At eight years old, I attempted, after being molested, I tried to hurt myself. Ten years later, at 18, I made a change after experiencing homelessness and over ten years of SA by multiple men. I changed my life and environment after meeting a role model. After 18 years of life, I never thought I could be in college or pursuing a career. I was given mentorship and advice, something I begged my parents to do. Today I am doing what I previously deemed impossible. I am a college student at Georgia State University and am a positive light to everyone I encounter. I am passionate about psychology because it is the most overlooked specialty in medicine. It is taboo in many cultures worldwide, leaving many to suffer in silence. I want to dedicate my life and career to giving back to my community. As someone who has once been silenced about my mental health issues, I aim to bring awareness. Mental health affects well-being and quality of life; aiding patients can bring joy and relief to their lives. I work at an urgent care clinic and recently became a licensed CNA. With my experience and direct patient contact, I can observe and better treat patients in the future. I plan on pursuing a career in psychiatry, so after earning my bachelor's degree, I will attend medical school. No obstacles are too big to stop me from completing my goal. The next twelve years of education will mean a lifelong reward. I will be rewarded each day knowing I am improving someone's quality of life. Giving patients the tools to live meaningful lives will be the basis of my career. It is important to me to serve my community in the same neighborhood I came from. Career-wise, I plan on opening a nonprofit practice in the future. Mental health resources are expensive and inaccessible to many. By bringing this resource to my community, underserved people will have better access to mental health help. A goal of mines is to become a role model for children. Growing up, I did not have any positive role models around me. I didn't see anyone who represented my community doing something positive. I want to be someone to look up to for children growing up in similar situations as I did. Psychology has become my life goal—the goal of treating those who need my help the most. Nothing will fulfill me more than becoming a doctor and overcoming my past.

At eight years old, I attempted, after being molested, I tried to hurt myself. Ten years later, at 18, I made a change after experiencing homelessness and over ten years of SA by multiple men. I changed my life and environment after meeting a role model. After 18 years of life, I never thought I could be in college or pursuing a career. I was given mentorship and advice, something I begged my parents to do. Today I am doing what I previously deemed impossible. I am a college student at Georgia State University and am a positive light to everyone I encounter. I am passionate about psychology because it is the most overlooked specialty in medicine. It is taboo in many cultures worldwide, leaving many to suffer in silence. I want to dedicate my life and career to giving back to my community. As someone who has once been silenced about my mental health issues, I aim to bring awareness. Mental health affects well-being and quality of life; aiding patients can bring joy and relief to their lives. I work at an urgent care clinic and recently became a licensed CNA. With my experience and direct patient contact, I can observe and better treat patients in the future. I plan on pursuing a career in psychiatry, so after earning my bachelor's degree, I will attend medical school. No obstacles are too big to stop me from completing my goal. The next twelve years of education will mean a lifelong reward. I will be rewarded each day knowing I am improving someone's quality of life. Giving patients the tools to live meaningful lives will be the basis of my career. It is important to me to serve my community in the same neighborhood I came from. Career-wise, I plan on opening a nonprofit practice in the future. Mental health resources are expensive and inaccessible to many. By bringing this resource to my community, underserved people will have better access to mental health help. A goal of mines is to become a role model for children. Growing up, I did not have any positive role models around me. I didn't see anyone who represented my community doing something positive. I want to be someone to look up to for children growing up in similar situations as I did. Psychology has become my life goal—the goal of treating those who need my help the most. Nothing will fulfill me more than becoming a doctor and overcoming my past.

At eight years old, I attempted, after being molested, I tried to hurt myself. Ten years later, at 18, I made a change after experiencing homelessness and over ten years of SA by multiple men. I changed my life and environment after meeting a role model. After 18 years of life, I never thought I could be in college or pursuing a career. I was given mentorship and advice, something I begged my parents to do. Today I am doing what I previously deemed impossible. I am a college student at Georgia State University and am a positive light to everyone I encounter. I am passionate about psychology because it is the most overlooked specialty in medicine. It is taboo in many cultures worldwide, leaving many to suffer in silence. I want to dedicate my life and career to giving back to my community. As someone who has once been silenced about my mental health issues, I aim to bring awareness. Mental health affects well-being and quality of life; aiding patients can bring joy and relief to their lives. I work at an urgent care clinic and recently became a licensed CNA. With my experience and direct patient contact, I can observe and better treat patients in the future. I plan on pursuing a career in psychiatry, so after earning my bachelor's degree, I will attend medical school. No obstacles are too big to stop me from completing my goal. The next twelve years of education will mean a lifelong reward. I will be rewarded each day knowing I am improving someone's quality of life. Giving patients the tools to live meaningful lives will be the basis of my career. It is important to me to serve my community in the same neighborhood I came from. Career-wise, I plan on opening a nonprofit practice in the future. Mental health resources are expensive and inaccessible to many. By bringing this resource to my community, underserved people will have better access to mental health help. A goal of mines is to become a role model for children. Growing up, I did not have any positive role models around me. I didn't see anyone who represented my community doing something positive. I want to be someone to look up to for children growing up in similar situations as I did. Psychology has become my life goal—the goal of treating those who need my help the most. Nothing will fulfill me more than becoming a doctor and overcoming my past.

I grew up with dogs my entire life. The duo who have been here for me through the hardest times have been Fletcher and Faya. My Fletcher who I’ve had since 8 years old is my rock. He has been there for me for every tear i have shed. When we first adopted him he was very skittish but now he has gained confidence and both have became my protectors. Faya, the baby and guard of the home but most importantly the cuddler. My sweet girl who has to be by my side at all times. She is the one who licks my tears and brightens my days. Many times i have felt tired of being here and they are the ones who have always given me a reason to keep trying . Recently they have became my only motivation. My mother moved to her home country when i turned 18 and they were the only thing she left me. Although they are a huge responsibility and prevent me from doing a lot i wouldn’t trade them for anything. I am a homeless student and finding affordable housing is honestly so impossible with them but wherever i go they come too. I would do anything for my babies and I make sure their lives are plentiful and healthy. I wish i could get my own apartment so that they would have space to get out. My current temporary housing will only allow them in my room if I’m not there. It’s so hard for the three of us but soon i will be able to get them their own space. My dogs are the only family I have.

I come from a struggling single mother where she had to make a lot of sacrifices. In doing that i was held with the responsibility of raising myself at Thirteen . In my life I’ve made a lot of mistakes due to not having the guidance i so badly begged for. At nine years old my innocence was taken away from me i was molested, it happened by the hands of seven men throughout my life up until i was eighteen . I started sex work at thirteen to get money and for five years i felt like there was no way out. Six months ago i found myself i found a reason to do better and i did. I applied to Georgia state university and got in. I never thought i could or would go to college and now i am granted this amazing opportunity. I chose a bachelor in psychology because i want to make a difference in my community. I want to be able to save little girls and boys the way i wish i was. I never saw black excellence in my neighborhood and i want to be the one to show kids they can make it out and impact this world. My education is my way out i want to be able to impact this world positively i want to show my younger self i did it.

Growing up my father chose his addiction over me. I was left to raise myself and ended up without guidance. I was left to fend for myself, at thirteen i started sex work to make money for my needs. I was exposed to sex at nine years old and survived rape until i was eighteen years old. I thought that i was only wanted for my body so it became my career. For five years of my life i was a sex worker and six months ago i decided to make a change. I applied to one college and to my surprise i was accepted. College is my way out of my past. I never want to go back. I have endured so much and i want to succeed in life. I want to become the role model i wish i had growing up. When i graduate and start my career i want to become an outlet for all the young black girls and boys who need help. I am majoring in psychology and ultimately plan on opening my own all black practice. I want my community to feel safe with getting consulting for mental health.

I come from a struggling single mother where she had to make a lot of sacrifices. In doing that i was held with the responsibility of raising myself at Thirteen . In my life I’ve made a lot of mistakes due to not having the guidance i so badly begged for. At nine years old my innocence was taken away from me i was molested it happened by the hands of seven men throughout my life up until i was eighteen . I started sex work at thirteen to get money and for five years i felt like there was no way out. Six months ago i found myself i found a reason to do better and i did. I applied to Georgia state university and got in. I never thought i could or would go to college and now i am granted this amazing opportunity. I chose a bachelor in psychology because i want to make a difference in my community. I want to be able to save little girls and boys the way i wish i was. I never saw black excellence in my neighborhood and i want to be the one to show kids they can make it out and impact this world. My education is my way out i want to be able to impact this world positively i want to show my younger self i did it.