CareerVillage.org Scholarship

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I have participated in several leadership and community minded programs (the Young Leaders Academy of Baton Rouge Inc., the NAACP Youth Development Program, and the UNCF Portfolio Project). These programs taught me leadership skills, the importance of education, and the importance of service to your community. The Young Leaders Academy of Baton Rouge Inc. is a program for young African American males to help shape and mold them to become productive citizens, local leaders, and always serve their community. Cultural identity is significant to people of color, because our culture was stolen due to colonization and assimilation. The NAACP Youth Development Program was a partnership between NAACP Snohomish County Branch and Everett Community College's Diversity and Equity Center. It was designed to meet the specific needs of students of African Descent. I will always be grateful for the understanding of cultural worth and value. Lastly, the UNCF Portfolio Project not only taught me the value of higher education but taught the value of representation in education. It is imperative for me to learn from individuals who look like me as well as being surrounded by those who look like me. Which is why I have applied to Historically Black Colleges and Universities. This program took me through the college application process, taught me how to search and apply to scholarships, and opened my mind to possibilities of different career paths by giving me the opportunity to network with people of color in different career fields. Nevertheless, I am most grateful for the mentorship aspect of the program. Each participant in the program was assigned a mentor and even though, I have completed this program I am still able to reach out to my mentor for guidance. These mentors took time out of there day every Saturday for eleven weeks to help guide us through the entire process. Mentors reviewed college essay statements, wrote letters of recommendation, and were just there to talk to. This is another example of how service to the community is vital to ensure the success of young people. After graduating from high school, I plan to attend an HBCU, earning a dual degree in History with a concentration in International Studies/Affairs and Public Policy and Administration. Having these degrees will help me run for political office, but also develop my skillsets and attributes in the community to expand my leadership skills and promote the idea of political and economic power, cultural empowerment, and awareness towards injustice, inequality, and inequity. As a leader, I will promote the value of all education and continue to learn from others. I will make ethical, logical, and practical decisions that will improve the lives of all people, and to make contributions all over the world. Over the past few months, we have seen civil unrest, an unlevel economy, and lack of leadership that stops us from solving these issues in America. I will use education to change systematic laws that keep our communities in bondage. We must remember that "In times of crisis, the wise build bridges while the foolish build barriers." (Black Panther). An inspiring quote that should remind all of us the importance of working together and the beauty of equality.