When I reflect on my life in the past 19-20 years, there have only been two out of three events that severely impacted me and my academic journey. The first "event" was the years of bullying I endured from elementary school to middle school. While the bullying and harassment primarily started in fourth grade, I remember feeling invalidated by my teachers since first grade. My first grade teacher always dismissed any child that was crying or in pain, as if she didn't want to deal with us. My second, fourth, and fifth grade teachers seemed to dislike me, and made it known. Only my third grade teacher was one that seemed to respect and care for me. The bullying that started in fourth grade by my peers was nonsensical to me. This group of girls didn't like my presence and existence whatsoever. Anytime I was placed next to them in a line or desk, anytime I passed by them with a polite "excuse me," any instance that required me to be near them, they expressed distaste and disgust. I never understood why, but once I got to middle school I put them behind me...and endured my next level of bullying for all three years of middle school. If the girls in elementary school didn't like my presence, then several people in middle school made sure to insult everything about my presence. Most if not every day, I was ridiculed. But wanting to adhere to my religious beliefs, parental teachings, and the guidelines of the school system, I didn't stand up for myself. It's a choice I've always regretted. But amidst the harassment, I found myself asking the same type of question: Why? Why me? Why are they doing it? Why are they like this? This curious line of thought is what inspired me to pursue a career in psychology. Studying the brains and behavior of people will lead me to an understanding of people. And with that understanding, I'd gain answers to the questions I asked as a child. The second event that impacted me was the loss of one of my best friends as a result of suicide. I can vividly remember the days following his death. It was undoubtedly the hardest and most painful experience of my life. None of my friends could figure out why he chose to end his life, but we did have each other’s backs. It was the last time I remember being united with a large group of faces, friends, and strangers alike. The trauma from that event led me to many different decisions, but the most prominent one was increasing my determination to become a psychologist; I could stop suicides before they happen, address issues before they become severe, and especially help support and improve the mental health of the African American community, most notably the health of my fellow brothers. As I enter my second semester as a sophomore at Howard University, I've become increasingly worried and stressed about my financial situation. My parents are also paying for my older sister's tuition, in addition to my own far more expensive cost of attendance. This scholarship would be a blessing that not only alleviates the burden and stress on my family, but also ensures I become who I am meant to be. Since Black psychologists are such a rarity, my impact on those around me would be doubled. A psychologist that uplifts, serves, and supports his friends, family, community, and fellow humans. It would ensure that I help to improve our world and help save it from its already fleeting state.

If I had to trace when my interest in space and the observable universe began, I'd proudly tell you it began when I was a humble four-year old boy, just beginning to get into the world of Star Wars. I found the concept and presence of spaceships, lightsabers, and light speed travel to be incredibly fascinating. This love for the unknown world would later expand in 2014, when I watched the first Guardians of the Galaxy film, which takes place in outer space and on various different planets. I recently just finished re-watching the popular trilogy, and I still highly recommend it to anyone who loves the science fiction genre. Although, whether or not these franchises can top the critically acclaimed masterpiece that is Christopher Nolan's Interstellar is a matter of opinion. My own love for the genre inspired me to start writing stories that contained elements of science fiction. In my brainstorming for these stories, I found myself diving more into the workings of our universe, in addition to a few theories and concepts. Later, during my first semester as a Sophomore at Howard University, I got the chance to talk about my love for the universe and what I learned from brainstorming my science fiction stories for a public speaking class. I talked about the theories regarding the moon's formation, the life cycle stages of stars, the differences between a meteoroid, meteorite, and meteor, black holes, the concept of wormholes, the different theories regarding the how the universe will end, and my most favorite aspect of the universe: the four fundamental forces of gravity, electromagnetism, weak nuclear force, and strong nuclear force. Everything I spoke about in my informative speech regarding the universe are all concepts that anyone can understand. If we are to inhabit and preserve our world, then it's crucial we understand it. But even more importantly, if space is truly the "final frontier," as we have dubbed it, then we should seek to understand everything that is within it and outside it. We should seek to further understand what we already know, and what we still don't know, until there are no more theories left about the universe. Until all our knowledge regarding the universe is objective fact and law. Until science has nothing left to unearth and explain. The day that happens, we might be able to answer any question whether it's about philosophy, morality, mathematics, divinity, et cetera. Furthermore, with understanding comes caution; Our expanded knowledge would grant us the ability to prepare for any potential threats that could be out there. And I will proudly admit that on a personal level, I wish for us to explore space because I entertain the idea of extraterrestrial life, space travel, and the different megastructures that humanity could build if other life hasn't already. Space elevators between planets, warp drives granting faster-than-light travel or even time travel, Dyson spheres, space colonies, the possibilities are endless. On a simpler level, I love and enjoy my home and wish to know more about its neighborhood. About its origins, about its contents, and of course, about its creator. I believe that the universe and its structure is the result of an intelligent design, crafted by an omniscient and omnipotent being. The anatomy of fauna and flora, the positioning of the Earth, the way everything interacts, and much more scream both intellect and intention to me. And while the latter is a case that can further be studied through religion, I view the former as a case that is further studied by science. It's through studying the function and form of the observable universe, and uncovering the unknown, that I believe one can potentially see the intellect of God and even strengthen their faith, as it has for me. As an aspiring psychologist, I seek to understand people. And with that understanding of people, doors that lead to an understanding of the world may potentially open. However, as an aspiring author, I seek to share my passions and lessons with the world. I know this path will undoubtedly open several doors regarding the nature of the universe. I simply need to step through them. Everything that I've learned about the universe, and everything that I haven't learned, I will weave into my stories so that others can enjoy them and be inspired by them the same way that the Star Wars and Guardians of the Galaxy franchises did for me. I look forward to the day when everything I saw in those worlds of science fiction becomes a science reality.

Over two years ago, I lost a man that I considered to be a brother. A man that brought out the best of my personality and allowed me to truly be myself. A man who I was never able to beat in the fighting game Injustice 2. A man that was truly a light in the darkness of the world. What could snuff out such a light? The same thing that has snuffed out many lights like him: Suicide. In addition to grappling with a new identity, my friend was wrongly accused of a crime. These demons haunted him long after he proved the truth of the crime. They haunted him until he made his final decision. I've done my best to carry on his legacy of positivity and check on his family since then. Nonetheless, the scar on my heart remains. A scar that burns like an inferno, as it fights for the mental health of men-my fellow brothers. Of all the social issues that I can think about, this one is possibly the most overlooked and the most laughed at. In modern society, misandry has become acceptable, whereas misogyny is still rightfully condemned. While the LGBT community is celebrated in June during Pride Month, Men's Mental Health Month, which also occurs in June, is heavily dismissed. The world has evolved into a place that openly hates men and gladly silences, invalidates, and weaponizes their emotions whilst generalizing all the bad apples of the tree. How can we tell men that it's not okay to cry, and restrict them from a human emotion? How can we care for them as children, but seemingly lose that care once they pass adolescence? How can we deny them of justice when they are abused? How can we falsely accuse them and ruin their lives, and let their perpetrators escape justice? How can we openly hate men and declare that they are not needed, whilst good fathers and laborers exist? What example are we setting for our young boys? Respectfully, I'd be willing to bet my life that whoever reads this essay, may have been guilty of these crimes against men. The whole world is guilty, and even worse, loves to avoid accountability when it comes to these sins by responding with, "Well, who made the system in the first place?" But a response like that is not the "gotcha!" moment that the world thinks it is. No good productivity has ever come from victim-blaming. Instead of pointing fingers, the world should be working on solutions. I plan to become a child psychologist and an author. With the former, I can help the youth with whatever battles they fight, before they reach a breaking point. With the latter, I can raise awareness and create stories that resonate with men who are suffering from the lack of love and care the world has for them, in addition to their own battles. Until then, I will continue to spread love and kindness, checking on people and sharing facts regarding mental health. I urge whoever reads this to do the same. If our human obligation is to help each other, then that includes everyone who is human. Not just women, children, the impoverished, the ones who suffer from war. But our men as well. It's up to each and every last human to fix the world. If I still haven't convinced you, then allow me to leave you with a question to ponder. What would you do to ensure that your brother, son, father, cousin, or best friend doesn't ever commit suicide?