What inspires me to get involved in my own community is my level of blessing and circumstance. I understand what it means to have less than I do now and I also understand that it was support and grace from God that has put me in the position. As long as I have time and resources to give, I'll continue to give them with joy especially as I know and continue to accept this gift of life. My peers also inspire me to get involved in my community. Since I have gone away to school in Atlanta, Georgia to Morehouse College, an HBCU in the center of an urban consortium of institutions, there have been many opportunities for involvement. I have done academic and social outreach at Booker T. Washington High, committed to mentorship at my alma mater and through campus programs as well as donated my time to give back to those less fortunate at parks in the West End of Atlanta and at home for thanksgiving. From NSBE to Lytehouse to the Rugby and Biology clubs there's no limit to my peer inspiration us all united to make our collective communities a better place. I have worked to influence change in my community through involvement in intiatives and opportunities thoughout the aforementioned clubs I am currently a part of. As well as organizations I was an integral part of in high school. Mentorship was an integral part of my high school career, propelling me to greater interpersonal heights. From peer and professional mentors provided to me by University Hospitals Health Scholars to my managing my own cohort within the same program. From looking up to MAC Scholars, young men who loooked just like me doing what I want to do to being that for kids under me. In addition to those instances, I still keep up with past mentees from these programs, sports, camps and general high school day to day interactions. I believe it to be important to reach back always, coordinating efforts for the purposes of enrichment and fulfillment. Support, time and concern are things that can be provided for free that usually have a greater long term effect than material items. I've focused on influencing change in my community by establishing connections and interpersonal relationships to guide changemakers to positive directions or reinforcement of those good things. Change begins internally, and inspiration comes from good, real examples and I strive to be one everyday. Winston Churchill once said that "we make a living by what we get: we make a life by what we give." Giving kindness and being generous is a consistent commitment for me, as I pay forward the efforts of those before me and support the people around me. As time goes on I will continue to be involved in my community and remember to give, as that is how to truly influence and inspire change.

One piece of advice or investing tip I've been told and taken to heart is to: "Always Know the Numbers." It's more of a life lesson than an investing tip but knowing the numbers and the relevant information around the numbers makes you an informed and financially responsible individual. In knowing the numbers and their relevance, you have an understanding that extends beyond commas and stocks to be able to build upon. Being knowledgeable and responsible saves you from unnecessary blunders that can sabotage your money, future and livelihood. In knowing the numbers, you can also make informed decisions outside of the pressures of society. As a fledgling entrepreneur, providing music and entertainment at special events knowing the numbers is vital. Knowing the numbers in regards to commitment and responsibility for gigs allows me to give my time to profitable or promotional opportunities that sustain or improve my reputation. In the general public domain, more times than not, beginning investors depend on the decisions, advice and guidance from older investors or seemingly more successful ones while neglecting to do sufficient research on their own. And believe it or not, peer pressure extends far beyond the trivial teenage encounters it is generally portrayed to be centered around. Though the perils of societal pressure, risk and false gains are prevalent in the culture of investments especially in the age of social media; the practice of knowing the numbers gives oneself the confidence needed to conquer those perils. In conclusion, the tip "Always Know the Numbers", though it centers around financial decisions, can be implemented to aid in matriculation through school, life and of course investing. Informed decisions are the best ones to make, as nothing in life is certain.