During my youth, I primarily resided in low income, over policed Black communities where institutional, societal, and familial messages of resiliency were rarely conveyed. Numerous families in my community were affected by stressors such as homelessness, gang membership, violence, and lack of positive adult supports. Despite the context of my neighborhood and negative external factors, I developed a strong sense of resiliency via interpersonal relationships and community resources and organizations. My familial supports reinforced values of compassion, determination, and authenticity, while social and community supports displayed examples of supplying warm, secure, and supportive environments for underrepresented and marginalized youth and families. Overtime I found solace in applying and recycling such values and experiences to my own life, which has largely shaped my perspectives, career path, approach to advocacy, and interpersonal relationships. As I pursue my doctoral degree, my passion of creating better outcomes for marginalized youth continues to grow. I make it a personal goal to maintain sensitivity to gaps in systemic practices that perpetuate systems of oppression and discrimination specifically as it relates to my role as a doctoral intern in school psychology. One way I envision making a positive impact is by starting my own practice H.O.P.E (Helping Our People Excel). It has always been my dream to open up a facility that would offer support to youth and families all while being able to still practice in the field of psychology. The purpose of the facility is to help families within the community live a better life by engaging youth in a numerous afterschool and summer activities and programs, and offering counseling, parent training, and other therapeutic supports. I personally believe that in order to grow new and better relationships it is important for everyone to be able to discuss their problems, ideas, and questions. That is why H.O.P.E will have multiple programs. My goal is to not only bring comfort to the people within the community, but to emphasize my support in all dreams. Too many times I see little children having dreams of becoming a doctor, singer, dancer etc, but lack resources to teach them how to achieve their goals and dreams. That is where I would like to intervene, making sure that every child gets a head start on what they want to become in life. No ones dream should be shattered simply because a lack of resources or not having someone to guide them. H.O.P.E. will be that guide. Not only for achieving dreams and goals, but also putting together the missing puzzle pieces for broken families. H.O.P.E will be the foundation of an excelling community In the words of the most respected, Rosa Parks “To bring about change, you must not be afraid to take the first step. We will fail when we fail to try”. Since my undergraduate career, my experiences have reinforced my beliefs in social justice and community cohesion. It is my goal to serve as an avenue of support and resource for individuals disenfranchised by societal conceptualization of equity, justice, and mental health.