I am a first-generation law student who returned to school later in life because I believed that my community deserved better access to justice. Although my bank account has reached the red mark since coming to law school and the constant worry about tuition, books, and student loan debt persist, I have never questioned why I chose this path. I came to law school because I believe the law can be a tool for restoring dignity to communities that have been forgotten. The ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct are a reminder that practicing law carries an obligation to serve ethically and honorably while providing the best service to our client. Zealous advocacy is essential to our adversarial system, but it cannot come at the expense of truth or justice. It impels us to do the best for our clients even when we detest them, be they child rapists or corporate polluters or trifling landlords. In my professional career, I have learned that integrity is often tested when no one is watching. As a human resources professional, I have made recommendations that were not always popular but were ethically and legally sound. As a result, I am highly respected. Those experiences taught me that credibility is a valuable asset. I intend to integrate ethical principles into every aspect of my practice by remaining committed to honesty, transparency, and fairness. Zealous advocacy is essential to our adversarial system, but it cannot come at the expense of truth or justice. I see my future as an attorney as a dual role: advocate and officer. These two positions are not mutually exclusive, and it is quite possible that they can co-exist. No matter the obstacles, my personal convictions demand that I live, move, and work with integrity. A legal victory achieved through unethical means is ultimately a defeat for both the profession and the justice system. My commitment to ethical lawyering is deeply connected to my commitment to Christianity. Throughout my life, I was warned not to become an attorney because I would have to lie. Today, the stigma is attached to the law profession. However, Justice Sandra Day O’Connor said, “When ethics and strategy align, law becomes a powerful force for good.” I have spent much of my life helping others navigate systems that were not built with them in mind. As an attorney, I intend to continue that work by focusing on rural and underserved communities that often exist in legal deserts. I want to create pathways for individuals who need legal representation but cannot easily access it. I also hope to mentor first-generation and non-traditional law students, particularly students of color, so that they can see a place for themselves in the legal profession. I may be a "starving law student" today, stretching every dollar and wondering how I will pay for next semester, but I am rich in purpose, ethics, and integrity. Every sacrifice I make is an investment in my future to use the law to open doors and create avenues for those who have been subjugated to unfair legal practices.

I am a first-generation law student, who returned to school later in life because I believed that my community deserved better access to justice. Although my bank account has reached the red mark since coming to law school and the constant worry about tuition, books, and student loan debt persist, I have never questioned why I chose this path. I came to law school because I believe the law can be a tool for restoring dignity to communities that have been forgotten. The ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct is a reminder that practicing law carries an obligation to serve ethically and honorably while providing the best service to our client. Zealous advocacy is essential to our adversarial system, but it cannot come at the expense of truth or justice. It impels us to do the best for our clients even when we detest them, be they child rapists or corporate polluters or trifling landlords. In my professional career, I have learned that integrity is often tested when no one is watching. As a human resources professional, I have made recommendations that were not always popular but were ethically and legally sound. As a result, I am highly respected. Those experiences taught me that credibility is a valuable asset. I intend to integrate ethical principles into every aspect of my practice by remaining committed to honesty, transparency, and fairness. Zealous advocacy is essential to our adversarial system, but it cannot come at the expense of truth or justice. I see my future as an attorney as a dual role: advocate and officer. These two positions are not mutually exclusive and quite possible to co-exist. No matter the obstacles, my personal convictions demand that I live, move, and work with integrity. A legal victory achieved through unethical means is ultimately a defeat for both the profession and the justice system. My commitment to ethical lawyering is deeply connected to my commitment to Christianity. Throughout life, I was warned that I should not be an attorney because I would have to lie as an attorney. Today, the stigma is attached to the law profession. Justice Sandra Day O’Connor said, “When ethics and strategy align, law becomes a powerful force for good.” I have spent much of my life helping others navigate systems that were not built with them in mind. As an attorney, I intend to continue that work by focusing on rural and underserved communities that often exist in legal deserts. I want to create pathways for individuals who need legal representation but cannot easily access it. I also hope to mentor first-generation and non-traditional law students, particularly students of color, so that they can see a place for themselves in the legal profession. I may be a "starving law student" today, stretching every dollar and wondering how I will pay for next semester, but I have rich in purpose, ethics, and integrity. Every sacrifice I make is an investment in my future to use the law to open doors and create avenues for those who have been subjugated to unfair legal practices. Today and always, I stand with those lawyers whose ethics are unwavering and whose commitment to justice extends beyond the courtroom. With your help, I can join the ranks of ethical lawyers who zealously defend clients while living a life rooted in integrity and ethics.

Five-Year Plan: Civil Rights Attorney My long-term goal is to practice law. My mission is to restore and empower rural communities, by increasing access to legal services, healthcare, affordable housing, workforce development, and civil rights advocacy. YEAR 1: FOUNDATION, EDUCATION, AND COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT Apply and be accepted into law school Goal achieved: Admitted into Southern University Law Center and Southern Illinois University Law School. I chose to attend Southern Illinois University Law School. Complete internships/externships – currently working with Land of Lincoln Legal Aid. Milestones • Maintain academic standing in law school. • Joined Public Interest Law Interest Initiative • Mentored by Jason Grenman, a rural justice attorney • Completed April 2026 a community needs assessment for Charleston, Missouri. YEAR 2: PILOT PROGRAMS AND COMMUNITY LEGAL ACCESS Launch Community Legal Education Initiatives Partner with St Louis University School of Law, Washington University Law School, and Legal Aid to offer legal education workshops and clinics focused on civil rights, tenant rights, employment rights, and expungement assistance. • Develop “Know Your Rights” workshops. • Create informational materials for underserved populations. YEAR 3: POLICY ADVOCACY AND MULTIDISCIPLINARY NETWORK BUILDING Advocate for Policy Reform Continue the work from Year 2 and graduate in year 3. • Engage in legislative advocacy involving housing discrimination, voting rights, labor protections, and criminal justice reform. • Participate in at least 3 advocacy campaigns or legislative initiatives. Draft policy recommendations addressing rural inequities. • Collaborate with advocacy organizations on reform efforts. • Pass the bar exam with scores high enough that I can practice in all UBE states. YEAR 4: BECOME A PRACTICING CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEY SERVING RURAL COMMUNITIES • Establish a rural-focused legal practice or nonprofit initiative. • Continue community legal clinics and advocacy programs. YEAR 5: Establish a Rural Legal Resource Center Launch a legal resource center or mobile legal clinic serving rural residents. Serve at least 300 individuals during the first year of operation. Utilize partnerships, grants, and volunteer professionals. • Offer services related to housing, civil rights, labor rights, and expungement. • Develop internship pipelines for future attorneys and organizers. Build a Rural Justice Collaborative Develop a network of attorneys, healthcare professionals, educators, and social workers committed to serving rural communities. • Develop referral systems between healthcare and legal services. • Identify grant funding opportunities. • Begin planning a long-term rural justice center. Build Long-Term Sustainability and Expansion Create a sustainable model that can be replicated in other rural communities. Apply for federal, foundation, and private grants. • Publish annual community impact reports. • Develop leadership pipelines for future advocates. • Create a strategic expansion plan for neighboring rural communities. Long-Term Impact Goals By the conclusion of this five-year plan, I will have: • Become a practicing civil rights attorney. • Established legal access programs in underserved rural areas. • Created partnerships between healthcare professionals, attorneys, and community organizations. • Expanded affordable housing and workforce development initiatives. • Built a sustainable model for restoring rural communities through justice, advocacy, education, and empowerment. My mission is rooted in the belief that justice, equality, education, and opportunity are not privileges reserved for a select few, but inherent rights that belong to every person regardless of race, gender, income, or geography.

My law degree will be used to fight voter suppression. Under the current administration, we have seen a slew of executive orders that are designed to further marginalize and disenfranchise minority communities. According to the American Bar Association, “Nearly all people of color are underrepresented in the legal profession compared with their presence in the U.S. population.” Only 5% of the lawyers are African American and less than 2% are African American women. In short, Representation matters! This mission has become even more urgent in today’s political climate. Across the nation, repressive legislation is rolling back civil rights, restricting voting access, limiting workers' rights, and attacking historically marginalized communities. We are witnessing a systematic dismantling of the very rights that generations before us fought to secure. These battles will not be won through advocacy alone— they must be fought in the courtrooms of this country. Voter suppression has a long and ugly history in the United States, and in recent years has resurfaced with a vengeance. In 2013, a Supreme Court decision weakened the Voter Rights Act of 1965. Voter suppression comes in many forms: cutting voting times, imposing strict voter ID laws, purging voter rolls, restricting registration, and moving polling stations farther away from certain populations. In 2023 alone, state legislators have introduced 27 election interference bills and 150 restrictive voting bills. I want to work to repress the repressor. I want to make enough noise that every person who has the right to vote gets the freedom to vote, unencumbered by intimidation and unnecessary hardships. Lawmakers have been using the law to bully individuals for far too long, driving them into a life of disenfranchisement and marginalization. The only way to change systemic racism is to change the laws and the people who created the system. This is my life’s mission. These voter suppression laws are what I call “Jim Crow in new clothes”. Litigation is expensive and takes time, but it is worth every moment of it. The decision in the Shelby v Holder case has essentially dismantled the fundamental elements of The Voting Rights Act of 1965. It may be necessary to find individual cases to present to court and sue to have the preclearance cause reinstated. Limited-resource communities need more access to the ballot box and polling stations. This could come in the form of placing ballot boxes in prominent and easily accessible places in the neighborhood such as the community centers, the liquor stores, elementary schools, local churches, libraries, and street corners. Early voting should be in place for at least 30 days prior to the general election. Permanent absentee ballot lists should be created so that voters don’t have to request absentee ballot voting every election. Election Day should be a federal paid holiday. Many people in low-income communities don’t have reliable transportation. Polling places should be within reasonable walking distance for the voters. Rights are societal and are considered fundamental and inalienable. This is how voting should be viewed. Voting is a fundamental right. The Late John Lewis said, “The right to vote is the most powerful non-violent tool we have in democracy.”

After a long hiatus, at 44 years old, I began my first semester at Athens State. I achieved a 4.0 GPA. In 2021, I graduated magna cum laude, while maintaining a full-time job. In 2024, I completed a master's degree with a 3.95 GPA. This Fall, I will be attending Southern Illinois University Law School! The victories along my journey have outweighed the reroutes, detours, and setbacks. My journey to law school started in 1992 when my mother – a poor, Black, single parent from rural Missouri – could not find an attorney to help her. Due to medical neglect and misdiagnosis, my mom was left partially paralyzed at the age of 54. Her disability ended her career, stripping her of the financial means to take care of herself and our family. This scenario is fairly common for rural Americans and certainly for poor people. I don't want another family to endure this because of lack of resources. As a future civil rights attorney and community organizer, my career goal is to restore rural communities, especially my hometown. I want to build a support system for my community that includes access to good healthcare, affordable housing, good jobs, and attorneys. I will be one of those attorneys. I would build networks and pipelines to the rural communities. I would love to oversee the program where highly skilled healthcare professionals work primarily in rural areas, provide affordable housing solutions, eliminate redlining, and give minorities access to generational wealth through homeownership. In every role I assume, I’m intentional about mentoring, training, and elevating others, and committed to having those hard conversations about race relations and social justice. True empowerment stems from community-driven leadership, where organizing, educating, and investing in others become the tools for lasting transformation. My dedication to service is reflected in the organizations I proudly serve and collaborate with. I am actively involved in the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the American Association for Justice, The Worker’s Circle, Black Professional Women, SHRM Government and Legislative Affairs, Color of Change, Pointe Coupee United Together, the Center for Common Good, and the Industrial Areas Foundation. Additionally, I serve on the board of The Middleburg Institute and work with the International Department of Evangelism of the Church of God in Christ to support faith-based initiatives focused on evangelism, equity, and education. These partnerships have enabled me to contribute to meaningful advocacy efforts, influence policy discussions, and expand outreach to underserved populations. Each role I take on reflects a commitment to systemic change, racial justice, collective empowerment, and my commitment to becoming a civil rights attorney. The cost associated with attaining a law degree is astronomical and student loan debt is diabolical. I am applying for the scholarship based on merit, need, and excitement. The current cost of attendance at Southern Illinois University Law School is $46,000 per year. The cost of completing a juris doctorate is greater than $138,000. This scholarship money will help defray the cost of attendance and provide me with a great opportunity to work in civil rights.

My name is Angela Miller. I am a dedicated human resources professional and lifelong learner who believes in the power of education to transform lives. I am currently pursuing my juris doctorate. I bring a deep commitment to using my education to support individuals and communities. My passion lies in helping people. I live by the adage “I am only here because somebody helped me.” I launched The RESET Program, an initiative through my company, MillerHR, focused on workforce re-entry and professional development. As a student, I approach my studies with purpose, always looking for ways to apply what I learn to real-world challenges. Whether it's through advocacy, nonprofit leadership, or building workplace training programs, I strive to create opportunities for others and foster environments where people can thrive. Education has fueled both my growth and my mission, and I’m committed to giving back by using my knowledge to uplift others. I want to build a support system for my community that includes access to good healthcare, affordable housing, good jobs, and attorneys. I would build networks and pipelines to the rural communities. I would love to oversee the program where highly skilled healthcare professionals work routinely in rural areas ensuring that access to quality care is no longer a privilege of geography, but a guaranteed right -especially for those who have been historically overlooked and underserved. As a civil rights attorney and community organizer, I would find affordable housing solutions and help eliminate the barriers to homeownership and do away with redlining. I would advocate for equitable lending practices, push for policy reform that dismantles discriminatory zoning laws, and educate the communities on systems that have historically excluded them. My goal would be to ensure that every family—regardless of race or income—has a fair chance at building generational wealth through homeownership. Alarmingly, the gap is even wider today than it was when fair housing laws were enacted in 1968, according to the Urban Institute. With homeownership comes pride and responsibility. Homeownership builds better communities. Better communities produce better schools. Many families seek to keep the land and the house in the family. While the extrinsic value can be quantified and monetized, the intrinsic value holds much more weight. As a small-town lawyer, I want to provide access to legal services. My goal is to bridge the justice gap in places where legal support is often scarce, ensuring that every person regardless of their background or zip code, has the tools to navigate the legal system. I would orchestrate expungement clinics, work to amend laws that unfairly discriminate against Blacks and minorities and make rural communities whole again. By combining grassroots advocacy with legal strategy, I hope to create lasting change that uplifts entire communities. My passion for justice is rooted in love for my community and a belief that every rural town deserves the same resources, respect, and representation as any major city. The quality of life for rural folks would greatly improve because of access to good healthcare, housing and legal resources.

I am Angela Gary Miller. My dream job is restoring rural communities, especially my hometown. As an attorney, I want to build a support system for my community that includes access to good healthcare, affordable housing, good jobs, and attorneys. I would build networks and pipelines to the rural communities. I would love to oversee the program where highly skilled healthcare professionals work routinely in rural areas ensuring that access to quality care is no longer a privilege of geography, but a guaranteed right -especially for those who have been historically overlooked and underserved. As a civil rights attorney and community organizer, I would find affordable housing solutions and help eliminate the barriers to homeownership and do away with redlining. I would advocate for equitable lending practices, push for policy reform that dismantles discriminatory zoning laws, and educate the communities on systems that have historically excluded them. My goal would be to ensure that every family—regardless of race or income—has a fair chance at building generational wealth through homeownership. As a small-town lawyer, I want to provide access to legal services. My goal is to bridge the justice gap in places where legal support is often scarce, ensuring that every person-regardless of their background or zip code, has the tools to navigate the legal system. I would orchestrate expungement clinics, work to amend laws that unfairly discriminate against Blacks and minorities and make rural communities whole again. By combining grassroots advocacy with legal strategy, I hope to create lasting change that uplifts entire communities. This dream is personal for me. I come from a place where people work hard but are often forgotten by the systems meant to serve them. I witnessed my mother struggle to access basic services or lose opportunities simply because she did not have the right support or legal representation. That’s why this work matters so much to me—it’s not just about policy or programs, it’s about people. It’s about dignity. My passion for justice is rooted in love for my community and a belief that every rural town deserves the same resources, respect, and representation as any major city. However, my dream life is more than work and advocacy. It also involves living my best life with my family. My best life includes a large, welcoming home filled with love, peace, and laughter. Like now, a place where joy is part of our daily rhythm. In the big kitchen at the center of it all, where meals are shared and memories are made. The large library filled wall to wall with books will be my other happy place. My supportive husband at the barbecue grill with socks and sandals, turning the meat and playing with the grandkids on Juneteenth is part of my dream life. Just as I strive to uplift communities, I want to nurture a home that reflects those same values—one where we grow together, support one another, and never stop dreaming.

My name is Angela Gary Miller. I restarted my educational journey at age 44 as a first-generation college student. I graduated magna cum laude from Athens State University. I was accepted into law school but deferred to complete a master's degree and work as a community organizer with Americorps in rural Louisiana. As a future civil rights attorney and community organizer, my career goal is to restore rural communities, especially my hometown. I want to build a support system for my community that includes access to good healthcare, affordable housing, good jobs, and attorneys. I will be one of those attorneys. I would build networks and pipelines to the rural communities. I would love to oversee the program where highly skilled healthcare professionals work primarily in rural areas. As a community lawyer, I would work with agencies and landlords to provide affordable housing solutions and help to eliminate the barriers to homeownership and do away with redlining. As a small-town lawyer, I want to provide access to legal services. I would orchestrate expungement clinics, work to amend laws that unfairly discriminate against Blacks and minorities and make rural communities whole again. My commitment to advocacy and civic engagement is longstanding. My dedication to service is reflected in the organizations I proudly serve and collaborate with. I am actively involved in the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). I've been involved with the NAACP, organizing voter mobilization efforts and town halls to address racial equity. My leadership roles extend to organizations like The Worker’s Circle, Center for Common Good, Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF), Black Professional Women, and Color of Change. I currently work with the International Department of Evangelism of the Church of God in Christ to support faith-based initiatives focused on evangelism, equity, and education. Currently, I serve on the board of The Middleburg Institute, furthering my dedication to community upliftment. My major accomplishments: I am the first person in my family to earn a master's degree. I passed the SHRM-CP certification exam on the first attempt and scored in the top four percent nationwide. Notably, I served as the Chief Operating Officer for a nonprofit organization, where I led initiatives aimed at community development and empowerment. Recognizing the barriers for re-entering the workforce, I founded The RESET Program, an initiative under my HR company that supports individuals returning to employment after a hiatus. Despite these accomplishments, the weight of student loan debt remains a significant burden, limiting my ability to invest in further educational pursuits and community initiatives. The Charles Cheesman's Student Debt Reduction Scholarship offers a vital opportunity to alleviate this financial strain, allowing me to continue my work in community advocacy without the looming pressure of debt. It will also help me to further my education. I will be attending Southern Illinois University Law School in the Fall.

Question 1: Fall 2025 Question 2: Southern Illinois University (accepted) Question 3: As a future civil rights attorney and community organizer, my career goal is to restore rural communities, especially my hometown. I want to build a support system for my community that includes access to good healthcare, affordable housing, good jobs, and attorneys. I will be one of those attorneys. I would build networks and pipelines to the rural communities. I would love to oversee the program where highly skilled healthcare professionals work primarily in rural areas. Question 4: At a very young age, I learned to read and developed a passion for reading. That passion has led me to view books not just as a pastime, but as a gateway to intellectual growth. Reading has taught me to think critically and imaginatively. Reading is the proof that all education does not have to come from a classroom setting. Reading nurtures my curiosity and fuels a lifelong commitment to learning, encouraging me to ask difficult questions and seek meaningful solutions. My diverse group of friends, colleagues, and family members constantly help me to develop intellectually by constantly challenging how I see and interpret the world. I make it a habit of surrounding myself with those who are musically smart, people smart, visual smart, and street smart. I’ve learned that intellect shows up in many forms—and that every perspective holds value. This approach to learning keeps me humble, curious, and adaptable. In addition to reading and surrounding myself with smart people, I use the internet wisely. Reading blogs and listening to podcasts have taught me things that the classroom did not. My favorite two podcasts are Beyond the Brief and Clean Up on Aisle 45. Accepting challenging assignments whether in a volunteer role or a professional position has been one of the greatest education tools that I have used. I have learned to take on challenges that will stretch and strengthen me intellectually. For example, when I started The RESET program, I did not have the skills to operate in this capacity. The RESET program has been a successful program. All of this has deeply shaped my legal aspirations. They remind me that the law doesn’t operate in a vacuum; it touches every facet of human experience. Understanding how different people think and communicate helps me become a better listener, a more empathetic advocate, and ultimately, a more effective legal professional. Whether I’m in a boardroom, courtroom or a community meeting, I carry with me the lessons I've learned from those who are "smart" in ways that aren't always measured by exams or degrees. This holistic way of learning ensures that I never stop growing—and that my legal career will always be grounded in both intellect and humanity. Question 5: In my hometown, Black students were being suspended or expelled at an alarming rate. However White students were not being suspended or expelled for the same infractions. I argued that this was unfair treatment and discriminatory. I met with the school administrators and eventually organized a group of parents and local leaders to fight with me. The issue was I was still in high school. I was told that I should stay in a child's place. Although, I was very respectful, I did NOT listen. We were able to get the changes that were fair to all students. My biggest takeaway is that systemic barriers are not created by systems but by people, enforced by people and reinforced by people. We use the term systemic or systematic to make the sins of the past more palatable and placate those who made the rules and implement and carry out such rules. Question 6: As a philanthropist, I would support the National Association for the Advancement of Color People because they fight today's toughest challenges. The NAACP is always relevant and active in the fight against racism and discrimination.

Gun violence is nonsense violence. This particular essay is hard for me to write. I'm not sure that I can write it without tears. Nope, I can't. I have seen firsthand how gun violence has made black men an endangered species. Army enlistment moved my brother Greg and his family to Washington. Just like all the previous generations in our family, his children were sent back home to Missouri for the summer. Summer in Charleston is like no other place. Summer jobs included detasseling corn, mowing grass, chopping beans, and throwing potatoes. For those not working, shooting ball at Lincoln School, house parties, walking to the swimming pool and R & R candy store. It was safe, so safe. The call came around midnight. My sister's voice, "Li'l Greg is dead." I heard her wrong or I'm still dreaming. "He's been shot." The words not really registering but yet my heart is sinking. I move out of the bed and into the bathroom not to disturb those sleeping. There's a call waiting. My brother John confirms the news and that he is at the scene. Before I was the preacher in the family, I was simply TT. Short for Auntie. Seven days later from that phone call, I tried to console two very grieving families while I was grieving myself. No one wants to see the preacher crying during the eulogy or the words of comfort. I mustered up a few words to say that would offer hope in a time of inconsolable grief. As soon as the service was over, I slipped away to be alone with my grief and my tears. He was my first "baby", an entrepreneur, and a college graduate. 28 years old, with no children, and no criminal record, was visiting Charleston just to hang out with old friends that he had made over the many summers. DEAD! What pain! The second call came nine years later, while I was sitting in the drive-thru. The crying voice on the other end said, "Tony is dead!" My reaction, "Tony, who?" Yes, I knew that Tony was Lil Greg's brother and Greg's middle son. This can't be real and yes it was real. Tony was shot and killed about 2 blocks from his parent's home in Tacoma, Washington. I took the next plane to Tacoma. This was the longest flight ever. I thought to myself, maybe if I cry the whole way, I can use up all my tears and have enough strength to console my family. As the preacher, I am supposed to be the one who offers comfort. All while waiting on the coroner, I wanted this to be a case of mistaken identity. Tony really wasn't dead but that was not the case. I made funeral arrangements, consoled, wiped many tears, and prayed prayers that I never want to pray again. Stood at the graveside of another young man and tried to share words of comfort without tears. I was successful in public but as my best friend drove me away from Oak Grove Cemetery, the tears overwhelmed me. The grief consumed me. My heart hurts for my brother and his wife who has stood at the grave of two children and a nephew who became the last living son at 29 years old. I grieve for Malachi who loved his dad and now has lost his superhero. Gun violence leaves holes in more than flesh. It leaves holes in hearts. I am the creator of Charleston Made Me Vlog. Part of that mission is to eradicate gun violence. The work continues!

In the fall of 1992, I entered Arkansas State University as a freshman. As a first-generation college student, I struggled academically, socially, financially, and in every other way possible. My struggles were the result of bad advice, lack of knowledge, and not knowing the right questions to ask. During the second semester of my sophomore year, I also welcomed an eight-pound three ounces baby girl into the world. I chose to pause my education for one year, and when I returned to Arkansas State, the bottom fell out from under me. After a thirteen-year hiatus, I was 44 years old when I began my first semester at Athens State and graduated magna cum laude. I acknowledge that the work did not become easier and was actually more difficult to manage with a full-time job and children. Nevertheless, I was able to maintain academic excellence. I have known how important learning is since childhood. Being a single parent, my mother did not have the opportunity to attend college as she had to earn a living and take care of a family. It affected her career and earning potential. The value of education was at the forefront of our home. My older sister, tasked with babysitting me and keeping me out of trouble, taught me to read at three years old. I developed a passion for reading that continues to this day. I passed the same love for learning and reading on to my children. We have had limited resources but found ways to accomplish many things. One of my children was being neglected by the school system. She was a very well-behaved child who had a learning disability but could not get special education services in a particular Arkansas school district. I researched the laws and the school’s protocols and curriculum. I met with the teacher, the principal, and the district special education coordinator, and presented all the information that I had gathered. She was given an IEP and was successful in school. My daughters were with me throughout the process. I wanted them to learn how to advocate for themselves and each other. My children have always known my desire to help other people and to become an attorney. They have been part of the journey in so many ways. I never let the excuse of not having much be an excuse for not having enough to help others. When my daughter was in eighth grade, one of her classmates didn’t have a winter coat. She boldly declared to this young lady, “My mom will get you a coat.” I didn’t have the money or an extra coat that could fit her. I sent a group-wide email to the college employees and the next day my office had 24 coats and jackets. Just by asking, I had inadvertently organized a coat drive at the local community college where I worked. By the end of the week, there were more than 40 coats in my office. On the same day that I sent the email, the bursar called me and said, “I’ll be over to your office shortly.” She walked in with a brand-new coat that she bought just for the student in need. My children then became coat philanthropists. They sought ought individuals to bless with coats. Although we didn’t have the means to provide this one girl with a coat, I was determined to show my children how to get things done. We ended up blessing more people than we could have ever imagined.

I currently have about $36,000 in student loan debt. I am starting law school in the Fall at Southern University Law Center. The current cost of attendance at Southern University Law Center is $56,000 per year. The cost of completing a juris doctorate is greater than $160,000. The cost associated with attaining a law degree is astronomical and student loan debt is diabolical. I am applying for scholarships in every genre that I qualify for, including this one. I created a scholarship spreadsheet to track all the scholarships that I qualify for. As of April 16, 2023, I have applied for more than $250,000 worth of scholarships and am awaiting the selection. My goal is to get enough scholarship money so that I no longer need a student loan. I have kept my grades high attaining a 4.0 GPA so that I can qualify for merit scholarships. For both my bachelor’s and master's degree, I have worked a full-time job and/or owned my own business. I took advantage of the tuition reimbursement plan from my employer. In law school, I may have to return to a W-2 position at least part-time that offers tuition reimbursement. I am person that uses a written budget and constantly works towards zero debt. With the budget that I used, I paid off all my debt from credit cards, child support, and medical bills within 3 years. At the time, my annual salary was $35,000. Student loan debt was included in my budget. When COVID hit and student loan payments were suspended, I refocused my budget to paying off vehicles, adding to my savings account, and investing in my business. With the current student loan debt that I have and any that I might incur, it will be aggressively attacked. I have disciplined myself over the years to live below or within my means. I currently drive a vehicle that was manufactured in 2009 and plan to keep it for at least 20 more years. One of the ways that I have maintained budgetary discipline is by “rewarding” myself for small and great financial victories. I set a monthly goal and reward for each month. When I first started budgeting, one of my goals was to not overspend on groceries and find creative ways to use the food that we already had. This was a challenge for me because I had four children at home and a husband at the time. The reward for doing that was to buy a new pair of sheets. Lying in bed at night on those new sheets gave me a sense of satisfaction that I cannot begin to describe. When things got difficult, the rewards motivated me to stay on track. While I am in law school, I am going to live like a student and will continue afterward until my debt is paid. As a well-paid attorney, I will continue to live below my means and work toward zero debt. Student loan debt is financial bondage and can be debilitating. In my latter years of life, I want to enjoy financial freedom and peace that only comes from not having student loans.

My name is Angela Miller. In the Fall, I will be attending Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge, LA to pursue a juris doctorate degree. As a public interest/civil rights attorney, I want to help eradicate systemic racism and barriers that continue to disenfranchise and marginalize underserved communities. My dream job is restoring rural communities, especially my hometown. As an attorney, I want to build a support system for my community that includes access to good healthcare, affordable housing, good jobs, and attorneys. In the fall of 1992, I entered Arkansas State University as a freshman. As a first-generation college student, I struggled academically, socially, financially, and in every other way possible. My struggles were the result of bad advice, lack of knowledge, and not knowing the right questions to ask. During the second semester of my sophomore year, I also welcomed an eight-pound three ounces baby girl into the world. I chose to pause my education for one year, and when I returned to Arkansas State, the bottom fell out from under me. Eight years later, I restarted my educational journey. My grades were awesome, but my money was not. After two semesters, I left my program to continue rearing my children. After a thirteen-year hiatus, I was 44 years old when I began my first semester at Athens State, and I earned a 4.0 GPA. I acknowledge that the work did not become easier and was actually more difficult to manage with a full-time job. Nevertheless, I was able to maintain academic excellence. I would bring this very same commitment to law school and the next phases of my life. Although I would be a non-traditional student beginning law school later in life, my goal is to make a difference in Mississippi County, Missouri. My path to law school has always existed; circumstances related to my finances and family have made my journey a bit longer, but I have remained determined to make it to this point.

In the fall of 1992, I entered Arkansas State University as a freshman. As a first-generation college student, I struggled academically, socially, financially, and every other way possible. My struggles were the result of bad advice, lack of knowledge, and not knowing the right questions to ask. During the second semester of my sophomore year, I also welcomed an eight-pound three ounces baby girl into the world. I chose to pause my education for one year, and when I returned to Arkansas State, the bottom fell out from under me. My grades tumbled from mediocre to failing. I was placed on academic probation and eventually academic suspension. Although I had a supportive network, it felt impossible for me to continue. I stopped out again during my junior year to work and care for my daughter. Eight years later, I restarted my educational journey. My grades were awesome, but my money was not. After two semesters, I left my program to continue rearing my children, as two girls had been added to the mix. After a thirteen-year hiatus, I chose Athens State University to complete my degree in Human Resources. I was 44 years old when I began my first semester at Athens State, and I earned a 4.0 GPA. I did not have anything less than a 3.8 at any time as a student at Athens State. I acknowledge that the work did not become easier and was actually more difficult to manage with a full-time job. Nevertheless, I was able to maintain academic excellence. There have been three major challenges that I have faced in my academic career. My biological daughter was pregnant with her first child and while pregnant contracted COVID. In addition to COVID, she had HG and gestational diabetes that was so severe that she was a high-risk pregnancy. My daughter lives about 2.5 hours away by car. There were a lot of hospital visits and scary moments. At one point, I had to move her to my house to nurse her back to health all while trying to study and work full-time. I am the caregiver for my 85-year-old mother. During one Spring semester, she complained that her eye was bothering her. We initially thought it was allergies. After meeting with the eye doctor, it was determined that she had a stroke in her eye. My mom resides in a nursing home in Missouri. Her medical treatment is reminiscent of chemo. There are several treatments that require me to drive 2.5 hours every 2 weeks. Those appointments last from 4-6 hours and then I drive back home. I have learned to travel with my laptop and work in the doctor's office. In December 2020, my 30-year-old cousin passed away. She was the mother of three children. At the time of her death, they were 2, 5, and 8. In 2022, those children have come to live with me. I have gone from an empty nest to a house full again. But through it all, I have maintained a 4.0 in the master's program. I have learned to study in peace and quiet between 2 AM and 5 AM. Thank you for considering me for this scholarship.

My name is Angela Miller. In the Fall, I will be attending Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge, LA to pursue a juris doctorate degree. As a public interest/civil rights attorney, I want to help eradicate systemic racism and barriers that continue to disenfranchise and marginalize underserved communities. My dream job is restoring rural communities, especially my hometown. As an attorney, I want to build a support system for my community that includes access to good healthcare, affordable housing, good jobs, and attorneys. Growing up in the face of relentless poverty in rural Missouri, my inquisitive nature to know what was beyond the stop sign, instilled in me a deep sense of determination. I lived in a situation that offered limited possibilities and prospects, being poor, African American, rural, and Pentecostal. At the raggedy, green house with the large yard, I lived with my mother, two sisters, three brothers, and a dog named Waggs. We were poor people. By my account, we were the poorest people on the block. We were just a few years removed from, “The Struggle and Integration.” As an African American female, I have seen and experienced these challenges. My journey to law school started when my mother – a poor, Black, single parent from rural Missouri – could not find an attorney to help her. Due to medical neglect and a misdiagnosis, my mom was left partially paralyzed at the age of 54. The medical profession failed her and forever altered her state of living. My mom wanted to sue the hospital and doctor. Maybe the law would have helped if we had access to legal resources. She could not find an attorney to take her case. For poor, rural, Black folks, there was and is very little to no help or access to affordable legal services. The only attorneys in our small town handle rich folks’ problems: estates, probates, wills, and trusts. Our town has a rich history of racism and injustice that still evident today, there is not one attorney in town that handles civil rights, nor is there one Black attorney in the county. In the fall of 1992, I entered Arkansas State University as a freshman. As a first-generation college student, I struggled academically, socially, financially, and every other way possible. My struggles were the result of bad advice, lack of knowledge, and not knowing the right questions to ask. During the second semester of my sophomore year, I also welcomed an eight-pound three ounces baby girl into the world. I chose to pause my education for one year, and when I returned to Arkansas State, the bottom fell out from under me. Eight years later, I restarted my educational journey. My grades were awesome, but my money was not. After two semesters, I left my program to continue rearing my children. After a thirteen-year hiatus, I was 44 years old when I began my first semester at Athens State, and I earned a 4.0 GPA. I acknowledge that the work did not become easier and was actually more difficult to manage with a full-time job. Nevertheless, I was able to maintain academic excellence. I would bring this very same commitment to law school and the next phases of my life. Although I would be a non-traditional student beginning law school later in life, my goal is to make a difference in Mississippi County, Missouri. My path to law school has always existed; circumstances related to my finances and family have made my journey a bit longer, but I have remained determined to make it to this point.

My name is Angela Miller. In the Fall, I will be attending Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge, LA to pursue a juris doctorate degree. As a public interest/civil rights attorney, I want to help eradicate systemic racism and barriers that continue to disenfranchise and marginalize underserved communities. My dream job is restoring rural communities, especially my hometown. As an attorney, I want to build a support system for my community that includes access to good healthcare, affordable housing, good jobs, and attorneys. Growing up in the face of relentless poverty in rural Missouri, my inquisitive nature to know what was beyond the stop sign, instilled in me a deep sense of determination. I lived in a situation that offered limited possibilities and prospects, being poor, African American, rural, and Pentecostal. At the raggedy, green house with the large yard, I lived with my mother, two sisters, three brothers, and a dog named Waggs. We were poor people. By my account, we were the poorest people on the block. We were just a few years removed from, “The Struggle and Integration.” As an African American female, I have seen and experienced these challenges. My journey to law school started when my mother – a poor, Black, single parent from rural Missouri – could not find an attorney to help her. Due to medical neglect and a misdiagnosis, my mom was left partially paralyzed at the age of 54. The medical profession failed her and forever altered her state of living. My mom wanted to sue the hospital and doctor. Maybe the law would have helped if we had access to legal resources. She could not find an attorney to take her case. For poor, rural, Black folks, there was and is very little to no help or access to affordable legal services. The only attorneys in our small town handle rich folks’ problems: estates, probates, wills, and trusts. Our town has a rich history of racism and injustice that still evident today, there is not one attorney in town that handles civil rights, nor is there one Black attorney in the county. In the fall of 1992, I entered Arkansas State University as a freshman. As a first-generation college student, I struggled academically, socially, financially, and every other way possible. My struggles were the result of bad advice, lack of knowledge, and not knowing the right questions to ask. During the second semester of my sophomore year, I also welcomed an eight-pound three ounces baby girl into the world. I chose to pause my education for one year, and when I returned to Arkansas State, the bottom fell out from under me. Eight years later, I restarted my educational journey. My grades were awesome, but my money was not. After two semesters, I left my program to continue rearing my children. After a thirteen-year hiatus, I was 44 years old when I began my first semester at Athens State, and I earned a 4.0 GPA. I acknowledge that the work did not become easier and was actually more difficult to manage with a full-time job. Nevertheless, I was able to maintain academic excellence. I would bring this very same commitment to law school and the next phases of my life. Although I would be a non-traditional student beginning law school later in life, my goal is to make a difference in Mississippi County, Missouri. My path to law school has always existed; circumstances related to my finances and family have made my journey a bit longer, but I have remained determined to make it to this point.

My name is Angela Miller. In the Fall, I will be attending Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge, LA to pursue a juris doctorate degree. As a public interest/civil rights attorney, I want to help eradicate systemic racism and barriers that continue to disenfranchise and marginalize underserved communities. My dream job is restoring rural communities, especially my hometown. As an attorney, I want to build a support system for my community that includes access to good healthcare, affordable housing, good jobs, and attorneys. Growing up in the face of relentless poverty in rural Missouri, my inquisitive nature to know what was beyond the stop sign, instilled in me a deep sense of determination. I lived in a situation that offered limited possibilities and prospects, being poor, African American, rural, and Pentecostal. At the raggedy, green house with the large yard, I lived with my mother, two sisters, three brothers, and a dog named Waggs. We were poor people. By my account, we were the poorest people on the block. We were just a few years removed from, “The Struggle and Integration.” As an African American female, I have seen and experienced these challenges. My journey to law school started when my mother – a poor, Black, single parent from rural Missouri – could not find an attorney to help her. Due to medical neglect and a misdiagnosis, my mom was left partially paralyzed at the age of 54. The medical profession failed her and forever altered her state of living. My mom wanted to sue the hospital and doctor. Maybe the law would have helped if we had access to legal resources. She could not find an attorney to take her case. For poor, rural, Black folks, there was and is very little to no help or access to affordable legal services. The only attorneys in our small town handle rich folks’ problems: estates, probates, wills, and trusts. Our town has a rich history of racism and injustice that still evident today, there is not one attorney in town that handles civil rights, nor is there one Black attorney in the county. In the fall of 1992, I entered Arkansas State University as a freshman. As a first-generation college student, I struggled academically, socially, financially, and every other way possible. My struggles were the result of bad advice, lack of knowledge, and not knowing the right questions to ask. During the second semester of my sophomore year, I also welcomed an eight-pound three ounces baby girl into the world. I chose to pause my education for one year, and when I returned to Arkansas State, the bottom fell out from under me. Eight years later, I restarted my educational journey. My grades were awesome, but my money was not. After two semesters, I left my program to continue rearing my children. After a thirteen-year hiatus, I was 44 years old when I began my first semester at Athens State, and I earned a 4.0 GPA. I acknowledge that the work did not become easier and was actually more difficult to manage with a full-time job. Nevertheless, I was able to maintain academic excellence. I would bring this very same commitment to law school and the next phases of my life. Although I would be a non-traditional student beginning law school later in life, my goal is to make a difference in Mississippi County, Missouri. My path to law school has always existed; circumstances related to my finances and family have made my journey a bit longer, but I have remained determined to make it to this point.

My name is Angela Miller. In the Fall, I will be attending Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge, LA to pursue a juris doctorate degree. As a public interest/civil rights attorney, I want to help eradicate systemic racism and barriers that continue to disenfranchise and marginalize underserved communities. My dream job is restoring rural communities, especially my hometown. As an attorney, I want to build a support system for my community that includes access to good healthcare, affordable housing, good jobs, and attorneys. Growing up in the face of relentless poverty in rural Missouri, my inquisitive nature to know what was beyond the stop sign, instilled in me a deep sense of determination. I lived in a situation that offered limited possibilities and prospects, being poor, African American, rural, and Pentecostal. At the raggedy, green house with the large yard, I lived with my mother, two sisters, three brothers, and a dog named Waggs. We were poor people. By my account, we were the poorest people on the block. We were just a few years removed from, “The Struggle and Integration.” As an African American female, I have seen and experienced these challenges. My journey to law school started when my mother – a poor, Black, single parent from rural Missouri – could not find an attorney to help her. Due to medical neglect and a misdiagnosis, my mom was left partially paralyzed at the age of 54. The medical profession failed her and forever altered her state of living. My mom wanted to sue the hospital and doctor. Maybe the law would have helped if we had access to legal resources. She could not find an attorney to take her case. For poor, rural, Black folks, there was and is very little to no help or access to affordable legal services. The only attorneys in our small town handle rich folks’ problems: estates, probates, wills, and trusts. Our town has a rich history of racism and injustice that still evident today, there is not one attorney in town that handles civil rights, nor is there one Black attorney in the county. In the fall of 1992, I entered Arkansas State University as a freshman. As a first-generation college student, I struggled academically, socially, financially, and every other way possible. My struggles were the result of bad advice, lack of knowledge, and not knowing the right questions to ask. During the second semester of my sophomore year, I also welcomed an eight-pound three ounces baby girl into the world. I chose to pause my education for one year, and when I returned to Arkansas State, the bottom fell out from under me. Eight years later, I restarted my educational journey. My grades were awesome, but my money was not. After two semesters, I left my program to continue rearing my children. After a thirteen-year hiatus, I was 44 years old when I began my first semester at Athens State, and I earned a 4.0 GPA. I acknowledge that the work did not become easier and was actually more difficult to manage with a full-time job. Nevertheless, I was able to maintain academic excellence. I would bring this very same commitment to law school and the next phases of my life. Although I would be a non-traditional student beginning law school later in life, my goal is to make a difference in Mississippi County, Missouri. My path to law school has always existed; circumstances related to my finances and family have made my journey a bit longer, but I have remained determined to make it to this point.

I hate cancer! I hate the way cancer has crept in without warning and had the nerve to take over. Nobody invited Cancer to the party, the family bar-be-cue, or the grocery store, but somehow cancer shows up. Cancer is an unwelcome and unwanted guest in my life. I hate cancer. Cancer is a big liar and a great pretender. Sometimes it plays sleep. This is what the doctors call remission. Cancer even lets you ring the bell of celebration. It often reawakens and then spreads with vengeance to make up for lost time. It's as destructive as California wildfires and upsets life like an Alabama tornado. I hate cancer. I lost one of my best friends to the ugly disease. I lost two maternal aunts to the unrelenting beast called cancer. I simply hate cancer. I was the caregiver for my aunt and my friend. Although their diagnosis was years apart, it still was very hard. I saw cancer reduce my young friend into a frail old lady. She once had locks of hair that could make Rapunzel jealous. Cancer took her silky brown locks and exchanged them bald dome of a head. Though it did many things, cancer did not take her smile or damage our friendship. Cancer has made me cry and I really don't like to cry. Cancer made me cry when the doctor said that the best they could do would is to provide comfort care. There is nothing else we can do. Cancer made me cry the day that I had to call my family to my aunt's bedside knowing that she was in the last stages of life. I cried silently because my mom cried loudly. This was her sister, her first friend and now her best friend. Cancer made me cry because I could neither ease the pain for my aunt nor my mother. I hate cancer. Although cancer has taken so much from me, it has been a good teacher as well. Cancer taught me never to take anything or anyone for granted. Cancer changed my life by encouraging me to reexamine my priorities and relationships. As a rule, I do not miss a planned family event whether is our annual fish fry, family reunion, or Thanksgiving dinner. When it comes to my spiritual beliefs, I still believe that God is a healer. I also believe that if tuberculosis and polio can be eliminated so can cancer. Because my aunt was misdiagnosed with COPD, instead of cancer, she went a long time without proper medical care. I want to build a support system for my community that includes access to good healthcare affordable housing, good jobs, and attorneys. I will be one of those attorneys. I would build networks and pipelines for rural communities. Thank you for considering me for this scholarship.

The book I would have everyone read is "Why I Stayed" by Gayle Haggard. This book changed my perspective on a lot of things. It also helped me really stand by my Bible convictions and principles of Galatians 6:1. Brethren, if a man be overtaken in his fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one, considering yourself also, lest ye be tempted. The English Standard Version says "My friends, you are spiritual. So if someone is trapped in sin, you should gently lead that person back to the right path. But watch out, and don't be tempted yourself. The book talks about her husband, Ted Haggard, who was a pastor of a mega-church and got caught up in sin. Part of his sin involved drugs and a male escort. She stayed with him during the roughest part of their life. The book discusses all the raw emotions that they endured as a married couple and as a family. It talks about how they were handled and mishandled by the church community and the mainstream media. I was very disappointed to see how the church leaders handled this situation. As a church leader, this book gave me a roadmap on how to deal with the unspeakable sins of a church leader. One of the themes in the book is God's grace. This book shows that God does not throw us away when we sin. As a matter of fact, he does just the opposite, he pulls us closer in his arms. This book also shows the dangers of letting people push you into positions and offices that God has not designed for you. Sin does not remove the mantle of God's love and grace. Get the book. You will not put it down. It's a page-turner. Thank you for considering me for this scholarship.

Generational wealth is the transfer of wealth to the next generation. I would like to see the wage gap abolished between minorities and their white counterparts. Having a substantial wage gap makes it difficult for minorities to have generational wealth. I grew up in extreme poverty and never thought that having generational wealth was a foreign concept to us. When I learned of generational wealth, I used to think that the transfer of wealth would only happen at my parents' death. I thought that generational wealth was the equivalent of having an insurance policy that would leave your children some money after the funeral expenses were covered. However, I have learned better. While life insurance is still a part of generational wealth, there are several ways to pass on generational wealth. Although we were poor, my mom owned our house. In her seventies, while still living and in good health, she passed the house on to me. She also divided her assets with my siblings. We have taken these assets and started family businesses. We have five small businesses among six siblings. Having profitable businesses has paved the way for us to pass on generational wealth to our children. We still believe in having life insurance to leave a nest egg for our children. We own land and houses to further build our wealth. About four years ago, I was able to sell my business to my daughter for $1.00. My daughter grew up working for me, knew the business and loved it. I was ready to move on to other ventures. My daughter has taken the business and grown it. My daughter has become the employer and I have become the employee. She has a daughter who is "working" with her in the business as she did with me. If the trend continues, my daughter will pass this on to her daughter. My goal is to increase my personal wealth by increasing my investments in stocks and bonds. I will continue to have multiple streams of income. Please understand that I would love to leave the next generation a substantial amount of physical assets; however, I think the greatest generational wealth that I can leave my family is to love the Lord with all their hearts, mind, body, and soul. Secondly, to always be kind to others and to love and always stay connected to the family. Before we ever had any money, our family was the most important asset that we had. It is still that way today. Thank you for considering me for this scholarship.

My dream job is restoring rural communities, especially my hometown. I want to build a support system for my community that includes access to good healthcare, affordable housing, good jobs, and attorneys. I will be one of those attorneys. I would build networks and pipelines to rural communities. I would love to oversee the program where highly skilled healthcare professionals work routinely in rural areas. Currently, my hometown has two doctors who either misdiagnose, untreat, or overmedicate Black and elderly patients. The only dental option for Blacks -both young and old is extraction, while our White counterparts are given a treatment plan with the option of a payment plan. I would love to work with established and newly practicing dentists to establish a dental clinic that specifically serves people with low incomes, no insurance, or who otherwise can’t afford care. Research has shown that when a person's oral health is suffering, it can decrease the quality of his/her life or exacerbate mental health issues and affect that person's self-esteem. In the late 90's all the good jobs left and so did the quality of living of many people. Affordable housing is non-existent and having access to legal services is equally dismal. My dream job would be to be a community lawyer and provide affordable housing solutions and help to eliminate the barriers to homeownership and do away with redlining. As a small-town lawyer, I want to provide access to legal services. I would orchestrate expungement clinics, work to amend laws that unfairly discriminate against Blacks and minorities and make rural communities whole again. I would partner with law schools to provide free legal clinics for low-income individuals. I would partner with small businesses to make them profitable and sustainable so they can grow and add to the economy. I would be part of the team that works with major manufacturing companies and other industries to bring good-paying jobs to the area. Work with the public school system to reinstate vocational training and home economics courses. Help to create a pipeline for students to be successful after high school. For some that would be college. For others that would be starting a career. Combating systemic racism requires aggressive action to address structures, policies, and practices that contribute to the wealth gap, health disparities, and to inequalities in educational access, outcomes, and beyond. My dream job is to empower people who look like me, share the load with other community leaders, and pass the torch to the next generations.