Sewing Seeds: Lena B. Davis Memorial Scholarship

My name is Akora Anderson, and I am a freshman psychology major at Howard University, my dream school and the nation’s leading Historically Black College or University. One of my proudest achievements has been not only gaining admission, but also maintaining academic excellence and personal growth throughout my time here. Reaching this point required me to confront and navigate my own mental health challenges while balancing rigorous academics, leadership roles, and meaningful community service. During my first semester, I was diagnosed with major depressive disorder and began treatment, including medication. Although this was initially difficult to accept, it became a turning point in my life. I learned the importance of prioritizing my well-being and seeking support, which ultimately strengthened both my resilience and my commitment to helping others facing similar struggles. Motivated by these experiences, I sought out leadership opportunities aligned with my passion for mental health advocacy. I joined the Howard University Student Association (HUSA) as a first-year associate, where I serve as a liaison between the student body and administration. In this role, I advocate for student needs and contribute to developing practical, solution-oriented initiatives that promote student well-being. Additionally, as a Junior Resident Assistant, I work to foster a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment within my residence hall. I collaborate on monthly programs that encourage community building among students from diverse backgrounds and assist in peer mediation to maintain a respectful and positive living space. Alongside my leadership roles, I have maintained a 4.0 GPA while taking 18 credit hours, demonstrating my commitment to academic excellence. Beyond the classroom, I dedicate my time to community service initiatives that reflect my values. In November, I led “Plateful of Purpose,” an event focused on preparing and distributing Thanksgiving meals to individuals experiencing homelessness in the Washington, D.C. area. I also contributed to voter registration efforts on campus, helping students engage in the democratic process, and participated in my university’s Day of Service by gardening at a local food bank to support sustainable food access for surrounding communities. These experiences have deepened my understanding of service and reinforced my dedication to uplifting underserved populations. Looking ahead, I plan to expand my involvement in campus leadership by continuing my work within student government and collaborating with student advocacy organizations to amplify student voices. I also aspire to join the executive board of the psychology club as Program Director, where I can utilize my event planning skills to increase engagement and visibility for mental health initiatives on campus. As I am on track to graduate a semester early, I intend to use that time to pursue independent research focused on the mental health of incarcerated African Americans. Specifically, I hope to examine how childhood trauma, environmental factors, and systemic inequalities contribute to life outcomes, and to advocate for greater access to mental health resources within the justice system. Ultimately, my long-term goal is to pursue a Ph.D. in psychology, with a research focus on the effects of childhood trauma on African American adolescents. I aspire to become a clinical psychologist and serve as an expert witness within the legal system, advocating for individuals whose mental health conditions are often overlooked. My journey, shaped by both personal experience and a deep commitment to service, has solidified my purpose: to bridge gaps in mental health awareness, reduce stigma, and create meaningful change within my community and beyond.

One goal I have worked hard to reach is preparing myself for a future career in nursing. I have always been interested in helping people, but I realized that becoming a nurse would allow me to turn that passion into a real career where I could make a difference in people’s lives. Nursing requires dedication, patience, and a strong work ethic, so I knew that if I wanted to reach this goal, I had to start working toward it while I was still in high school. To begin working toward this goal, I focused on taking my education seriously and pushing myself to do well in school. Even when schoolwork became challenging, I reminded myself why I was working so hard. I spent extra time studying, asking questions when I didn’t understand something, and trying to stay organized so I could balance my responsibilities. Learning to stay disciplined with my schoolwork has helped me build habits that will be important when I eventually attend college and nursing school. Another important step in reaching this goal has been learning more about the medical field and what it takes to care for others. I’ve participated in AHEC programs that gave hands-on experiences so I would be familiar with some requirements. I have tried to pay attention to the qualities that good nurses have, such as compassion, patience, and the ability to stay calm during stressful situations. These qualities are just as important as academic knowledge. By developing these skills now, I believe I am preparing myself not only to succeed in nursing school but also to become someone patients can trust and rely on. I’ve watched my Grandma who is a CNA take care of my great grandmother which made me realize that I wanted to become a nurse. Working toward this goal has not always been easy. There have been times when balancing school, personal responsibilities, and planning for the future felt overwhelming. However, these challenges have helped me grow and become more determined. They have taught me that reaching a meaningful goal takes persistence and effort over time. Instead of giving up when things feel difficult, I have learned to stay focused and keep reminding myself why I started. Looking ahead, my next goal is to attend college and continue working toward becoming a nurse. I want to gain the education and training necessary to provide quality care for patients and support families during difficult times. Eventually, I hope to work in a hospital where I can make a positive impact on people’s lives every day. The journey toward becoming a nurse is still just beginning, but every step I take now is helping me get closer to that dream. By continuing to stay focused on my education, develop strong work habits, and remain committed to helping others, I believe I will be able to achieve my goal and make a meaningful difference in the future.

There was a point when I realized I wasn’t doing as well in school as I knew I could. My grades had started slipping, and I felt overwhelmed trying to balance everything going on in my life. It was frustrating because I knew I had the potential to do better, but I wasn’t putting myself in the best position to succeed. Instead of ignoring it or making excuses, I decided to set a goal for myself: get back on track and prove that I could improve. The first thing I had to change was my habits. I started managing my time more seriously by creating a simple schedule and actually sticking to it. Instead of procrastinating or rushing through assignments, I made sure I gave myself enough time to understand the material. I also began asking for help when I needed it. At first, that was uncomfortable for me because I didn’t like admitting when I didn’t understand something. But I realized that asking questions was better than falling behind. Whether it was talking to my teachers or working with classmates, I made an effort to stay on top of my work. It wasn’t easy, and it definitely didn’t happen overnight. There were still days when I felt unmotivated or stressed out. Sometimes it felt like my progress was too slow, but I kept reminding myself why I started. I focused on small improvements instead of expecting everything to change instantly. Over time, those small changes made a big difference. My grades started improving, but more importantly, I felt more confident in myself and my abilities. Reaching this goal taught me a lot about discipline and consistency. I learned that I don’t have to be perfect to succeed—I just have to keep going, even when things get difficult. It also showed me that I’m capable of more than I sometimes give myself credit for. That mindset has stuck with me and changed how I approach challenges. Now, I’m working toward the next step, which is continuing my education and building a future I can be proud of. I want to keep improving, not just academically but as a person. My goal is to create opportunities for myself, support my family, and eventually give back to my community. I know there will be more challenges ahead, but this experience showed me that I have what it takes to handle them and keep moving forward.

At ten years old, I faced a heartbreak that forever changed the course of my life: I lost my brother. In a child's world, family is supposed to feel permanent and safe. But when he passed away, I was forced to confront a reality far beyond my understanding.The grief was overwhelming, and the questions about life and purpose were ones I didn’t know how to answer. Even then, in my confusion and pain, I found myself reaching out to God. Not fully understanding, but hoping He was there. That early connection would become the foundation for the faith that sustains me today. As I grew older, football became my refuge. It gave me an outlet for my emotions and a clear sense of direction. I poured my heart into the game, believing it was my way forward. I envisioned a future filled with success and security, where I could honor my brother’s memory through my achievements. But life once again took an unexpected turn. A career-ending injury stole the dream I had worked so hard for. Everything I thought defined me, the titles, the goals, the identity. All was gone in an instant. I was left to ask a painful question “Without football, who am I?” The answer didn’t come quickly. That injury marked the beginning of a hard season that eventually led to homelessness. I experienced what it meant to have nothing, to wonder where my next meal would come from, to sleep wherever I could find shelter. In that dark and humbling time, the world felt unbearably heavy. Yet it was also during this season that my relationship with God became real in a way it never had before. When there was no one else to lean on, I leaned on Him. In my brokenness, He showed me that my worth was never tied to what I did, it was rooted in who I was in Him. These experiences, the loss, the injury, the homelessness. It didn’t just shape my character, they gave me a calling. I realized that my story wasn't meant to end in suffering. It was meant to inspire. Out of the ashes of my hardest moments grew a passion to become a motivational speaker. I want to show others that even when life strips you down to nothing, you can rise. I want to change the communities around me by speaking hope into the lives of those who feel forgotten, broken, or stuck. God didn’t allow my pain to be wasted. He used it to plant a fire inside me, a fire to encourage, uplift, and rebuild. Today, I stand not as a victim of my circumstances but as a living testimony of God's grace, resilience, and purpose. I know that through Him, I can be a light in the places that need it most, and I am committed to using my voice to make a difference.

When I reflect on the most significant experience in my life, it’s my emergency brain surgery at age eleven. That moment changed me—not just physically, but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. A single sentence from a Black nurse anesthetist—“You won’t feel a thing”—gave me a sense of calm and clarity I had never known. That moment showed me the power of compassionate care and planted the seed for everything I would later become: a future CRNA, an advocate for rare illnesses, and a changemaker inspired by my mother’s resilience and my journey with chronic illness. My emergency brain surgery didn’t just save my life—it gave me a vision for my future. What scared me most wasn’t the surgery itself, but the thought of the breathing tube. I remember the moment that fear disappeared: an African-American nurse anesthetist looked me in the eyes and said, “You won’t feel a thing.” And I didn’t. That moment of trust and representation left a lasting impact. I realized I wanted to become a CRNA—not just to provide expert care, but to offer the same emotional reassurance and hope I was given that day. That one experience continues to shape the way I serve, lead, and advocate today. I founded Women of Woodland (WOW) to empower young women and serve on the HOBY corporate board to cultivate the next generation of leaders. I plan to launch AFI, a nonprofit dedicated to mentorship, scholarships, and expanding healthcare access for underserved students. Through my advocacy work, I support policies like the ICAN Act and raise awareness around rare diseases, working toward a more inclusive and informed healthcare system. Everything I do is a reflection of that life-changing moment in the operating room—a commitment to care, compassion, and change. While the surgery gave me vision, my mother gave me the strength to walk in it. As a single mom battling her own chronic illness, she showed me what real sacrifice looks like. She advocated for me when I couldn’t advocate for myself and taught me how to speak up with courage and love. Her strength carried me through my MCAS diagnosis, a journey that exposed the cracks in our healthcare system. She didn’t just support my healing—she fueled my purpose, and now I carry her strength into every goal I pursue. As Nelson Mandela once said, “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others.” My story began on an operating table, but it’s only just beginning. With every step I take toward becoming a CRNA and a healthcare advocate, I honor the people and experiences that shaped me—and I move forward determined to make a difference in the lives of others.