I am a Jazz Voice Major at Howard University. Art related majors are never appreciated compared to others majors. I am currently 19 years old and have a big dream. I want to share my gift to the world. All of the artists now a days are just putting out music that encouraged chaos and is vulgar. I want to be a positive artist, putting encouraging lyrics in my songs. Growing up I was able to find artists that made songs that did encouraged me, without that and God. I honestly would not have been here today. Believe it or not the music the youth listen to has a large impact on the mindset they have towards life and people. The amount of people with positivity in their music compared to the explicit music is terrible. This money will allow me to continue going to college and improving in my talent. My career path is just as impactful as someone's who is in a much higher held status.

For twelve years, I lived in a neighborhood where gunshots could be heard outside. I lived in the city limits in Wilmington, Delaware, which has been labeled the “fifth most dangerous place to live” in the United States. I made sure to stay inside even when neighborhood kids asked for me to play outside. I did not play outside because I was worried. I was worried that someone would make the wrong decision and shoot in my neighborhood. Yes, it definitely was a struggle not to feel safe even when walking the dogs with my father. On the bright side, I was blessed with amazing parents who provided for me what they could. They let me know that they loved me and that I was important. They also loved me unconditionally. Whenever I was with my parents, I felt cherished, and I was grateful, for I knew not everyone had supportive parents in their lives like I do. As I grew older, I developed a passion for singing and music. I sang with my older sister all the time. It may have just started because I was stuck inside and had nothing else to do, but I completely fell in love with music and singing. When I sang, I felt outstanding. It sounds cliché, but I really felt as though I was on top of the world. My parents saw that I enjoyed singing and encouraged me. They bought me a piano because they knew I wanted to learn how to play. They commonly said things, such as: “You can do anything through Christ who strengthens you.” This quote is still meaningful to me, and I feel it is a great message to hear during times of hopelessness. My family and I moved to a safer neighborhood right after I turned thirteen. During my middle school years, I struggled the most with myself. I constantly visited the guidance counselor because I was nervous to be in class and sit around people. I believed that no one liked me and that not one wanted to be around me. Of course, it was not the truth, but at the time, I struggled to change this negative mindset. In seventh grade, I decided to perform in the annual talent show. I had an extreme amount of stage fight but practiced constantly by singing and performing in my room before competing in the talent show. I was insecure and scared that no one would like my performance and that they would boo me off the stage. The day came for me to perform in front of the entire school, and when I finished my song, I received a standing ovation. This experience was a lesson for me to face my fears. I was amazed at the audience reaction and realized that I wanted to perform for more people; so I chose to pursue more singing opportunities. In high school, my confidence improved, and I made friends. In junior year, I participated in the musical Beauty and the Beast. While practicing for the show, I decided that I wanted to pursue singing as a career. Sadly, the Corona outbreak caused schools to close but in quarantine, I realized i want to become a music teacher, or to become a singer. I know that I will one day have a career in which I will not feel as though it is a job. I know this because I realize that, to be successful, I have to try my best and not persevere. The music industry is very difficult because of rejection, but you must be resilient.

For twelve years, I lived in a neighborhood where gunshots could be heard outside. I lived in the city limits in Wilmington, Delaware, which has been labeled the “fifth most dangerous place to live” in the United States. I made sure to stay inside even when neighborhood kids asked for me to play outside. I did not play outside because I was worried. I was worried that someone would make the wrong decision and shoot in my neighborhood. Yes, it definitely was a struggle not to feel safe even when walking the dogs with my father. On the bright side, I was blessed with amazing parents who provided for me what they could. They let me know that they loved me and that I was important. They also loved me unconditionally. Whenever I was with my parents, I felt cherished, and I was grateful, for I knew not everyone had supportive parents in their lives like I do. As I grew older, I developed a passion for singing and music. I sang with my older sister all the time. It may have just started because I was stuck inside and had nothing else to do, but I completely fell in love with music and singing. When I sang, I felt outstanding. It sounds cliché, but I really felt as though I was on top of the world. My parents saw that I enjoyed singing and encouraged me. They bought me a piano because they knew I wanted to learn how to play. They commonly said things, such as: “You can do anything through Christ who strengthens you.” This quote is still meaningful to me, and I feel it is a great message to hear during times of hopelessness. My family and I moved to a safer neighborhood right after I turned thirteen. During my middle school years, I struggled the most with myself. I constantly visited the guidance counselor because I was nervous to be in class and sit around people. I believed that no one liked me and that not one wanted to be around me. Of course, it was not the truth, but at the time, I struggled to change this negative mindset. In seventh grade, I decided to perform in the annual talent show. I had an extreme amount of stage fight but practiced constantly by singing and performing in my room before competing in the talent show. I was insecure and scared that no one would like my performance and that they would boo me off the stage. The day came for me to perform in front of the entire school, and when I finished my song, I received a standing ovation. This experience was a lesson for me to face my fears. I was amazed at the audience reaction and realized that I wanted to perform for more people; so I chose to pursue more singing opportunities.