I haven't personally been impacted by domestic violence or substance abuse, but I am deeply committed to using my higher education to make a positive impact in the lives of African American women affected by these issues. My plan is to focus on improving care, coordination, and communication to ultimately change the outcomes for these women. To improve the care, coordination, and communication for black women affected by domestic violence or substance abuse, it is essential to implement a holistic approach. This involves providing comprehensive and culturally sensitive support services that address the physical, emotional, and psychological needs of the individuals. Additionally, establishing clear channels of communication between various support organizations, such as shelters, counseling services, and law enforcement, is crucial to ensure a coordinated and effective response to these issues. Moreover, education and awareness programs tailored to the specific needs of the black community can help in changing the outcomes by empowering individuals to seek help and support. By focusing on these aspects, we can work towards creating a more supportive and responsive system that ultimately changes the outcomes for black women impacted by domestic violence or substance abuse. I aim to contribute to creating a better support system and access to resources that can help them overcome these challenges. To contribute to creating a better support system and access to resources that can help black women overcome domestic violence and substance abuse, it is crucial to address the systemic barriers that they face. This can be achieved by advocating for increased funding for community-based organizations that specifically cater to the needs of black women. These organizations can offer culturally sensitive counseling, legal assistance, and housing support. Additionally, creating partnerships with healthcare providers to ensure access to trauma-informed care and mental health services is essential. Education and outreach programs aimed at empowering black women to recognize and seek help for domestic violence and substance abuse can also play a significant role. By working towards dismantling barriers to access and providing tailored support, we can contribute to creating a more effective and inclusive support system for black women impacted by these issues. Through my higher education, I hope to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to advocate for and provide effective support to those impacted by domestic violence and substance abuse within the African American community. Through my education, I aim to develop a range of skills necessary to advocate for and provide effective support to those impacted by domestic violence and substance abuse within the African American community. These skills include a deep understanding of trauma-informed care, cultural competency, and the ability to navigate the complex legal and social service systems. Additionally, I plan to enhance my communication skills to effectively engage with diverse stakeholders and build strong partnerships within the community. Moreover, developing skills in program development and evaluation will enable me to create targeted interventions that address the specific needs of African American individuals impacted by these issues. Overall, my education will provide me with the knowledge and skills necessary to advocate for policy changes, provide direct support, and contribute to building a more responsive and inclusive support system for the African American community affected by domestic violence and substance abuse.

“Happy Birthday Amaya”, my family exclaimed. On my sixteenth birthday, I was not sure if my family’s excitement came because of my birthday or because of the generational curse that I had officially broken. I am the first female in my family that did not become a mother by the age of sixteen. I was born in one of the roughest parts of Houston, TX, drugs, poverty and teen pregnancy was the first environment to which I had been exposed. My dad also came from poverty but was granted the life changing opportunity to attend Morehouse College. My dad came to Atlanta with no family and twenty dollars in his pocket trying to provide for us. Seeing my dad struggle, made me very curious about why my mom failed to be present. Being a vulnerable 5 year old, I just wanted her to be there and to feel a mother’s love. Once I became old enough to form my own opinion of my mother, I found myself in a battle. I never wanted to see things for what they really were. Knowing my heart, she used it against me and abused me mentally. It was a topic I was always emotional about simply because I felt as if nobody would ever understand. My bonus mom is the angel that my God gave me. She is the most pure hearted person I have ever met. She taught my dad that it is okay to love, which made our family so much closer.She is a major part of the reason I will be a great woman, mother and person. Although my life has never been perfect, all of the trials and tribulations have made me the person I am today. I have grown with God and as a person. I have been blessed to be set up for nothing but success. When I joined the Morehouse cheerleading team, one of my main goals was to build a strong sisterhood amongst each other. Given this goal, I decided to begin the club as a pilot program through my cheerleading team. I wanted everyone to feel like they had a big sister to navigate them through those tough social and academic situations daily, that we are not always prepared for when entering new phases of our lives.The success of the program within the cheer team allowed us to expand to the young ladies at Spelman as a whole. The impact was immediate and directly felt by my community. I was able to understand that one person has the ability to motivate and change the masses so long as there is passion in the project and a common understanding of the goal. Myself and the amazing young ladies in our club made a clear choice to change the world.

“Happy Birthday Amaya”, my family exclaimed. On my sixteenth birthday, I was not sure if my family’s excitement came because of my birthday or because of the generational curse that I had officially broken. I am the first female in my family that did not become a mother by the age of sixteen. I was born in one of the roughest parts of Houston, TX, drugs, poverty and teen pregnancy was the first environment to which I had been exposed. It was filled with people whose priorities were the total opposite of the ones I now possess. My dad also came from poverty but was granted the life changing opportunity to attend Morehouse College. My dad came to Atlanta with no family and twenty dollars in his pocket trying to provide for us. I can remember the times I sat in the back of a Morehouse College classroom, while my dad focused on becoming the first person in the family who would graduate from college. He would surprise me by taking me to see the cheerleaders in Forbes Arena and it would be the highlight of my day. I essentially lived on Morehouse’s campus and never realized that this was not a normal occurrence. I was always very curious about why my mom failed to be present. Being a vulnerable 5 year old, I just wanted her to be there and to feel a mother’s love. Once I became old enough to form my own opinion of my mother, I found myself in a battle. I never wanted to see things for what they really were. Knowing my heart, she used it against me and abused me mentally. It was a topic I was always emotional about simply because I felt as if nobody would ever understand. I separate my life into two perspectives. There is life with my mother and life with my father. If I took the path my mother wanted me to take, I would be in her shoes. Fending for myself at 18, not in college, and pregnant at 15. In her eyes I would be doing great if I made it to 17 before getting pregnant. If I took the path that my father wanted me to take, I would be where I am now: writing this essay to be able to afford college at the Number 1 HBCU. While having these two perspectives of life, God has never allowed me to sway. My bonus mom is the angel that my God gave me. She is the most pure hearted person I have ever met. She taught my dad that it is okay to love, which made our family so much closer. Her being a Spelman woman has helped her become the person she is today and is even further motivation for me to attend Spelman. She is a major part of the reason I will be a great woman, mother and person. I have never found the strength to express my feelings to my mother but I believe I will get there. I have an amazing support system. Although my life has never been perfect, all of the trials and tribulations have made me the person I am today. I have grown with God and as a person. I have been blessed to be set up for nothing but success. Getting to where I am has been a journey and I will continue to beat the odds and make it my choice to change the world.

One of the most difficult things to accept is that today’s generation is plagued with people that have the desire to gain without the desire to give back. My passion has always been the advancement of those that are considered less fortunate. I have been a part of many service endeavors throughout the years, as I come from a family of service. The bible says “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.” I believe it is our duty to return the benefits that have been bestowed upon us. I fully understand that a person cannot continuously receive without giving back in some way, as blessings are cyclical. Although I was able to accrue over four-hundred hours of community service after entering high school, my biggest impact came from the first club that I truly put my all into. I founded a “Big Sister, Little Sister” club that focuses on the social needs, social maturity, and academic advancement of the underclassmen girls at my high school. I witnessed young ladies making decisions that were damaging to their future, reputation, and overall social and academic imprint on the school community. We focused on their progression by pairing the young ladies with an upstanding upperclassmen. I believed I owed it to my new classmates to guide them through obstacles that I had experienced by demonstrating how making the right choices will benefit them in the long run. When I joined the varsity cheerleading team at my high school, one of my main goals was to build a strong sisterhood amongst each other. Given this goal, I decided to begin the club as a pilot program through my cheerleading team. I wanted everyone to feel like they had a big sister to navigate them through those tough social and academic situations daily, that we are not always prepared for when entering new phases of our lives. During the pilot, the display of unbiased and non-judgmental guidance was present and in turn caused more students to want to become a part of this sisterhood. The success of the program within the cheer team allowed us to expand to the young ladies in the school as a whole. We made all activities enjoyable for everyone and encouraged each other to open up at our bi-weekly check-in meetings. During these conversations, we were able to be vulnerable in front of each other and understand everyone else’s perspectives on their choices. Although I have plenty of other service endeavors that I could speak about, Big Sister Little Sister is by far the most meaningful experience I could have ever had with service. The impact was immediate and directly felt by my community. I was able to understand that one person has the ability to motivate and change the masses so long as there is passion in the project and a common understanding of the goal. Myself and the amazing young ladies in our club made a clear choice to change the world.

At some point in our lives, we all worry about our appearance and how others perceive us. I saw that a good smile gave me and other people the feeling of self assurance. A smile is something small, but it could be the very first way to express sociability, happiness, and welcome. Once my orthodontics experience was complete, I saw a change in myself socially. While my interest was peaked in the field of orthodontics, I was not sure if this was in fact the field for me. I knew I wanted to be able to help people with their confidence through their smiles. I also found all of my science classes to be intriguing. Knowing that I have seen success in my science classes motivated me to declare a health science major. A profession in orthodontics fits my personality perfectly, as I place a high value on assisting other people to feel their best.Being Black, to me, means embracing a rich and diverse wide range of experiences, traditions, and identities, all of which contribute to the vibrant tapestry of the Black diaspora.Choosing to go to Spelman College stem from a desire to be part of an educational environment that not only values but celebrates Black culture, history, and identity. Spelman's traditions create a unique and cohesive experience that binds the Spelman sisterhood. Our traditions instill a deep appreciation for the values of academic excellence, leadership, and service, while also honoring the achievements and contributions of Black women throughout history.

One of the most difficult things to accept is that today’s generation is plagued with people that have the desire to gain without the desire to give back. My passion has always been the advancement of those that are considered less fortunate. I have been a part of many service endeavors throughout the years, as I come from a family of service. The bible says “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.” I believe it is our duty to return the benefits that have been bestowed upon us. I fully understand that a person cannot continuously receive without giving back in some way, as blessings are cyclical. Although I was able to accrue over four-hundred hours of community service since entering high school, my biggest impact came from the first club that I truly put my all into. I founded a “Big Sister, Little Sister” club that focuses on the social needs, social maturity, and academic advancement of the underclassmen girls at my high school. I witnessed young ladies making decisions that were damaging to their future, reputation, and overall social and academic imprint on the school community. We focused on their progression by pairing the young ladies with an upstanding upperclassmen. I believed I owed it to my new classmates to guide them through obstacles that I had experienced by demonstrating how making the right choices will benefit them in the long run. When I joined the varsity cheerleading team at my high school, one of my main goals was to build a strong sisterhood amongst each other. Given this goal, I decided to begin the club as a pilot program through my cheerleading team. I wanted everyone to feel like they had a big sister to navigate them through those tough social and academic situations daily, that we are not always prepared for when entering new phases of our lives. During the pilot, the display of unbiased and non-judgmental guidance was present and in turn caused more students to want to become a part of this sisterhood. The success of the program within the cheer team allowed us to expand to the young ladies in the school as a whole. We made all activities enjoyable for everyone and encouraged each other to open up at our bi-weekly check-in meetings. During these conversations, we were able to be vulnerable in front of each other and understand everyone else’s perspectives on their choices. Although I have plenty of other service endeavors that I could speak about, Big Sister Little Sister is by far the most meaningful experience I could have ever had with service. The impact was immediate and directly felt by my community. I was able to understand that one person has the ability to motivate and change the masses so long as there is passion in the project and a common understanding of the goal. Myself and the amazing young ladies in our club made a clear choice to change the world. If given this scholarship, It would allow me to be brought closer to my financial goals in order to attend Spelman College this upcoming fall. Ten years from now I envision myself in my own orthodontic practice. With this scholarship, I plan on continuing my goals in the classroom and doing everything to the best of my ability no matter my circumstances. With my goals wanting to be reached it has taught me to take advantage of every opportunity given.

“Happy Birthday Amaya”, my family exclaimed. On my sixteenth birthday, I was not sure if my family’s excitement came because of my birthday or because of the generational curse that I had officially broken. I am the first female in my family that did not become a mother by the age of sixteen. I was born in one of the roughest parts of Houston, TX, drugs, poverty and teen pregnancy was the first environment to which I had been exposed. It was filled with people whose priorities were the total opposite of the ones I now possess. I consider education to be the most significant aspect of my life and intend to pursue post secondary education. For as long as I can remember, my parents strongly emphasized the value of education. It is the only thing I know that can propel me towards the success that I hope to achieve. Maintaining good grades and exceeding in school are a priority. School was never easy or simple for me. I struggled with discovering my learning and study style but I never gave up. I had to understand I was strong in certain areas and weak in others. I have had to learn to navigate my weaknesses by focusing on my strengths. At some point in our lives, we all worry about our appearance and how others perceive us. My parents have always been my mental support system and helped me understand that I was good enough. They have always stressed that I should not care about other people’s perception of me. Although I found this to be true over time, I know that after my experience with an orthodontist I had more confidence. I saw that a good smile gave me and other people the feeling of self assurance. A smile is something small, but it could be the very first way to express sociability, happiness, and welcome. I began taking the course Introduction to Personal Care my sophomore year of high school and my thoughts and feelings were confirmed. My teacher began the discussion surrounding dental hygiene and care and my interest in orthodontics was solidified. I tended to do well in classes such as environmental science, biology and zoology. Knowing that I have seen success in my science classes motivated me to declare a health science major. A profession in orthodontics fits my personality perfectly, as I place a high value on assisting other people to feel their best. My combined experience with my orthodontic care and Introduction to Personal Care class sparked my interest in pursuing a Health Science major. In declaring a health science major, I will be taking the first steps towards becoming an orthodontist. I will then eventually open my own practice in the setting of my choice. When my goals are met they will not only make my family and friends happy, but they will also contribute to society as a whole. Children and families nearby will be impacted by my ability to provide self-esteem altering dental work. Simply entering a successful workplace could inspire the next individual to make the effort to pursue their ambitions. I want to motivate others to adopt new positive habits to gain the requisite momentum in life to achieve their goals. I have discovered that although achieving your dreams can be challenging, they are worth the success they bring. I believe that to be able to dream, you need a support system and it takes time and effort to realize your aspirations. .