I am a senior in high school and a child of divorce since I was three (3) years old. Although my dad has been present, I am raised differently because of my parents' upbringing. My mother's parents have been married for almost sixty (60) years, compared to my father who's mother was a teen and dad was not present. These dynamics affected my upbringing positively and with challenges. My dad has always been present, but I noticed we never threw a football or watch a game. I still don't have my driver's license or understand some of the duties and characteristics of "being a good Christian man" that my mother's dad instills in me. My grandfather is the main influencer on being the man I hope to be, and my dad symbolizes the man I can build on for myself so I can be a better father in the future. My mother is a very strong-willed woman and I am amazed by her accomplishments. She kept the house I was raised in, even unemployed. She emptied her retirement savings in order to be a stay at home mother when my sister was diagnosed with a brain injury and me diagnosed with autism. As amazing and strong of a woman that I see, she apologizes or wishes she could be a better mom. She is hard on me, and even though it can be frustrating or hurtful, I know it's because she means well and expects what she knows I can achieve. The one thing I am thankful for is her interaction with my dad. Now there is a reason they are divorced, and at times her frustrations toward my dad can be annoying like when there is a financial issue. But my mother has never put limitations on me seeing or spending time with my dad, even when it is more him hanging out with us at her house. She understands his upbringing makes quality time different and not natural. I am thankful of her sacrifice and excited for her new journey as I give her back independence including owning a business, education, and love. The origin of my interest in Computer Science and Engineering happened when I was young in elementary school. For Christmas my parents got me a game console and I always wondered how the games worked, which made me ask more questions such as “How does the console work?” or “How are screens made?”. That caused me to go down the rabbit hole of Engineering and Software Development. Computer Science requires problem solving and a lot of math which made me gravitate towards it. I find coding to be like a puzzle that needs math and logic to be solved and when it is solved it is very rewarding. Because I have taken these classes throughout high school and enjoy math, I am able to meet the demands that Computer Science Engineering requires. Due to the origin of my interest in computer science I have always wanted to work for a video game developer company like Nintendo; but now I have expanded my goals from when I was a child. My goals for the future are to get a degree in Computer Science and Engineering, get a job at a tech company like Google, Apple, Nintendo, or create my own company. But my main goal is to make a large impact by making a piece of software that a large population, including public sectors, private companies and consumers use daily.

Through the principles of diversity, determination, and agility, I have encountered financial adversities and awards that shape me into the person I am today. My foundations for financial independence started when I was young by family education. My grandfather, Howard Williams, is Abound’s Chairman Emeritus, so he instilled the importance of financial independence when I was in elementary school. I experienced financial insecurity when my mother lost 2 jobs in one year. Although I was afraid how my life would be affected, my mother would assure me that we were financially capable of living life as normal, even if short-termed. It was her teaching of smart personal finance throughout the years that helped me understand how we were able to live on savings. I also have formal financial literacy education through three sources. I accomplished my first financial freedom goal by obtaining a college scholarship my junior year in high school. The Horatio Alger scholarship has its scholars participate in a college success program which includes financial literacy. I am also a Whitney M. Young scholar and have been taught financial literacy since my freshman year in high school. Finally, I am taking the University of Louisville’s (U of L) Finance 201, Money Management Personal Finance course. This bridge course is required as I transition my education to U of L. I will be studying Computer Science and Engineering, a five-year and expensive program. Software engineering is a high demand career, and I will have opportunities to stay competitive and financially capable of taking care of my daily needs and structure of retirement. My original interest in Computer Science and Engineering was related to video game development but now I have expanded my goals from when I was a child. My goals for the future are to get a degree in Computer Science and Engineering work at a large tech company like Google, Apple, or Nintendo. I have high functioning autism and ambitious to make positive social change; and I can be an ambassador to kids and adults struggling with autism through Computer Science and Engineering. The different challenges and hardships associated with education, housing, and work may not be fully known or understood for those with different abilities; and the accessibility community desires their perspectives to be reached so they can live equally. I believe that as I continue my goals, I will continue to receive scholarships and grants, to reduce or eliminate college debt. My experience with autism will help me contribute to the community through engineering because I have learned that the autism spectrum is different for each person and technology can help those with disabilities communicate with society.

The origin of my interest in Computer Science and Engineering happened when I was young in elementary school. For Christmas my parents got me a game console and I always wondered how the games worked, which made me ask more questions such as “How does the console work?” or “How are screens made?”. That caused me to go down the rabbit hole of Engineering and Software Development. I got a boost of interest when I found out that my school had a class called “Intro to Programming”. Computer Science requires problem solving and a lot of math which made me gravitate towards it. I find coding to be like a puzzle that needs math and logic to be solved and when it is solved it is very rewarding. Since then, I have taken computer science, engineering, and advanced math classes throughout high school and enjoyed. My music interest is also tied to my STEM career goals. My participation in Symphonic, Jazz, Marching Bands and Winter Percussion (ensemble) has greatly shaped my personal growth and leadership skills. I enjoy the perspective of creating musical scores for gaming and other audio-visual productions. This style of producing adds to the high demands in Computer Science and Engineering. At the start of my Sophomore year of high school, I was diagnosed with autism. My parents had taken me to an autism center so I could better understand the diagnosis and deal with it, but I had begun to look less of myself because of the negative stereotypes associated with autism seen online, like being seen as different and weird. Every time I walked into the lobby at therapy and saw other kids higher on the spectrum, I was uneasy and wanted to go home and get it over with. Why am I thinking like this? I know this isn't right. Why am I even here? Do I even need this? But I learned that autism is a spectrum, and it affects people in different ways and my diagnosis was made not to label but to help me. I became thankful because some children were lower functioning and wouldn't be able to live on their own or have more communication struggles than me. I have shown agility to make adjustments to my life, which allows me to succeed and help in the future. However, I am aware future adjustments in how I live in society will be necessary as high rates of social injustices with developmental disorders will need addressing. I learned that communicating efficiently will make situations less stressful and embarrassing. And, because I am high functioning and ambitious to make positive social change, I can be an ambassador to kids and adults struggling with autism through Computer Science and Engineering. The different challenges and hardships associated with education, housing, and work may not be fully known or understood for those with different abilities; and, the accessibility community desires their perspectives to be reached so they can live equally. Due to the origin of my interest in computer science I have always wanted to work for a video game developer company like Nintendo; but now I have expanded my goals from when I was a child. My goals for the future are to get a degree in Computer Science and Engineering and get a job at a large tech company like Google, Apple, or create my own company. My experience with autism will help me contribute to the community through engineering because I have learned that the autism spectrum is different for each person.

The origin of my interest in Computer Science and Engineering happened when I was young in elementary school. For Christmas my parents got me a game console and I always wondered how the games worked, which made me ask more questions such as “How does the console work?” or “How are screens made?”. That caused me to go down the rabbit hole of Engineering and Software Development. I got a boost of interest when I found out that my school had a class called “Intro to Programming”. Computer Science requires problem solving and a lot of math which made me gravitate towards it. I find coding to be like a puzzle that needs math and logic to be solved and when it is solved it is very rewarding. Since then, I have taken computer science, engineering, and advanced math classes throughout high school and enjoyed. My music interest is also tied to my STEM career goals. My participation in Symphonic, Jazz, Marching Bands and Winter Percussion (ensemble) has greatly shaped my personal growth and leadership skills. I enjoy the perspective of creating musical scores for gaming and other audio-visual productions. This style of producing adds to the high demands in Computer Science and Engineering. At the start of my Sophomore year of high school, I was diagnosed with autism. My parents had taken me to an autism center so I could better understand the diagnosis and deal with it, but I had begun to look less of myself because of the negative stereotypes associated with autism seen online, like being seen as different and weird. Every time I walked into the lobby at therapy and saw other kids higher on the spectrum, I was uneasy and wanted to go home and get it over with. Why am I thinking like this? I know this isn't right. Why am I even here? Do I even need this? But I learned that autism is a spectrum, and it affects people in different ways and my diagnosis was made not to label but to help me. I became thankful because some children were lower functioning and wouldn't be able to live on their own or have more communication struggles than me. I have shown agility to make adjustments to my life, which allows me to succeed and help in the future. However, I am aware future adjustments in how I live in society will be necessary as high rates of social injustices with developmental disorders will need addressing. I learned that communicating efficiently will make situations less stressful and embarrassing. And, because I am high functioning and ambitious to make positive social change, I can be an ambassador to kids and adults struggling with autism through Computer Science and Engineering. The different challenges and hardships associated with education, housing, and work may not be fully known or understood for those with different abilities; and, the accessibility community desires their perspectives to be reached so they can live equally. Due to the origin of my interest in computer science I have always wanted to work for a video game developer company like Nintendo; but now I have expanded my goals from when I was a child. My goals for the future are to get a degree in Computer Science and Engineering and get a job at a large tech company like Google, Apple, or create my own company. My experience with autism will help me contribute to the community through engineering because I have learned that the autism spectrum is different for each person.

The origin of my interest in Computer Science and Engineering happened when I was young in elementary school. For Christmas my parents got me a game console and I always wondered how the games worked, which made me ask more questions such as “How does the console work?” or “How are screens made?”. That caused me to go down the rabbit hole of Engineering and Software Development. I got a boost of interest when I found out that my school had a class called “Intro to Programming”. Computer Science requires problem solving and a lot of math which made me gravitate towards it. I find coding to be like a puzzle that needs math and logic to be solved and when it is solved it is very rewarding. Since then, I have taken computer science, engineering, and advanced math classes throughout high school and enjoyed. My music interest is also tied to my STEM career goals. My participation in Symphonic, Jazz, Marching Bands and Winter Percussion (ensemble) has greatly shaped my personal growth and leadership skills. I enjoy the perspective of creating musical scores for gaming and other audio-visual productions. This style of producing adds to the high demands in Computer Science and Engineering. At the start of my Sophomore year of high school, I was diagnosed with autism. My parents had taken me to an autism center so I could better understand the diagnosis and deal with it, but I had begun to look less of myself because of the negative stereotypes associated with autism seen online, like being seen as different and weird. Every time I walked into the lobby at therapy and saw other kids higher on the spectrum, I was uneasy and wanted to go home and get it over with. Why am I thinking like this? I know this isn't right. Why am I even here? Do I even need this? But I learned that autism is a spectrum, and it affects people in different ways and my diagnosis was made not to label but to help me. I became thankful because some children were lower functioning and wouldn't be able to live on their own or have more communication struggles than me. I have shown agility to make adjustments to my life, which allows me to succeed and help in the future. However, I am aware future adjustments in how I live in society will be necessary as high rates of social injustices with developmental disorders will need addressing. I learned that communicating efficiently will make situations less stressful and embarrassing. And, because I am high functioning and ambitious to make positive social change, I can be an ambassador to kids and adults struggling with autism through Computer Science and Engineering. The different challenges and hardships associated with education, housing, and work may not be fully known or understood for those with different abilities; and, the accessibility community desires their perspectives to be reached so they can live equally. Due to the origin of my interest in computer science I have always wanted to work for a video game developer company like Nintendo; but now I have expanded my goals from when I was a child. My goals for the future are to get a degree in Computer Science and Engineering and get a job at a large tech company like Google, Apple, or create my own company. My experience with autism will help me contribute to the community through engineering because I have learned that the autism spectrum is different for each person.

The origin of my interest in Computer Science and Engineering happened when I was young in elementary school. For Christmas my parents got me a game console and I always wondered how the games worked, which made me ask more questions such as “How does the console work?” or “How are screens made?”. That caused me to go down the rabbit hole of Engineering and Software Development. I got a boost of interest when I found out that my school had a class called “Intro to Programming”. Computer Science requires problem solving and a lot of math which made me gravitate towards it. I find coding to be like a puzzle that needs math and logic to be solved and when it is solved it is very rewarding. Since then, I have taken computer science, engineering, and advanced math classes throughout high school and enjoyed. My music interest is also tied to my STEM career goals. My participation in Symphonic, Jazz, Marching Bands and Winter Percussion (ensemble) has greatly shaped my personal growth and leadership skills. I enjoy the perspective of creating musical scores for gaming and other audio-visual productions. This style of producing adds to the high demands in Computer Science and Engineering. At the start of my Sophomore year of high school, I was diagnosed with autism. My parents had taken me to an autism center so I could better understand the diagnosis and deal with it, but I had begun to look less of myself because of the negative stereotypes associated with autism seen online, like being seen as different and weird. Every time I walked into the lobby at therapy and saw other kids higher on the spectrum, I was uneasy and wanted to go home and get it over with. Why am I thinking like this? I know this isn't right. Why am I even here? Do I even need this? But I learned that autism is a spectrum, and it affects people in different ways and my diagnosis was made not to label but to help me. I became thankful because some children were lower functioning and wouldn't be able to live on their own or have more communication struggles than me. I have shown agility to make adjustments to my life, which allows me to succeed and help in the future. However, I am aware future adjustments in how I live in society will be necessary as high rates of social injustices with developmental disorders will need addressing. I learned that communicating efficiently will make situations less stressful and embarrassing. And, because I am high functioning and ambitious to make positive social change, I can be an ambassador to kids and adults struggling with autism through Computer Science and Engineering. The different challenges and hardships associated with education, housing, and work may not be fully known or understood for those with different abilities; and, the accessibility community desires their perspectives to be reached so they can live equally. Due to the origin of my interest in computer science I have always wanted to work for a video game developer company like Nintendo; but now I have expanded my goals from when I was a child. My goals for the future are to get a degree in Computer Science and Engineering and get a job at a large tech company like Google, Apple, or create my own company. My experience with autism will help me contribute to the community through engineering because I have learned that the autism spectrum is different for each person.

Throughout my life, I have encountered many adversities that have shaped me into the person I am today. Some have affected me more than others, and some I will still have to overcome. As a Black man with autism, asthma, and anxiety, my ambition is driven ensuring I can be successful in a society that at times views my race and autism negatively. I have shown impactful principles in diversity, inclusion and agility by overcoming these hardships. At the start of my Sophomore year of high school, I was diagnosed with autism. My parents had taken me to an autism center so I could better understand the diagnosis and deal with it, but I had begun to look less of myself because of the negative stereotypes associated with autism seen online, like being seen as different and weird. Every time I walked into the lobby at therapy and saw other kids higher on the spectrum, I was uneasy and wanted to go home and get it over with. Why am I thinking like this? I know this isn't right. Why am I even here? Do I even need this? But I learned that autism is a spectrum, and it affects people in different ways and my diagnosis was made not to label but to help me. I became thankful because some children were lower functioning and wouldn't be able to live on their own or have more communication struggles than me. After realizing that, I started improving my social skills and found a way to keep myself organized, which helped me in school and getting assignments done which allowed my grades to improve. I have shown agility to make adjustments to my life, which allows me to succeed and help in the future. However, I am aware future adjustments in how I live in society will be necessary as high rates of social injustices with developmental disorders will need addressing. I am learning that communicating with friends will make situations less stressful and embarrassing. When I make inaudible noises, have heightened senses, anxiety or irritations, it is important to let my friends know that it's my "normal" and not view me as weird. My true friends are the ones that accept the behaviors I cannot control and ignore, or act to ignore, the differences. I am able to joke about my autism and also remind them that autistic people are typically gifted, however unable to communicate in "normal" society. And I also know that it's important to become more verbal with my asthma. Last September I stayed in the hospital for four days because I didn't use my verbal words to explain to my mother the severity of my breathing crisis. This was a dangerous lesson to learn, and life skills can cost me greatly. My experience of autism will help me contribute to the community because I have now learned that spectrum is different for each person with autism. And, because I am high functioning and ambitious to make positive social change, I can be an ambassador to kids and adults struggling with autism. The different challenges and hardships associated with education, housing, and work may not be fully known or understood for those with different abilities; and, the accessibility community desires their perspectives to be reached so they can live equally.

The origin of my interest in Computer Science and Engineering happened when I was young in elementary school. For Christmas my parents got me a game console and I always wondered how the games worked, which made me ask more questions such as “How does the console work?” or “How are screens made?”. That caused me to go down the rabbit hole of Engineering and Software Development. I got a boost of interest when I found out that my school had a class called “Intro to Programming”. Computer Science requires problem solving and a lot of math which made me gravitate towards it. I find coding to be like a puzzle that needs math and logic to be solved and when it is solved it is very rewarding. Since then, I have taken computer science, engineering, and advanced math classes throughout high school and enjoyed. My music interest is also tied to my STEM career goals. My participation in Symphonic, Jazz, Marching Bands and Winter Percussion (ensemble) has greatly shaped my personal growth and leadership skills. I enjoy the perspective of creating musical scores for gaming and other audio-visual productions. This style of producing adds to the high demands in Computer Science and Engineering. At the start of my Sophomore year of high school, I was diagnosed with autism. My parents had taken me to an autism center so I could better understand the diagnosis and deal with it, but I had begun to look less of myself because of the negative stereotypes associated with autism seen online, like being seen as different and weird. Every time I walked into the lobby at therapy and saw other kids higher on the spectrum, I was uneasy and wanted to go home and get it over with. Why am I thinking like this? I know this isn't right. Why am I even here? Do I even need this? But I learned that autism is a spectrum, and it affects people in different ways and my diagnosis was made not to label but to help me. I became thankful because some children were lower functioning and wouldn't be able to live on their own or have more communication struggles than me. I have shown agility to make adjustments to my life, which allows me to succeed and help in the future. However, I am aware future adjustments in how I live in society will be necessary as high rates of social injustices with developmental disorders will need addressing. I learned that communicating efficiently will make situations less stressful and embarrassing. And, because I am high functioning and ambitious to make positive social change, I can be an ambassador to kids and adults struggling with autism through Computer Science and Engineering. The different challenges and hardships associated with education, housing, and work may not be fully known or understood for those with different abilities; and, the accessibility community desires their perspectives to be reached so they can live equally. Due to the origin of my interest in computer science I have always wanted to work for a video game developer company like Nintendo; but now I have expanded my goals from when I was a child. My goals for the future are to get a degree in Computer Science and Engineering and get a job at a large tech company like Google, Apple, or create my own company. My experience with autism will help me contribute to the community through engineering because I have learned that the autism spectrum is different for each person.

The origin of my interest in Computer Science and Engineering happened when I was young in elementary school. For Christmas my parents got me a game console and I always wondered how the games worked, which made me ask more questions such as “How does the console work?” or “How are screens made?”. That caused me to go down the rabbit hole of Engineering and Software Development. I got a boost of interest when I found out that my school had a class called “Intro to Programming”. Computer Science requires problem solving and a lot of math which made me gravitate towards it. I find coding to be like a puzzle that needs math and logic to be solved and when it is solved it is very rewarding. Since then, I have taken computer science, engineering, and advanced math classes throughout high school and enjoyed. My music interest is also tied to my STEM career goals. My participation in Symphonic, Jazz, Marching Bands and Winter Percussion (ensemble) has greatly shaped my personal growth and leadership skills. I enjoy the perspective of creating musical scores for gaming and other audio-visual productions. This style of producing adds to the high demands in Computer Science and Engineering. At the start of my Sophomore year of high school, I was diagnosed with autism. My parents had taken me to an autism center so I could better understand the diagnosis and deal with it, but I had begun to look less of myself because of the negative stereotypes associated with autism seen online, like being seen as different and weird. Every time I walked into the lobby at therapy and saw other kids higher on the spectrum, I was uneasy and wanted to go home and get it over with. Why am I thinking like this? I know this isn't right. Why am I even here? Do I even need this? But I learned that autism is a spectrum, and it affects people in different ways and my diagnosis was made not to label but to help me. I became thankful because some children were lower functioning and wouldn't be able to live on their own or have more communication struggles than me. I have shown agility to make adjustments to my life, which allows me to succeed and help in the future. However, I am aware future adjustments in how I live in society will be necessary as high rates of social injustices with developmental disorders will need addressing. I learned that communicating efficiently will make situations less stressful and embarrassing. And, because I am high functioning and ambitious to make positive social change, I can be an ambassador to kids and adults struggling with autism through Computer Science and Engineering. The different challenges and hardships associated with education, housing, and work may not be fully known or understood for those with different abilities; and, the accessibility community desires their perspectives to be reached so they can live equally. Due to the origin of my interest in computer science I have always wanted to work for a video game developer company like Nintendo; but now I have expanded my goals from when I was a child. My goals for the future are to get a degree in Computer Science and Engineering and get a job at a large tech company like Google, Apple, or create my own company. My experience with autism will help me contribute to the community through engineering because I have learned that the autism spectrum is different for each person.

Throughout my life, I have encountered many adversities that have shaped me into the person I am today. Some have affected me more than others, and some I will still have to overcome. As a Black man with autism, my ambition is driven ensuring I can be successful in a society that at times views my race and autism negatively. I have shown impactful principles in diversity, inclusion and agility by overcoming these hardships. At the start of my Sophomore year of high school, I was diagnosed with autism. My parents had taken me to an autism center so I could better understand the diagnosis and deal with it, but I had begun to look less of myself because of the negative stereotypes associated with autism seen online, like being seen as different and weird. Every time I walked into the lobby at therapy and saw other kids higher on the spectrum, I was uneasy and wanted to go home and get it over with. Why am I thinking like this? I know this isn't right. Why am I even here? Do I even need this? But I learned that autism is a spectrum, and it affects people in different ways and my diagnosis was made not to label but to help me. I became thankful because some children were lower functioning and wouldn't be able to live on their own or have more communication struggles than me. After realizing that, I started improving my social skills and found a way to keep myself organized, which helped me in school and getting assignments done which allowed my grades to improve. I have shown agility to make adjustments to my life, which allows me to succeed and help in the future. However, I am aware future adjustments in how I live in society will be necessary as high rates of social injustices with developmental disorders will need addressing. I am learning that communicating with friends will make situations less stressful and embarrassing. When I make inaudible noises, have heightened senses, anxiety or irritations, it is important to let my friends know that it's my "normal" and not view me as weird. The origin of my interest is Engineering and Software Development. I gained interest when I found out that my school had a class called “Intro to Programming”. Computer Science requires problem solving and a lot of math which made me gravitate towards it. I find coding to be like a puzzle that needs math and logic to be solved and when it is solved it is very rewarding. Because I have taken these classes throughout high school and enjoy math, I am able to meet the demands that Computer Science Engineering requires. My goals for the future are to get a degree in Computer Science and Engineering and work at a large tech company or create my own company. Technology is a demanding field, and I will make a significant impact by making a piece of software that a large population, including public sectors, private companies and consumers use daily. My experience of autism will help me contribute to the community because I have now learned that spectrum is different for each person with autism. And, because I am high functioning and ambitious to make positive social change, I can be an ambassador to kids and adults struggling with autism. The different challenges and hardships associated with education, housing, and work may not be fully known or understood for those with different abilities; and, the accessibility community desires their perspectives to be reached so they can live equally.

Throughout my life, I have encountered many adversities that have shaped me into the person I am today. Some have affected me more than others, and some I will still have to overcome. As a Black man with autism, my ambition is driven ensuring I can be successful in a society that at times views my race and autism negatively. I have shown impactful principles in diversity, inclusion and agility by overcoming these hardships. At the start of my Sophomore year of high school, I was diagnosed with autism. My parents had taken me to an autism center so I could better understand the diagnosis and deal with it, but I had begun to look less of myself because of the negative stereotypes associated with autism seen online, like being seen as different and weird. Every time I walked into the lobby at therapy and saw other kids higher on the spectrum, I was uneasy and wanted to go home and get it over with. Why am I thinking like this? I know this isn't right. Why am I even here? Do I even need this? But I learned that autism is a spectrum, and it affects people in different ways and my diagnosis was made not to label but to help me. I became thankful because some children were lower functioning and wouldn't be able to live on their own or have more communication struggles than me. After realizing that, I started improving my social skills and found a way to keep myself organized, which helped me in school and getting assignments done which allowed my grades to improve. I have shown agility to make adjustments to my life, which allows me to succeed and help in the future. However, I am aware future adjustments in how I live in society will be necessary as high rates of social injustices with developmental disorders will need addressing. I am learning that communicating with friends will make situations less stressful and embarrassing. When I make inaudible noises, have heightened senses, anxiety or irritations, it is important to let my friends know that it's my "normal" and not view me as weird. The origin of my interest is Engineering and Software Development. I gained interest when I found out that my school had a class called “Intro to Programming”. Computer Science requires problem solving and a lot of math which made me gravitate towards it. I find coding to be like a puzzle that needs math and logic to be solved and when it is solved it is very rewarding. Because I have taken these classes throughout high school and enjoy math, I am able to meet the demands that Computer Science Engineering requires. My goals for the future are to get a degree in Computer Science and Engineering and work at a large tech company or create my own company. Technology is a demanding field, and I will make a significant impact by making a piece of software that a large population, including public sectors, private companies and consumers use daily. My experience of autism will help me contribute to the community because I have now learned that spectrum is different for each person with autism. And, because I am high functioning and ambitious to make positive social change, I can be an ambassador to kids and adults struggling with autism. The different challenges and hardships associated with education, housing, and work may not be fully known or understood for those with different abilities; and, the accessibility community desires their perspectives to be reached so they can live equally.

Throughout my life, I have encountered many adversities that have shaped me into the person I am today. Some have affected me more than others, and some I will still have to overcome. As a Black man with autism, my ambition is driven ensuring I can be successful in a society that at times views my race and autism negatively. I have shown impactful principles in diversity, inclusion and agility by overcoming these hardships. At the start of my Sophomore year of high school, I was diagnosed with autism. My parents had taken me to an autism center so I could better understand the diagnosis and deal with it, but I had begun to look less of myself because of the negative stereotypes associated with autism seen online, like being seen as different and weird. Every time I walked into the lobby at therapy and saw other kids higher on the spectrum, I was uneasy and wanted to go home and get it over with. Why am I thinking like this? I know this isn't right. Why am I even here? Do I even need this? But I learned that autism is a spectrum, and it affects people in different ways and my diagnosis was made not to label but to help me. I became thankful because some children were lower functioning and wouldn't be able to live on their own or have more communication struggles than me. After realizing that, I started improving my social skills and found a way to keep myself organized, which helped me in school and getting assignments done which allowed my grades to improve. I have shown agility to make adjustments to my life, which allows me to succeed and help in the future. However, I am aware future adjustments in how I live in society will be necessary as high rates of social injustices with developmental disorders will need addressing. I am learning that communicating with friends will make situations less stressful and embarrassing. When I make inaudible noises, have heightened senses, anxiety or irritations, it is important to let my friends know that it's my "normal" and not view me as weird. The origin of my interest is Engineering and Software Development. I gained interest when I found out that my school had a class called “Intro to Programming”. Computer Science requires problem solving and a lot of math which made me gravitate towards it. I find coding to be like a puzzle that needs math and logic to be solved and when it is solved it is very rewarding. Because I have taken these classes throughout high school and enjoy math, I am able to meet the demands that Computer Science Engineering requires. My goals for the future are to get a degree in Computer Science and Engineering and work at a large tech company or create my own company. Technology is a demanding field, and I will make a significant impact by making a piece of software that a large population, including public sectors, private companies and consumers use daily. My experience of autism will help me contribute to the community because I have now learned that spectrum is different for each person with autism. And, because I am high functioning and ambitious to make positive social change, I can be an ambassador to kids and adults struggling with autism. The different challenges and hardships associated with education, housing, and work may not be fully known or understood for those with different abilities; and, the accessibility community desires their perspectives to be reached so they can live equally.

Throughout my life, I have encountered many adversities that have shaped me into the person I am today. Some have affected me more than others, and some I will still have to overcome. As a Black man with autism, my ambition is driven ensuring I can be successful in a society that at times views my race and autism negatively. I have shown impactful principles in diversity, inclusion and agility by overcoming these hardships. At the start of my Sophomore year of high school, I was diagnosed with autism. My parents had taken me to an autism center so I could better understand the diagnosis and deal with it, but I had begun to look less of myself because of the negative stereotypes associated with autism seen online, like being seen as different and weird. Every time I walked into the lobby at therapy and saw other kids higher on the spectrum, I was uneasy and wanted to go home and get it over with. Why am I thinking like this? I know this isn't right. Why am I even here? Do I even need this? But I learned that autism is a spectrum, and it affects people in different ways and my diagnosis was made not to label but to help me. I became thankful because some children were lower functioning and wouldn't be able to live on their own or have more communication struggles than me. After realizing that, I started improving my social skills and found a way to keep myself organized, which helped me in school and getting assignments done which allowed my grades to improve. I have shown agility to make adjustments to my life, which allows me to succeed and help in the future. However, I am aware future adjustments in how I live in society will be necessary as high rates of social injustices with developmental disorders will need addressing. I am learning that communicating with friends will make situations less stressful and embarrassing. When I make inaudible noises, have heightened senses, anxiety or irritations, it is important to let my friends know that it's my "normal" and not view me as weird. The origin of my interest is Engineering and Software Development. I gained interest when I found out that my school had a class called “Intro to Programming”. Computer Science requires problem solving and a lot of math which made me gravitate towards it. I find coding to be like a puzzle that needs math and logic to be solved and when it is solved it is very rewarding. Because I have taken these classes throughout high school and enjoy math, I am able to meet the demands that Computer Science Engineering requires. My goals for the future are to get a degree in Computer Science and Engineering and work at a large tech company or create my own company. Technology is a demanding field, and I will make a significant impact by making a piece of software that a large population, including public sectors, private companies and consumers use daily. My experience of autism will help me contribute to the community because I have now learned that spectrum is different for each person with autism. And, because I am high functioning and ambitious to make positive social change, I can be an ambassador to kids and adults struggling with autism. The different challenges and hardships associated with education, housing, and work may not be fully known or understood for those with different abilities; and, the accessibility community desires their perspectives to be reached so they can live equally.

Throughout my life, I have encountered many adversities that have shaped me into the person I am today. Some have affected me more than others, and some I will still have to overcome. As a Black man with autism, my ambition is driven ensuring I can be successful in a society that at times views my race and autism negatively. I have shown impactful principles in diversity, inclusion and agility by overcoming these hardships. At the start of my Sophomore year of high school, I was diagnosed with autism. My parents had taken me to an autism center so I could better understand the diagnosis and deal with it, but I had begun to look less of myself because of the negative stereotypes associated with autism seen online, like being seen as different and weird. Every time I walked into the lobby at therapy and saw other kids higher on the spectrum, I was uneasy and wanted to go home and get it over with. Why am I thinking like this? I know this isn't right. Why am I even here? Do I even need this? But I learned that autism is a spectrum, and it affects people in different ways and my diagnosis was made not to label but to help me. I became thankful because some children were lower functioning and wouldn't be able to live on their own or have more communication struggles than me. After realizing that, I started improving my social skills and found a way to keep myself organized, which helped me in school and getting assignments done which allowed my grades to improve. I have shown agility to make adjustments to my life, which allows me to succeed and help in the future. However, I am aware future adjustments in how I live in society will be necessary as high rates of social injustices with developmental disorders will need addressing. I am learning that communicating with friends will make situations less stressful and embarrassing. When I make inaudible noises, have heightened senses, anxiety or irritations, it is important to let my friends know that it's my "normal" and not view me as weird. The origin of my interest is Engineering and Software Development. I gained interest when I found out that my school had a class called “Intro to Programming”. Computer Science requires problem solving and a lot of math which made me gravitate towards it. I find coding to be like a puzzle that needs math and logic to be solved and when it is solved it is very rewarding. Because I have taken these classes throughout high school and enjoy math, I am able to meet the demands that Computer Science Engineering requires. My goals for the future are to get a degree in Computer Science and Engineering and work at a large tech company or create my own company. Technology is a demanding field, and I will make a significant impact by making a piece of software that a large population, including public sectors, private companies and consumers use daily. My experience of autism will help me contribute to the community because I have now learned that spectrum is different for each person with autism. And, because I am high functioning and ambitious to make positive social change, I can be an ambassador to kids and adults struggling with autism. The different challenges and hardships associated with education, housing, and work may not be fully known or understood for those with different abilities; and, the accessibility community desires their perspectives to be reached so they can live equally.

Throughout my life, I have encountered many adversities that have shaped me into the person I am today. Some have affected me more than others, and some I will still have to overcome. As a Black man with autism, my ambition is driven ensuring I can be successful in a society that at times views my race and autism negatively. I have shown impactful principles in diversity, inclusion and agility by overcoming these hardships. At the start of my Sophomore year of high school, I was diagnosed with autism. My parents had taken me to an autism center so I could better understand the diagnosis and deal with it, but I had begun to look less of myself because of the negative stereotypes associated with autism seen online, like being seen as different and weird. Every time I walked into the lobby at therapy and saw other kids higher on the spectrum, I was uneasy and wanted to go home and get it over with. Why am I thinking like this? I know this isn't right. Why am I even here? Do I even need this? But I learned that autism is a spectrum, and it affects people in different ways and my diagnosis was made not to label but to help me. I became thankful because some children were lower functioning and wouldn't be able to live on their own or have more communication struggles than me. After realizing that, I started improving my social skills and found a way to keep myself organized, which helped me in school and getting assignments done which allowed my grades to improve. I have shown agility to make adjustments to my life, which allows me to succeed and help in the future. However, I am aware future adjustments in how I live in society will be necessary as high rates of social injustices with developmental disorders will need addressing. I am learning that communicating with friends will make situations less stressful and embarrassing. When I make inaudible noises, have heightened senses, anxiety or irritations, it is important to let my friends know that it's my "normal" and not view me as weird. The origin of my interest is Engineering and Software Development. I gained interest when I found out that my school had a class called “Intro to Programming”. Computer Science requires problem solving and a lot of math which made me gravitate towards it. I find coding to be like a puzzle that needs math and logic to be solved and when it is solved it is very rewarding. Because I have taken these classes throughout high school and enjoy math, I am able to meet the demands that Computer Science Engineering requires. My goals for the future are to get a degree in Computer Science and Engineering and work at a large tech company or create my own company. Technology is a demanding field, and I will make a significant impact by making a piece of software that a large population, including public sectors, private companies and consumers use daily. My experience of autism will help me contribute to the community because I have now learned that spectrum is different for each person with autism. And, because I am high functioning and ambitious to make positive social change, I can be an ambassador to kids and adults struggling with autism. The different challenges and hardships associated with education, housing, and work may not be fully known or understood for those with different abilities; and, the accessibility community desires their perspectives to be reached so they can live equally.

Throughout my life, I have encountered many adversities that have shaped me into the person I am today. Some have affected me more than others, and some I will still have to overcome. As a Black man with autism, my ambition is driven ensuring I can be successful in a society that at times views my race and autism negatively. I have shown impactful principles in diversity, inclusion and agility by overcoming these hardships. At the start of my Sophomore year of high school, I was diagnosed with autism. My parents had taken me to an autism center so I could better understand the diagnosis and deal with it, but I had begun to look less of myself because of the negative stereotypes associated with autism seen online, like being seen as different and weird. Every time I walked into the lobby at therapy and saw other kids higher on the spectrum, I was uneasy and wanted to go home and get it over with. Why am I thinking like this? I know this isn't right. Why am I even here? Do I even need this? But I learned that autism is a spectrum, and it affects people in different ways and my diagnosis was made not to label but to help me. I became thankful because some children were lower functioning and wouldn't be able to live on their own or have more communication struggles than me. After realizing that, I started improving my social skills and found a way to keep myself organized, which helped me in school and getting assignments done which allowed my grades to improve. I have shown agility to make adjustments to my life, which allows me to succeed and help in the future. However, I am aware future adjustments in how I live in society will be necessary as high rates of social injustices with developmental disorders will need addressing. I am learning that communicating with friends will make situations less stressful and embarrassing. When I make inaudible noises, have heightened senses, anxiety or irritations, it is important to let my friends know that it's my "normal" and not view me as weird. My true friends are the ones that accept the behaviors I can not control and ignore, or act to ignore, the differences. I am able to joke about my autism and also remind them that autistic people are typically gifted, however unable to communicate in "normal" society. My experience of autism will help me contribute to the community because I have now learned that spectrum is different for each person with autism. And, because I am high functioning and ambitious to make positive social change, I can be an ambassador to kids and adults struggling with autism. The different challenges and hardships associated with education, housing, and work may not be fully known or understood for those with different abilities; and, the accessibility community desires their perspectives to be reached so they can live equally.

Throughout my life, I have encountered many adversities that have shaped me into the person I am today. Some have affected me more than others, and some I will still have to overcome. I have shown principles in diversity, inclusion and agility by overcoming these hardships. In middle school, I learned social injustices such as racism were issues that impacted me and not just in my community. Two families, friends of my parents, were impacted by the fatal hate crime at the Kroger in Louisville, KY. I remember the fear, confusion, and sadness when my mother informed me of the racial hate crime; you never realize something you see on the news could impact so directly on one's life. As I matured and recognized race and colorism still play active roles in our current society, I am aware that the teachings and actions of Representative Lewis still hold true today. At the start of my Sophomore year of high school, I was diagnosed with autism. My parents had taken me to an autism center so I could better understand the diagnosis and deal with it, but I had begun to look less of myself because of the negative stereotypes associated with autism seen online like being seen as different and weird. Every time I walked into the lobby at therapy and saw other kids higher on the spectrum, I was uneasy and wanted to go home and get it over with. I would ask myself, Why am I thinking like this? I know this isn't right. Why am I even here? Do I even need this? But I learned that autism is a spectrum, and it affects people in different ways and my diagnosis was made not to label but to help me. After realizing that, I started improving my social skills and found a way to keep myself organized, which helped me in school and getting assignments done which allowed my grades to improve. I have shown agility to make adjustments to my life, which allows me to succeed and help in the future. I live in society that still show high rates of social injustices with developmental disorders will need addressing. My experience of autism will help me contribute to the community because I have now learned that spectrum is different for each person with autism. The different challenges and hardships associated with education, housing, and work may not be fully known or understood for those with different abilities; and, the accessibility community desires their perspectives to be reached so they can live equal like anyone else. It still warrants “good trouble” to fight against the stigmas and discriminatory practices that affect those with developmental disabilities

The origin of my interest in Computer Science and Engineering happened when I was young in elementary school. For Christmas my parents bought me a game console and I always wondered how the games worked, “How does the console work?” or “How are screens made?”. That caused me to go down the rabbit hole of Engineering and Software Development. Computer Science requires problem solving and a lot of math which made me gravitate towards it. I find coding to be like a puzzle that needs math and logic to be solved and when it is solved it is very rewarding. I have always wanted to work for a video game developer; but now I have expanded my goals from when I was a child. My goals for the future are to get a degree in Computer Science and Engineering and get a job at a large tech company like Google, Apple, Nintendo, or create my own company. However, my main goal is to make a large impact by making a piece of software that a large population, including public sectors, private companies and consumers use daily. Throughout my life, I have encountered many adversities that have shaped me into the person I am today. Some have affected me more than others, and some I will still have to overcome. I have shown principles in diversity, inclusion and agility by overcoming these hardships. I remember the fear, confusion, and sadness when my mother informed me of the racial hate crime that affected our family; you never realize something you see on the news could impact directly on one's life. As I matured and recognized race and colorism still play active roles in our current society. I was diagnosed with autism two years ago. My parents took me to an autism center so I could better understand the diagnosis and deal with it, but I had begun to look less of myself because of the negative stereotypes associated with autism seen online like being seen as different and weird. Every time I walked into the lobby at therapy and saw other kids higher on the spectrum, I was uneasy and wanted to go home and get it over with. I would ask myself, Why am I thinking like this? I know this isn't right. Why am I even here? Do I even need this? But I learned that autism is a spectrum, and it affects people in different ways and my diagnosis was made not to label but to help me. After realizing that, I started improving my social skills and found a way to keep myself organized, which helped me in school and getting assignments done and allowing my grades to improve. My experience of autism will help me contribute to the African-American community because I have now learned that being on the spectrum is different for each person with autism. The different challenges and hardships associated with education, housing, and work may not be fully known or understood for those with different abilities; and the accessibility community desires their perspectives to be reached so they can live equal like anyone else. It still warrants “good trouble” to fight against the stigmas and discriminatory practices that affect those with developmental disabilities.