I was diagnosed with bipolar ll disorder and post traumatic stress disorder. Going back to school I knew I would accommodations in order to do well. Growing up I didn’t feel seen or heard but I would open her tennis stories about my parent’s experiences. This triggered me you want to help people. I realized very early in my like that the mind is the foundation and when you have a sound mind you have a solid chance at elevating yourself to a better status. I want everyone to have access to that. Which Is why I am so passionate about being a mental health therapist.

Hello, I am an African American single mom of two boys, one of which is on the autism spectrum. I went back to school to not only show them that they can do anything they put their mind too but to be able to provide a better life for them. I want them know that doing what makes you happy I’m like it’s important to your success with a career. As a first generation student, I returned to school after a 6 year hiatus and my sense of efficacy was very low. I didn’t have much confidence in my ability to follow through with a degree program, but once I completed my associates and started working on my my bachelors, I knew that I was capable of continuing to pursue higher education. My kids have been able to see how important homework, note taking, asking questions, and being engaged in the process of learning can be. I am grateful everyday for how far I’ve come.

I am currently in my BSW program right now and I have dreams of not only becoming a behavioral health therapist but an advocate. I plan to lobby and do policy work throughout the course of my career. I have made the important connection between how qualitative data and quantitative data are interconnected. It will be hard to do directive care with individuals if institutions are not held accountable for the policies they have in play that affect a person's access to opportunity, basic care, funding for resources, and even down to the way someone is treated during services, due to implicit bias. Change is imperative, especially for the minority. Treating others how you want to be treated is a basic yet transformative mentality. If we are ALL not good then NONE of us are good. I am an African American first-generation student that is also a single mother of two children. Some may view me as a statistic but I have lived experiences as a person who has faced adversity, and discrimination. I know what it is like to come from low socioeconomic status and want better for my children. I want to make a change for those coming behind me. Equality shouldn't be a reward to some fortunate to experience tokenism, it is a basic right as a human being. Compassion, humility, and respect are at the center of this.

I am an African American, a first-generation college student who returned to school after 6 years. I am a single mother of two kids, One of which has special needs such as autism. I come from a low socioeconomic background and grew up in an underserved community. Creating generational wealth to me would mean changing generational struggles, traumas, and class status. It means giving my children and grandchildren access to opportunity and a better life. creating generational wealth is my ultimate goal.

1.) I believe that I embody the black excellence of "prosper with a purpose". I have two young children, one of which is on the autism spectrum. Being a mom has really sparked, not only advocacy within me from attending IEP meetings and learning daily to adjust to his needs, but to continue my education so that I can provide for them the things that they need. I want to be the change I wish to see in this world and my sense of efficacy was extremely low when I first started going back to school. Every time I complete a class or a degree program with good grades, I share this with my children in hopes to inspire them and truly show them that education really is transformative. Every day I tell them that they can do anything they put their mind to and in order for that seed to be planted, I have to walk the talk myself. Before having children, I was living my life with others mostly and I knew I needed to live a life filled with my interests and passion. It wasn't enough to go to sleep with these dreams or wake up with them, I know I had to be intentional and I am grateful to be where I am today as an African American, first general, low socio-economic status, single mother of two kids student. I walk unapologetically as I hope to inspire other young black girls coming behind me. 2.) I would love to develop and possess my grit. I can be my own worse critic at times and this can delay my actions or cause me to doubt myself. I use to apologize or feel bad for taking up space. I seem to get slightly overwhelmed or intimated when in a room with those that I feel are more qualified to be there, and I want that to change. I feel that I need to work harder, smarter, and just be great overall because I stand on the shoulders of my ancestors that fought so hard just for basic rights, to be treated as human, and to have access to things like education and voting. I want the world to see that I am confident and I am not quite there yet. I had an auntie who was phenomenal in my eyes. When she walked into a room she commanded attention, she was poised, charismatic, and confident, but you knew not to lay with her. I will forever be inspired by her. I have two mottos, " if a door closes, I will hop through a window" and persistence will keep you afloat when motivation leaves you" Thank you for this opportunity.