At six, I was introduced to ballet, participated in voice lessons, and enrolled in acting classes at Maywood Fine Arts. There, my dance teachers would push me to do things I never even imagined. I am attending The University of Southern California to major in Musical Theatre (BFA Program). For my career, I hope to continue doing professional shows and grow more as an actress. Not only do I want to further my musical theatre career, but I also want to get into film and learn how to make my own music. Attending this university will also give me opportunities to reach so many more people with my craft. Getting this degree I know is not mandatory, but I feel like it will take my talents to another level. I get the chance to really explore who I am as a black woman and a performer. I’m not only doing this for my success, but I am doing this for everyone around. Everyone who has supported me, had faith in me, and who looks up to me. This is something that makes me happy, and getting the chance to make others happy makes it worth everything and so much more. Getting the chance to try different things gets me super excited about the world and what all I could do in it. Not only will I get to experience so much, but like I said, I get the opportunity to give back to my community. I plan to help children, who also aspire to go into the arts, by teaching them. With this plan, I will build a scholarship foundation that allows young people follow their dreams and have the support that they may not have at home. I would also want to give back to communities that are less fortunate but still deserve to do things other children get the privilege of doing. Simple things like going on field trips can change the attitude for children. I will be that artist who does not just talk about action, but is about action. It takes a village to make a change, so I plan to use all of my resources. I really just want to be in the black community, uplifting, helping, and using the resources I have.

Being a Black woman has never been easy, but it has always been worth it. We are always being labeled as either ghetto, too grown, or mad; but in fact we are so much more. I went to a predominantly white high school, so there was no one to really relate to or nowhere to go community wise. So I made it my job to build that community for my high school. I went forth and brought a Black Student Union and Black History Month Celebration to my high school in 2018. As a Sophomore, I had the drive and inspiration to show leadership to bring a small community together. The leadership I showed at age 16 was just the beginning for me. I knew that I had to use my leadership skills to build my future and aspirations for my life as a Black artist. Uplifting other Black women as well as fighting social justice has been extremely important to me. From speaking out in a history class to speaking out in community group conversations, I have always been determined to educate Black America. Many times people want to blame our circumstances on our environment, but it is the systemic racism that our people have constantly had to endure that has plagued our community. Therefore, I want to make it my job that I speak up for these problems, even as an entertainer. I will always be a black woman first, so it will forever be my duty to speak for my community. Speaking up does not just mean when there are injustices, it also means I speak for those who are not heard or understood. I want to be a Black Artist who uses their platform to make change. Using my voice will empower so many other black voices, so I will forever feel obligated to do so. I plan to give back to my community in more than one way. I want to make a safe haven for students like me: Artists who love what they do and hope to use their art in the future. I want to give kids the opportunities that sometimes are not available to young artists, especially if they do not have support. I,then, want to one day in the future make a scholarship program for artists majoring in art programs because it is extremely hard finding scholarships for students who want to become artists. Obtaining my degree in Musical Theatre will give me the tools I need to be successful in today’s society. Being in school, I will have connections to create opportunities that otherwise would not be afforded to me. I will know how to correctly use my voice and my talents to successfully make change in American society.

I knew I wanted to sing, dance, and act, and it has always been my little gift from God. It all seemed so natural to me. At six, I was introduced to ballet, participated in voice lessons, and enrolled in acting classes at Maywood Fine Arts. There, my dance teachers would push me to do things I never even imagined. I loved singing, dancing, and acting so much, I decided to go to an arts school for my high school education: The Chicago Academy for the Arts. There, I succeeded academically and professionally. I was able to do the things I love while trying news things as well. Having the performing arts gave me time to realize who I was, as an artist and a Black woman. I got the opportunity to realize that I can do everything I dream of and more. Now attending USC will also give me opportunities to reach so many more people with my craft. I want to try and learn new things, not only those that will challenge me but will also interest me. I never want to stray away from using my talent, so I intend to never stop. I’m not only doing this for my success, but I am doing this for everyone around. Everyone who has supported me, had faith in me, and who looks up to me. This is something that makes me happy, and getting the chance to make others happy makes it worth everything and so much more. Getting the chance to try different things gets me super excited about the world and what all I could do in it. Not only will I get to experience so much, but like I said, I get the opportunity to give back to my community. I would plan to help children, who also aspire to go into the arts, by teaching them. I love to teach children dances, music, and different scenes. I feel like it would be a great opportunity for the children to connect with someone who currently does what they want to continue doing. Giving them someone to look up to would be amazing, because I understand it is sometimes hard finding someone like you and who’s interested in what you are interested in. I would also want to give back to communities that are less fortunate but still deserve to do things other children get the privilege of doing. Simple things like going on field trips can change the attitude for children. I also would reach out to my school representatives to help me. It takes a village to make a change, so I plan to use all of my resources. Getting connections through school will give me the chance to find new volunteer work and meet even more allies. I will be able to learn as I help. That’s my favorite part about community service; the people who I get to help also get to teach me. I learn so much more and it feels amazing. I really just want to be in the black community, uplifting, helping, and using the resources I have. I understand I will be in a new state, but I want to be able to make a change even if I have to learn more to do so. I not only want to help children, but I want to help everyone. I will get the opportunity to reach out to new people and an entirely new community. Being able to take part in changing the community gives an opportunity to be a part of the change we want to see.

My educational and career goals have been a part of my life since I was six years old. I knew I wanted to sing, dance, and act, and it has always been my little gift from God. It all seemed so natural to me. At six, I was introduced to ballet, participated in voice lessons, and enrolled in acting classes at Maywood Fine Arts. There, my dance teachers would push me to do things I never even imagined. I loved singing, dancing, and acting so much, I decided to go to an arts school for my high school education: The Chicago Academy for the Arts. There, I succeeded academically and professionally. I was able to do the things I love while trying news things as well. I got the opportunity to realize that I can do everything I dream of and more. I am attending The University of Southern California to major in Musical Theatre (BFA Program). Musical theatre was my only option; it was meant for me. I knew this was the major for me to really perfect my craft. For my career, I hope to continue doing professional shows and grow more as an actress. Not only do I want to further my musical theatre career, but I also want to get into film and learn how to make my own music. Understanding that I will be attending USC this fall, they will definitely help me reach my goals. Attending this university will also give me opportunities to reach so many more people with my craft. I want to try and learn new things, not only those that will challenge me but will also interest me. I never want to stray away from using my talent, so I intend to never stop. Getting this degree I know is not mandatory, but I feel like it will take my talents to another level. I get the chance to really explore who I am as a black woman and a performer. Not only could I succeed in entertainment, but academically as well. I’m not only doing this for my success, but I am doing this for everyone around. Everyone who has supported me, had faith in me, and who looks up to me. This is something that makes me happy, and getting the chance to make others happy makes it worth everything and so much more. Getting the chance to try different things gets me super excited about the world and what all I could do in it. Not only will I get to experience so much, but like I said, I get the opportunity to give bak to my community. I would plan to help children, who also aspire to go into the arts, by teaching them. I love to teach children dances, music, and different scenes. I feel like it would be a great opportunity for the children to connect with someone who currently does what they want to continue doing. Giving them someone to look up to would be amazing, because I understand it is sometimes hard finding someone like you and who’s interested in what you are interested in. I would also want to give back to communities that are less fortunate but still deserve to do things other children get the privilege of doing. Simple things like going on field trips can change the attitude for children. I also would reach out to my school representatives to help me. It takes a village to make a change, so I plan to use all of my resources. Getting connections through school will give me the chance to find new volunteer work and meet even more allies. I will be able to learn as I help. That’s my favorite part about community service; the people who I get to help also get to teach me. I learn so much more and it feels amazing. I really just want to be in the black community, uplifting, helping, and using the resources I have. I understand I will be in a new state, but I want to be able to make a change even if I have to learn more to do so. I not only want to help children, but I want to help everyone. I will get the opportunity to reach out to new people and an entirely new community. Being able to take part in changing the community gives an opportunity to be a part of the change we want to see.

I knew I wanted to sing, dance, and act, and it has always been my little gift from God. It all seemed so natural to me. At six, I saw the movie Dream Girls for the very first time. In the film, Beyonce struck me and inspired me. She showed me that black women can be successful in whatever they like, no matter the circumstances. After that, I was introduced to ballet, participated in voice lessons, and enrolled in acting classes at Maywood Fine Arts. There, my dance teachers would push me to do things I never even imagined. I loved singing, dancing, and acting so much, I decided to go to an arts school for my high school education: The Chicago Academy for the Arts. I was able to do the things I love while trying news things as well. I got the opportunity to realize that I can do everything I dream of and more. Things like going to see alums in professional shows, at award shows, and in movies really make a difference. I get to see it happen right in front of me; which pushes me to work just as hard for my successful future like all the others. I am attending The University of Southern California to major in Musical Theatre (BFA Program). Musical theatre was my only option; it was meant for me. I knew this was the major for me to really perfect my craft. For my career, I hope to continue doing professional shows and grow more as an actress. Being in California, I will be able to meet people in the business, audition for many things, and learn from others. Not only do I want to further my musical theatre career, but I also want to get into film and learn how to make my own music. Understanding that I attend USC, they will definitely help me reach my goals. I will get amazing opportunities and will work hard to continue getting these opportunities. I want to try and learn new things, not only those that will challenge me but will also interest me. I never want to stray away from using my talent, so I intend to never stop. Getting this degree I know is not mandatory, but I feel like it will take my talents to another level. I get the chance to really explore who I am as a black woman and a performer. Not only could I succeed in entertainment, but academically as well. I can go in-depth with who I am as an actress, learn about my heritage, and culture as a student. I’m not only doing this for my success, but I am doing this for everyone around. Everyone who has supported me, had faith in me, and who looks up to me. This is something that makes me happy, and getting the chance to make others happy makes it worth everything and so much more.

Being one of the few Black girls at my highschool, it’s always been hard having a community that looks like me. I always felt like I could not fully connect to the people I went to school with because we have nothing in common besides having talent. I did not feel like I belonged, so I decided to do something about it. I took it upon myself to build a community for the Black students. I established a Black Student Union at my highschool to make Black students feel like they have a safe space. I felt obligated to do this because I have always tried being a leader during highschool, so this was the perfect way to do it. After creating this space, I then built a Black History Month program. I knew it was important for me to do that because telling black stories will never be unimportant. Being a leader gives me the chance to reach so many people, Black or white, and continue educating people in the process. I learned that I have to continue speaking up in order to make change. I can not expect change if I am not apart of it. Moving forward with my future endeavors I will always remember that I have to be a leader. Not just for myself, but for everyone around me as well. I want to be that Black woman who stands up for what I believe in and represents my community, no matter how "famous" I get.

My educational and career goals have been a part of my life since I was six years old. I knew I wanted to sing, dance, and act, and it has always been my little gift from God. It all seemed so natural to me. At six, I was introduced to ballet, participated in voice lessons, and enrolled in acting classes at Maywood Fine Arts. There, my dance teachers would push me to do things I never even imagined. I loved singing, dancing, and acting so much, I decided to go to an arts school for my high school education: The Chicago Academy for the Arts. There, I succeeded academically and professionally. I was able to do the things I love while trying news things as well. I got the opportunity to realize that I can do everything I dream of and more. Things like going to see alums in professional shows, at award shows, and in movies really make a difference. I get to see it happen right in front of me; which pushes me to work just as hard for my successful future like all the others. I will be attending The University of Southern California to major in Musical Theatre (BFA Program). Musical theatre was my only option; it was meant for me. I knew this was the major for me to really perfect my craft. For my career, I hope to continue doing professional shows and grow more as an actress. Being in California, I will be able to meet people in the business, audition for many things, and learn from others. Not only do I want to further my musical theatre career, but I also want to get into film and learn how to make my own music. Understanding that I will be attending USC this fall, they will definitely help me reach my goals. Attending this university will also give me opportunities to reach so many more people with my craft. I will get amazing opportunities and will work hard to continue getting these opportunities. I want to try and learn new things, not only those that will challenge me but will also interest me. I never want to stray away from using my talent, so I intend to never stop. Getting this degree I know is not mandatory, but I feel like it will take my talents to another level. I get the chance to really explore who I am as a black woman and a performer. Not only could I succeed in entertainment, but academically as well. I can go in-depth with who I am as an actress, learn about my heritage, and culture as a student. I hope to be able to teach others about African American cultural history. I have always been interested in where I come from and all the hardships my ancestors have gone through. It would be amazing if I could learn at a university that has diversity, and as a productive citizen and student on campus, I would continuously be excited and ready for every endeavor. I’m not only doing this for my success, but I am doing this for everyone around. Everyone who has supported me, had faith in me, and who looks up to me. This is something that makes me happy, and getting the chance to make others happy makes it worth everything and so much more.

My educational and career goals have been a part of my life since I was six years old. I knew I wanted to sing, dance, and act, and it has always been my little gift from God. It all seemed so natural to me. At six, I was introduced to ballet, participated in voice lessons, and enrolled in acting classes at Maywood Fine Arts. There, my dance teachers would push me to do things I never even imagined. I loved singing, dancing, and acting so much, I decided to go to an arts school for my high school education: The Chicago Academy for the Arts. There, I succeeded academically and professionally. I was able to do the things I love while trying news things as well. I got the opportunity to realize that I can do everything I dream of and more. Things like going to see alums in professional shows, at award shows, and in movies really make a difference. I get to see it happen right in front of me; which pushes me to work just as hard for my successful future like all the others. I will be attending The University of Southern California to major in Musical Theatre (BFA Program). Musical theatre was my only option; it was meant for me. I knew this was the major for me to really perfect my craft. For my career, I hope to continue doing professional shows and grow more as an actress. Being in California, I will be able to meet people in the business, audition for many things, and learn from others. Not only do I want to further my musical theatre career, but I also want to get into film and learn how to make my own music. Understanding that I will be attending USC this fall, they will definitely help me reach my goals. Attending this university will also give me opportunities to reach so many more people with my craft. I will get amazing opportunities and will work hard to continue getting these opportunities. I want to try and learn new things, not only those that will challenge me but will also interest me. I never want to stray away from using my talent, so I intend to never stop. Getting this degree I know is not mandatory, but I feel like it will take my talents to another level. I get the chance to really explore who I am as a black woman and a performer. Not only could I succeed in entertainment, but academically as well. I can go in-depth with who I am as an actress, learn about my heritage, and culture as a student. I hope to be able to teach others about African American cultural history. I have always been interested in where I come from and all the hardships my ancestors have gone through. It would be amazing if I could learn at a university that has diversity, and as a productive citizen and student on campus, I would continuously be excited and ready for every endeavor. I’m not only doing this for my success, but I am doing this for everyone around. Everyone who has supported me, had faith in me, and who looks up to me. This is something that makes me happy, and getting the chance to make others happy makes it worth everything and so much more.