Sgt. Albert Dono Ware Memorial Scholarship

Sgt. Albert Dono Ware's legacy is a testament to the transformative power of service, sacrifice, and bravery. His selfless commitment to others has inspired me to reflect on my journey and the challenges faced by the African diaspora in the US. Growing up, I struggled to find direction and purpose. Despite being surrounded by peers who seemed to have their lives figured out, I felt lost and uncertain about my future. However, through perseverance and determination, I discovered my passion for nursing. The desire to care for others and make a meaningful impact on their lives resonated deeply with me. The quest for miracles and life-altering experiences is a journey that I fearlessly want to embark on every day. Because of its unlimited variety, I consider myself a kind person who sincerely enjoys helping others and wants to have a lasting impact on people's lives by fulfilling a longtime desire. Unfortunately, my dreams were put to the test when I encountered significant obstacles as an undocumented student. The harsh reality of being ineligible for a nursing license due to my immigration status was devastating. I felt like I was back at square one, forced to re-evaluate my aspirations and confront the harsh realities of my situation. I was told to give up on school due to my status and due to lack of exposure I struggled to navigate the situation. At some point I lost interest in school, I just did school work for doing sake, I mean what’s the point? What’s the point if I can’t pursue what I love, what’s the point if I have no direction? Despite these challenges, I refused to give up. I drew strength from my parents, who had sacrificed so much for me to pursue my education in the US. Their unwavering support and encouragement inspired me to push forward, even when the odds seemed insurmountable. I continued looking for ways, I was blessed to have a physics teacher who cared about me, she helped me understand that education is critical no matter what happens, it gives you power. Fundamentally, it is not so much about me as it is about others. What can I contribute to improving the world? How can I, in my way, make things better for others? I’ve been told there are a lot of people like me out there, but they didn’t say it in a way to keep me going, they made it sound like giving up on education is no big deal.” Many undocumented people have given up because the struggle can sometimes make them feel hopeless, especially when there are no resources. But I have a great dream that I know shouldn’t be ended. I applied to colleges with doubts, I got accepted into Honors programs, I got grants and I dedicated my time to 40 hours of volunteer services every school year. I hope to assist other undocumented immigrants like me through education, guidance to helpful resources, receiving adequate health care and help with mental health as immigration status affects mental state. As I reflect on Sgt. Ware's legacy reminds me of the importance of perseverance, resilience, and community. His selfless service to others is a powerful reminder that our struggles are not isolated but interconnected with the broader struggles of our communities. To address the challenges faced by the African diaspora in the US, I believe it is essential to prioritize education reform as it tackles the structural injustices and obstacles that prevent immigrants from accessing high-quality opportunities and education, immigration reform to help immigrants navigate their status and understand that it doesn't hinder them from getting education. Community empowerment can empower the social-economic well-being of African diaspora groups. These reforms must be driven by a coalition of key stakeholders, including: Community leaders and organizations are best positioned to understand the unique challenges and needs of their communities. Policymakers must work to create and implement policies that address the systemic barriers and inequalities faced by the African diaspora. Educators and mentors, who can provide guidance, support, and resources to help individuals navigate the challenges of education and career development. Ultimately, Sgt. Ware's legacy reminds us that our individual and collective struggles are not in vain. By working together to address the challenges faced by the African diaspora, we can create a more just, equitable, and compassionate society for all.

Sgt. Albert Dono Ware’s legacy of service, sacrifice, and bravery deeply inspires me—not only as an aspiring educator but as a young Black woman determined to uplift and empower her community. His dedication to something greater than himself reflects the same values that guide my personal journey. I believe education is one of the most powerful forms of service, and I am committed to using my voice and leadership to bring about meaningful change for children who look like me. I’m from Greensboro, North Carolina, where I was raised in a tight-knit, hardworking community that taught me the importance of resilience and faith. From an early age, I knew I wanted to become a teacher. I saw the impact my teachers had on me—not just academically, but emotionally—and I wanted to be that same steady presence for children, especially those from low-income and underserved backgrounds. As a volunteer in Guilford County Schools, I’ve had the privilege of working directly with students across grade levels, offering academic help and emotional support. I’ve helped kindergartners learn their ABCs and their names, supported older students with homework, and designed creative, interactive lessons that make learning fun and engaging. These experiences confirmed that the classroom is where I belong—but they also opened my eyes to the deep inequalities still present in our education system. Currently, I am a rising junior at North Carolina Central University majoring in elementary education, and I proudly hold a 4.0 GPA. My academic journey has been shaped by my determination to be excellent—not for the sake of achievement, but because I know how much representation matters. Our children need to see Black women in positions of leadership, and I intend to be one of them. Starting this summer, I will work as an Early Childhood Education (ECE) Summer Camp Counselor through the School of Education, using STEM-based activities to support young learners and help them build confidence in their abilities. Before college, I also worked full-time for three years at Growing the Distance Inc., serving as both an after-school teacher and summer camp counselor for kindergarten through fifth-grade students. Inspired by Sgt. Ware’s courage and lifelong service, I want to extend my impact beyond the classroom. My long-term vision is to become a superintendent in Guilford County, where I can influence educational policy, create inclusive and equitable learning environments, and design programs that support the whole child. I believe we must address systemic issues that disproportionately affect Black students—like underfunded schools, lack of culturally responsive teaching, and the shortage of Black educators and mentors. The most critical reforms we need include equitable school funding, comprehensive mental health services, more robust teacher training in culturally relevant pedagogy, and community-based after-school and summer programs that provide academic support and enrichment. We must also push for policy changes that prioritize racial equity in education and expand access to leadership opportunities for Black women and other underrepresented groups. These reforms cannot succeed without collaboration. Key stakeholders must include teachers, school administrators, local education boards, historically Black colleges and universities, parents, nonprofit organizations, and most importantly, students themselves. Their voices and experiences should be at the center of every decision we make. Sgt. Ware’s life reminds me that true leadership is about service—it’s about showing up, standing firm in your values, and being willing to carry others even when the journey is hard. That is the type of leader I strive to become. Whether I am in front of a classroom or behind the scenes shaping policy, I will always carry his spirit of bravery, sacrifice, and love for community with me. And I will continue fighting for an educational system where every child—no matter their zip code—has the opportunity to learn, grow, and lead.

When I arrived alone in the United States in April 2021, the Chicago skyline represented both promise and uncertainty. I embarked on this journey by myself—a young first-generation Togolese student determined to pursue education in a country where I had no relatives to guide me. This solitary path echoes the profound values embodied by Sgt. Albert Dono Ware: service, sacrifice, and bravery. While my challenges differ from his, the core values that sustain me through difficult times mirror those that defined his remarkable legacy. The sacrifice involved in leaving my home country of Togo was immense. I left behind everything familiar to pursue academic opportunities in computer science and data science at Northeastern Illinois University. As a first-generation college student living independently in Chicago, I've had to navigate the rigorous demands of my studies while supporting myself entirely on my own. Each day requires balancing academic excellence with meeting basic needs, all while adapting to a new cultural landscape without the guidance of parents who understand the American higher education system. This experience has given me firsthand insight into the unique challenges faced by first-generation members of the African diaspora who lack established support networks in America. The bravery required to persist despite language barriers, financial constraints, and complex educational systems has become a defining element of my character. Like Sgt. Ware, who demonstrated exceptional courage in his service, I've had to find reserves of strength when confronting obstacles that might have otherwise seemed insurmountable. Service to others has become my response to these personal challenges. Rather than becoming insular in my struggles, I've chosen to view my experiences as preparation for helping other first-generation students in similar situations. My concentration in data science reflects this commitment. Where others might see just numbers and algorithms, I see tools for service—opportunities to address critical challenges facing first-generation African immigrant communities. My research at NEIU focuses on using data analytics to identify systemic barriers to resource access among first-generation African immigrants in urban centers. This work is deeply personal; each data point represents someone whose journey might resemble my own. By applying computational methods to understand patterns of need and access, I hope to develop solutions that make the path easier for those who follow me. From my perspective as a first-generation college student navigating life independently, I believe the most critical reforms must address three interconnected areas: support systems for first-generation students, educational access, and economic opportunity. Firstly, support systems for first-generation students from immigrant backgrounds remain woefully inadequate. Many institutions assume knowledge of American educational systems that simply doesn't exist for individuals like me. I propose developing mentorship networks powered by technology platforms that can match experienced first-generation graduates with newcomers based on language, cultural background, and professional interests. Secondly, educational access involves more than just admission to universities. For first-generation independent students from the African diaspora, the hidden costs of education create significant barriers to success. I envision data-driven approaches to identifying these hidden barriers and designing targeted interventions, such as emergency micro-grants and resource-sharing platforms. Thirdly, economic opportunity must include pathways for first-generation immigrants to leverage their unique perspectives. Using predictive analytics, we can identify emerging sectors where the multicultural insights of African immigrants provide competitive advantages, creating targeted training programs that position us as valuable contributors to the American economy. The stakeholders crucial to implementing these reforms include educational institutions, community organizations, technology companies, policy makers, and successful first-generation members of the African diaspora who can serve as mentors. The most effective coalitions will bridge traditional divides between these groups, creating integrated approaches that address our complex realities. My role in this ecosystem is to serve as both a bridge and an example—demonstrating that even without family support or prior knowledge of American systems, first-generation members of the African diaspora can thrive when provided with appropriate resources. This approach embodies Sgt. Ware's legacy of service by putting my personal experience and technical expertise at the disposal of community advancement. Each day since April 2021, I have faced the fears that come with navigating a new society alone as a first-generation student—fears of failure, of cultural misunderstandings, of financial instability. Yet like Sgt. Ware, who persevered through challenges, I continue forward, driven by the belief that my struggles serve a greater purpose. As I continue my studies at NEIU, I carry with me not only personal ambitions but also a responsibility to create pathways for other first-generation students. The values of service, sacrifice, and bravery that defined Sgt. Albert Dono Ware's legacy guide my approach to both personal challenges and community engagement. Through my work at the intersection of data science and immigrant support, I hope to honor his memory by ensuring that no first-generation student has to face alone the challenges I've encountered on my journey.