Listening: It helps people feel understood and heard as their words aren't being overshadowed by opinions and narratives. The thought that most of the worlds disagreements and issues could be solved by proper communication is extraordinary. Those who struggle with mental health don't make their state known until it's too late because they're afraid they won't be understood; they feel alone. Shoving words of affirmation down someone's throat doesn't relieve the issue at hand and can instead make someone feel overwhelmed. I know this because I've been there. Having a pair of open ears is more beneficial than hearing a pair of lips uttering repeated phrases that put your problems into a category instead of hearing the personalized struggle. To be heard is to be understood. I like to acknowledge mental health or mental illness as "The Silent Killer." Too many people feel they are fighting their fight alone. Listening to those who feel alone and misunderstood is the foundation to recovery. If you do someone's homework everyday they will fail their test. However, If you guide someone in need with help, they will ace their exam each time. I say this to say if you do the work for someone they will never learn. If you incorporate them into the work they will understand and excel, being a help to others in the future. Mental health is a problem we must all come together to fix. Continuing my education, this scholarship will give me the opportunity to find innovative ways to let mental health be heard and cured through psychiatry, and share my ideas to persevere happier and healthier lives. So next time someone asks for help, LISTEN.

The wind chiming in my ears as I ride my bike on the beach with sand in my toes and a sunset just minutes away from falling is why I take pride in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The experiences I've attained and the memories I've made are nothing less than gifts given to me because I hold integrity with my health. Coming from a family of addiction and substance abuse, I have witnessed many who are unable to take advantage of the life set out for them, and wish to promote a healthy lifestyle to live for those who are bounded by their weaknesses. The quality of life I am given because I am free of bad habits has been a life of optimism and prosperity. I have a saying "If you feel good, you do good." Excelling the healthy lifestyle standards as it relates to diet, exercise and consumption gives me the power to not only lowers my risks of developing health issues, but is the reason I can live life undefined by my environment. Our greatest wealth is our health!

Five minutes: that's all it took for a fatal thought to become reality. I often wondered why people took their own lives in an attempt to cure temporary distress, with my classmate soon to follow suit. Sitting to my left three rows down in English class, there he was. His name was Alonso. His mom was actually my biology teacher freshman year, and I adored her and her family ever since. I wasn't super close with Alonso, but I knew he had a heart of gold that would shed light into any room he encountered. Like most, depression didn't present itself upon his face for the public to see, but the pain he felt was rooted within him like a seed that started to sprout. I and no one else was aware of his agony until my friend found his lifeless body hanging in our school's gym just doors away from his mother's classroom. I remember the screams that came about from Mrs. Jones as she realized her drive home would forever have one less passenger. Seeing the entire event unfold, I attained a newfound appreciation for mental health awareness, and became invested in uplifting the public ubiquitously. February 17th, 2021 was the day my path to becoming a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner started. Being an ally for mental health awareness, I decided to shadow nurses within psych wards and hospitals to grasp an understanding of various circumstances, and how they are cured in modern day society. My favorite experience was volunteering at my local mental health facility for kids on January 8th, and participating in school clubs like Unity Club that promote inclusivity and kindness. My peers and I were also working on finding a sponsor to create a mental health awareness club called "WeLoveYou" to increase participation in spreading awareness on school grounds. I created these opportunities in efforts to make a change with or without a college degree. I wanted to invest in this cause to represent those who feel isolated, and to find more innovative ways to help preserve more lives. I never understood why people took their lives but I use my experience to help turn barriers into bridges. I have since built deeper connections and relationships with my cohorts and never leave anyone feeling empty. Becoming an advocate for mental health awareness has led me into discovering my aspirations for psychiatry, and built a foundation that positively follows me everywhere. I wish to remind people of their worth and uplift those who don't recognize their life is worth living. In memory of everyone who has lost their life to this battle, I stand to represent you. To everyone battling with odds and seeking a solution, I'm here for you. In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, I will be handing out handmade cards to random people saying they're loved and appreciated in efforts to uplift someone's day. Small actions make a large difference. This scholarship allows me to continue my mission on a larger scale through college, enabling me to turn my goals into reality. The fight to elevate Mental Health Awareness is one we must all fight together!

I once read a book claiming our actions are never really our own and instead a reflection of our past. Since revising through these words I've made it my life's mission to maintain integrity, honesty, and compassion in everything I do as a foundation of my truest self. Living in a world that is now overcome with chaos, controversy, and selfishness ingrains these core values in my everyday routines, and aims to inspire others. It's so easy to be absorbed into a mist of chaos, which is why I hold integrity, honesty, and compassion so close to maintain harmony and spread truth. Maintaining these values have not only heightened my self love and discovery, they allow me to relate to and respect others. Promoting integrity, I am able to acknowledge everyone's truth is different, and should be embraced and respected rather than belittled and rejected. If we implement this core value into society, kindness and understanding would grow in abundance from the inclusivity and love that would spread just by showing compassion towards others and having meaningful conversations through integrity. It is because I am an advocate for spreading honesty, integrity, and compassion within our society that I have created a group called "COVID RELIEF'' in 2020 that aimed to address the public issue of Covid-19, and strived to bring communities together in efforts to support each other. Being the founder, we raised hundreds of dollars to support families from Texas and Minnesota, wanting to remind people of hope, kindness, and good amongst a bad situation: one of those families being a man soon to face homelessness with his six kids due to the inability to work. My core values allow me to look at what's important and is the reason I will be pursuing academic studies in the healthcare industry to instill that integrity and compassion that is lost for some of its patients because of demographics or income. I admire the relationships I am able to build with others and myself through maintaining positive core values. They have not only allowed me to discover my passions, but is the reason I see beauty in the world no matter the opposition or fight. I challenge everyone to live their truth with compassion towards others to accomplish great things. My core values are the glue that holds everything together and directs me to salvation through the course of life. Without them, we would lose ourselves.

I remember hearing sirens in my ears as soon as my uncle uttered the words "I'm sorry and I love you" before he attempted to pull the trigger. With a bible in one hand and a gun in the other, his intentions couldn't have been clearer. Our financial struggles finally got to him, as he and his six kids were soon to face homelessness after COVID. The wave of emotions I felt in that moment were like no other. I felt agony, confusion, desperation, and chaos. The constant imagery that circulated in my mind replayed the last moments I would talk to my uncle on repeat. Desperation and desolation was an understatement to my pain. Before this experience I had no idea of the mental state my uncle was in. Seeing the rash switch in mentality, it became very clear to me that depression and mental health came into various forms that weren't limited to crying or frowns. The complete isolation felt by victims in their last moments stuck to my heart and remained dormant there ever since. The saying "You never know what you had until it's gone" is one I live by when checking in on my cohorts and maintaining positive relationships with loved ones. Saying "I love you" and "Have a good day" all became daily uses in my vocabulary since I became aware of the dangers negligence carries. Small actions like handing out cards to strangers make a big difference and can be the push needed to find strength. Since the event, I've made preserving healthy relationships top priority, and wish to be the ally someone needs. As a result of my dedication to support those struggling with mental health, I've created a goal to enter the workforce as a psychiatric nurse practitioner, being a friend for those who feel they stand alone. My objectives are to find holistic and innovative cures for people needing diagnosis, and to uplift the public ubiquitously. My major intention as it pertains to being an advocate for mental health is to positively expose people to the effects and signs of depression, and to not be forced to learn in moments of tragedy. I want to solve mental health crisis' before the problem presents itself. Becoming an advocate for mental health awareness has led me to understand the world outside of my own bubble. I understand that I don't understand what people are going through, yet I comprehend that every life is worth living and shouldn't be dictated by circumstance. This experience has impacted me in a way that will open my eyes forever. In memory of everyone who has lost their life to this battle, I stand to represent you. To everyone battling with odds and seeking a solution, I'm here for you. This scholarship allows me to continue my mission on a larger scale through college, enabling me to turn my goals into reality. The fight to elevate Mental Health Awareness is one we must all fight together!

"Are our actions truly our own, or a reflection of our hardships?" Written in 2020, the book "The Power of Letting Go'' by John Purkiss has inspired me to live intuitively and freely. This book highlights the ramifications of harboring our past burdens, and their subconscious effects into how we perceive the future. Our mental obstacles act as a suitcase: their weight is carried around and taken with you at every destination you encounter. I found myself facing self destruction when I subconsciously made decisions with an influenced intuition. You begin to lose yourself and enter a dysphoric state as a result of remaining dormant in your sorrows. This book helped me realize living cautiously wasn’t living at all. How could I discover my full potential if half of me wasn’t ready to commit? Reading this book instilled faith. I felt stuck for many years not understanding that everything I've done up to this point was catering to my feelings rather than my happiness. This book inspired me to move on and acknowledge disparities as lessons. I have finally reached a new chapter.

SGR = ln (V 2/V 1)/(t 2 – t 1). This equation is the reason I will be pursuing a Health Science degree in STEM. I took calculus my senior year of high school, anticipating anxiety and apprehension. Luckily, I rose to the occasion and managed to pass every test with at least an 83 through tireless nights and determination: that was until we were introduced to the equation SGR = ln (V 2/V 1)/(t 2 – t 1). In efforts to apply calculus to our future careers, my teacher, Mr Norman, introduced us to a series of equations we may encounter in the workforce. This project was a test grade, requiring a real life example, explanation, and modern day uses within the workforce. As an aspiring medical professional, I found the equation expressing the relationship between drug concentration and effects to the body over time intriguing. Discovering this equation was the foundation to a plethora of number sequences that solved problems for tumors or discommonalities. I wanted to show the need and correlation between calculus and health science. Unfortunately I didn't understand it. After all the complex calculations I'd done in my calculus career, never did I ever think the equations that applied to my career would be my downfall. It's not that I didn't comprehend the material, but rather I couldn't navigate the correlating equations that would relate to other diagnosis'. Each occasion having a different equation meant my memory and mathematics had to align: something I wasn't the strongest in. Ironically, my temporary inability to solve this problem is why I believe calculus is important when entering STEM fields. Calculus is a foundation. The uncertainty and anxiety that comes along with its equations is why calculus is a building block towards a successful STEM career. The study habits, determination, brain power, and dedication to diving head first into the unknown is why calculus is crucial for longevity and success. It builds character. I appreciate calculus for its mathematical endeavors, but it's the discipline and drive to continue amongst difficulty that will not only allow me to confidently enter Health Science, but excel beyond any expectations I set for myself. If someone would've told me I'd finish calculus with a 94 I wouldn't believe them: AP (Advanced Placement) at that! So when asked Why do I think calculus is important in the STEM field, I reflect on the equation SGR = ln (V 2/V 1)/(t 2 – t 1), teaching me it's okay to not understand but it's detrimental to stop trying. This is the foundation of my success in Health Science.

Five minutes: that's all it took for a fatal thought to become reality. I often wondered why people took their own lives in an attempt to cure temporary distress, with my classmate soon to follow suit. Sitting to my left three rows down in English class, there he was. His name was Alonso. His mom was actually my biology teacher freshman year, and I adored her and her family ever since. I wasn't super close with Alonso, but I knew he had a heart of gold that would shed light into any room he encountered. Like most, depression didn't present itself upon his face for the public to see, but the pain he felt was rooted within him like a seed that started to sprout. I and no one else was aware of his agony until my friend found his lifeless body hanging in our school's gym just doors away from his mother's classroom. I remember the screams that came about from Mrs. Jones as she realized her drive home would forever have one less passenger. Seeing the entire event unfold, I attained a newfound appreciation for mental health awareness, and became invested in uplifting the public ubiquitously. February 17th, 2021 was the day my path to becoming a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner started. Being an ally for mental health awareness, I decided to shadow nurses within psych wards and hospitals to grasp an understanding of various circumstances, and how they are cured in modern day society. My favorite experience was volunteering at my local mental health facility for kids on January 8th, and participating in school clubs like Unity Club that promote inclusivity and kindness. My peers and I were also working on finding a sponsor to create a mental health awareness club called "WeLoveYou" to increase participation in spreading awareness on school grounds. I created these opportunities in efforts to make a change with or without a college degree. I wanted to invest in this cause to represent those who feel isolated, and to find more innovative ways to help preserve more lives. I never understood why people took their lives but I understand now that it's seen as an escape rather than a tragedy. I have since built deeper connections and relationships with my cohorts and never leave anyone feeling empty. Becoming an advocate for mental health awareness has led me into discovering my aspirations for psychiatry, and built a foundation that positively follows me everywhere. I wish to remind people of their worth and uplift those who don't recognize their life is worth living. In memory of everyone who has lost their life to this battle, I stand to represent you. To everyone battling with odds and seeking a solution, I'm here for you. In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, I will be handing out handmade cards to random people saying they're loved and appreciated in efforts to uplift someone's day. Small actions make a large difference. This scholarship allows me to continue my mission on a larger scale through college, enabling me to turn my goals into reality. The fight to elevate Mental Health Awareness is one we must all fight together!

Speaking my mind amidst opposition has allowed me to live my truth. Being surrounded by a plethora of individuals who possess various opinions, I've heightened my commitment to maintain integrity by practicing my morals repeatedly. Speaking my mind, I use my social media platform to positively promote a safe space for individuals looking to both state and learn new ideas and concepts through others. Here, I promote individuality, truth, and personal morals that encourage others and myself to stay true to thyself. Staying committed, I practice self discipline and intercity daily, helping my spirit to not stray to what's popular. An example of my commitment occurred on February 12th, 2022 when I maintained prayer at my school's lunch table before eating despite others interrupting with negative commentary. To this day I maintain my ritual of praying before I eat regardless of who is watching, and have since found peace within solidarity. My commitment to speaking my mind has allowed me to love, appreciate, and value my truth, and respect others. Being that I am able to maintain integrity throughout opposition, I have experienced a multitude of new experiences that have opened my heart to acceptance rather than fear. I've been given the chance to stay focused and attain my goals with an optimistic outlook by following faith over sight. It is because I maintain my truth that my actions are truly mine and not a reflection of my environment. I would encourage everyone to stay true to themselves, for once you lose yourself you lose everything.

I hope to be an inspiration. I hope to be the role model others look up to that reminds them of their potential. Having community leaders invest in me during my earlier years has led me to fulfill their efforts by investing in others. I like to call my actions "Paying it forward." I practice this by tutoring my peers in courses like calculus and chemistry, and hosting unity groups that allow people of different backgrounds and areas to find common ground. Being that our environment shouldn't dictate our future, I tend to focus on lower income areas that can heavily benefit from being shown possibilities over circumstances. I wish to impact someone's life by encouraging them to go that extra mile and attain undisclosed opportunities. Doing this creates a positive ripple effect that benefits our society. I want to inspire greatness into our future and be the mentor that encourages excellence!

I wish to pursue a career in Health Science. This STEM program aims to develop knowledge, technology, and intervention in effort to improve patient treatment. My desire to pursue this career began with my Nana. Her health began to dwindle as her medication either became ineffective, or caused more problems in her body when mixed with various prescriptions. I remember hearing her voice crackling with dejection after being redirected to five different facilities to treat an ever so common issue. She wasn't a priority because of her area code, and her healthcare reflected that. I was enraged by the idea that healthcare was no longer geared towards aiding individuals with needs, but rather a hierarchical system that invests more effort into humans they deem "worthy." Patient treatment goes beyond solving a problem, needing to incorporate integrity and promptness towards every individual encountered. The lack of care and aptness to serve underrepresented communities adequately is why I wish to not only pursue a career in Health Science, but rectify its integrity. Being that healthcare is generally neglected within minority communities, refining healthcare standards and discovering innovative cures are just a few ways I plan to uplift my community. I envision a system that treats all its patients with the utmost care despite differences, and wish to serve as a role model for younger audiences that wish to positively impact their community as well: creating a ripple effect through representation. To me, the lack of diversity within these systems are leading causes of patient mis-care. Underrepresentation not only affects our patients, but those who look up to its care as they are discouraged to enter a field that has little representation of their coterie. To help resolve this issue, I will be obtaining my degree at Spelman College, where their mission lies in the advancement of African Americans, specifically women. All in all, the quality of care and representation are all directly correlated with each other: both being enhanced through inclusion. I appreciate the idea that my work can not only change the quality of my community, but can stimulate a spark in younger generations to occupy similar positions that uplift the community overall together! My personal experience of negligence within Health Science has led me to my passion, and I have full confidence in my ability to excel beyond standards. I will change the way we see healthcare ubiquitously within STEM.

The Beauty within our world comes from the diversity within it. Being an African American woman, these two principles indoctrinate themselves in my life daily. Not only do I make it my mission to support equality and diversity, I've also become an advocate for change through positive campaigns, hosted events as the Secretary in Unity Club, and created my own research groups amongst my peers. To actively support equality and diversity, I educate myself on various matters, and practice inclusivity through social media. Having the ability to seek the unknown has taught me the beauty of the world outside of my own bubble. Standing with those who are underrepresented or scrutinized for differences exposed me to awarenesses I never knew I lacked. Because I've been blessed to gain a mass of experience and knowledge from research, I've made it my mission to exploit the beauty of equality and diversity. Having a social media platform, I encounter people from different races, ethnicities, languages, and countries daily! I'm fortunate to have the opportunity to hear their experiences and attain new perspectives about culture or environments that I will share with my followers if given permission. The people I've encountered thus far have inspired me to travel, try new foods, and learn new languages. I even receive thousands of people who interact with my posts, reshare their stories, and promote equality and diversity to a more board spectrum of people. Knowledge is truly power. I've learned exclusion stem not from facts, but interpretation and opinion. The monumental saying "never judge a book by its cover" has been neglected, and I strive to not only uplift this idea, but lay it as a foundation to human interaction.

As a student who suffers immensely from test taking anxiety, obtaining strategies that turn my barrier into a bridge for educational success was crucial to my development. It was never a hassle to understand the information at hand, but reflecting my knowledge on paper caused distress that would circulate throughout my body and onto my pencil as soon as the first question presented itself. My circumstance motivated me to seek proper preparation practices that would heighten my confidence, and is what I dedicate my title of Summa Cum Laude (Top of my Class) to. So what helped me reach my full academic potential? Gum. This minty, chewy, and portable object presented me with what I lacked during test taking: Familiarity. In middle school, I found studies proposing chewing gum increased memory, and yielded higher testing scores when consumed while studying. The repetitive motion of chewing gum increases your blood pressure, bathing your cells in oxygen, and helping you concentrate. Chewing the same type of gum while studying and taking my exams heightened my memory and sensory cells that made correlating concepts effortless. My basic foundation of studying -reviewing notes and rewriting information on flashcards- coupled with chewing gum amplified my confidence and memory on any and every test. The gum further acquainted my brain with information and guided my pencil dauntlessly. Using this study habit not only enabled me to excel in my Advanced Course classes, but taught me how to overcome my biggest obstacles. So for anyone struggling to study, chew some gum!

Ebullience overtakes my being each time I gaze upon the excellence that is "Til Death Do Us Part" by Edmund Blair Leighton. This monumental canvas portrays a wedding of skepticism, greed, and fallacious unions. My inspiration of this piece stems from its ability to tell a complex story open to various interpretations. We assume the bride is looking down as a result of feeling contrite, yet her dress symbolizes purity and innocence. The crowd adopts various frowns expressing concern, but we are never told if this notion is towards the groom or the bride. This piece accepts opinions not visually represented. It achieved its pursuit to make an event like a wedding that is traditionally jovial deceptive. The for face of this painting having no correlation to extensive interpretations has inclined me to further examine prior artworks I viewed. It is because I was able to acknowledge and dissect this piece that my love of art has heightened, and my optimism towards viewpoints has grown. This artwork inspires me to appreciate complexity and look beyond what is presented, accompanying me in multiple sectors of my life. I now appreciate what's beyond the surface and explore all horizons. Thanks to Leighton I've been inspired to seek the unknown.

I wish to pursue a career in psychiatric nursing. This career endeavors into both of my underlying interests: cognitive functions and medicine. I will be obtaining my Bachelors of Science in Nursing degree and specializing in psychiatry to fulfill my objective. My goal is to shift the practice of pure medication reform to incorporate mediation within the psychiatric field for longevity. Focusing on understanding circumstances rather than diluting a problem with medication not only encourages positive conflict resolution, but can help individuals who don't require a prescription to treat their needs in absence of a product. I wish to build deeper connections with my patients for better diagnosis, and refine health standards for African Americans within the healthcare system. Being that African American health has traditionally been neglected within healthcare systems, I will be attending Spelman College, where their mission lies in the advancement of minorities. In terms of refining healthcare for patients, I seek to find more innovative and holistic cures. My goals stem from my belief that mental health awareness should be augmented ubiquitously, for “traditional” health standards and mental health standards go hand in hand. Even common emotions like stress start cerebrally, but have the potential to transition to physical complications if left untreated or dealt with inadequately. I have a commitment to heighten the mental health standards society has laid, and study differences within the chemical make up between races to ensure each case is treated adequately. Dr Joyce Berry and others have conducted several studies over implicit racial bias of people of color in the healthcare industry, but I want to focus on the consideration of the chemical makeup of individuals possessing differences that can lead to better curing methods. Specific to psychiatry, African Americans tend to have higher rates of mental disorders due to historical tragedies, with people possessing two or more races more likely to report poor mental health status’ due to a study conducted by the American Psychiatric Association. Viewing these studies yields the ideology that both physical factors and environmental influence both contribute to mental health within society. Expanding research on these topics not only encourages equality ubiquitously, but ensures everyone's circumstances are being accurately represented medically. My desire to further investigate pre-existing studies stems from my desire to magnify inclusivity for the public. Everyone regardless of race, beliefs, and environment deserves adequate representation and care. Mental health is a crucial foundation to someone's being, and should be handled with the utmost care. Attending Spelman College provides me with the opportunity to network with other scholars who are dedicated to achieve the same mission. My goal to pursue an insightful career as a psychiatric nurse, and my commitment to study and promote inclusivity and individuality for more effective cures is why I have full confidence in my ability to excel beyond excellence within this form of study. What mental health needs is more awareness, candor, and optimism. I will speak for those who are silent, and represent all aspects of the public in search for the foremost best care our healthcare has to offer.

Who knew something as simple as a stutter would impact my life. Unable to say certain words in the middle of a sentence or rapid repetition of syllables labeled me as incompetent or slow. Being forced to stop midway through my announcements to avoid embarrassment only put a larger target on my back as people grew confused of my sudden pauses in speech. I can describe this feeling as having the word shouting within my brain, yet unable to be fully formed unless followed with several unnecessary beats. Ironically, I love to talk, but this only made my insecurity more vivid to larger audiences. I couldn’t hide it. I couldn’t ignore it. I couldn’t talk about it without being ridiculed. I felt defeated. I even considered learning sign language as a substitute. The only time I wouldn’t stutter was when I was singing, but needless to say my singing career wasn’t looking too bright. In highschool, I wondered if kids still saw my stutter as comical, or if I attained this assumption myself through past experiences. I started considering the impracticality of my actions. My peers either didn’t care or stopped commenting when my stutter unveiled itself. I had been so accustomed to hindering my actions that my actions were no longer performed by my intuition, but the past influence of others. I had to dig deep to regain my self confidence, for my characteristics were hidden so long to be classified as “normal”. I started slowing down my speech to pronounce each word that exited my mouth. As for overcoming my speech impediment, I strived to accept my differences and rephrase words to practice fluency. I also signed up for public speaking events, such as taking debate and signing up for my highschool’s commencement speech, to relax the fear that was bottled up inside of me in prior years. I am not only grateful for my stutter, but motivated to inspire others like me to never be ashamed of our differences. I learned most social anxiety reflects personal fear rather than existent circumstances. I am now able to navigate the world with more confidence than before: not because I stopped stuttering, but because I accepted my biggest obstacle.

My nana's magnanimous and loving spirit has shaped me into the woman I am today. I've witnessed her go hungry for her peers to be full, and love others unconditionally seeking no reward. She possesses traits that some would call extraordinary, and evokes peace within all she encounters. I've always been fascinated to know how one remains calm amongst hardship, and is more concerned with the greater good than personal desire. When I was little she told me I had become someone she was proud of. I knew if I retained half of her contributions to society I would be making this world a better place under her influence. She provided that final good luck during competitions, and expelled her much needed words of affirmation after a bad day. Standing beside me is a woman of true integrity and admiration. I dedicate all of my future successes to her, thanking her each and everyday for investing in me. She has taught me what the word "love" really means.

"Are our actions truly our own, or a reflection of our hardships?" Written in 2020, the book "The Power of Letting Go'' by John Purkiss has inspired me to live intuitively and freely. This book highlights the ramifications of harboring our past burdens, and their subconscious effects into how we perceive the future. Our mental obstacles act as a suitcase: their weight is carried around and taken with you at every destination you encounter. I found myself facing self destruction when I subconsciously made decisions with an influenced intuition. You begin to lose yourself and enter a dysphoric state as a result of remaining dormant in your sorrows. This book helped me realize living cautiously wasn’t living at all. How could I discover my full potential if half of me wasn’t ready to commit? Reading this book instilled faith. I felt stuck for many years not understanding that everything I've done up to this point was catering to my feelings rather than my happiness. This book inspired me to move on and acknowledge disparities as lessons. I have finally reached a new chapter.

I wish to pursue a career in psychiatric nursing. This career endeavors into both of my underlying interests: cognitive functions and medicine. I strive to build deeper connections with my patients for better diagnosis, and wish to refine health standards for African Americans within the healthcare system. In terms of creating stronger bonds with patients, I seek to find more innovative and holistic cures. I strive to shift the practice of pure medication reform to incorporate mediation within the psychiatric field for longevity. Being that African American health has traditionally been neglected within healthcare systems, I will be attending Spelman College, where the mission lies in the advancement of African Americans, specifically women. This opportunity provides a network of other scholars who are dedicated to the improvement of African American health overall.

Being a part of the African American community, recent movements and protests throughout recent years have positively impacted the Black community as a whole. In effort to highlight racial bias in today’s society, we have produced a positive stigma involving the essence of black culture, and built an abundant foundation of equality. No longer is the color of our skin a badge of incompetence but rather a sign of strength and power. We are now encouraged to run for influential roles, as we have named Ketanji Brown Jackson the first African American woman to be a part of the supreme court in April 2022. Our opportunities heighten as we create reform through social justice movements, challenging the barriers of true freedom. Thanks to recent social justice movements advocating Black lives, our fight has reached a larger spectrum of individuals. A struggle that was once only promoted by African Americans has grown diverse proponents. Every tribulation has given us the opportunity to reconstruct the social hierarchy people of color have been servants under for years. Because we live in a receptive society today, reform is easier to achieve and yields higher success rates as a result. Color is being sealed into a box that is solely judged by the content of its character rather than its physical appearance. From proliferation of violence to systematic racism, every story has served to shed light on the flaws within American society. So when asked how social justice movements impact my community positively, I can reflect on all the good things that spurred from hatred and oppression. Support has granted a ubiquitous understanding for universal modification for minorities as a whole, and will continue to flourish through consistency. Identifying race as the human race will help end forms of racism, and grant more opportunities to minorities. Being valiant over violence has granted us access to a higher threshold from years past. We must constructively use our environment to gain historical distinction.

If given the opportunity to influence a prominent social issue, I would foster five steps to extend impact: Acknowledgement, Communication, development, implementation, and evaluation. Anytime a disparity reaches the forefront of global consciousness, we as people are quick to formulate various opinions that grow into actions when faced with opposition. The issue at hand is overshadowed by individual perception, straying further from compromise. Trying to influence these issues ubiquitously would not only help our society deviate from focusing on problems, but bring individuals together as a community. When seeking to attain the attention of a crowd during a social issue, we must establish acknowledgement of the problem at hand. To do this, we must recognize the circumstance. Instead of finding various affairs it’s important that we group each point under one umbrella to solve. For example, instead of prioritizing concerns of pollution, biodiversity, and agricultural yield, we should group everyone’s concerns under the umbrella of climate change. Once acknowledged, we face a key aspect of proper influence over prominent social issues: communication. This stage is where we would communicate both concerns and solutions for the problem at hand, and find a compromise amongst the proponent and opponent. Effective communication allows individuals to be heard and understood, which is a winning strategy of influence. Through communication we would have developed a solution. Being that the solution was formed through a group effort, implementation would be simple. Once implemented, we must evaluate our decision through trials, and make the appropriate adjustments. Using these steps allows everyone to feel heard, which is needed when trying to expand influence over social issues. Most social issues include two sides, so finding a common ground between the two increases popularity. Acknowledgement, Communication, development, implementation, and evaluation will build common understanding amongst opponents. Helping people focus on solutions over problems will gravitate popularity amongst peers. It’s not about picking a side, but resolving an issue. All in all, some problems don’t require solutions, but maturity to outgrow them. Exploiting these ideals will influence and reconstruct our societal problems today.