For many young individuals, making lasting changes seems near impossible. Lack of resources, worldly experience, and knowing where to start. I believe taking the time to learn, and allowing yourself to feel is essential first steps. From here I lean on the skills my generation excels at, and that is the use of social media platforms. I am determined to make lasting changes that will bridge the gap of equality in America. With a heart for people at a young age and my desire to be a girl scout, I began by making sack lunches and toiletry bags for the unhoused, to then volunteering at city and beach clean ups, as well as food and clothing drives. My now involvement as a social and racial justice activist where I help plan events in my community and speak at rallies, along with my internship at the ACLU of Oregon solidified my chosen career of entering into politics. Although I believe my career path will give me a bigger platform to invoke change, I take every opportunity I can to work on these social issues now. In 2019 I spoke at a rally for the first time in front of a crowd of over 1500 people. This moment changed my life. From here I began a blog, and a podcast called Through Brown Eyes where I talk about ways to bridge the gap of inequality. My ever growing social media following gives me an opportunity to reach a wide range of audiences on important social issues. The summer of 2022 I obtained a paid internship with the ACLU of Oregon. As a Communications and Storytelling intern, I worked on projects such as a Students Know Your Rights campaign that was published on their social media pages on a biweekly basis. Working with seasoned staff, policy directors, and attorneys gave me an invaluable experience that helped develop my skills of creating impactful and substantial outreach media. These are skills I will continue to take and develop in my other endeavors. After obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science, I will use the education and skills I have acquired to land a position where I will represent the people and work with legislation to adopt bills that fight for accessible healthcare, liveable wages, gun control, fighting against climate change and more. My life passion is to invoke change that makes the world better for those who follow after.

I was born in South Carolina, adopted by white parents and raised in the predominantly white state of Oregon. This unique situation made me realize I wanted to attend an Historical Black College and University. Feeling a disconnect with my skin color I couldn’t wait to get away and be around people that looked like me. After careful consideration, I enrolled at Morgan State University (MSU) in Baltimore Maryland. Although I was eager to start this journey in a state with a higher majority of Black individuals, there was always this worry about being 3,000 miles away from home. It wasn’t very long that I realized MSU was not the right fit. One tragic event sealed the deal for me and I knew it was time to come back home. A fun school day break turned into a mass shooting that injured 5 people. I watched it all unfold while looking out from my dorm window. Sounds of gunshots, people screaming, and the sight of them running for their life still plays in mind. Returning to campus was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do but I persevered and ended the semester with a 4.0. This experience has made me want to fight harder for gun control and campus safety as I journey towards a career in politics. It also taught me that our perfect step by step lives we have planned out don’t always go according to plan, and that’s okay. My family's financial situation took a sharp dive during the pandemic. My father lost his job of 25 years and we then became a household of four depending on my mothers salary. My parents used up all of their savings and retirement money so we could get by. My dad took a job in retail to pay the bills. Then he fell breaking his hip causing him to be out of a job for several months. My parents continue to sacrifice to help me pay for college. My parents now have better paying jobs. On paper my parents appear financially stable, in reality this isn’t true, due to loss of retirement and savings. They help pay for as much as they can, yet I have to take out both subsidized and unsubsidized loans as well as the parent plus loan. The debt I have accumulated in my first year makes me extremely nervous for the future. This scholarship will help alleviate some of the financial stress. My goal is to tell my parents they don’t have to take out a loan in their name and I can start paying them back for all they have done for me. This scholarship will help me financially and help me get a bachelors of science degree in Political Science with a double minor in Global Studies and Legal studies. With this degree I will go on to be a politician and leave the world a little better for the generations to come.

For many young individuals, making lasting changes seems near impossible. Lack of resources, worldly experience, and knowing where to start. I believe taking the time to learn, and allowing yourself to feel is essential first steps. From here I lean on the skills my generation excels at, and that is the use of social media platforms. I am determined to make lasting changes that will bridge the gap of equality in America. With a heart for people at a young age and my desire to be a girl scout, I began by making sack lunches and toiletry bags for the unhoused, to then volunteering at city and beach clean ups, as well as food and clothing drives. My now involvement as a social and racial justice activist where I help plan events in my community and speak at rallies, along with my internship at the ACLU of Oregon solidified my chosen career of entering into politics. Although I believe my career path will give me a bigger platform to invoke change, I take every opportunity I can to work on these social issues now. In 2019 I spoke at a rally for the first time in front of a crowd of over 1500 people. This moment changed my life. From here I began a blog, and a podcast called Through Brown Eyes where I talk about ways to bridge the gap of inequality. My ever growing social media following gives me an opportunity to reach a wide range of audiences on important social issues. The summer of 2022 I obtained a paid internship with the ACLU of Oregon. As a Communications and Storytelling intern, I worked on projects such as a Students Know Your Rights campaign that was published on their social media pages on a biweekly basis. Working with seasoned staff, policy directors, and attorneys gave me an invaluable experience that helped develop my skills of creating impactful and substantial outreach media. These are skills I will continue to take and develop in my other endeavors. After obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science, I will use the education and skills I have acquired to land a position where I will represent the people and work with legislation to adopt bills that fight for accessible healthcare, livable wages, gun control, fighting against climate change and more. My life passion is to invoke change that makes the world better for those who follow after.

Raised in the state of Oregon, I have experienced unique experiences, some good, some bad, but they have all shaped me into the person I am today. I was born in South Carolina and adopted at a young age by white parents. For many outside perspectives this doesn’t sound ideal, however, they have helped shape me into the confident young Black woman that I am today. They have made sure I knew my culture, where I came from, and the joy that comes from being Black. They encouraged me to be involved in everything from volunteering, sports, and clubs such as Black Student Union (BSU). Through my life experiences I have had a growing heart for people. Obtaining a degree will give me the platform I need to begin my career of making lasting change in this world. As a child I played a multitude of sports such as, basketball, soccer, softball, track and field, and cross country. Sports played an integral part in developing who I am today. Long practices and tough coaches taught me that our successes in life are not luck, but are created by the hardwork and determination we invest in something. Being part of numerous teams allowed me to develop relationships with multitudes of people. Through this I learn compassion, empathy, and the importance of investing time in people. The friendships came easy, but these connections we developed gave us a place to share and grow as people. Sports will always be part of my life. Shooting hoops is my go to for decompressing after a hard day of classes. Attending softball games, track meets and basketball games with friends fill my heart with happiness and joy. I am determined to make lasting changes that will bridge the gap of equality in America. With a heart for people at a young age I began by making sack lunches and toiletry bags for the unhoused, to then volunteering at city and beach clean ups, as well as food and clothing drives. My now involvement as a social and racial justice activist where I help plan events in my community and speak at rallies, along with my internship at the ACLU of Oregon solidified my chosen career of entering into politics. After obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science, I will use the education and skills I have acquired to land a position where I will represent the people and work with legislation to adopt bills that fight for accessible healthcare, liveable wages, gun control, fighting against climate change and more. My life passion is to invoke change that makes the world better for those who follow after.

When we stay stagnant on our ideas, morals, and ways of thinking, we miss out on opportunities to flourish as people. In life it is easy to just go through the motions, to not care about learning and evolving as human beings. I however have always had a curious mind and a yearning to further my knowledge in all areas of life. As a quiet kid, I would get lost in books, articles, the news, poems, anything that pushed me to think at a deeper level. Through this I quickly saw how the actions each of us take can have an impact on others and on the world we live in. It is one thing to learn how history has formed our lives, but it is another to take those lessons and put them into action to make a positive difference. It wasn’t until 2020 at the height of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement where I realized my true purpose. I was asked to speak at a rally in my home town of Milwaukie Oregon. Although it would be my first time speaking in front of a crowd, this was the first time an idea like this didn’t scare me. A spark ignited in me that told me this was something I needed to do. And so I did, in front of a crowd of 2,000 people I stood and passionately shared about the challenges that Black Americans face in this country. This experience is still a clear vivid picture in my mind and it is a constant reminder not to give up. It wasn’t until later that I realized I needed to be fighting for more than the rights that affected me. I wanted to be a voice for everyone silenced, hurt, and marginalized. That summer through other speaking opportunities, a podcast and blog I started, I found my calling in life. At the age of 15 I knew I was going to be a Political Science major and a Global studies minor with the goal of becoming a politician that reflects America. A politician that truly is for everyone living in this country, that celebrates our differences and reflects our cultures. As I continue my academic career, I am engulfing myself in as much learning and as many experiences I can. Experiences such as working for the ACLU of Oregon has given me opportunities to start using the knowledge I have obtained to make a positive difference. Here, I was able to take the historical and cultural perspectivesI have and integrate it with new updated technology such as social media to meet people where they are and help empower them. When I enter into the world of politics my goal is to continue to focus on the people, especially those who are marginalized, silenced, or are unable to speak for themselves. I will strive to bridge the gap of inequality while amplifying voices and being a voice for those who cannot.

I often say to many millennials, Gen X, and even Baby Boomers that Gen Z will be the generation to get things done. We entered into a world that was broken, corrupt, and failing its people, but we also saw a glimmer of hope at the end of the tunnel for society. Will the task be easy, no, but seeing my generation speak up about injustices, care about climate change, and so much more is inspiring. I have to give some of the credit to the technology we grew up with and how advanced it got during our lives. Much of our information and news comes from apps like Instagram and TikTok, it is in our face 24/7 which allows us to form our own opinions. It allows us to also see the world through a whole new lens. I am currently reading a book called Generations: Does When You're Born Shape Who You Are? by Bobby Duffy. This book examines how there is a link between how we got from point a to point b because of the generations that came before. But he also emphasizes that we shouldn't use it to point blame on anyone but rather come together to build a better future. When I read the line in the above text that said " Don’t worry, we’ll deal with it,” politely telling us to get out of the way. A part of me strongly disagrees with this line. Gen Z and Millennials will make up over half of the votes come the 2024 election and Baby Boomers will make up a very small percentage. I feel as though we have to work together no matter how one views the other because we are going to decide the fate of this country. I do however also understand the frustration felt by Gen Z and I think that our anger is valid. Nobody wants to have the pressure put on them to help change the tide of our impending fate but yet it is on us. Nobody wants to wake up and say to themselves I wonder what cause I will have to fight for today but we do. When it comes to this next year it will truly be a test to see if Gen Z and Milillinals can put aside their differences and frustrations and come together for democracy. Another part of the text that I took particular interest in was the line that says "Yet so many of our youth are excited to be a part of life! Do they know something that we older folks missed"? Even though I am not blind to the conditions of the world and more particularly the United States I still have hope. I get asked a lot how I remain so evident in helping society become better and I never have a perfect answer. Part of me feels a moral obligation while the other part is saying well someone has to be willing to get the job done. I ultimately decided to study and major in Political Science in college and Minor in Global Studies and possibly History as well. With this degree, I want to become a politician because I see the world for what it is but will not stand idly by and watch its downfall. I want to be in a position where I can make real, lasting change for the generations that come after. Gen Z is here to pick up the pieces so generations after us don't have to go through the same hardships as us. My last thoughts on this text are that our ways of calling for action may be more extreme than the past generations are used to but it is working. We are seeing younger politicians, younger teachers, lawyers, doctors, change makers. We are seeing more and more of our government called out for not doing enough. We are seeing demands from protests and rallies being heard in bills and pieces of legislation. When new generations come, new ways of getting things done come with it. There is nothing wrong with moving away from answering the phone to just sending a simple text. New times call for new methods.

I have always been in touch with my values and I carry them in everything I do. I chose to have volunteering be a part of my life because I felt a want to help others. I never once felt like it was something I had to do or check a box off for volunteer hours at my school. It was always about serving others and helping those who don't have the privilege to help themselves. A quote by Gandhi perfectly describes what volunteering feels like to me. He says "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others". Volunteering doesn't feel like volunteering when I am serving others because it's somewhere I want to be. I get to hear stories, learn more about people, and learn more about myself. Everyone has the power and ability to volunteer and I believe everyone should. I have too many core values to list but some of mine are; concern for the poor and social justice, value the individual, and accept everyone and respect all persons. These are banners that hung in the main hallway of my high school. Every day was a reminder of why I was here and why I needed to keep going to achieve my goals. Concern for the poor and social justice was and still is my favorite banner. It is not enough to stand idly by and complain about our poor communities or our houseless communities, society needs to stand up and do something about it. It is not enough to occasionally post about the injustices going on in the world today and then move on to the next. Concern for the poor and social justice needs to be more than just a trend. When one is oppressed everyone is oppressed. The next banner I mentioned is the value of the individual. Since I was young I have never cared about someone's past or current situations. Everyone has their own life and experiences that they went through and who am I to judge others? Valuing the individual is about seeing others for who they are and accepting them as they come. Valuing others can also be extremely beneficial to one's self as I have found. I have learned a lot just by having a simple five-minute conversation with others. You never know what someone else has to offer until you take the time to listen to them. This also ties into respecting all persons and accepting everyone. Are job isn't to change anyone or shame anyone but rather help see that they reach their fullest potential. People call me crazy and I often call myself crazy for what I have decided to do with my life. I want to be a politician and be a face for the people and their wants and needs. I want to help elevate America into the country I think it can be. Ideally, I want to run for the state of Oregon House of Representatives around the age of 23-24. I would do this for a couple of terms and then after that is still in the air. I can see myself running for the national/federal House of Representatives or running for Oregon governor when I am the appropriate age. I also at some point in my career want to work in foreign affairs to bring peace and balance to other countries and states around the globe. My line of work and goals will in no way shape or form be easy but I am ready for the challenge. I am ready to bring change.

The vision of a leader is often seen as someone who is outgoing and in the spotlight. I spent most of my youth trying not to be seen. I kept my head down, worked hard and tried to not be noticed. I did not see myself as a leader. When I learned that others viewed me this way, I had to step back and reflect on what it actually meant to be a leader. It was the spring of 2020 where I really grew and began to develop who I was and how I would use the leadership skills within me. Never being a person who thrives on attention, I was reluctant when asked to speak at a Black Lives Matter Rally by several people in the spring of 2020. Filled with nerves, but having a deep desire to share my heart, I agreed. One of these people was a man I had seen at events but never met, Desi Nicodemus. At this rally, I got better acquainted with him as well as many other black community members. Standing in front of a thousand people, pouring my heart out through the spoken word I wrote, I knew my life was forever changed. This is what I was meant to do. Being part of fighting for equality, and making lasting change, this would be my life passion. This period of racial turmoil, although difficult, ultimately ended up strengthening and bonding the small black community that is part of our predominantly white city. That next fall Desi would be elected as our first black city council member. Desi has reached out to me several times to brainstorm ideas to make change within our community. Each time I am thrilled and honored to be part of the discussion. Last summer I got the privilege to be part of a small team that planned and executed the first annual Juneteenth event in our city. There were months of planning meetings where we tossed around ideas, made decisions and assigned roles. I led the outreach and advertising for the event. This involved working with those who put together graphic designs for the event and then putting together social media posts and advertisements to be placed in the community. Although we each took leads on the project our small team was all closely involved in the many aspects of the event. These included choosing and securing a location, reaching out to vendors and sponsors, choosing entertainment such as musicians, dancers and singers. When the day of the event arrived I walked around the park full of pride. The community showed up and participated in creating a place of unity. This moment will forever be implanted in my mind as it showed me that coming out of my shell could have the best results. I was a part of leading my community to a better future all while showing that yes finding my voice was difficult but once I did I realized my ability to speak out about the injustices in my community which would eventually lead me on my future path.

As an African American adopted into a white family, I have faced many challenges that have consistently thrown racially motivated issues my way. The fact that I had darker skin and curly hair brought unwanted attention at school, the grocery store, church, or even walking in my neighborhood. I would hear “Oh I like your hair”, or “Were you born in Africa”. Although uncomfortable, I didn’t know why. The racial unrest in 2020 brought on by the killing of Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd set fire to an unlit match inside of me that sparked the creation of who I was going to be in this world. This unleashed the life journey of the black woman I would become. In the fall of 2016, I sat watching my favorite NFL team, the Niners as the National Anthem began. I saw Colin Kaepernick on his knee. My passion for social justice work and politics began before Kaepernick was kicked out of the NFL, yet his simple act of silent protest was one of the first moments I can recall feeling restless. This movement led me to reflect on why I was standing for the Anthem. Did I feel like I had to? Was it instilled in me from a young age? When I researched what the Anthem says, I questioned, is it true to who I am? The answer was no, “liberty and justice for all” doesn’t apply to any marginalized group, especially African Americans. From that point forward I joined the silent protest and refused to stand and will continue until what is being said is a true reflection of all American people. The next few years I listened, learned and grew, defining the black person I was in America. I quietly journaled reflecting on my thoughts and feelings. The racial unrest that took place in 2020 started with the killing of Ahmaud Arbery and then George Floyd. Rage and fear grew inside me. Although we discussed these horrific acts within my family, I kept quiet in my social circles. That silence quickly ended when I was asked to speak at a rally. Public speaking is something I had never done, but I knew in my soul, I had to. I seized this opportunity to speak my truth. That night I wrote a spoken word poem titled How Long. This poem asks how much longer are we going to be killed, judged, or discriminated against simply because of the color of our skin. The diverse audience near 2,000 was there for a common purpose, everyone there desired to put an end to racism. Being in front of that crowd made me experience things I’ve never felt before. To hear the applause, whistling, and yells unlocked a newfound confidence that I didn’t have before. These five minutes in front of a crowd of 2,000 changed my life forever. I will always remember that moment that showed me my purpose and path in life. That summer I helped plan, promote and speak at other events. Wanting to continue to share my experiences as a young black woman, I started a blog, a podcast, and social media pages called Through Brown Eyes. The motto is Amplifying Voices to Bridge the Gap of Equality. As my racial identity developed I realized a part of that is to fight for the equality and rights of all marginalized communities. The year 2020 set a fire burning in me that continues to drive me toward my future. My internship with the ACLU of Oregon has given me another platform to learn and develop this passion. In the next four years, I hope to surround and engulf myself in a culturally diverse setting all while driving toward a future in politics. As a strong black woman in America, I want to live and work toward building a more just society. I can’t choose one singular event that made me realize what my purpose in life will be. I can however say that the year 2020 was a time that I learned a lot about myself and my passions. The passions that were brought to life during this time were my interests in social justice and politics. I have always had a desire for these but that year revealed that this is what I need to dedicate my life to. The road to helping with social justice through politics as an African American woman will be one of the biggest trials in life I will face, but knowing I can create change and leave an impact for the generations to come is all the motivation I need to push through the struggles. “ I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples”. This quote by Mother Teresa perfectly portrays what I want to do in this world. I am only one person but as long as I can make a difference, no matter how small or how big, I will not only achieve my dream but leave a positive impact on this earth.

"When you're going to change the world, don't ask for permission"- Viktor. These words apply not only to the plot of the show but to everyday life. Why wait until there is a seat for you at the table when you can create space? This quotation came from the show Arcane which is based on the game League of Legends and if we are being honest I had never heard of that game until a friend recommended the show to me. This show only has 1 season with 9 episodes but everything from the opening scene to the soundtrack will have you binge-watching it in no time waiting and wanting more. Everyone needs to clear their weekend to binge-watch this series because there are so many aspects that you can interpret and relate to. There are characters from all different backgrounds and walks of life and it gives you no choice but to relate to one or more of the characters. Without giving away too much this is a show about struggle and power and what happens when power falls into the wrong hands and when power doesn't fall where it should fall. Another reason everyone should watch this show is for the cinematic beauty that comes with it. The attention to detail in the clothing, the facial expressions, and the scenery are all carefully and amazingly thought out but I mean one would hope as this was a project that took 7 years to complete. I often find myself rewatching the show or episodes in the hopes that I can get that feeling back of when I first watched it, The way it captivated me, pulled me in, sent shivers down my spine, had me laughing with characters, yelling at characters all of it. If you are like me you will be anxiously awaiting the second season to come out because of how much more of the story can be told fingers are crossed that it doesn't take 7 years but for the flawlessness of the show I would wait another 7 for it. I had never had a true understanding of just how broad and wide the animated world was. Yes, I have seen Avatar The Last Airbender, She-Ra, Legend of Korra and more but I have never seen this style and level of animation before and that made me fall in love with it even more. I hope all of these reasons compel you to sit down in a comfy place with a bowl of popcorn or candy or both and a blanket and be prepared to go through the many emotions that we as humans go through because this show will have you laughing, crying, smiling uncontrollably, contemplating life and so much more.

If I could have everyone read one book it would be Working In The Shadows: A Year of Doing the Jobs (Most) Americans Won't Do. I choose to read this book for one of the summer readings during high school and to this day I continue to recommend this book to people because it completely changed my outlook on life. This book is a story of a White Male who goes around and does jobs that are predominately worked by immigrants looking for work in the States for a better life. The jobs that he does are cutting lettuce heads, working in a chicken slaughterhouse, a bicycle delivery boy for a restaurant, and a flower shop. This book gave me a completely new perspective on the work that Immigrants are willing to do in this country to escape violence, have more rights, and find "better jobs". The entire time I was reading this story I felt as though I was there living it as well and not only did I find that cool and fascinating but it was also sad and disheartening to know what these individuals go through for less than minimum wage. The immigrants that come into this country are poorly treated, receive less than what they work for, and are constantly struggling with the decision to go back home or make America a country that doesn't value them its home. I strongly believe that Americans are ignorant when it comes to Immigrants in this country and this book is a tool that can be used to help educate what they go through on a day-to-day basis just to barely make ends meet. I have recommended this book to be used as a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion tool on multiple occasions as it can further promote and push DEI work and training as well as help people doing the work when it comes to what these families have to go through.

I am a resilient, self-motivated, and determined African American woman who was born in South Carolina and adopted by white parents as an infant and was moved and raised in Oregon. Don’t get me wrong I love my parents and I admire their willingness to put in the work that comes with raising a Black child but being raised in a predominantly white community was not easy. For most of my life, I was one of if not the only Black student, peer, and person in most settings and when you are the only one you can’t help but notice. For all of my life especially when it came to being in schools I was known and remembered because I was Black instead of being remembered because of my name or my character, it is a lot easier to remember someone when there is only one of them. Being Black in a predominantly white neighborhood has never been easy as I would always get unsettling stares, people moving their bags from one side to the other, or people going out of their way to move so our paths don’t cross. I was taught at a young age what to do and what not to do in public so I seem “less intimidating”. Always keep your hands out of your pockets, leave your hoodie down, have a warm/inviting face and keep to yourself. For a long time, I have had to hide who I am to make the oppressor feel less scared and it wasn’t until recently that I realized I didn’t have to do that anymore. Being an African American woman in today's world has always proven difficult especially considering the field I want to go in. My passion and hope is to become a state representative and then a national representative for Congress that field of work is extremely difficult for anyone who isn’t a white male but I won’t give up on my dream because I want to leave the world better than I came into it and make it just that much better for those who follow after me. I want to break boundaries, and stereotypes, and create a space for myself at the table even if I am not wanted by all because if we don’t start fighting for what we deserve for what other marginalized communities deserve then we will continue to give into the oppressors. I am not here to change the world, I am here to help it and cause a ripple effect for years to come.

I have never been someone who enjoys talking about myself but over the past few years, I have learned that just like everyone else I have a story to tell and parts of myself that I want to express to other people. I am a social justice activist who will stand up and speak out against any injustice occurring, a lover of sports but more specifically softball and basketball, a foodie who is always open to trying new restaurants, someone who appreciates traveling and learning about different cultures, a fierce and determined individual, and a person who enjoys developing the mind. I owe most of my passions and love for things to my family. As someone who is an African American woman adopted by white parents, it brings me joy to say that I am forever grateful for them and the work that they put into raising a Black child. I am currently attending a Historical Black College & University Morgan State University in Baltimore Maryland majoring in political science and minoring in sociology. Because I am out of state money has always been a huge thing sitting in the forefront of my mind and with the money from this scholarship I will put it towards my higher education and fulfilling my lifelong goals of becoming a politician. Leaving the world better for those who follow after has become a life motto of mine that I live day in and day out. During the 2020 BLM movement, my perspective changed from just helping a select few people to helping all those who couldn’t help themselves, giving a voice to the voiceless and changing the “stereotype” of American politics is what I have dedicated my life to. A lot of people don’t understand why I am choosing to enter into the very broken and chaotic life of politics and my response to that is not only do I want to but I have a moral duty as a woman of color to fight for a better society for all marginalized communities. I know that attending an HBCU will provide me with a correct and different take on history and American politics and it will only help me develop more skills that I will be able to take with me as I continue down this path towards my future. A quote that I live by was said by the late Mother Teresa and she said “ I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples”. I am someone who wants to help the world not change it and this money will help me do just that.

Making lasting changes that will bridge the gap of equality in America, this is the legacy I hope to leave. I have had a heart for people from a very young age. My involvement grew from making sack lunches and toiletry bags for the unhoused, to then volunteering at city and beach clean ups, as well as food and clothing drives. I have now become an involved social and racial justice activist by helping plan events in my community and speaking at rallies. These experiences along with my internship at the ACLU of Oregon solidified my chosen career of entering into politics. There are many skills I have learned during my high school years that will lead to success in college. Building relationships with other students as well as professors provides support and resources. Since I will be attending college 3,000 miles away from home this support system is essential. I have already been networking and reaching out to other incoming freshmen so I will know people from day one. Another key skill is time management. It is important to schedule time for studying, time for fun, and time for mental health. I have found that when I block out time for music, shooting hoops, reading a book, or going for a walk, then the rest of my time is more focused. Often a problem can seem bigger than it is. So, remembering to stay present, try to find a solution, but not be afraid to ask for help. After obtaining my degree in Political Science from a Historical Black College and University (HBCU), I will use the education and skills I have acquired to land a position where I will represent the people and work with legislation to adopt bills that fight for accessible healthcare, liveable wages, gun control, fighting against climate change and more. My life passion is to invoke change that makes the world better for those who follow after.

I am determined to make lasting changes that will bridge the gap of equality in America. I have had a heart for people from a very young age. My involvement grew from making sack lunches and toiletry bags for the unhoused to then volunteering at city and beach clean-ups, as well as food and clothing drives. I have now become an involved social and racial justice activist by helping plan events in my community and speaking at rallies. These experiences along with my internship at the ACLU of Oregon solidified my chosen career of entering into politics. The vision of a leader is often seen as someone who is outgoing and in the spotlight. I spent most of my youth trying not to be seen. Head down, worked hard and tried to not be noticed. When I learned that others viewed me as a leader, I had to step back and reflect on what that actually meant. It was the spring of 2020 when I really grew and began to develop who I was and how I would use the leadership skills within me. I was reluctant when asked to speak at a Black Lives Matter Rally by several people in the spring of 2020. Filled with nerves, but having a deep desire to share my heart, I agreed. I got acquainted with a man named Desi Nicodemus as well as many other black community members. Standing in front of a thousand people, pouring my heart out through the spoken word I wrote, I knew my life was forever changed. This is what I was meant to do. Being part of fighting for equality, and making lasting change, would be my life passion. This period of racial turmoil ended up strengthening and bonding the small black community that is part of our predominantly white city. That next fall Desi was elected as our first black city council member. Desi has reached out to me several times to brainstorm ideas to make change within our community. Each time I am thrilled and honored to be part of the discussion. Last summer I was part of a small team that planned and executed the first annual Juneteenth event in our city. Months of planning, and meetings where we tossed around ideas, made decisions and assigned roles. I led the outreach and advertising for the event. This involved working with those who put together graphic designs for the event and then putting together social media posts and advertisements to be placed in the community. Our small team all worked closely in the many aspects of planning the event. The day of the event arrived I walked around the park full of pride. The community showed up and participated in creating a place of unity. This moment will forever be implanted in my mind, it showed me the role we each play in making change. I was a part of leading my community to a better future all while finding my own voice and finding my future life path. After obtaining my degree in Political Science from a Historical Black College and University (HBCU), I will use the education and skills I have acquired to land a position where I will represent the people and work with legislation to adopt bills that fight for accessible healthcare, liveable wages, gun control, fighting against climate change and more. My life passion is to invoke change that makes the world better for those who follow after.

Making lasting changes that will bridge the gap of equality in America is my driving force. A heart for people began at a very young age. My involvement includes making sack lunches and toiletry bags for the unhoused, volunteering at city and beach clean-ups, as well as food and clothing drives. I am an involved social and racial justice activist and help plan events in my community and speak at rallies. These experiences along with my internship at the ACLU of Oregon solidified my chosen career of entering into politics. As an African American adopted into a white family, I face challenges that throw racially motivated issues my way. My darker skin and curly hair bring unwanted attention at school, the grocery store, church, or even walking in my neighborhood. I hear “oh I like your hair”, or “were you born in Africa”. Although uncomfortable, I didn’t know why. The racial unrest in 2020 brought on by the killing of Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd set fire to an unlit match inside of me that sparked the creation of who I was going to be in this world. This unleashed the life journey of the black woman I would become. The next four years I hope to surround and engulf myself in a culturally diverse setting all while driving toward a future in politics. After obtaining my degree in Political Science from a Historical Black College and University (HBCU), I will use the education and skills I have acquired to land a position where I will represent the people and work with legislation to adopt bills that fight for accessible healthcare, liveable wages, gun control, fighting against climate change and more. My life passion is to invoke change that makes the world better for those who follow after.

The vision of a leader is often seen as someone who is outgoing and in the spotlight. I spent most of my youth trying not to be seen. I kept my head down, worked hard and tried to not be noticed. I did not see myself as a leader. When I learned that others viewed me this way, I had to step back and reflect on what it actually meant to be a leader. It was the spring of 2020 where I really grew and began to develop who I was and how I would use the leadership skills within me. Never being a person who thrives on attention, I was reluctant when asked to speak at a Black Lives Matter Rally by several people in the spring of 2020. Filled with nerves, but having a deep desire to share my heart, I agreed. One of these people was a man I had seen at events, but never met, Desi Nicodemus. At this rally I got better acquainted with him as well as many other black community members. Standing in front of a thousand people, pouring my heart out through the spoken word I wrote, I knew my life was forever changed. This is what I was meant to do. Being part of fighting for equality, and making lasting change, this would be my life passion. This period of racial turmoil, although difficult, ultimately ended up strengthening and bonding the small black community that is part of our predominantly white city. That next fall Desi would be elected as our first black city council member. Desi has reached out to me several times to brainstorm ideas to make change within our community. Each time I am thrilled and honored to be part of the discussion. Last summer I got the privilege to be part of a small team that planned and executed the first annual Juneteenth event in our city. There were months of planning meetings where we tossed around ideas, made decisions and assigned roles. I led the outreach and advertising for the event. This involved working with those who put together graphic designs for the event and then putting together social media posts and advertisements to be placed in the community. Although we each took leads on the project our small team was all closely involved in the many aspects of the event. These included choosing and securing a location, reaching out to vendors and sponsors, and choosing entertainment such as musicians, dancers and singers. When the day of the event arrived I walked around the park full of pride. The community showed up and participated in creating a place of unity. This moment will forever be implanted in my mind as it showed me that coming out of my shell could have the best results. I was a part of leading my community to a better future all while showing that yes finding my voice was difficult but once I did I realized my ability to speak out about the injustices in my community would eventually lead me on my future path.

As an African American adopted into a white family, I face challenges that throw racially motivated issues my way. My darker skin and curly hair brought unwanted attention at school, the grocery store, church, or even walking in my neighborhood. I would hear “oh I like your hair”, or “were you born in Africa”. Although uncomfortable, I didn’t know why. The racial unrest in 2020 brought on by the killing of Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd set fire to an unlit match inside of me that sparked the creation of who I was going to be in this world. This unleashed the life journey of the black woman I would become. The fall of 2016 I sat watching my favorite NFL team, the Niners as the National Anthem began. I saw Colin Kaepernick on his knee. My passion for social justice work and politics began prior to Kaepernick getting kicked out of the NFL, yet his simple act of silent protest was one of the first moments I can recall feeling restless. This movement led me to reflect on why I was standing for the Anthem. When I researched what the Anthem really says, I questioned, is it true to who I am? The answer was no, “liberty and justice for all” doesn’t apply to any marginalized group, especially African Americans. I joined the silent protest and refused to stand and will continue until what is being said is a true reflection of all American people. The next few years I listened, learned and grew, defining the black person I was in America. I quietly journaled reflecting on my thoughts and feelings. The racial unrest that took place in 2020 started a rage and fear grew inside me. Although we discussed these horrific acts within my family, I kept quiet in my social circles. That silence quickly ended when I was asked to speak at a rally. Public speaking is something I had never done, but I knew in my soul, I had to. I seized this opportunity to speak my truth. That night I wrote a spoken word poem titled How Long. This poem asks how much longer are we going to be killed, judged, or discriminated against simply because of the color of our skin. The diverse audience near 2,000 was there for a common purpose, everyone there desired to put an end to racism. Being in front of that crowd made me experience things I’d never felt before. Hearing the applause and whistling unlocked a newfound confidence that I didn’t have before. These five minutes in front of a crowd changed my life forever. I will always remember that moment that showed me my purpose and path in life. That summer I helped plan, promote and speak at other events. Wanting to continue to share my experiences as a young black woman, I started a blog, a podcast, and social media pages called Through Brown Eyes. The motto is Amplifying Voices to Bridge the Gap of Equality. As my racial identity developed I realized a part of that is to fight for the equality and rights of all. The year of 2020 set a fire burning in me that continues to drive me toward my future. My internship with the ACLU of Oregon has given me another platform to learn and develop this passion. The next four years I hope to surround and engulf myself in a culturally diverse setting all while driving toward a future in politics. As a strong black woman in America, I want to live and work toward building a more just society.

The vision of a leader is often seen as someone who is outgoing and in the spotlight. I spent most of my youth trying not to be seen. I kept my head down, worked hard and tried to not be noticed. I did not see myself as a leader. When I learned that others viewed me this way, I had to step back and reflect on what it actually meant to be a leader. It was the spring of 2020 where I really grew and began to develop who I was and how I would use the leadership skills within me. Never being a person who thrives on attention, I was reluctant when asked to speak at a Black Lives Matter Rally by several people in the spring of 2020. Filled with nerves, but having a deep desire to share my heart, I agreed. One of these people was a man I had seen at events, but never met, Desi Nicodemus. At this rally I got better acquainted with him as well as many other black community members. Standing in front of a thousand people, pouring my heart out through the spoken word I wrote, I knew my life was forever changed. This is what I was meant to do. Being part of fighting for equality, and making lasting change, this would be my life passion. This period of racial turmoil, although difficult, ultimately ended up strengthening and bonding the small black community that is part of our predominantly white city. That next fall Desi would be elected as our first black city council member. Desi has reached out to me several times to brainstorm ideas to make change within our community. Each time I am thrilled and honored to be part of the discussion. Last summer I got the privilege to be part of a small team that planned and executed the first annual Juneteenth event in our city. There were months of planning meetings where we tossed around ideas, made decisions and assigned roles. I led the outreach and advertising for the event. This involved working with those who put together graphic designs for the event and then putting together social media posts and advertisements to be placed in the community. Although we each took leads on the project our small team was all closely involved in the many aspects of the event. These included choosing and securing a location, reaching out to vendors and sponsors, and choosing entertainment such as musicians, dancers and singers. When the day of the event arrived I walked around the park full of pride. The community showed up and participated in creating a place of unity. This moment will forever be implanted in my mind as it showed me that coming out of my shell could have the best results. I was a part of leading my community to a better future all while showing that yes finding my voice was difficult but once I did I realized my ability to speak out about the injustices in my community would eventually lead me on my future path.

As an African American adopted into a white family, I face challenges that throw racially motivated issues my way. My darker skin and curly hair brought unwanted attention at school, the grocery store, church, or even walking in my neighborhood. I would hear “oh I like your hair”, or “were you born in Africa”. Although uncomfortable, I didn’t know why. The racial unrest in 2020 brought on by the killing of Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd set fire to an unlit match inside of me that sparked the creation of who I was going to be in this world. This unleashed the life journey of the black woman I would become. In the fall of 2016 I sat watching my favorite NFL team, the Niners as the National Anthem began. I saw Colin Kaepernick on his knee. My passion for social justice work and politics began prior to Kaepernick getting kicked out of the NFL, yet his simple act of silent protest was one of the first moments I can recall feeling restless. This movement led me to reflect on why I was standing for the Anthem. When I researched what the Anthem really says, I questioned, is it true to who I am? The answer was no, “liberty and justice for all” doesn’t apply to any marginalized group, especially African Americans. From that point forward I joined the silent protest and refused to stand and will continue until what is being said is a true reflection of all American people. The next few years I listened, learned and grew, defining the black person I was in America. The racial unrest that took place in 2020 developed a rage and fear grew inside me. Although we discussed these horrific acts within my family, I kept quiet in my social circles. That silence quickly ended when I was asked to speak at a rally. Public speaking is something I had never done, but I knew in my soul, I had to. I seized this opportunity to speak my truth. That night I wrote a spoken word poem titled How Long. This poem asks how much longer are we going to be killed, judged, or discriminated against simply because of the color of our skin. The diverse audience near 2,000 was there for a common purpose, everyone there desired to put an end to racism. Being in front of that crowd made me experience things I’d never felt before. To hear the applause and cheering unlocked a newfound confidence that I didn’t have before. These five minutes in front of a crowd of 2,000 changed my life forever. I will always remember that moment that showed me my purpose and path in life. That summer I helped plan, promote and speak at other events. Wanting to continue to share my experiences as a young black woman, I started a blog, a podcast, and social media pages called Through Brown Eyes. The motto is Amplifying Voices to Bridge the Gap of Equality. As my racial identity developed I realized a part of that is to fight for the equality and rights of all. The year 2020 set a fire burning in me that continues to drive me toward my future. My internship with the ACLU of Oregon has given me another platform to learn and develop this passion. The next four years I hope to surround and engulf myself in a culturally diverse setting all while driving toward a future in politics. As a strong black woman in America, I want to live and work toward building a more just society.