Racial Trauma goes unrepresented so often in black culture. Not only are we beaten down, we often see others in our communities and ourselves as the enemy. Causing us to beat each other down. I am a graduate student at Adler University in Chicago. I've worked all kinds of odd jobs throughout my life. I am now pursuing my passion in psychology which is severely underrepresented by the black community. Not only do we have far less representation within the field, but we also suppress the trauma of the black experience and avoid going to therapy which could really help us build a stronger community. What I am building towards is to help break down those walls, and allow us to not only build ourselves up but help build each other as well. What I am building towards is a psychology practice that encourages people of color to be vulnerable in a safe space. Which will help us all grow. I want to own a practice that caters to Racial Trauma, family, and individual counseling. I want my practice to help children and families grow, understand, and teach each other. We are so much stronger than we are ever given credit for. My goal is to help build upon on community by tearing down walls that were created to keep us apart. We share a human experience, we share a culture, we share trauma, we share the burden of this world. The funds that I would receive from this scholarship, would allow me to stay focused on school, and not spilt my time between working with clients during an internship, school/homework, as well as holding down a job. It allows me to study without pulling all-nighters or worrying if my next paycheck will be enough to cover rent. It allows a black woman to be strong enough to help pull her local community up when she graduates. When I graduate, when I've saved up the funds to open my own practice. I want to work with schools in my community and target underprivileged areas. Help encourage children, and adults to seek counseling at my practice. It's amazing the tools we obtain over the years to help ourselves cope with day-to-day life experiences. Our toolboxes often feel so full. But it's amazing the tools you can get from speaking to someone about your life and seeing it from a different perspective. You can never have too many tools in your toolbox. Help me get the tools to help others, so we can all build the best future possible.

My name is Andrea Mandel. I am a mixed black woman, and I want to own my own Counseling Practice. I grew up in very mixed neighborhoods on the Northside of Chicago. Being one of the few "privileged" black women. I am the daughter of a teacher and a newspaper editor. Neither one of my parents worked for themselves. But both pushed us to live our dreams. However, entrepreneurship was never one of the things they said we could be. I don't believe it was because they didn't believe in my brothers and me. But it wasn't an easy path. Currently, about 10% of all entrepreneurs are black, and of that 10%, about 35% are black women. I think it is important to build that number and help make this world more diverse. Give opportunities to so many others around us. Growing up, I honestly can say I never encountered a black-owned business that wasn't a salon or barbershop. But I think it's important to change that. We are so much more, we have so much more to give to our communities than amazing hairstyles. I want my community to feel supported and get rid of this stigma of not seeking counseling because it's too expensive, or not something black folks do. We all need help sometimes, and there is nothing wrong with getting some. I have worked for other people my whole life. I currently work for an IT firm in Chicago, and in three years I went from an entry-level position to an Operational Manager for the biggest client my firm represents. I am the only black woman (mixed or otherwise) in this position. One of two people of color in higher positions. It can feel good to work in middle management, but I could contribute so much more than I am now. I think entrepreneurship will give me freedom and peace of mind I don't get in my current position. As my current job doesn't respect boundaries, time off, or protect their employees from their clients. I want to open my own Counseling Practice to help people from all walks of life and help give people the tools to succeed in their dreams. I also want to be a pillar in my own community for other people to see that entrepreneurship can be done by people who are strong-willed no matter their age, race, or gender. My goal is to be someone who helps my community by being a leader, as well as an entrepreneur. With me going back to school, I am taking a huge step back to allow myself to focus on what is important. Allowing me to be able to study knowing I am supported by my own community. I believe this scholarship will help me achieve my dreams of being a psychologist and an entrepreneur. Helping those in my community and allowing black people to thrive. It is important to have representation and I will be one of those black women at the table. Thank you for considering me for this scholarship.

Legacy is such a loaded word. I can mean so many different things. Personally, legacy means what you leave behind for others. It can be family, friends, or even people you don't know. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, for example, left a legacy for us African Americans, and people of color to push for our rights. He left a legacy of hopes and dreams for others to follow. He opened doors and windows that previously were bricked closed. Legacy for me is walking a path that others can see and follow, or give strength to forge their own. But there are different types of legacies. There are financial legacies you can leave to charities or family. There are Charitable legacies that help those in need. And then there are legacies where you leave an idea, a thought, or drive for people who come after you. These I think are some of the most powerful legacies. This is a legacy like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr who left such a powerful legacy for those around him, and their children and their children's children. Not just for people of color but for those who believe in equality. I can't say I will leave a legacy as strong as Dr. King. But I'd like to think I can give even more to my friends, family, and inspire those around me to uplift themselves and to dream of bigger and better things. Things that I may never have even thought possible. Every day we grow bigger, and every day we can open doors we didn't even know were closed to us. My dreams are to go get my MBA and my degree in Psychology then eventually my Ph.D. I want to open my own counseling practice with the flexibility to allows those of need in the community to come to seek help. I want my practice to cater to anyone who walks through our door (or video call). It will stand for equality for all. The legacy I want for this practice to outlive me, to continue on long after I am gone. But to keep its values and its purpose at its forefront. This is the legacy I strive for, to leave a legacy of emotional wealth for those whose lives are touched by my business.

My name is Andrea Mandel. I am a mixed black woman, and I want to own my own Counseling Practice. I grew up in very mixed neighborhoods on the North side of Chicago. Being one of the few "privileged" black women. I am the daughter of a teacher and a newspaper editor. Neither one of my parents worked for themselves. But both pushed us to live our dreams. However, entrepreneurship was never one of the things they said we could be. I don't believe it was because they didn't believe in my brothers and I. But it wasn't an easy path. Currently, about 10% of all entrepreneurs are black, and of that 10% about 35% are black women. I think it is important to build that number and help make this world more diverse. Give opportunities to so many others around us. Growing up, I honestly can say I never encountered a black owned business that wasn't a salon or barber shop. But I think it's important to change that. We are so much more, we have so much more to give to our communities than amazing hair styles. I want my community to feel supported and get rid of this stigma of not seeking counseling because it's too expensive, or not something black folks do. We all need help sometime, and there is nothing wrong with getting some. I have worked for other people my whole life. I currently work for an IT firm in Chicago, and in three years I went from an entry level position to an Operational Manager for the biggest client my firm represents. I am the only black woman (mixed or otherwise) in this position. One of two people of color in higher positions. It can feel good to work in middle management, but I feel I could be contributing so much more than I am now. I think entrepreneurship will give me a freedom and peace of mind I don't get at my current position. As my current job doesn't respect boundaries, time off or protect their employees from their clients. I want to open my own Counseling Practice to help people from all walks of life, and to help give people the tools to succeed in their dreams. I also want to be a pillar in my own community for other people to see that entrepreneurship can be done by people who are strong willed no matter their age, race, or gender. With me going back to school, I am taking a huge step back to allow myself to focus on what is important. I believe this scholarship will help me achieve my dreams of being a psychologist and an entrepreneur. Allowing me to be able to study knowing I am supported by my own community. Thank you for considering me for this scholarship.