that foster education, advocacy, and empowerment. Moreover, health and wellness are paramount. Inspired by my mother's journey, I aspire to launch initiatives that focus on community health, both physical and mental. By partnering with local institutions and healthcare providers, I wish to create awareness campaigns, free health check-up camps, and counseling sessions, ensuring that no individual feels alone in their journey. In essence, my life has been a series of challenges, each one molding me, refining me. But adversity is not my story's climax; it's the prologue. The chapters ahead are dedicated to my community, to uplift, empower, and inspire. I've been shaped by trials, but more importantly, by the hope of a brighter, inclusive, and compassionate future. My past fuels my present, and my present is dedicated to shaping a better future.