`As soon as I walk into a room, I can feel the assumptions settle before I even speak. A young Black woman—often the only one in a lab coat or seated at the table—underestimated before I even open my mouth. But I’ve learned that the quiet power of resilience speaks louder than doubt ever could.
This truth followed me all the way to my research internship at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I had been selected for a competitive lung research program through the Human BioMolecular Atlas Program (HuBMAP). Yet, when I met my principal investigator for the first time, he assumed I was part of the janitorial staff. I stood there—credentials, experience, and ambition in hand—reduced to a stereotype before I could even introduce myself. That moment was painful, but not unfamiliar. It reminded me that my mere presence in these spaces is a disruption to the status quo—and that’s precisely why I must persist.
My story doesn’t begin in the lab, though. It begins in Charleston, South Carolina. Both of my parents were raised there, and my grandparents still live on the same land where their great-grandparents were once enslaved. The deep South carries the weight of a history anchored in racism, segregation, and exclusion. That legacy is not abstract to me—it’s personal. Yet here I am, with the same blood that toiled in bondage, now breaking into rooms my ancestors couldn’t have even imagined. Every lecture I attend, every lab I enter, every patient I shadow—I carry them with me. My success is not individual. It is ancestral.
Pursuing a career in medicine hasn’t been easy. As a first-generation college student and former Division I athlete, I’ve had to master the art of balancing a demanding course load with leadership roles, research commitments, and athletic responsibilities. After undergoing back surgery in 2021, I continued pushing forward in my academic journey, determined to study the very anatomy that once caused me so much pain. I now work as a manager for Howard University’s softball team, assist with neuroscience outreach, and volunteer to mentor underserved students—often while navigating the financial strain of tuition, textbooks, and graduate school preparation.
Even though I’ve made the Dean’s List every year, I still find myself constantly needing to prove that I belong. That I’m not a diversity quota. That I earned my seat at the table.
Receiving this scholarship would relieve a significant financial burden and allow me to focus more deeply on the things that matter—advancing in research, strengthening my medical school applications, and continuing to serve my community. It would free me from the constant anxiety of whether I can afford to keep chasing this dream and instead allow me to fully invest in becoming the physician I know I am meant to be.
This scholarship would not just support my education—it would support the transformation of a system that has long kept women like me on the outside looking in. And I’m determined to change that—from the inside out.
As a Black woman pursuing a degree in chemical engineering, I understand firsthand how underrepresented and often overlooked we are in the STEM fields. But beyond the statistical challenges, my pursuit of higher education has also been shaped by deeply personal obstacles. Over the past few years, I have battled chronic health issues—specifically, recurrent pericarditis, a painful and sometimes debilitating inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart, and a thyroid tumor that affects my energy levels and overall well-being. These medical conditions do not pause for midterms or labs. They come unexpectedly, sometimes with crushing fatigue or hospital stays, and I have had to learn to navigate my coursework while also managing intense physical pain and long-term treatment.
There have been days when it felt impossible to push through, when I was physically exhausted, emotionally drained, and financially overwhelmed. I have had to take exams while recovering from flare-ups, meet deadlines from hospital beds, and face the impossible decision of prioritizing academic materials or critical medical care. But through it all, I have kept going because I know that my presence in this field matters.
What motivates me most is the desire to create real change in the pharmaceutical and medical space. I want to work in drug development, specifically targeting diseases that disproportionately impact communities of color, and often go underfunded or under-researched. As someone who has personally experienced the medical system from both a patient's and an aspiring scientist's perspective, I know how critical it is to have more diverse voices shaping the future of healthcare. Representation in research doesn't just change who gets a seat at the table—it influences what drugs are tested, which populations are studied, and ultimately, who receives effective treatment.
Receiving the Minority Women in STEM Scholarship would significantly alleviate the financial burden that comes with both chronic illness and a rigorous academic path. It would mean fewer hours spent stressing over medical bills and more time devoted to mastering chemical engineering processes or conducting research. It would allow me to take on opportunities like internships, shadowing, or undergraduate research, without constantly worrying about affording transportation or lab expenses. More than anything, it would be a vote of confidence that who I am and what I bring to the table is valuable.
Being a minority woman in STEM isn't easy. But I have learned that our challenges often make us more resilient, more empathetic, and more driven to create solutions that serve everyone. I don't just want to succeed for myself—I want to pave the way for others like me. I want young girls of color to see someone who looks like them in a lab coat, making decisions that impact global health.
This scholarship would not only support my journey; it would amplify it. It would allow me to continue pushing forward despite the odds and move one step closer to a future where STEM is more inclusive, more compassionate, and more reflective of the world we live in. Thank you for considering my application and for investing in the future of women like me.
Pursuing higher education as a first-generation student in a demanding STEM field has come with a series of financial, emotional, and logistical challenges. While I am proud to attend the University of South Carolina as a Computer Engineering major, maintaining a 3.5 GPA and actively participating in leadership and service roles, the path here has not been easy.
One of the most significant challenges I face is balancing financial responsibilities with academic and professional development. I currently work as a Student IT Technician Assistant and a Starbucks barista. These roles not only help cover basic expenses but also support my pursuit of independence. While I value the work experience and the skills I’ve gained—such as customer service, time management, and technical troubleshooting—it can be difficult to juggle these jobs with a full-time course load. Late-night study sessions and early-morning shifts are a regular part of my week, and sometimes, the strain affects my ability to focus fully on my coursework or participate in enrichment opportunities.
Additionally, being a woman of color in a predominantly white and male-dominated field like computer engineering brings its own set of pressures. Imposter syndrome is real, and at times I’ve struggled with feeling isolated or underrepresented. To combat this, I’ve committed myself to organizations that empower minorities in STEM, such as Partners for Minorities in Engineering and Computer Science, where I served as a camp counselor mentoring future students. I also joined Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., where I contribute to initiatives focused on education, youth development, and community service—causes that align with my values and aspirations.
Receiving this scholarship would allow me to reduce my work hours, giving me more time to focus on my academics and professional growth. It would relieve some of the financial burden that requires me to stretch myself thin between multiple responsibilities. Most importantly, it would give me space to seek out internships, certifications, and research opportunities that can prepare me for a successful career in computer engineering—opportunities I often have to pass up due to financial constraints.
This scholarship is more than financial aid; it’s a vote of confidence. It reaffirms that the hard work I’ve poured into overcoming barriers is recognized and valued. With this support, I can continue pushing forward not only for myself but also for those who will come after me—especially young minority students in STEM who need someone to prove that their dreams are possible too.
