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. A positive impact I aim to make on the world and my community is through my desire to work in the mental health field, which has been evident since childhood. Although I once considered careers such as law enforcement and teaching, mental health has always felt the most personal and meaningful to me. My interest is rooted in my own experiences: I have been in and out of therapy for much of my life due to early childhood trauma stemming from my parents’ divorce, as well as struggles with self-esteem. These experiences introduced me to the impact of mental health support and inspired my desire to help other African Americans facing similar challenges. Mental health has also deeply affected my family, with conditions such as bipolar disorder, depression, and schizophrenia present among relatives. I myself have been diagnosed with major depressive disorder and manage it with medication. While initially difficult to accept, I have learned to take proactive steps toward my well-being, which has strengthened my commitment to supporting others in their mental state processes. Additionally, throughout my life I have observed how mental health is often overlooked or stigmatized within the Black community. I am particularly interested in advocating for greater awareness and support, especially for individuals whose mental health conditions are frequently disregarded in contexts such as the criminal justice system. I also hope to study adolescent development, specifically how factors such as trauma, environment, and relationships shape mental health outcomes over time. This interest is influenced by my own family experiences, including the differing ways my sibling and I responded to similar circumstances in our childhood. Ultimately, my passion for this field stems from both personal experience and a broader desire to increase understanding, reduce stigma, and serve as a bridge between mental health resources and underserved communities. At my HBCU, my current impact in the mental health field centers on a case study project I have developed throughout my freshman year titled Bison Minds Matter: A Mental Health Calendar Initiative. This project aims to expand peer support, normalize vulnerability, and create healthier coping spaces for students. Data collected from students revealed that mental health days are often scheduled during holidays, when students are already off, while support and resources are limited during high-stress periods such as midterms and finals. In response, I proposed a revised calendar that maintains existing initiatives but increases their visibility and strategically schedules them during peak stress periods. Proposed programming includes partnerships with student organizations and administration, self-care kit giveaways, speaker panels, community service events, and creative outlets like the Bison Art Convention. These initiatives are designed to foster a sense of belonging, encourage emotional expression, and provide support before stress escalates into crisis.Through my role in student leadership, I serve as a bridge between the student body and administration, advocating for student needs and presenting practical, solution-oriented changes. 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. 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.

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. My desire to work in the mental health field has been evident since childhood. Although I once considered careers such as law enforcement and teaching, mental health has always felt the most personal and meaningful to me. My interest is rooted in my own experiences: I have been in and out of therapy for much of my life due to early childhood trauma stemming from my parents’ divorce, as well as struggles with self-esteem. These experiences introduced me to the impact of mental health support and inspired my desire to help other African Americans facing similar challenges. Mental health has also deeply affected my family, with conditions such as bipolar disorder, depression, and schizophrenia present among relatives. I myself have been diagnosed with major depressive disorder and manage it with medication. While initially difficult to accept, I have learned to take proactive steps toward my well-being, which has strengthened my commitment to supporting others in their mental state processes. Additionally, throughout my life I have observed how mental health is often overlooked or stigmatized within the Black community. I am particularly interested in advocating for greater awareness and support, especially for individuals whose mental health conditions are frequently disregarded in contexts such as the criminal justice system. I also hope to study adolescent development, specifically how factors such as trauma, environment, and relationships shape mental health outcomes over time. This interest is influenced by my own family experiences, including the differing ways my sibling and I responded to similar circumstances in our childhood. Ultimately, my passion for this field stems from both personal experience and a broader desire to increase understanding, reduce stigma, and serve as a bridge between mental health resources and underserved communities. At my HBCU, my current impact in the mental health field centers on a case study project I have developed throughout my freshman year titled Bison Minds Matter: A Mental Health Calendar Initiative. This project aims to expand peer support, normalize vulnerability, and create healthier coping spaces for students. Data collected from students revealed that mental health days are often scheduled during holidays, when students are already off, while support and resources are limited during high-stress periods such as midterms and finals. In response, I proposed a revised calendar that maintains existing initiatives but increases their visibility and strategically schedules them during peak stress periods. Proposed programming includes partnerships with student organizations and administration, self-care kit giveaways, speaker panels, community service events, and creative outlets like the Bison Art Convention. These initiatives are designed to foster a sense of belonging, encourage emotional expression, and provide support before stress escalates into crisis.Through my role in student leadership, I serve as a bridge between the student body and administration, advocating for student needs and presenting practical, solution-oriented changes. 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. 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.

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. My desire to work in the mental health field has been evident since childhood. Although I once considered careers such as law enforcement and teaching, mental health has always felt the most personal and meaningful to me. My interest is rooted in my own experiences: I have been in and out of therapy for much of my life due to early childhood trauma stemming from my parents’ divorce, as well as struggles with self-esteem. These experiences introduced me to the impact of mental health support and inspired my desire to help other African Americans facing similar challenges. Mental health has also deeply affected my family, with conditions such as bipolar disorder, depression, and schizophrenia present among relatives. I myself have been diagnosed with major depressive disorder and manage it with medication. While initially difficult to accept, I have learned to take proactive steps toward my well-being, which has strengthened my commitment to supporting others in their mental state processes. Additionally, throughout my life I have observed how mental health is often overlooked or stigmatized within the Black community. I am particularly interested in advocating for greater awareness and support, especially for individuals whose mental health conditions are frequently disregarded in contexts such as the criminal justice system. I also hope to study adolescent development, specifically how factors such as trauma, environment, and relationships shape mental health outcomes over time. This interest is influenced by my own family experiences, including the differing ways my sibling and I responded to similar circumstances in our childhood. Ultimately, my passion for this field stems from both personal experience and a broader desire to increase understanding, reduce stigma, and serve as a bridge between mental health resources and underserved communities. At my HBCU, my current impact in the mental health field centers on a case study project I have developed throughout my freshman year titled Bison Minds Matter: A Mental Health Calendar Initiative. This project aims to expand peer support, normalize vulnerability, and create healthier coping spaces for students. Data collected from students revealed that mental health days are often scheduled during holidays, when students are already off, while support and resources are limited during high-stress periods such as midterms and finals. In response, I proposed a revised calendar that maintains existing initiatives but increases their visibility and strategically schedules them during peak stress periods. Proposed programming includes partnerships with student organizations and administration, self-care kit giveaways, speaker panels, community service events, and creative outlets like the Bison Art Convention. These initiatives are designed to foster a sense of belonging, encourage emotional expression, and provide support before stress escalates into crisis.Through my role in student leadership, I serve as a bridge between the student body and administration, advocating for student needs and presenting practical, solution-oriented changes. 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. 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.

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.

My desire is to major in psychology to become a clinical psychologist with the intent of working with younger generations. This is to ensure they prioritize their mental well-being, something a lot of people apart of older generations somewhat lack at. I want to be able to spread awareness about the importance of mental health and how it affects you in all other aspects of your life. My goal is to be able to participate in internship programs that allow me to work directly with kids to communicate these ideas and gather experience. I would also focus on joining clubs and organizations full of individuals who share similar views and have a corresponding mission. I think it's also ideal to take classes in other fields of social sciences, including sociology to study the various intertwining factors and how they relate back to psychology and the goals I want to achieve within it. I would consider minoring in marketing, and I would essentially use it to learn how to sell my knowledge through a service I can provide to my community. I would use my education in college to aim towards achieving this goal by gaining access to tools and resources to aid with identifying, crafting, and delivering my message to my target audience. The meaningful change I would create for community would be creating an organization for young people who feel a sense of “disconnect” from society, whether that have been from a toxic home life, trouble fitting in with peers, or experiencing a decline in mental health. To create this change, I would post up flyers and ask my network to spread the word including information about the organization and where we would meet. Within the group, I want to be able to make active improvements in the community with safe space discussions on how we can embrace our differences, set-up fundraisers where the profit goes directly back into the community, create means for service hour opportunities, have donation drives, feed homeless shelters, and meet with local leaders to have conversations where we can share the issues within our area and offer solutions. I also want to plan fun, social activities for members of the organization to create an environment that allows everyone to have fulfilling experiences and feel a sense of belonging, after all, I want the members to feel more “connected” to society. My desire is to make a meaningful change that allows all community members to benefit, from those aiding in it, to those benefiting from it.

Moving halfway across the country from Maryland to Texas is an experience I will forever remember. Having faced numerous trials and tribulations aided my growth and development, making me the person I am today. It was August 2023, and I was starting a brand-new school in a new state for my junior year. It was quite different as I previously had lived with my dad since 2019, and my younger brother my whole life up to that point. Not coming home to see my younger brother, Seth, was the hardest part as we had never been apart. We did everything together and had everything in common, the same interests, the same friends, even the same thoughts. All that was now gone, I was alone and had to completely restart. At the start of my junior year, I was already stressed about having felt as though I had not done enough in my first two years of high school. Sure, I had always maintained good grades, but for me, that was not enough. I forced myself to step outside my comfort zone, join clubs, and participate in things I always wanted to try. That started with joining the debate team at my school. The debate team allowed me to feel a part of a community, my team felt like family which meant especially a lot to me as I am typically reserved. I learned many essential skills that aid me in public speaking, being direct, and fighting for what I believe in. My next step was to make friends outside the class, it was vital to me to have a social life because back in Maryland living with my dad, I was not allowed out often. I met a girl within the first few days of school from one of my classes and we began to have lunch together every day. One day she introduced me to some of her other friends, and from there I knew I had found my people. Since then, we have all been great friends who frequently hang out together outside of school. Then, towards the end of 2023, I got a job because I remembered how much I had wanted one back when I lived in Maryland to feel a sense of independence. It was one of the greatest decisions I have ever made as it taught me the importance of balancing work, school, clubs, and social life. It also incentivized me to get my license, so I did not have to rely on my parents for transportation. Finally, in the second semester, I joined my school's track team. This was the most grueling part of my high school career. It required so much energy and time, but it was something I had wanted to do since I was in middle school, but never put a foot forth. In the end, it was worth it. The time and energy I put into this sport yielded me impressive results, as I was to be placed on varsity in the coming season as one of the fastest girls on my team. Every day since I had moved here for a while I used to question why this had to happen to me, the whole idea of starting over. Little did I know how much of a blessing it would truly turn out to be. This experience overall taught me the value of having faith and trusting in God’s plan, and I hope to honor that by graduating from college with a psychology degree that will enable me to provide a service for aiding those who need it.

My desire is to major in psychology to eventually become a clinical psychologist with the intent of working with younger generations to ensure they prioritize their mental well-being, something a lot of people apart of older generations do not always see the significance in. I want to be able to spread awareness about the importance of mental health and how it affects you in all other aspects of your life. In college, I want to be able to participate in internship programs that allow me to work directly with kids to communicate these ideas and gather experience. I would also focus on joining clubs and organizations full of individuals who share similar views and have a corresponding mission. I think that it is also ideal to take classes in other fields of social sciences, including sociology to study the various intertwining factors and how they relate back to psychology and the goals I want to achieve within it. My other major selection is marketing, and I would essentially use it to learn how to sell my knowledge through a service I can provide to my target community. I would use my college education to aim towards achieving this goal by gaining access to tools and resources to aid with identifying, crafting, and delivering my message to my target audience. I have given back to my community by participating in activities that have aided those less fortunate than myself including canned food drives and donating clothes to the homeless shelter as well as non-profit organizations such as Goodwill Industries. On top of resources though, I also donate my time to organizations. In the summer of 2023, I volunteered at Goodwill Houston Industries where I sorted through hard good donations and separated sellable items from outlet product 5 hours per week for a month totaling 20 hours. Furthermore, I actively participate in community outreach through programs that allows for a dialogue to promote change including an adultism workshop where we looked at discrimination and prejudice against young people. By working with my peers, trainers, and staff members we discussed ways to combat adultism. Another project that I participated in was a Civics Leader one where I completed a program that enabled young people to have conversations about political, community, and environmental topics and come up with solutions to the issues we believed each topic brought about. Finally, I also give back to my school community because of all the opportunities it has provided for me. I did this by completing a school clean-up which consisted of picking up litter in and around the school campus, drawing artwork to hang around the school, and placing decorative rocks in the courtyard to "beautify" the school grounds. Giving back to my community has inspired me to make a difference in our world by building my moral and value systems - giving to those who need it and the significance of giving back to the community that serves you. It is as the saying goes, "It takes a village to raise a child" and my village (community) has successfully raised me to be respectful, caring, charitable, and kind-hearted.

I remember being 8 years old and being captivated by Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, which is the first film in the Star Wars movie saga created by George Lucas in 1977. It is a science fiction movie revolving around Luke Skywalker, played by Mark Hamill, and the beginning of his embark to becoming a Jedi. The film begins with a droid named R2-D2 on a space cruiser carrying a secret message from princess Leia of the rebel alliance, played by Carrie Fisher, that he must deliver to Obi Wan Kenobi before it can get into the hands of Darth Vader. He, along with C-3PO, take a pod to Tatooine where they are purchased by Luke Skywalker’s relatives who die shortly thereafter, when imperial troops arrive at the planet in search of the droids. Luke realizes there is nothing left for him there after a chat with Obi Wan, who is played by Alec Guiness, and they make their way to the Mos Eisley Cantina looking for a ship to get off the planet. Here, they meet Han Solo, played by renowned actor Harrison Ford, manage to escape the planet only to find that their destination has been destroyed by the Death Star. They are pulled into the Death Star by its gravitational force, find Leia has been captured, come to her rescue, and escape the space station, leaving Obi Wan behind to fight Darth Vader. The movie ends with the rebel alliance ultimately claiming victory in their battle against destroying the Death Star, but with Vader’s escape, the question on what happens next remains. The film does an excellent job in portraying a setting set in a science fiction realm from the alien-like inhabitants to the unique planets, it fully encompasses the aspects of one. It also does wonders in depicting the theme of good versus evil. In the film, the Jedi and rebel alliance are represented as the light side of the force fighting to save the galaxy while the imperials and Darth Vader are represented as the dark side of the force who want complete control over it. It also features special effects, which in this modern day and age are viewed as low quality compared to the newer films in the saga. The actors heavily aid in selling the film with their top tier acting skills and on-screen chemistry, especially between Han and Leia who get off to a rocky start, but later warm up to one another. Finally, the movie has a great storyline buildup throughout its entirety with an ending that leaves viewers pondering what will happen in the next one. Overall, the film is a game-changer for the science fiction universe with its groundbreaking storyline, characters, and portrayal of themes. Although decades old, and not as high in quality as many modern films, this movie proves revolutionary as it touches an audience of all demographics. Its appeasing plot of a man’s journey to becoming a hero and defeating the villain displays the classic good versus evil trope. This film has had the greatest impact on my life because the production process to create it singlehandedly inspired and began my journey in media & film production at a young age. I took every opportunity I could in this field beginning in elementary school when I was apart of the production team at my school for the morning announcements, and continued exploring my interest in media & film production from that point.

I remember being a little girl and my American father forcing my brother and I to watch documentaries on Caribbeans, specifically Jamaicans bleaching their skin due to internalized self-hatred. I began to feel a strong sense of shame toward my ethnicity as a first generation Caribbean-American from my mother's side, who was born and raised in Jamaica. When I told my mom what I had seen, she reminded me that our heritage is much more than a few individuals who dared to strip themselves of their beautiful melanin skin. It was those words that awakened my desire to want to learn more about my Jamaican culture and background. My Caribbean heritage makes up a major part of my identity. Our rich and diverse culture includes our food, music, and traditions. After that incident, as I grew up, my mother, aunts, and grandparents would teach me all about our culture. At home we would eat curry goat, jerk chicken, rice and peas, plantains, and ackee. I always loved when Thanksgiving came around and we would eat the foods from our culture, rather than the typical American foods. The music played at all times consisted of reggae, Afro-Caribbean beats, and dancehall. We also celebrated many cultural traditions. My favorite tradition growing up was going to the Jamaican Jerk Festival every year in Washington D.C. where our whole extended family and friends would gather to eat, drink, and dance to reggae from sunrise up until sunset. The best part was the energy and the great vibes everyone would bring to the event - strangers became family too. Two years ago one of my mom's best friends since college passed away and we remember her as the life of the party of the Jerk Festival, we have not been able to celebrate it since. In the past, I viewed my heritage as something to be ashamed about, but in the present, my heritage to me is the way in which I express myself and appreciate my identity. The reason I am passionate about attending college is because I want to prove to myself that I can achieve my goals and dreams. My desire is to one day become a clinical psychologist, which has been my dream since I was in elementary school. To do so, I need to start by obtaining a Bachelor's in psychology and minor in business. Then, I want to further my education by receiving my Master's in psychology. Ultimately, I want to open my own practice one day that aids the younger generation's in understanding the significance of their mental health.