Growing up in Boston, my neighborhood and the city's sports culture shaped a lot of how I see things, especially when it comes to learning and problem-solving. Calculus might seem like a complicated and intimidating subject to many people, but it’s similar to what Boston sports taught me: it’s not just about trying hard, it’s about understanding how things work, how they change, and how small adjustments can make a big difference. Just like watching the Celtics win championships, calculus is about thinking strategically and staying a step ahead. In STEM, calculus is everywhere. It’s essential for solving tough problems, whether you’re writing a basic computer script or programming an AI project. Coding, for example, isn't just typing out commands, it’s about understanding how your code interacts with data and how to make it run better. Calculus is the math behind that. In AI, it’s what helps machines learn from their mistakes and improve over time, just like how a coach adjusts plays based on what’s happening on the court. When I think back to how I had to make decisions about who to hang out with in my neighborhood, calculus is similar, it’s about figuring things out based on what’s happening and making adjustments accordingly. But here’s the thing: calculus has a reputation for being scary, especially for young students. If we could introduce calculus in a way that feels fun and relatable, I think more young students would be interested in it. The same way Boston sports showed me that effort can lead to continuous wins, I believe that showing students the practical, hands-on side of calculus could make it feel less intimidating. Whether it’s through coding games, building simple projects, or connecting it to real-life things they care about, they’ll start to see calculus as a tool to achieve their goals, not as some impossible hurdle. For instance, imagine teaching students to code a game where the characters move faster or slower based on their distance from an object. They’re using calculus without even realizing it! That’s how we can make math more fun and show them how it applies to things they’re already interested in, like technology or even sports. It turns something abstract into something they can see and interact with. Calculus is more than just a class. It’s a way of understanding how the world works, just like how growing up in my neighborhood and watching Boston sports teams shaped the way I approach life. It helps you recognize patterns, make decisions, and improve outcomes. By introducing future generations to calculus in a friendly, approachable way, we can help them realize their potential, not just in STEM, but in anything they want to achieve. The same way Boston inspired me to work hard and aim high, I believe calculus can be that tool to help them push forward and succeed.

"Resilience is not about avoiding hardships; it's about facing them head-on, learning from them, and becoming stronger in the process." - Unknown One winter afternoon, as the sun was starting to set and the streets were covered in a light blanket of sleet, I was headed to my cousin's house. Little did I know, that would be the day that scarred me. Both my car and the vehicle involved in the crash had a slight collision and were damaged. All parties involved were able to walk away but some events occurred after that I had to overcome. There was emotional distress. This car accident resulted in emotional distress such as shock, anxiety, fear, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for a short period. The emotional impact of the car accident affected my mental health, relationships, and daily functioning. It also resulted in a fear of driving and being a passenger in a vehicle, which limited my mobility and independence. This accident was also a financial burden. What most don't realize is, even a minor car accident can result in financial costs, such as repair or replacement of the damaged vehicle, medical bills, insurance deductibles, and potential legal fees. During this accident, food and grocery delivery was my primary source of income. So without my car, I could not work for a whole month and I had to use Lyft to get around most of the time. These unexpected expenses put a strain on my finances and lead to financial setbacks, especially since I did not have adequate insurance coverage or savings to cover the costs. No matter how big or small your accident was, it can disrupt your routine. A minor car accident can disrupt individuals' daily routines, such as commuting to work, attending appointments, or engaging in recreational activities. This disruption can result in missed opportunities, delays, or inconvenience, which can impact individuals' productivity, relationships, and overall well-being. As I mentioned previously, I was using my vehicle as my primary source of income doing food delivery, so that set me back financially for a bit. While there were minor physical injuries, these injuries could have caused pain and discomfort and may have required medical treatment, rehabilitation, or time off from work. What I learned is that the impact of a car accident can vary depending on the circumstances and individuals' resilience and coping skills. This whole experience helped me deal with challenges that I would be facing later on in life.

"Constant elevation causes expansion" - Jay-Z I remember first hearing that quote in a Rap Radar interview with Jay-Z and it stuck to my mind like glue. He further explains it's about not restricting or limiting yourself when it comes to anything in life. He also continues to reiterate that quote almost like he's trying to cement it in your mind. Growing up, kids from my community had a very narrow point of view when it came to their "dream jobs". It usually consisted of being a rapper, professional athlete, or an illegal activity and that was due to the lack of visibility of other careers. I would not advocate against pursuing a career as a rapper or a professional athlete but the chances are very slim and as a community, we should not pigeonhole ourselves when it comes to career options. Our career options should be plentiful. Now, with social media, conferences, and platforms like AfroTech highlighting black people in tech, there's much more of a focus on it and I love that. AfroTech was founded by Blavity and it’s where founders and employees of some of the fastest-growing tech startups present the tactics & strategies they use to grow their products and businesses. When I receive my BS in Computer Science, I will use my degree in several ways. First, I will increase representation. Having my degree can lead to greater representation of us in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, promoting diversity and inclusion in these industries. Secondly, when I move up the corporate ranks and or start my own company, I will provide career opportunities. When we can provide or obtain more career opportunities and higher-paying jobs, it will lead to increased economic mobility and stability for individuals and families. Thirdly, I will make sure it helps us become better problem solvers. When we equip individuals with the skills to analyze and solve complex problems, it can be applied to address challenges facing our community, such as health disparities and limited access to resources. Lastly, I will focus on community development. With my mind and others, we can leverage our mindsets to develop new technologies and innovations that can improve the quality of life in our communities and promote sustainable growth. By pursuing a career in STEM, I can contribute to the growth and development of our communities and help address some of the challenges we collectively face.