“Change is bad.” Growing up, this was my unconscious mantra. In my family, the “safe route” was to start working immediately after graduation; college wasn’t an option because the financial risk was too high. This also meant that mental health support was a luxury we couldn’t afford. While overcoming mental health challenges alone, I believe that quality mental health care should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their socioeconomic status. I am already working to turn this belief into action. As the Secretary of my neighborhood’s Youth Council, I am currently planning a mental health workshop for youth in my marginalized community. I want to provide them with the resources and understanding I didn’t have access to growing up. This role taught me that leadership is about defining a community gap and having the courage to fill it. My goal is to become a Clinical Psychologist to address a lack of representation in the mental health field. Research has documented that Black patients are significantly more likely to be misdiagnosed with severe psychotic disorders and underdiagnosed with mood disorders because the system lacks practitioners who understand our cultural differences. A scholarship from Bold.org would be the bridge to the financial “safety” my family taught me to value and the career of impact I’m highly determined to build. With Bold.org's support, I can focus on becoming a provider who ensures that individuals in my racial community have someone who understands their lived experiences and provides the high-quality care they deserve.