My name is Gabrielle Daley and I attended a majority white elementary as my first school. I was young and didn’t see how much it affected me at the time. I wasn’t aware that people weren’t just making fun of me, they were being racist. I don’t remember any slurs being thrown at me, or anyone getting physical, but I do remember the negative comments, the ignorance, and how I was treated by other staff and even students in my grade compared to my white peers. As a child, my grandmother would sew patches or loose threads into my elementary school’s uniforms, my school bag, and other clothes. I was always eager to learn how to sew from her, asking questions and watching as she mended the pieces back together. Although she passed away and I never got to learn from her fully, I am still actively teaching myself, but in a different way. Consider psychology as a cloth woven with colorful threads of thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Learning about psychology and obtaining my degree is my way of putting myself in the art of understanding the human mind and weaving my own experiences into its fabric. The school is shut down now, but sadly, the memories of it aren’t. Although this school is in Georgia, this experience happens nationwide. My ultimate goal is to provide a safe haven for minorities like me, those individuals who never got the opportunity to talk to someone or express themselves due to feelings of shame or fear that they won't understand. Until then, I am actively being a source of comfort to my friends and family, educating my peers about black culture, the good and the bad. As the Vice-President and Co-Founder of the Black Culture Society at my school, volunteering with my local library and giving out meals to the less fortunate through a feeding program, I am showcasing my values daily. These initiatives and services that I am and have been a part of have taught me valuable lessons that I can use in my daily life. By teaching and being taught, I am actively adding more reasons to my list of why service is my passion, but ultimately, my calling. My grandfather couldn’t read, and my grandmother and father did not attend college. Being the first person in my family to attend a four-year university is both a challenge and an honor. This scholarship will help me pursue a degree in psychology and focus on my education. My dream will become reality without spending the energy I need on working to pay tuition. I have a plan and vision of where I see myself, a clinical psychologist, and this scholarship will help me achieve those goals. I aim to be a leader in my future community by promoting change and reducing stigma surrounding mental health, particularly in Black communities. Less than 10% of Clinical Psychologists are black, and I hope to join them in advocating for mental health awareness. Additionally, I plan to conduct research focused on the mental health experiences of marginalized groups, especially Black women. I hope to collaborate with researchers, clinicians, and community leaders to ensure that my research is effectively put into practice and will positively impact the lives of Black women and other marginalized groups. In college, I plan to build on my values and continue to assist minorities and those who are underprivileged, because I know that the experiences that I faced as a child will not end, and will become more visible as I am more aware and educated.