If I was tasked with describing myself succinctly, I would choose ‘empathetic, math-loving, and friendly’. My personality and who I am today have been shaped significantly by the biggest motivator in my life, my older brother who navigates life on the autism spectrum. My earliest memory of my older brother is of him crying incessantly day and night, staring at a wall, and rocking back and forth while my parents desperately tried to console him. Over the years, I have watched him struggle with countless challenges and resolutely try to overcome them. The pandemic, which disrupted lives globally in 2020, marked a critical turning point in his life. The prolonged isolation sent his mental health into a downward spiral. My parents’ attempts to find him online social groups, came with a hefty price tag. I was disheartened to learn that friendship came with a dollar value. As my school instruction transitioned entirely to the virtual platform using Zoom, I saw an opportunity to use the same technology to help connect my brother and his friends. The first Zoom meeting showed me the transformative power of friendship when I saw the smiles and laughter return to my brother and his friends’ faces. The meetings continued through the pandemic every single week and marked the birth of AK Friendship Circle, a non-profit devoted to providing friendship and mentorship to those who are differently abled and disabled. With over 130 Zoom meetings and 20+ in-person gatherings to date, I am driven by a fervent belief that more needs to be done. While my brother overcame numerous health and learning disabilities, I realized that future opportunities for individuals like him to join the workforce are very limited. Observing his struggles created a resolve in my mind to foster a more inclusive workforce where people of all abilities are given an opportunity to succeed and thrive. My vision is to establish a business venture that creates job opportunities and helps those with disabilities find meaningful employment without placing a financial burden on their mentally and emotionally drained families. I recognize that any venture requires an investment, and I want to commit financially to making that vision a reality. I have accepted admission to Johns Hopkins University to pursue a major in Applied Mathematics and Statistics with a focus on finance. The University with eminent educators, a robust alumni network, and ample internship opportunities, provides an ideal platform for furthering my aspirations. As a top-10 private university, it is an expensive school. While my parents are committed to helping me with my education to the best of their ability, I am determined not to burden them with additional financial strain since they have a long-term financial responsibility to care for my older brother. Hence, I am applying for this and other scholarships, planning to work during school and dedicating summers towards earning money for my education.