A member of two worlds but treated as an alien in both. A feeling I have become accustomed to as a Nigerian American. In one world, I see people who share my skin color murdered in cold blood because of their melanated skin, melanated skin that should be cherished and appreciated but is instead viewed as a threat and a cause for excessive force. In the other world, a slip of my accent, a difference in apparel, or the slightest embrace of my traditional culture is met with an onslaught of ignorant insults because my way of living deviates from the norm here in America regardless of if we share a skin complexion or not. The conditions to survive in peace in these worlds require an unhealthily large amount of code-switching, silent cries, and forsaking the facets of myself that make me who I am. Ouch, Eww, and other grimaces of pain and disgust would let out from my mouth as I picked at my skin until puss and blood drained from my face and drained along with it, were the remnants of the little self-confidence that I had. I was haunted by the disgusted looks on my younger brothers’ faces as they watched me continue to claw at the skin I was conditioned to hate, but it was in these peak moments of insecurity I had realized this would lead me to nowhere of significance and would reinforce any insecurities in my siblings. It was in these peak moments of insecurity where I looked in the mirror, puss, and blood leaking out my face, and realized I have to be unapologetically black. I have to be unapologetically dark skin. I have to be unapologetically Nigerian. Most importantly, I just had to unapologetically myself, and while racism, colorism, and xenophobia still rage war, I have made it my mission to use healthcare, specifically dermatology, as an outlet to encourage other people to be themselves unapologetically. This mission fueled the remainder of my high school journey. I tirelessly looked for opportunities to grow as a future medical student, but also to gain opportunities to promote the value of self-love. It is this mission that makes my work as an executive for the RCCG House on the Rock Youth department means so much to me. As president, I have the platform to preach the value of self-validation and give them resources and partners to help catapult them into their success. As the large majority of my audience is also Nigerian American, I meet the cries of my constituents with more than just empathy. I cater to their concerns with a feeling of genuine sympathy that is not commonplace in our community because we are conditioned to keep our craving for validation and security silent. Through my participation in Timberview’s African Student Association, I helped cultivate a safe place for African students to embrace their respective cultures without judgment. The club was open to students of all races to help educate people of other cultures and dampen the level of xenophobia we face. I also cherished my work as an executive officer in the Future Medical Professionals club. Partnering with established medical professionals to lessen the stress levels and increase the medical acumen in over 60 students per year made the club very fulfilling to lead. While my mission is far from complete, my unique experiences in and outside of school are the start of something bigger than myself and have motivated me to use healthcare as an outlet to impart a spirit of self-validation to as many people as I can.

It is no secret that pursuing a degree in Biology can open financial doors in multiple ways. However, the drive to obtain a degree in Biology has to extend farther than that, or you will be more susceptible to throw in the towel when adversity strikes. My interest in obtaining a Biology degree stems from my passion for healthcare and my ultimate goal of becoming a dermatologist. Because I grew up with severe acne and very dark skin, insecurities began to accumulate quickly, especially in a society with traditional beauty standards that I do not quite meet. I knew from the moment I began career searching that I needed to pursue a career that could give me access to help others love themselves more. Being raised in a household with two nurses and attending a church with a plethora of healthcare professionals, I have been heavily involved in the healthcare field. With this exposure, the decision to pair healthcare with my passion for boosting people's confidence is as clear as the perfect skin I craved. I will work to make going to the dermatologist more accessible, easier to understand, and affordable so that anyone who desires treatment for any skin ailment can achieve the skin goals they covet and deserve to reach. One of the most vital steps in completing my mission is to use the pursuit of a bachelor's degree in Biology to equip me with the necessary knowledge, connections, and relationships to enter and graduate medical school.

I plan on studying Biology in college, and it is no secret that pursuing a degree in Biology can open financial doors in a plethora of ways. However, the drive to obtain a degree in Biology has to extend farther than that, or you will be more susceptible to throw in the towel when adversity strikes. My interest in obtaining a Biology degree stems from my passion for healthcare and my ultimate goal of becoming a dermatologist. Because I grew up with severe acne and very dark skin, insecurities began to accumulate quickly, especially in a society with traditional beauty standards that I do not quite meet. I knew from the moment I began career searching that I needed to pursue a career that could give me access to help others love themselves more. Being raised in a household with two nurses and attending a church with a plethora of healthcare professionals, I have been heavily involved in the field of healthcare. With this exposure, the decision to pair healthcare with my passion for helping boost people's confidence is as clear as the perfect skin I craved. I will work to make going to the dermatologist accessible, easy to understand, and affordable so that anyone who desires treatment for any skin ailment can achieve the skin goals they covet and deserve to reach. One of the most vital steps in completing my mission is to use the pursuit of a bachelor's degree in Biology to equip me with the necessary knowledge, connections, and relationships to enter and graduate medical school.

There was a time that I was haunted by the disgusted looks on my younger brothers’ faces as they watched me claw at the skin that I was conditioned to hate. Grimaces of pain and disgust were undeniable as I picked at my skin until puss and blood drained from my face; along with it drained the remnants of the little self-confidence that I had. It was in these moments, at the height of my insecurity, that I realized this would lead me to nowhere of significance, and it would instead continue to reinforce these same insecurities in my siblings. It was in these moments, at the height of my insecurity, where I looked in the mirror, puss and blood leaking out of my face, and realized I had to be unapologetically black. I had to be unapologetically dark-skinned. I had to be unapologetically Nigerian. Most importantly, I had to unapologetically myself. While racism, colorism, and xenophobia still rage war, I have made it my mission to use healthcare, specifically dermatology, as an outlet to encourage others to be themselves unapologetically. This mission has fueled the balance of my high school journey. I tirelessly look for opportunities to grow as a future medical student and maximize opportunities to promote the value of self-love. It is this mission that makes my work as an executive for my church’s Youth Department mean so much to me. As president, I have the platform to preach the value of self-validation and give the members resources and partners to help catapult them into their success. A large majority of my audience is also Nigerian American, so I meet the cries of my constituents with more than just empathy. I cater to their concerns with a feeling of genuine sympathy that is not commonplace in our community because we are conditioned to keep our craving for validation and security silent. Through my participation in Timberview’s African Student Association, I helped cultivate a safe place for African students to embrace their respective cultures without judgment. The club is open to students of all ethnicities to help educate people of other cultures and dampen the level of xenophobia we face. I also cherish my work as an executive officer in the Future Medical Professionals Club. Being able to partner with established medical professionals to lessen the stress levels and increase the medical acumen in over 60 students per year has made the club very fulfilling to lead. I would be lying if I said these endeavors did not have a sliver of selfish motivation and benefit. My activity within these organizations has given me a heightened sense of security in my own skin, and now being treated as an alien in any world has little bearing on my spirit. These endeavors have reinforced the affirmations I made to myself in my darkest hours while looking at my bleeding skin in that mirror and have significantly influenced my growth as a person, a student, a leader, and a future medical professional. While my mission is far from complete, my unique experiences in and outside of school have given me the confidence I need to use healthcare as a means to impart a spirit of self-validation in as many people as I can.

I grew up in a world where a slip of my accent, a difference in apparel, or the slightest embrace of my Nigerian culture is met with an onslaught of ignorant insults because they deviate from the norm here in America regardless of if we share a skin complexion or not. To negotiate this world in peace, an immense amount of code-switching, silent cries, and forsaking the facets of what makes me who I am is necessary. There was a time that I was haunted by the disgusted looks on my younger brothers’ faces as they watched me claw at the skin that I was conditioned to hate. Grimaces of pain and disgust were undeniable as I picked at my skin until puss and blood drained from my face; along with it drained the remnants of the little self-confidence that I had. It was in these moments, at the height of my insecurity, that I realized this would lead me to nowhere of significance, and it would instead continue to reinforce these same insecurities in my siblings. It was in these moments, at the height of my insecurity, where I looked in the mirror, puss and blood leaking out of my face, and realized I had to be unapologetically black. I had to be unapologetically dark-skinned. I had to be unapologetically Nigerian. Most importantly, I had to unapologetically myself. While racism, colorism, and xenophobia still rage war, I have made it my mission to use healthcare, specifically dermatology, as an outlet to encourage others to be themselves unapologetically. This mission has fueled the balance of my high school journey. I tirelessly look for opportunities to grow as a future medical student and maximize opportunities to promote the value of self-love. It is this mission that makes my work as an executive for my church’s Youth Department mean so much to me. As president, I have the platform to preach the value of self-validation and give the members resources and partners to help catapult them into their success. A large majority of my audience is also Nigerian American, so I meet the cries of my constituents with more than just empathy. I cater to their concerns with a feeling of genuine sympathy that is not commonplace in our community because we are conditioned to keep our craving for validation and security silent. Through my participation in Timberview’s African Student Association, I helped cultivate a safe place for African students to embrace their respective cultures without judgment. The club is open to students of all ethnicities to help educate people of other cultures and dampen the level of xenophobia we face. I also cherish my work as an executive officer in the Future Medical Professionals Club. Being able to partner with established medical professionals to lessen the stress levels and increase the medical acumen in over 60 students per year has made the club very fulfilling to lead. My activity within these organizations has given me a heightened sense of security in my own skin, and now being treated as an alien in any world has little bearing on my spirit. These endeavors have reinforced the affirmations I made to myself in my darkest hours while looking at my bleeding skin in that mirror and have significantly influenced my growth as a person, a student, a leader, and a future medical professional. While my mission is far from complete, my unique experiences in and outside of school have given me the confidence I need to use healthcare as a means to impart a spirit of self-validation in as many people as I can. No one deserves to feel rejected.

There was a time that I was haunted by the disgusted looks on my younger brothers’ faces as they watched me claw at the skin that I was conditioned to hate. Grimaces of pain and disgust were undeniable as I picked at my skin until puss and blood drained from my face; along with it drained the remnants of the little self-confidence that I had. It was in these moments, at the height of my insecurity, that I realized this would lead me to nowhere of significance, and it would instead continue to reinforce these same insecurities in my siblings. It was in these moments, at the height of my insecurity, where I looked in the mirror, puss and blood leaking out of my face, and realized I had to be unapologetically black. I had to be unapologetically dark-skinned. I had to be unapologetically Nigerian. Most importantly, I had to unapologetically myself. While racism, colorism, and xenophobia still rage war, I have made it my mission to use healthcare, specifically dermatology, as an outlet to encourage others to be themselves unapologetically. This mission has fueled the balance of my high school journey. I tirelessly look for opportunities to grow as a future medical student and maximize opportunities to promote the value of self-love. It is this mission that makes my work as an executive for my church’s Youth Department mean so much to me. As president, I have the platform to preach the value of self-validation and give the members resources and partners to help catapult them into their success. A large majority of my audience is also Nigerian American, so I meet the cries of my constituents with more than just empathy. I cater to their concerns with a feeling of genuine sympathy that is not commonplace in our community because we are conditioned to keep our craving for validation and security silent. Through my participation in Timberview’s African Student Association, I helped cultivate a safe place for African students to embrace their respective cultures without judgment. The club is open to students of all ethnicities to help educate people of other cultures and dampen the level of xenophobia we face. I also cherish my work as an executive officer in the Future Medical Professionals Club. Being able to partner with established medical professionals to lessen the stress levels and increase the medical acumen in over 60 students per year has made the club very fulfilling to lead. I would be lying if I said these endeavors did not have a sliver of selfish motivation and benefit. My activity within these organizations has given me a heightened sense of security in my own skin, and now being treated as an alien in any world has little bearing on my spirit. These endeavors have reinforced the affirmations I made to myself in my darkest hours while looking at my bleeding skin in that mirror and have significantly influenced my growth as a person, a student, a leader, and a future medical professional. While my mission is far from complete, my unique experiences in and outside of school have given me the confidence I need to use healthcare as a means to impart a spirit of self-validation in as many people as I can.

I live in one world where I see people who share my skin color murdered in cold blood because of their melanated skin; melanated skin that should be cherished and appreciated but is instead viewed as a threat and a cause for excessive force. I also live in another world where a slip of my accent, a difference in apparel, or the slightest embrace of my Nigerian culture is met with an onslaught of ignorant insults because they deviate from the norm here in America. There was a time that I was haunted by the disgusted looks on my younger brothers’ faces as they watched me claw at the skin that I was conditioned to hate. Grimaces of pain and disgust were undeniable as I picked at my skin until puss and blood drained from my face; along with it drained the remnants of the little self-confidence that I had. It was in these moments, at the height of my insecurity, that I realized this would lead me to nowhere of significance, and it would instead continue to reinforce these same insecurities in my siblings. It was in these moments, at the height of my insecurity, where I looked in the mirror, with puss and blood leaking out of my face, and realized I had to be unapologetically black. I had to be unapologetically dark-skinned. I had to be unapologetically Nigerian. Most importantly, I had to unapologetically myself. While racism, colorism, and xenophobia still rage war, I have made it my mission to use healthcare, specifically dermatology, as an outlet to encourage others to be themselves unapologetically. I aim to make going to the dermatologist accessible, easy to understand, and more affordable so that anyone who desires treatment for any skin ailment can achieve the skin goals they covet and deserve to reach. This mission has fueled the balance of my high school journey. I tirelessly look for opportunities to grow as a future medical student and maximize opportunities to promote the value of self-love. It is this mission that makes my work as an executive officer in the Future Medical Professionals Club at my school mean so much to me. Being able to partner with established medical professionals to lessen the stress levels and increase the medical acumen in over 60 students per year has made the club very fulfilling to lead. Because of COVID, the opportunity to shadow and volunteer in a hospital was stripped from me; however, I am determined to learn more about the field of medicine by any means possible. Through Club Med, a virtual shadowing program, I get to participate in weekly seminars led by medical professionals and medical students that impart priceless information about different aspects of medicine. I also connect very often with my career mentor, Dr. Awe. She is a nurse practitioner based in Grand Prairie, Texas, and she offers me valuable insight into standing out as a black medical professional. Her standing as the owner of her clinic grants me the opportunity to learn even more about this field. I also love being active in a Pre-Med student Discord server where anyone from medical school students to high school students can disseminate valuable information about the medical field, scholarship, internship, and volunteer opportunities. My activity within these clubs and my interactions with other like-minded people has given me a heightened sense of security in my own skin, and now being treated as an alien in any world has little bearing on my spirit. These endeavors have reinforced the affirmations I made to myself in my darkest hours while looking at my bleeding skin in that mirror and have significantly influenced my growth as a person, a student, a leader, and a future medical professional. While my mission is far from complete, my unique experiences in and outside of school have given me the confidence I need to use healthcare as a means to impart a spirit of self-validation in as many people as I can.

I live in one world where I see people who share my skin color murdered in cold blood because of their melanated skin; melanated skin that should be cherished and appreciated but is instead viewed as a threat and a cause for excessive force. I also live in another world where a slip of my accent, a difference in apparel, or the slightest embrace of my Nigerian culture is met with an onslaught of ignorant insults because they deviate from the norm here in America. There was a time that I was haunted by the disgusted looks on my younger brothers’ faces as they watched me claw at the skin that I was conditioned to hate. Grimaces of pain and disgust were undeniable as I picked at my skin until puss and blood drained from my face; along with it drained the remnants of the little self-confidence that I had. It was in these moments, at the height of my insecurity, that I realized this would lead me to nowhere of significance, and it would instead continue to reinforce these same insecurities in my siblings. It was in these moments, at the height of my insecurity, where I looked in the mirror, with puss and blood leaking out of my face, and realized I had to be unapologetically black. I had to be unapologetically dark-skinned. I had to be unapologetically Nigerian. Most importantly, I had to unapologetically myself. While racism, colorism, and xenophobia still rage war, I have made it my mission to use healthcare, specifically dermatology, as an outlet to encourage others to be themselves unapologetically. I aim to make going to the dermatologist accessible, easy to understand, and more affordable so that anyone who desires treatment for any skin ailment can achieve the skin goals they covet and deserve to reach. This mission has fueled the balance of my high school journey. I tirelessly look for opportunities to grow as a future medical student and maximize opportunities to promote the value of self-love. It is this mission that makes my work as an executive officer in the Future Medical Professionals Club at my school mean so much to me. Being able to partner with established medical professionals to lessen the stress levels and increase the medical acumen in over 60 students per year has made the club very fulfilling to lead. Because of COVID, the opportunity to shadow and volunteer in a hospital was stripped from me; however, I am determined to learn more about the field of medicine by any means possible. Through Club Med, a virtual shadowing program, I get to participate in weekly seminars led by medical professionals and medical students that impart priceless information about different aspects of medicine. I also connect very often with my career mentor, Dr. Awe. She is a nurse practitioner based in Grand Prairie, Texas, and she offers me valuable insight into standing out as a black medical professional. Her standing as the owner of her clinic grants me the opportunity to learn even more about this field. I also love being active in a Pre-Med student Discord server where anyone from medical school students to high school students can disseminate valuable information about the medical field, scholarship, internship, and volunteer opportunities. My activity within these clubs and my interactions with other like-minded people has given me a heightened sense of security in my own skin, and now being treated as an alien in any world has little bearing on my spirit. These endeavors have reinforced the affirmations I made to myself in my darkest hours while looking at my bleeding skin in that mirror and have significantly influenced my growth as a person, a student, a leader, and a future medical professional. While my mission is far from complete, my unique experiences in and outside of school have given me the confidence I need to use healthcare as a means to impart a spirit of self-validation in as many people as I can.

I am a member of two worlds, yet I am treated as an alien in both. This feeling is one that I have become accustomed to as a Nigerian American. In one world, I see people who share my skin color murdered in cold blood because of their melanated skin; melanated skin that should be cherished and appreciated but is instead viewed as a threat and a cause for excessive force. In the other world, a slip of my accent, a difference in apparel, or the slightest embrace of my Nigerian culture is met with an onslaught of ignorant insults because they deviate from the norm here in America regardless of if we share a skin complexion or not. To negotiate these two worlds in peace, an immense amount of code-switching, silent cries, and forsaking the facets of what makes me who I am is necessary. There was a time that I was haunted by the disgusted looks on my younger brothers’ faces as they watched me claw at the skin that I was conditioned to hate. Grimaces of pain and disgust were undeniable as I picked at my skin until puss and blood drained from my face; along with it drained the remnants of the little self-confidence that I had. It was in these moments, at the height of my insecurity, that I realized this would lead me to nowhere of significance, and it would instead continue to reinforce these same insecurities in my siblings. It was in these moments, at the height of my insecurity, where I looked in the mirror, puss and blood leaking out of my face, and realized I had to be unapologetically black. I had to be unapologetically dark-skinned. I had to be unapologetically Nigerian. Most importantly, I had to unapologetically myself. While racism, colorism, and xenophobia still rage war, I have made it my mission to use healthcare, specifically dermatology, as an outlet to encourage others to be themselves unapologetically. This mission has fueled the balance of my high school journey. I tirelessly look for opportunities to grow as a future medical student and maximize opportunities to promote the value of self-love.

A member of two worlds but treated as an alien in both. A feeling I have become accustomed to as a Nigerian American. In one world I see people who share my skin color murdered in cold blood because of their melanated skin, melanated skin that should be cherished and appreciated but is instead viewed as a threat and a cause for excessive force. In the other world, a slip of my accent, a difference in apparel, or the slightest embrace of my traditional culture is met with an onslaught of ignorant insults because my way of living deviates from the norm here in America regardless of if we share a skin complexion or not. The conditions to survive in peace in these worlds require an unhealthily large amount of code-switching, silent cries, and forsaking the facets of myself that make me who I am. Ouch, Eww, and other grimaces of pain and disgust would let out from my mouth as I picked at my skin until puss and blood drained from my face and drained along with it, were the remnants of the little self-confidence that I had. I was haunted by the disgusted looks on my younger brothers’ faces as they watched me continue to claw at the skin I was conditioned to hate, but it was in these peak moments of insecurity I had realized this would lead me to nowhere of significance and would reinforce any insecurities in my siblings. It was in these peak moments of insecurity where I looked in the mirror, puss, and blood leaking out my face, and realized I have to be unapologetically black. I have to be unapologetically dark skin. I have to be unapologetically Nigerian. Most importantly, I just had to unapologetically myself, and while racism, colorism, and xenophobia still rage war, I have made it my mission to use healthcare, specifically dermatology, as an outlet to encourage other people to be themselves unapologetically. This mission fueled the remainder of my high school journey. I tirelessly looked for opportunities to grow as a future medical student, but also to gain opportunities to promote the value of self-love. It is this mission that makes my work as an executive for the RCCG House on the Rock Youth department means so much to me. As president, I have the platform to preach the value of self-validation and give them resources and partners to help catapult them into their success. As the large majority of my audience is also Nigerian American, I meet the cries of my constituents with more than just empathy. I cater to their concerns with a feeling of genuine sympathy that is not commonplace in our community because we are conditioned to keep our craving for validation and security silent. Through my participation in Timberview’s African Student Association, I helped cultivate a safe place for African students to embrace their respective cultures without judgment. The club was open to students of all races to help educate people of other cultures and dampen the level of xenophobia we face. I also cherished my work as an executive officer in the Future Medical Professionals club. Partnering with established medical professionals to lessen the stress levels and increase the medical acumen in over 60 students per year made the club very fulfilling to lead. My activity within these organizations gave me a heightened sense of security in my skin, and now being treated as an alien in any world has little bearing on my spirit. These endeavors have reinforced the affirmations I made to myself in my darkest hours while looking at my bleeding skin in that mirror, and have significantly influenced my growth as a student, leader, and future medical professional. While my mission is far from complete, my unique experiences in and outside of school have given me the confidence I need to use healthcare as a means to impart a spirit of self-validation to as many people as I can.