I was 5 years old when I realized my great aunt, who I adored, was suffering. Of course, as a five-year-old, I didn’t understand what schizophrenia was or the real-life implications of the diagnosis. All I knew was that she was often upset and unaware that the things she saw and believed were not true. I remember loving her so deeply and at the same time being scared and confused about what she was going through. And I think that about sums up what most people who are living with a severely mentally ill family member must feel. While the love is still there it is often overshadowed with hopelessness. My experience with my great aunt and my own later battle with depression and anxiety have inspired me to become a therapist working primarily with underserved communities. I would like to help normalize seeking out mental health services because I know that in my own family and community, there is a stigma. And once I broke the mold and decided to go to therapy for my depression and anxiety in my late teens I realized how beneficial it could have been for my aunt to receive similar services. Therapy helped me realize it is okay to not be okay and that I am not a burden on my family, friends, and society. Talking to someone who genuinely cared and wanted the best for me helped me realize that I didn’t have to be so alone. It removed the overwhelming hopelessness from my life. I often wonder how long my aunt could have lived, and how much joy she could have experienced if my family knew to listen and get her help. Affordable mental health care and increased access to therapists and psychiatrists could have made a profound difference in her life. Unfortunately, high costs and limited availability often prevent families like mine from accessing the care they desperately need. Mental illness impacts not just the individual but their entire family and community. Watching my aunt struggle showed me how important it is to provide holistic support to both those suffering and their loved ones. Mental health challenges don’t occur in isolation—they ripple outward. I want to build a practice that addresses not only individual therapy but also community education and outreach to reduce stigma and increase awareness. I know the challenges my aunt faced were not unique. Many families experience similar situations, feeling helpless due to financial barriers or a lack of resources. My goal is to be an advocate for affordable and accessible care while providing a safe and welcoming space for healing. I believe everyone deserves the chance to reclaim their lives and find joy again, and I am committed to making that a reality through my work as a therapist. And that is why I hope to become the therapist that my community needs, one that could have helped my aunt. And one that will be compassionate and loving while bridging the gap for folks who may not know the benefits of getting help.

"You act so mature for your age." It’s a compliment I’ve heard for as long as I can remember. As a child, I took pride in it—believing my wisdom and responsibility made me special. But as I grew older, I began to question why I was forced to carry that maturity so young. I realized it wasn’t a gift but a survival mechanism. I had to grow up fast to protect myself from both a world that wasn’t kind to Black Queer children and the trauma I experienced at home. My journey through therapy—unpacking that trauma and learning to manage its effects—has inspired me to dedicate my life to helping others do the same. I am committed to becoming a therapist who empowers Black children and adolescents with histories of family abuse and trauma. Too often, Black youth are denied the chance to experience a carefree childhood and instead burdened with adult responsibilities and systemic obstacles. I want to create spaces where they can process their pain, discover their strength, and envision a future beyond survival. My approach will combine cultural competence with a social justice lens, addressing not only individual struggles but also the broader societal forces shaping my clients’ lives. My passion for mental health work began at the University of San Francisco, where I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. The curriculum, grounded in cultural humility, systemic inequalities, and social justice, solidified my desire to work with Black children and adolescents who have experienced trauma. I also gained hands-on experience at Westside Community Health's Ajani program, supporting Black youth impacted by racism, poverty, and gentrification, and at Young Community Developers, where I guided high school students navigating systemic barriers. These experiences revealed the need for mental health services designed specifically for marginalized youth. I witnessed how systemic inequalities lead Black children to feel unseen, unsupported, and disconnected from their schools and communities. I also learned that building genuine relationships is key to helping young people feel safe and understood. Therapy, I realized, cannot exist in isolation from the larger systems that shape people's lives—it must be rooted in social justice. I am now pursuing my graduate degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at the University of San Francisco to become a culturally competent clinician who centers my clients' lived experiences. My approach integrates evidence-based therapy techniques with advocacy and empowerment strategies to address both personal and systemic challenges. I am committed to giving children agency in their healing and helping them see that their futures are not defined by trauma. My goal is to open a community-based practice focused on Black children and adolescents. This space will not only offer therapy but also workshops, support groups, and school partnerships to provide accessible mental health resources. I envision collaborating with schools, educators, and community leaders to build a network of care that supports long-term growth and resilience. My practice will be a place where youth can reclaim their narratives, feel valued, and access opportunities they may not have thought possible. Receiving the Arnetha V. Bishop Memorial Scholarship would allow me to continue this work and honor her legacy of advocating for equitable mental health care. With this support, I can focus on my studies, pursue additional training, and develop innovative programs to meet the unique needs of Black youth. My dedication to this field is deeply personal, and I am determined to make a lasting impact by breaking down barriers to mental health support and helping Black youth find healing, hope, and comfort.