Growing up, I witnessed domestic violence on a level no child should ever experience. Almost every day, I saw my mother being beaten, thrown around, and broken down emotionally by my stepfather. It was a cycle that seemed endless, and as a child, I couldn’t understand why she stayed. But over time, I came to realize that in her mind, she believed she was protecting me—from something even worse. She feared that if she left, something unspeakable might happen to me, especially the threat of sexual harm. So she stayed, endured the abuse, and told herself it was for our safety. But eventually, the abuse didn’t stop with her. As I got older, my stepfather began taking his anger out on me and my siblings. He hit us with anything he could find—belts, shoes, cords—calling it “discipline.” And through it all, my mother begged us to lie. She told us not to tell anyone what really happened behind closed doors, to pretend like everything was fine. The truth was buried under fear, shame, and survival. And because of that, we suffered in silence. Living through this made me realize that too many women, especially African American women, are forced to make impossible choices. They carry the weight of trying to protect their children while being trapped in dangerous, abusive situations. They often feel like they have nowhere to go, no one to trust, and no way out. That’s why I want to use my higher education to be part of the change. I plan to continue my education and eventually open a community-based center specifically for women and children affected by domestic violence. This center will not just offer temporary shelter—it will provide therapy, legal assistance, educational resources, and a safe space to heal and rebuild. I want it to be a place where women are believed, where children are safe, and where families are given the chance to start over without fear. No one should have to suffer in silence the way my family did. No woman should feel like she has to choose between her safety and her child’s. And no child should grow up thinking violence is love or that pain is a form of protection. I want to break that cycle. I want to create a space that doesn’t just respond to abuse but prevents it by giving women real options and long-term support. Higher education will give me the tools I need to do this work effectively. I plan to study psychology so that I can understand trauma and provide the right kind of care to those who need it. I also want to learn about nonprofit management so I can build a sustainable organization that truly serves the community. My lived experience has given me empathy, but education will give me the skills to turn that empathy into action. I’m especially passionate about helping African American women because I know how often our pain is overlooked or minimized. We’re expected to be strong, to survive, to hold everything together—but that strength should never come at the cost of our safety or our lives. I want to be someone who listens, supports, and fights for better outcomes for women like my mother, women like me, and women who are still suffering in silence. This is more than just a goal—it’s a mission that’s rooted in my past and tied to my future. I plan to use every part of my education to build something that changes lives. Because everyone deserves safety. Everyone deserves peace. And everyone deserves a chance to heal

After I graduate with my undergraduate degree, I plan to continue my education by pursuing a master’s degree—either a Master of Arts or a Master of Science, depending on the program that best aligns with my future goals. While I have not yet decided on the exact degree type, I am certain about my purpose: I want to become an art therapist and specialize in working with children on the autism spectrum. Continued education is the foundation I need to reach that goal and build a career that has a deep and lasting impact on families in my community. My passion for art therapy stems from a strong belief that children with autism deserve more ways to express themselves—especially methods that don’t rely solely on verbal communication. Many children on the spectrum struggle to express their emotions or needs in traditional ways, which can lead to confusion, emotional outbursts, or miscommunication between them and their families. Through art therapy, these children can discover new and creative outlets that allow them to communicate their feelings, process their experiences, and connect with those around them without feeling overwhelmed or misunderstood. Pursuing a master’s degree—whether in arts or science—will give me the advanced clinical training, hands-on experience, and therapeutic knowledge I need to be an effective and compassionate art therapist. I want to be well-prepared to understand the emotional, sensory, and cognitive needs of children with autism, and to develop personalized approaches that work best for each individual. My goal is to be a professional who not only provides therapy sessions, but also serves as a bridge between children and their families, helping them understand each other better through art and creativity. Eventually, I want to take what I learn and build something of my own: a therapeutic practice dedicated to art therapy for children with autism. This won’t just be a business—it will be a safe, welcoming space where children feel free to be themselves, and where parents can find guidance and peace of mind. I envision a place where families can come together, without judgment or fear, to receive support, share experiences, and find new ways to grow and heal. A place where scenes and confusion are replaced by understanding and progress. This vision is deeply personal to me. I believe that by continuing my education and pursuing a graduate degree, I can equip myself with the tools to make it real. I want to be more than just someone with good intentions—I want to be a trained, certified professional who is ready to create change. Whether I choose a Master of Arts or a Master of Science program, my focus will remain the same: to learn how to help children express themselves, navigate their emotions, and build stronger connections with the people who love them. Continuing my education is not just a step forward in my academic journey—it’s a commitment to the future I want to create. It’s about gaining the skills and confidence to turn my passion into action, and eventually, into a lasting career that supports real families in need. With the right education, I believe I can build something powerful: a healing space for children with autism and their families, where communication happens in many forms and every voice is heard—even the ones expressed through art.

If given the opportunity, I would host an event dedicated to raising money, collecting clothing donations, and preparing meals in order to support individuals experiencing homelessness in my community. My goal would be to help as many people as possible get off the streets, even if only temporarily, by securing them a safe and clean place to stay such as a hotel room. Although a hotel stay may not be a permanent solution, I believe it can offer a sense of relief and dignity to those who are often overlooked or ignored. Everyone deserves the chance to take a warm shower, rest in a comfortable bed, wear clean clothes, and enjoy a home-cooked meal. These basic comforts, which many people take for granted, can mean the world to someone who hasn’t experienced them in a long time. This cause is deeply important to me because homelessness is often misunderstood and stigmatized. People experiencing homelessness are not just statistics they are individuals with stories, dreams, and struggles. Many are victims of unfortunate circumstances such as job loss, health issues, domestic violence, or lack of affordable housing. Too often, society turns a blind eye to their needs, treating homelessness as a problem too big to solve. While I know I can’t fix everything alone, I believe that small acts of kindness can create a ripple effect of change. Through this event, I would bring the community together to make a real difference. Local volunteers could help cook food, sort clothing donations, and raise funds through raffles, entertainment, or silent auctions. Local businesses could also play a role by sponsoring hotel stays, donating items, or simply spreading awareness. The event would not only provide short-term relief but also serve as a reminder that compassion and community support can go a long way. It would be a chance to show those who are struggling that people genuinely care about their well-being, even if the gesture is small. Most importantly, this initiative aligns with my personal values of service, empathy, and community. I believe that when people come together for a cause, meaningful change is possible. My passion for helping others is not just about offering temporary solutions it’s about restoring hope and humanity to those who need it most. I’ve always believed that we are all just one unfortunate event away from needing help ourselves, and if I were ever in that position, I would hope someone would care enough to help me too. In the end, improving the community isn’t just about big policies or large organizations it’s about individuals stepping up and doing what they can with what they have. That’s why this project is so important to me. It represents not only a way to help others, but a way to inspire more people to act with kindness and purpose. By uplifting those who are most in need, we build a stronger, more compassionate community for everyone.

Growing up, the phrase “what happens here, stays here” shaped my childhood and marked the beginning of my mental health struggles. This mindset was instilled in me early on and taught me to stay silent even when I faced hunger, homelessness, and instability. I didn’t talk about bouncing between hotel rooms, caring for my younger siblings while still a child myself, or the emotional weight I carried each day. That silence became a survival tool, but it placed a heavy burden on my shoulders. It wasn’t until much later that I understood how deeply it had affected my mental health and how common this silence is in marginalized communities like the one I come from. My name is Aprayer Johnson, and I am committed to breaking that cycle of silence, a silence that is promoted and encouraged in many of the minority communities. I want to be able to promote therapeutic treatment and showing others that there are people who are willing to listen and support. I plan to become a licensed therapist specializing in art therapy, with a focus on expressive therapy for children and individuals with special needs. Through creative outlets like drawing, music, dance, and painting, I want to help others process trauma and emotions in ways words often can’t. I believe these alternative forms of expression are especially vital for those who struggle to communicate verbally, whether due to trauma, disability, or environment. This work is especially important in communities where mental health is too often overlooked, stigmatized, or simply inaccessible. I believe healing begins with expression, and that art offers a safe, nonjudgmental space where that healing can begin and grow. My own experiences with mental health challenges and the lack of support I witnessed have not only shaped my beliefs, they have defined my purpose. I know what it feels like to be invisible, to be unheard. That’s why I’m pursuing a bachelor’s degree in psychology at Elizabeth City State University, with plans to continue on to earn a master’s degree and become fully licensed. My goal is to be a voice for those who are still finding theirs, and to create a space where emotional safety and expression are not only encouraged but deeply valued. To me, activism can be defined as showing up for others, especially those who have been silenced or have not found their voice. Through my work in mental health, I aim to educate, support, and uplift marginalized voices through both therapy and advocacy. I don’t just want to treat mental health challenges; I want to change how our communities understand them, promote awareness, and normalize the importance of healing.