Byte into STEM Scholarship

I was five years old when my family left the Democratic Republic of the Congo in search of stability and opportunity. We settled in the Twin Cities of Minnesota, where I grew up straddling two worlds—one rooted in survival, and the other filled with possibility. In my hometown of Goma, power outages were frequent, internet access was rare, and dreams were often sacrificed for necessity. Here in the U.S., I found access to technology and education, and I began to wonder: Why can’t both worlds coexist with equal opportunity? Now, as a 19-year-old freshman at the University of St. Thomas pursuing a degree in Computer Engineering, my mission is to answer that question through innovation, advocacy, and impact. I see technology not just as a career field, but as a tool for transformation. There are three core ways I plan to make a positive impact on the world through my degree and future career. First, I am committed to returning to Goma to help build the sustainable infrastructure my community still lacks—starting with the power grid. I plan to earn a master’s degree in power systems and power electronics, allowing me to design and implement electrical systems that can support schools, homes, and small businesses in my hometown. Electricity is more than a utility—it’s a gateway to education, healthcare, and opportunity. Second, I aspire to rise as a senior ethical hacker or cybersecurity executive. My goal is to protect the systems that hold our most vital information and to use my position to generate the capital needed to support philanthropic projects, both in Africa and in underserved communities here in the U.S. I want to use technology not only to secure data, but to unlock progress. Third, I am committed to representation and mentorship. As a young Black man in STEM—a field where we remain severely underrepresented—I understand how powerful visibility can be. I want to mentor youth who look like me, support initiatives that make tech education accessible, and help others realize that they, too, belong in rooms they were once excluded from. Currently, I am involved in a nonprofit organization that empowers young Black men through leadership development, communication skills, and community engagement. This experience has shaped my voice, taught me to lead with empathy, and helped me understand the responsibility of giving back. I also have strong opinions about social justice, literature, and Africa’s economic potential. I believe that storytelling, policy reform, and innovation must work together to drive systemic change. Africa is not a continent of poverty—it’s a continent of potential. I want to help shift that narrative and fuel that growth through my work in technology. My life, education, and vision are all grounded in service. I’m not just pursuing a degree—I’m pursuing a purpose. With the support of this scholarship, I will continue building toward a future where power, progress, and opportunity reach the people and places that need them most.

My story starts in Haiti, where opportunity is rare and healthcare is even rarer. I came to the United States with my father and brother while my mother stayed behind, a sacrifice that still pushes me today. Growing up in a single-parent home where money was tight and stability wasn’t guaranteed shaped the way I see the world. I learned early on that if I wanted to build a better future, not just for myself but for others like me, I would need to work harder, think bigger, and serve deeper. Science has always called to me, especially the human heart. There is something powerful about understanding how the body works and using that knowledge to save lives. That’s why I chose to major in biochemistry as I pursue my dream of becoming a cardiovascular surgeon. This field blends two things I care deeply about: solving complex problems and serving people when they are most vulnerable. My dream is not just about a white coat or a title, it is about impact and healing. I earned my Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) license before graduating high school, proof of how serious I am about my future. I also maintained a 4.1 weighted GPA while taking AP, honors, and AICE courses in science and math. But my learning hasn’t just come from classrooms. I have completed over 300 hours of community service that has shaped my heart as much as my head. I’ve volunteered in the emergency room and rehab unit at Delray Medical Center, helped with blood drives, built care packages for women in domestic violence shelters, tutored English learners, joined beach cleanups, and honored veterans through JROTC events. Each experience has reinforced my passion for service and medicine. Leadership and giving back are core to who I am. I’ve been involved in programs like Women of Tomorrow and Junior Achievement Career Bound, where I built leadership skills and learned how to use my voice with purpose. Through JROTC, I’ve been trusted to lead in uniform and in action. I do not wait for opportunities to serve — I create them. Attending college and majoring in biochemistry is not just the next step, it is the foundation for everything I want to do. This program will prepare me for medical school and equip me with the knowledge I need to stand confidently in operating rooms and underserved clinics alike. One day, I plan to open my own clinic where cardiovascular care is accessible to people who cannot afford it. I also hope to open a homeless shelter to help those who, like me, have experienced instability and know how hard it is to build from the ground up. Representation matters, and so does access. I want young Black girls to see me in scrubs and know they can make it too. I want patients to feel seen, heard and cared for by someone who understands their struggle. And I want to use my education to break cycles, not just for me, but for my community and the generations that come after. This scholarship would not just help pay for my education, it would be an investment in everything I plan to give back. I am not only passionate, I am ready. And with the right support, I will make sure my journey is not just about success, but about significance.

Growing up in a household where internet access was a luxury and digital safety was never discussed, I learned early on that technology is both powerful and unevenly distributed. As a first-generation college student and a Black woman in cybersecurity, I carry both the privilege of opportunity and the weight of responsibility. My experiences have shaped a mission-driven approach to tech: one that centers community, equity, and digital empowerment. My passion for cybersecurity began not in a classroom, but in a library. I stumbled upon an outdated coding manual and started experimenting with basic Python scripts on shared public computers. The more I learned, the more I realized how often communities like mine are excluded from critical conversations around data protection and online safety. I didn’t see people who looked like me in cybersecurity—so I decided to become one. What drives me is the belief that cybersecurity shouldn’t be reserved for corporations or elite institutions—it should be accessible to everyone. I’ve led workshops in my community teaching basic digital safety, created multilingual materials on recognizing phishing attacks, and mentored high school students of color interested in tech careers. Through my leadership in our university’s Women in Tech club, I’ve organized laptop donation drives and built a mentorship program connecting college students with underrepresented youth in STEM. Each of these experiences has reinforced that representation is not just symbolic—it’s systemic. When Black students see themselves in tech, they begin to believe they belong in it. My mission is to normalize that belonging and build infrastructure to support it. Currently, I’m pursuing a degree in Information Technology with a concentration in cybersecurity. The program is giving me both the technical expertise and ethical foundation to build tools that protect—not exploit—communities. I’m also working on an AI-powered phishing detector app tailored for low-tech users, such as elderly internet users or families unfamiliar with scam tactics. My goal is to use this degree not just to enter the tech industry, but to disrupt it—to challenge the assumption that innovation has to come from the top down. In five years, I plan to launch a nonprofit that provides free cybersecurity education and consulting for BIPOC communities, low-income schools, and small businesses. I want to build a grassroots movement for digital justice that includes mobile clinics, open-source safety tools, and community-based tech fellows. Technology moves fast, but I believe trust and access are what create lasting change. I’ve faced many hurdles—financial instability, housing insecurity, and being underestimated in STEM spaces. During my freshman year, when my mother lost her job, I balanced coursework, part-time jobs, and caregiving. There were nights I used public Wi-Fi from parking lots to submit assignments. But instead of letting those experiences hold me back, I let them sharpen my resolve. They taught me how to be resourceful, disciplined, and fearless. Winning the Byte into STEM Scholarship would allow me to complete a cybersecurity certification alongside my degree, reduce my financial strain, and scale up the outreach work I’ve already started. More than that, it would affirm that my work matters—that being a community-centered technologist is not only possible but powerful. I’m not just preparing for a career—I’m building a future where cybersecurity is a right, not a privilege. A future where Black girls see themselves as engineers, coders, and changemakers. A future where we all feel safe—online and off.