One problem I am deeply obsessed with solving is the lack of support for pregnant women who don’t qualify for government assistance but still desperately need help. There is a large and often invisible group of women who fall just above the income cutoff for aid—women who make “too much” on paper to qualify, yet still cannot afford rent, child care, prenatal care, or even healthy food consistently. I am one of those women. I’ve lived the experience of being told I don’t qualify for help, even as I struggled alone through one of the most vulnerable times of my life. When I found out I was pregnant, I was working full-time and had recently moved to a new state for a job. I didn’t have family nearby, I wasn’t in a relationship, and I was navigating the early stages of pregnancy by myself. I applied for help wherever I could—WIC, Medicaid, housing support—but in most cases, I was told I earned slightly too much. That “slightly” was the difference between surviving and drowning. I was not poor enough for help, but not secure enough to be okay. That experience was eye-opening. It made me realize just how broken our systems are for women in transition—especially women who are doing their best to stay afloat but have no safety net. I kept asking myself, what happens to the women like me? The answer was simple: we fall through the cracks. That’s when the idea for a community-based solution came to me. I began imagining a platform that could serve as a lifeline for women like me—especially pregnant women and single mothers without support systems. A space that could provide access to emotional support, parenting resources, life coaching, and even direct donations for emergency needs. This vision has grown into something I am committed to building. I plan to pursue a degree in User Experience (UX) Design so that I can create this platform with compassion and purpose, combining technology with lived experience to design solutions that truly meet people where they are. The issue of assistance cutoffs may seem like a policy issue on the surface, but to me, it’s personal. It’s about the anxiety of going to the grocery store and wondering how you’ll stretch what little you have. It’s about sitting in a prenatal appointment alone, with no one to call afterward. It’s about being strong because there’s no other option, even when you’re scared and exhausted. These are the women I want to help—the women who are often invisible because they don’t “qualify.” I’m obsessed with solving this problem because I’ve lived it. And I know that if we can fill this gap, we can change lives. Not with handouts, but with community, compassion, and access. This isn’t just a project to me—it’s a mission. A calling. A promise that I will turn what I’ve been through into something that helps someone else feel seen, supported, and safe.

Caregiving, for me, has begun even before my child is born. I am currently pregnant with my first baby, and although I have not yet held them in my arms, I have already stepped fully into the role of protector, provider, and nurturer. I am doing everything in my power to prepare for their arrival and to build a stable, loving life where they can thrive. I read parenting books, attend prenatal appointments alone, and research everything from nutrition to early childhood development. I carefully budget every dollar, make health-conscious food choices, and focus on reducing stress, not just for me, but for the tiny life growing inside of me. Though the physical demands of motherhood have already begun, it’s the emotional labor of becoming a mother under difficult circumstances that defines what caregiving looks like for me right now. I am navigating this journey without a partner or traditional support system. The father of my child abandoned me when I told him I was pregnant and with no financial or emotional support from him and no nearby family, I’ve had to rely entirely on myself. Still, I show up every day with determination and love. I speak to my child, play music for them, and make plans for our future. I’m not just preparing to care for a baby, I’m preparing to raise a whole human being with compassion, wisdom, and security, despite the odds. My journey into caregiving has started in quiet, sometimes painful ways, but it is no less real. It has required resilience, sacrifice, and unshakable faith in the life I am building. This experience has shaped every part of who I am. It has deepened my empathy, sharpened my focus, and made my goals feel more urgent and meaningful. Before I became pregnant, I already had a strong interest in technology and life coaching. But now, my goals have expanded. I’m planning to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in User Experience (UX) Design, beginning in the summer of 2025. My dream is to use my skills to develop digital tools that support women like me, especially single mothers navigating trauma, isolation, and financial hardship. I want to create platforms that offer emotional support, community resources, and empowerment, because I know how much that is needed. Becoming a caregiver has given my life purpose beyond myself. It has made me more resourceful, more driven, and more compassionate. It has shown me how deeply people need connection and support, especially those of us doing the hardest jobs with the fewest resources. I plan to use my education and my life experience to make sure no woman has to feel as alone as I once did. This scholarship would make a tremendous difference in my life. As someone with limited financial resources and no current outside support, I am responsible not only for my future but for my child’s as well. The cost of tuition, books, and daily living adds up quickly, especially when preparing to take care of a newborn. Receiving this scholarship would lighten the load and allow me to focus more fully on school without sacrificing the quality of care I can provide for my baby. It would be an investment in both of our futures. I am ready to build a better life. I’m not just pursuing a degree, I’m creating a legacy of strength, healing, and purpose. This scholarship would help me continue on that path and turn my caregiving journey into something transformative, not only for my child, but for the communities I hope to serve through my work in technology.

I chose to pursue a degree in STEM, specifically in User Experience (UX) Design, because I believe technology has the power to create real change, and I want to be one of the people designing that change with purpose, empathy, and inclusion. As a woman of color, a first-generation college student, and a single expectant mother, I know firsthand what it feels like to be left out of systems that were not built with people like me in mind. My goal is to change that reality, not only for myself, but for others who feel overlooked in the world of tech. My path to STEM hasn’t been traditional. I didn’t grow up around people who worked in tech or had access to advanced resources. What I did have was the strength to keep going through incredibly difficult circumstances. I’ve survived abusive relationships, economic instability, and the heartbreak of being abandoned during pregnancy by someone I trusted. When I found myself alone, without support, and carrying the weight of my future and my child’s future at the same time, I made the decision to fight for something better. In that moment, I realized how powerful technology could be, especially for people like me who are often left to figure things out on their own. I became passionate about the idea of creating digital tools that provide emotional support, access to resources, and a strong sense of community for women facing crisis and hardship. That’s what led me to UX Design. It combines creativity and technology in a way that solves real human problems. It allows me to build things that are not only useful, but meaningful. As a person of color in STEM, I hope to bring representation and understanding to a space that still lacks diverse voices. I want to make sure the problems being solved reflect the needs of people from all backgrounds. I want to build technology that uplifts, includes, and empowers. My future project will focus on developing a platform that acts as a digital support system for single mothers and women overcoming trauma. It will offer connection, guidance, and tools to help users navigate the challenges that often come with being on their own. My journey has taught me that even the most painful experiences can plant the seeds of purpose. I am choosing to transform everything I’ve been through into something that can help others feel less alone. I’m not pursuing STEM just to get a good job, I’m doing it to make a lasting impact. Technology doesn’t require you to come from the perfect background. It rewards persistence, creativity, and the willingness to solve problems. I plan to bring all of that and more into the field. I want my child to see a mother who didn’t give up, who used her struggles to create something bigger than herself. And I want others like me to see what’s possible when we’re given the tools to lead.

While I have not yet launched a formal tech project, I am actively building the foundation for one that lives at the heart of my purpose. I am preparing to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in User Experience (UX) Design, and with it, I plan to develop an app called The Village—a platform that supports single mothers, especially those navigating trauma, with access to emotional support, community resources, and coaching tools. The inspiration for The Village comes from my own lived experience. As a first-generation college student, a single mother-to-be, and a survivor of domestic abuse, I know what it feels like to navigate impossible circumstances without a support system. Technology has always fascinated me, not just for what it can do, but for who it can reach. It’s one of the most powerful tools we have for connection, healing, and access. I want to use that power to create change for people who are often left behind in both tech and society. What excites me about working in technology is the ability to solve real human problems through innovation. I’m particularly drawn to UX design because it sits at the intersection of empathy and function. It's not just about making things look good—it’s about making them work well for the people who need them most. Through this field, I can combine my creative instincts with technical skills to build solutions that are intuitive, inclusive, and meaningful. Although The Village is still in its planning stages, I’ve been developing its concept through research, conversations with other women, and mapping out user flows and features. I want the app to feel like a lifeline—whether that means connecting someone to emergency resources, providing a moment of encouragement, or building lasting peer connections. I see it evolving into more than just an app. I envision a full digital ecosystem designed for healing, empowerment, and transformation. Working in technology inspires me because it makes change feel possible, even in the face of overwhelming odds. Tech doesn’t care where you come from. It doesn't require you to have a perfect past. It just asks you to solve problems, think creatively, and keep learning. For someone like me, who has overcome adversity and continues to push forward despite the challenges, tech is not just a career path—it’s a form of freedom. As I prepare to enter the tech world academically and professionally, I carry not only my ambition but also the stories of women like me—people who need tools built with them in mind. I am passionate about using technology to uplift those who are too often overlooked. I may not have started the app yet, but the vision is clear, and the motivation is personal. I’m ready to bring it to life and use my future in tech to make sure no one feels as alone as I once did.

My life has been shaped by survival, resilience, and a deep desire to break cycles, not just for myself, but for my child and other women like me. I am a first-generation college student and a single, expectant mother. I never thought I would be here. After surviving two abusive relationships that left deep mental and physical scars, I made a choice to put myself first. That decision led me to a promising job opportunity that moved me to a new state where I knew no one, but for the first time, I had financial stability and space to heal and grow into the woman I was always meant to be. In that space, I met someone who I believed was trustworthy. When I became pregnant and told him, he threatened me. He said I could never reveal he was the father, fearing the damage it would do to his real life. I later found out he was married with two children. He left without support, and I was suddenly alone again, this time with a life growing inside of me. Out of fear, I did not pursue child support. But I made a promise that no one would ever scare me into silence or powerlessness again. That moment redefined my purpose. I decided to return to school in Summer 2025 to earn a Bachelor’s degree in User Experience (UX) Design. I want to combine my passion for technology, life coaching, and the arts to build digital tools that uplift and support underserved women, especially single mothers and survivors of abuse. My dream is to develop an app called The Village, a platform that connects women to emotional support, community, mental health tools, and practical resources. I know what it’s like to feel abandoned, ashamed, and invisible, and I want to create the kind of support system I wish I had access to during my hardest moments. Becoming a mother has not slowed me down, it has lit a fire in me. I am determined to create a life where my child will know what strength, healing, and purpose look like. My journey hasn’t been easy, but it has given me a powerful sense of direction. With this scholarship, I’ll be one step closer to turning pain into purpose, not only for myself, but for every woman who needs to know she’s not alone and that her dreams still matter.

I have personally been impacted by domestic violence more than once in my life. I have survived two abusive relationships that left lasting effects on my mental, emotional, and physical well-being. The first left me questioning my worth, and the second nearly shattered my spirit. After enduring so much, I made the conscious decision to reclaim my life. I committed to healing, rebuilding my confidence, and focusing on creating a safe, fulfilling future for myself. In pursuit of that goal, I secured a great job that recognized my value and transferred me to a new state. I didn’t know anyone, but for the first time, I was paid well and had a stable foundation to build upon. It was in that space of newfound strength that I met a man who initially seemed supportive. Someone I thought I could trust. Unfortunately, this turned into a different kind of trauma. I became pregnant, and instead of support, I was met with threats and abandonment. He told me I could never reveal that he was the father because it would ruin his life. I later discovered he was married. His reaction left me heartbroken and afraid, once again facing the consequences of someone else’s betrayal. His threats scared me into silence. I couldn’t even file for child support, for fear he might retaliate. I was left alone to carry the emotional and financial burden of my pregnancy, yet something in me refused to break this time. I made a promise to myself: I will never let fear dictate my future again. And more than that, I will not allow another woman to feel as alone, scared, or ashamed as I did in those moments and the weeks that followed. That experience reshaped my life’s mission. I am now preparing to return to school in Summer 2025 to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in User Experience (UX) Design. My goal is to combine my passion for life coaching, the arts, and technology to build safe, accessible, and empowering tools for African American women, especially those who have survived domestic violence. Black women are often underserved, underrepresented, and overlooked in systems of care and support. We are expected to be strong, even when we are breaking. Too often, our pain is minimized or ignored. I believe that by creating platforms and services that center our voices and needs, we can change the narrative. I am building a mobile app called “The Village” that will act as a digital support system for single mothers and women in crisis. It will offer access to resources, emotional support, life coaching, peer mentorship, and community—all designed by someone who knows what it feels like to be alone and afraid. Higher education is not just a stepping stone for me; it’s a tool I will use to rewrite not only my story, but the stories of countless women like me. My training in UX Design will help me create intuitive, compassionate tools that connect survivors to care more efficiently and discreetly. It will also help improve communication between service providers and the women they are meant to help—because too often, the systems in place are not built with our realities in mind. Surviving abuse did not destroy me, it refined me. It gave me the clarity and strength to build something meaningful for others. I plan to use my education to bridge the gaps in care, restore dignity to women who feel unseen, and ensure that no Black woman ever has to navigate trauma without a village behind her.