Every day is filled with countless moments, but only a few stay with us. These fragments become the memories that fill the pages of our life's storybook. And for me, many of those defining fragments trace back to my family’s decision to leave Nigeria in 2006. Growing up, I saw how economic instability shaped my family's reality once we came to America. My parents worked tirelessly to support their four daughters while also providing for relatives back home. Their resilience and countless sacrifices taught me that "success", however one defines it, is not given. Success is built through persistence, being disciplined, and being committed to something greater than yourself. Through my parents, I learned to approach challenges not as barriers, but as opportunities to grow. Fast forward, that mindset is what shaped my career interest and led me to pursue computer science at the Georgia Institute of Technology. I see technology as one of the most powerful tools for creating opportunity in today's society, but my interest in the tech world began through enjoying ways to express my creativity. In middle school, I spent hours editing videos and learned how small details could serve a larger purpose to "create". Then, in high school, I was introduced to basic coding projects, and I began to see technology on an even deeper level. It became something I could use to "create" experiences, solve problems, and bring ideas to life. That perspective was tested during my first coding course at Georgia Tech. It was my first real step toward my career goals in computer science, but almost immediately, I faced imposter syndrome and I started to question whether I truly could do this professionally. However, instead of stepping back, I accepted the challenge and chose to push forward. I spent time practicing the material, asked more questions, attended study sessions, and stayed consistent. By the end of the course, I earned an A+ and built several projects I was proud of. Since then, outside of class, I have worked on personal and group projects to continue building my skills. Through those experiences, I started to think more about the people using what I build, not just whether the code works. I have also gained experience through software engineering internships, where I contributed to backend systems and worked on tools used by real users. In the future, my career goals are to use my skills to build technological projects that are accessible and inclusive. Too often and commonly, I find that technological innovation overlooks underrepresented communities. I want to help change that by designing apps, projects, etc. that reflect a wider range of experiences and needs, especially in areas like education, food access, and poverty needs. I also have goals to continue to mentor young minority women who value being seen in the space of technology. As a Nigerian woman and a first generation college student, I understand the importance of representation. I am part of the ~3% of black women in computer science and I know that visibility and encouragement can open doors for others. Teria Onwuaduegbo’s story stands out to me because it represents passion and persistence in a field where Black women are still underrepresented. Continuing in this space feels meaningful to me for that reason, and through my career and future accomplishments, my ultimate goal is to help redefine who belongs in STEM. The steps I have taken so far reflect my commitment to this path, and I plan to keep building on them as I move forward in my career, writing new fulfilling pages in my life's storybook everyday.

For me, hope for the future is built in moments of community—when people come together not just to work toward a goal, but to see and support each other. These moments stay with you, not always because they were loud or dramatic, but because they reflected something deeper: connection, care, and a shared belief in something better. I have found the most hope in the quiet strength of collaboration. Those honest conversations, collective wins, and the unexpected bonds formed along the way have shaped my sense of hope for the future, and one such community moment came during my freshman year of college as an active member of the National Society of Black Engineers. One of the most meaningful experiences I’ve had at Georgia Tech was helping organize the Black Women in STEAM Brunch, hosted by our chapter of NSBE. Before we were even assigned roles, the team—made up of ONLY young, female black students from different class years—had a deep bonding session. It was the first time I worked closely with a group of only women who shared not only my academic interests, but also the lived experience of navigating the granular Tech space and community as Black women. That initial conversation set the tone: this wasn’t just a team project, it was a space where we would directly support and learn from each other for the next three months. I joined the communications committee where I worked in a smaller group on the event flyer, T-shirt designs, and social media. While the work was mostly behind the scenes, we all understood the importance of how the event was presented. We were making graphics, however, we were mainly shaping how these hard-working women would feel when they walked into the event: seen, welcomed, and celebrated. The brunch brought together Georgia Tech alumnae, faculty, staff, and other Black women in tech to speak to students like me. They shared stories about being the only black woman in the room, navigating career changes, and building confidence in your career over time. They were honest, they were personal, they preached themes of resilience, and they were deeply encouraging to me. As a first-generation Nigerian-American woman in Tech, I have sometimes felt unsure of where I fit in. But being in that space with a community and support system gave me confidence and a sense of certain belonging. Through this early college experience, I learned how community creates space for personal growth and for the growth of others ready to follow in our footsteps. As I continue to navigate the tech world, I’m constantly reminded of the urgent need for diversity and inclusion. Black women make up only 3% of the computer science industry which is a statistic that’s more than just a number. Lack of representation affects who builds technology and who it serves. When tech is shaped by a narrow group, it often leaves entire communities out. That’s why spaces like the brunch matter: because they make room for voices that are too often overlooked. Being part of that team—and part of the community we built in our chapter of NSBE—gave me more than professional development: it gave me hope. Hope that tech can, one day, be more inclusive for black women. Hope that women like me can not only belong, but lead. And hope that every step us women take to lift each other up brings us all closer to the future we academically strive for.