The Final Push Scholarship

Getting to this point in my college career, so close to finishing, has not been easy. COVID-19, remote learning, financial challenges, and learning obstacles. But, I am determined to complete my degree. Furthermore, I have sought to exceed expectations, despite obstacles, doubters, and stereotypes about my community and myself. As a minority living in an impoverished, under-educated community where 25% of residents have less than a high school diploma, as well as witnessing drugs, violence, and police brutality, the odds to succeed are not in my favor. For this reason, I knew I didn’t want to be remembered as a statistic, as another person with a bright future flustered away due to unfortunate circumstances. My family has always struggled to comfortably meet all of our basic needs. I currently live on food stamps and in public housing. I never know when food will run out or if I will have enough money to pay rent. My college experience has not been the first time I have battled these circumstances. I come from a background of poverty and hardship, but I see education as a pathway not only to a better life for myself and my family but also my community in Harlem, New York. I am close to my goal of attaining a bachelor’s degree, and this scholarship could help me finish. I hope to make an impact by eventually establishing an independent press in my community. I would use my degree in journalism to create jobs. There is a shortage of job opportunities, so I hope to be able to create jobs for my fellow community members. My independent press will seek to publish a wide array of perspectives and have a policy of equal opportunity and inclusive hiring practices. I intend on establishing a few key concepts in terms of my business model—flexible work hours and paying a living wage because it is impossible to survive on the existing minimum wage. Employees will be able to set their hours, and they will have paid vacations and holidays. I hope this system will allow employees to spend more time with their families and develop their skills and life outside of work. Many people in my community depend on government assistance like food stamps and EBT cards to survive. I believe that establishing an independent press that offers equal employment opportunities will greatly benefit my community by providing members with stable, enjoyable jobs that would reduce and hopefully abolish their need for government assistance. In addition, I also want to provide employees with the opportunity to continue or even begin their post-secondary education, as only 25% of residents have less than a high school diploma. By creating jobs and offering employees educational opportunities, I will put my community in a position to succeed. I dream of using my education to create positive changes in the lives of people locally, allowing me to help not only those who need it the most but also give back to those who are just like me.