With a focus on mental health, I hope to leave a lasting impression as we engage in difficult conversations on what it means to raise awareness for mental health and destigmatize it. My passion to reform how mental health is viewed within the Black community is rooted in ridding mental health and illnesses of their dehumanizing and debilitating labels. I hope to make an impact by working effortlessly to evoke change for the youth. In July of 2020, I decided to be a listener for 7 Cups of Tea, an online platform that’s meant for members to anonymously speak with listeners about their concerns. From my time with 7 Cups, I’ve gained a lot of experience listening to individuals and determining the best ways to help them. My experiences with 7 Cups have only served as a stepping stone to get more involved in the mental health realm and enact change wherever I can. This experience taught me how to get out of my comfort zone, actively and efficiently listen, and appreciate change. Through this career, I hope to do something bigger than myself and be a part of a community that’s here to create a safe and helpful environment for others. I firmly believe that everyone should feel like they’re in a safe space, which is what I hope to help contribute to the field of psychology. Ultimately, I have big dreams with an abundance of ambition, a big heart with a lot of passion, and a strong drive burning within me to reach them.

I was the only one standing on the strip of beige scotch tape pasted on the tiled flooring. After watching “Freedom Writers”, My fifth-grade teacher was inspired to play the game within the film. Once my teacher said a statement, the students would stand on the strip of tape if the phrase applies to us. He said, “Stand on the line if you have a parent or family member that’s incarcerated.” I was three when my biological father was sent to prison. My fondest memories of him consist of a large blue metallic bag filled with Vintner's Gourmet White Cheddar Popcorn. The gas station runs and trips to the store were my favorite because he always brought me a bag of popcorn after. Despite my father’s absence for the past fifteen years, a bag of popcorn is the one thing that connects me to him. It’s the one thing that I know can’t leave. My body froze for a second. What if I’m the only one standing on this strip of tape? What will my friends think of me? For a quick second, I didn’t know what to do. After briefly thinking about it, I knew that no matter what happened after, I must always tell the truth, which includes my father. When I took my place on the line, I was pleasantly surprised. There were a few other students on the line with me. Despite my immediate relief, I was still plagued by the second-hand embarrassment of my father and his actions. During class in seventh grade, I found myself with a burning sensation behind my eyelids as I was trying to hold back my tears. I don’t remember how we got here but all I know is that we’re here now. My English teacher continued to press the matter as she felt like I needed some kind of closure. In front of an entire class of seventh graders, I explained the story of my father’s incarceration, as I knew it from beginning to end. It took every being of my body to not burst into tears, though I can’t say the same for my teacher. As she shed a tear, I realized that she served as my breaking point. She reminded me of how our past or the people within our past can’t control our future. My father’s incarceration has been like a shadow, always there at every corner, ready to follow me into the next part of my life. However, after my experience in middle school, I took hold of my story and ran with it. I can no longer apologize for what my father has done, rather face the music and make the best of each day going forward. After gaining the motivation I needed to tackle challenging courses in high school, I started to take my education seriously and strive to become a Child Psychologist. Within the Black community, mental health is an area that needs to be destigmatized and revolutionized. I am devoted and ready to be a part of the force that makes the change. For years, people have told me that it’s impractical for me to pursue this career because there’s no immediate payoff for the years of schooling that I’d have to endure. Despite there being a hint of truth to that statement, I didn’t choose this field for financial purposes, it’s about my potential. My potential to help children within the next few years. One less person may have to face time in the prison system or another can live a life that’s no longer filled with anger and revenge. I’m excited about counseling youth and being involved in advancing research that will change and expand the power and impact on the field. From my experiences, I gathered that my biggest challenger will always be myself but if I continue to work on pushing myself to achieve my dreams then no obstacle is too big and I will be able to work towards a brighter future.