What does being a first generation student mean to me... Honestly, it's almost hard for me to say. Most days I don't even think about the fact that my parents never finished college, even though they both attended. But sometimes it weighs on me too. That idea that they were so close to grasping their dreams, the culmination of family lines pouring so much into them hoping that they would be able to do something their parents, their grandparents, and grandparents parents were unable to. And now that responsibility falls to me. And sometimes I don't even think about it. But sometimes, it's a lot. More than I feel I can bear. Especially at times like now, the end of each semester where the bills fully stack up, and I have nothing but time to sit with the financial weight of attending the top HBCU in the country. It costs. A *lot*. And that's hard to bear too. Truth be told, I'm writing this scholarship hoping it'll disburse in time for me to clear my balance so I can register for classes next semester. It's more stressful than any situation I've ever been in before. Sometimes I wonder how it ever got to this point, but between juggling 16 credits, 3 jobs, extracurriculars, and still trying to maintain some semblance of a personal life the scholarship applications just got pushed to the side. I have a bad habit of prioritizing the things happening now, instead of planning for the things coming later, and that's something I'm working on. After I got back from school, I sat myself down and for a week straight I've been meticulously planning for every part, every aspect of next semester. Making absolutely sure I have time for everything I need to be doing, creating the structure I need for success, and setting myself up for opportunities incase I *can't* get registered for school. Cause no matter what happens, I can't be sitting at home, lounging around because I wasn't able to register for another semester. I can't do that to them. I can't do that to myself. What I said before about the responsibility of attending is the truth. It is an opportunity yes, but it's also a responsibility, a necessity. Because if I can't do this, what were their efforts for? What did my mother take the time out to homeschool me for? What was the purpose of those sleepless nights refining my application, my college essay, going up to that financial aid office once and again begging for a handout, just something to bridge the gap? I can't do that to them. I can't do that to myself. I don't mean to paint a sob story, because that's not the kind of person I am. I consider myself a hard worker above all else, and I've been working hard all semester building my resume. I'm just asking for a little bit more help, to bridge the gap one last time.

It's funny, as I read through the history of your esteemed family member, I noticed so many parallels. My grandfather served in the military, hence my application. But specifically, he was a paratrooper, 173rd Airborne Brigade if I remember correctly. He served for quite some time, before eventually coming back home and having my father, who went on to serve in the federal government, and eventually starting his own business! It took a few more generations to get there, but I think you see why I chuckled upon first reading those bits. About my grandfather though, at his heart he was and still is a family man. He lives across the country from our family in California, but we make the trip every few years to go visit and show our love to him. Our last visit was something special for me though, and here's why. I was homeschooled for a majority of my academic career, courtesy of my mother. It helped quite a bit in developing that innate curiosity crucial for success later on in life, but it had the unfortunate side effect of meaning that many of my friends lived quite a distance away! One such friend just so happened to live all the way in California. We were extremely close at the time, both being the older (in her case oldest) siblings of large households (she has six siblings, I have four), sharing a deep love for reading and learning, as well as a passion for music and art. And it just so happens that she lived just 20 minutes away from where my grandfather's house was. So, having known this friend for several years without ever having the opportunity to meet, when my family travelled out there I asked if we could invite her and her family over to his house to have a family get together. First going through my parents, then asking my grandfather, and what do you know he said yes without a second thought. His first time seeing all of us in several years and here I am asking to bring a stranger (plus 7 more of them!) along to share our time and space together. And he said yes without a moment's consideration. He told me to bring along as many people as I wanted, and he would have enough meat to barbecue for them all. That's the type of man he is. And sure enough, they all showed up, and we cooked together, ate together, played together, and lived together like we had done so all our lives. And he sat there soaking up the sun and the laughter and let us all just *live* there. He made a safe space for us but more than that he *welcomed* them into his space as well. Because to him we were all family, related or not. And that's the kind of kinship I think is crucial to strong family ties. I think that's the kind of kinship that's needed in the world. I think that's the kind of kinship every family deserves. I'm thankful just for the opportunity to share that story, because it truly meant and means a lot to me, even now. The name of the friend I met at his house was Selam, and Selam and I don't talk anymore. Our paths diverged and I truly don't know where she is in the world now, but I hope she's in a place where she feels as welcome as she did at my grandfather's house. And I hope one day our paths will cross again. Thank you.

Howard is...everything to me. The school itself has it's problems, the administration has always been flawed, any graduate could tell you that. But before anything else, they'll tell you about the students. About Jasmyn Gore-Roberts, an amazingly talented future Film Director I had the good fortune of meeting my freshman year. About Taino Moreno, a world leader in the making I just so happen to live right down the hall from. About Miles (aka, Losoroph, aka Miles Morales, aka Mr. Fresh) the most stylish person you've ever met and one of the dopest creative directors to ever touch down on campus (seriously, watch him. a force to be reckoned with). Then me. Future investment banker and venture capital firm founder, continuing the goals and legacy of Marcus Garvey in connecting the Diaspora in ways few have truly considered to this day. Connecting us through Economics. My Howard experience can be summarized in a single, wonderful, beautiful word. Passion. I've finally been able to enter a space where I'm surrounded by people who are equally *if not more* passionate than me about my goals, and I've done nothing but thrive in such an environment. My hope is that with this scholarship I'm able to put a little bit more money towards my future *in* that environment, to make sure I'm able to grow and fully reach my maturity within the incubator that is Howard, to maximize my potential for future success. I thank you for this opportunity.

God is more than just a guiding light in my life. I know plenty of essays about Faith start off that way, and I want to make a clear distinction. I don't just believe that God guides me, I believe God speaks through me, lives through me, and acts through me at all times, and in all things. It's a belief that goes beyond belief, bridging into a knowing that I carry with me into all things. When I got into a car crash in 2018, my heart beat quickly but I reacted just as fast and knew deep down inside that I and my entire family would be protected. When I sent in my college applications for the first time I didn't know but I *knew* I would get into every school I applied for, because I knew each and every one of them contained a path for me that was equally right, and equally viable for me to travel along. But there was one school I wanted above all else. And lo and behold. When I received back my acceptance letters, the school that offered me the most in scholarships, in my choice program, it was the one I had dreamed of attending since the age of 5. Howard University. I knew God would provide it for me because I knew He was acting through me as a conduit for higher purpose, and I've been able to act on that purpose every semester since. Being able to make such in impact in community involvement with initiatives like HBCU GreenFund with their Senegal Beach Clean-Up Project (in which I was also afforded the opportunity to travel overseas for a greatly reduced price, participating in community and cultural enrichment programming whilst abroad). Being a part of KTS assisting in their community aid programs, doing work with Out the Trunk Nursery to make nature and greenery accessible to my campus family with the 101 Plants for Howard Homecoming giveaway. Down to the small things, like volunteering for mentorship with HU Glow, a non-profit and student organization created by a close friend of mine. Writing with the Sterling Brown Society, learning how to develop my words and bring my poetry to life. And with each one of these things being guided by the Spirit to new opportunities. I trace my life and my path through the amount of happenstance that occurs. The more positive "chance" events, the stronger I know that I'm tracing the right path for me. And I know I still am. This scholarship was the very first one I came across and I believe that's for a reason too. So my ask is simple. Help me along my path, with my purpose, because my only goal is to pay every bit forward tenfold. I wish to achieve for the Grace and Glory of God, that I may serve as a better vessel through which His will may be done. As I receive blessings, so shall I bestow unto others. That is my Belief, that is my Word, and that is my Path. Thank you for your time.