I was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan to a big family in the fall of 2001. The Motor City, known for its legacy as a once-great American city, was at its peak of disinvestment. Driving down Eighteen Mile, the lingering effects of redlining and racial discrimination becomes unignorable. Communities of color face unique challenges today. Historically Black and Mexican neighborhoods such as Black Bottom (known for its rich soils and cultural incubation) continue to be destroyed to build districts that do not benefit the original residents of the land. Disenfranchised residents continue to lose their homes and history due to gentrification after experiencing generations of redlining and housing discrimination. Detroit is a microcosm of the world. Over 100 languages are spoken at home across Metro Detroit. However, Detroit is one of the most racially segregated cities in the United States of America. Not only are the people separated, but the systems and infrastructure that support people. This state has led to separation and unequalness akin to Jim Crow. The stark inequalities in healthcare in Detroit, characterized by systemic racism and persistent segregation, have been a catalyst for my career aspirations. Witnessing the profound disparities experienced by marginalized communities has fueled my passion to pursue a healthcare profession. I am driven by a deep sense of justice, with the belief that everyone deserves access to quality care, regardless of their background or circumstances. I want to be part of the solution by actively working toward equitable healthcare outcomes and providing compassionate care to underserved populations who have long been neglected and marginalized. Growing up in Detroit, I was exposed to the realities of healthcare disparities and the profound impact that healthcare professionals can have on individuals and communities. The glaring disparities resulting from racial segregation and historical injustices heightened my awareness of the pressing need for change. Recent events such as the COVID-19 pandemic have underscored the urgent need for healthcare professionals dedicated to promoting health equity. The high rates of Black maternal mortality, the prevalence of housing, and food insecurity have further solidified my commitment to making a difference in these areas. To me, the health disparities statistics are more than numbers. Stories of violence or preventable deaths are too commonplace in Detroit. By working in public health, I can do my part to make these stories less common. As a first-generation, disabled, black student who has faced homelessness and been impacted by COVID-19, the financial burden of pursuing higher education has been overwhelming. This scholarship would alleviate financial stress and provide resources that would allow me to focus on academics. It would provide me with the necessary resources to succeed and make a positive impact as a healthcare professional, overcoming the systemic inequalities and historical injustices that have affected my community. With the support of this scholarship, I am confident in my ability to not only finish college strong but also contribute to making a difference in my community, where access to quality healthcare is limited.

Spring of my second year of junior high school, my family and I received the most dreadful call that anyone could receive. I would soon learn that my niece, Kamari, who was 4 years my junior and who I considered my best friend and one and only baby sister was in critical condition at the children’s hospital. Never would I have thought something like this could happen. The possibility of Kamari, my little brother Tommy, and I–the inseparable trio–not being able to live as a family anymore horrified me. These thoughts, but also our magical childhood memories, filled my head during the evenings and nights my family and I spent in the hospital by our little hero’s side. My little sister’s condition worsened. Later that week, sadly, we had to say goodbye. I was devastated. Mortality struck me. I realized how precious life is, but no parent should have to bury their child. Suddenly, I watched my sister, Anna, the strongest person I know, do it. Around the world, millions of children are dying of preventable and treatable causes, especially in resource-limited areas abroad and close to home. This global crisis is personal. I believe health is a human right. I believe that all children deserve a beautiful life and there must be strong cooperative global action to address the lack of the right to health. This looks like more access to diagnostic options in the prenatal and postpartum stages. These options could potentially protect mothers and children from possible infections from malarial parasites, Group B streptococcus, HIV/AIDS, and several other neglected tropical diseases. The universality of diagnostics technology for noncommunicable diseases is very important to me. A very long time before I knew any language, I was tested for the inherited genetic condition, sickle cell anemia. As expected, my results said I was a carrier. This means I have the sickle cell trait which can only be painful in extreme conditions but does not compare to the pain and healthcare needs of those who have sickle cell anemia. Malarious areas in particular South Asia and Africa have the highest prevalence of sickle cell hemoglobin variants, but diagnostic options are not widespread. Throughout undergrad, I have been consistently involved in the arts; public health advocacy with Partners In Health; HIV testing and counseling; and research guided by amazing professors in anthropology, sociology, maternal and child epidemiology, and microbiology. My research has led to a manuscript that will be peer-reviewed and presenting my research on Indigenous health disparities in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States of America at a national conference in Epidemiology. I love languages in general, but with interest in medical research especially as it relates to global disparities in child health, language in my professional toolset is imperative. I will be able to better collaborate with leaders from different communities and cultures to imagine a safer healthier world for children and mothers. I want to continue my journey in children's infectious disease by going on to graduate school and gaining more training in the field and using my unique perspective to create more equitable programs

Growing up in Detroit, MI witnessing the resilience of my community during times of adversity cultivated my interest in community service and disaster relief. More specifically, I learned, in person, the importance of community and togetherness as the rawest form of disaster relief. While I had confidence in my community, especially after multiple social and economic hardships, the COVID-19 pandemic was and still is a unique situation that affected my community in Detroit and my family. Limited access to healthcare, compounded by systemic racism and socioeconomic barriers, resulted in higher infection rates and deaths among marginalized populations. Many in my community, including family members and friends, experienced job loss, financial instability, housing insecurity, and passing.Moreover, the pandemic took a toll on mental health, exacerbating the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals. Isolation, limited support systems, and the absence of safe spaces compounded the struggles we already faced. Like many this situation is especially personal. Despite these challenges, witnessing the resilience and solidarity of my community during these difficult times has only strengthened my commitment to community service and disaster relief. It highlighted the importance of addressing systemic inequalities, advocating for accessible healthcare, and fostering inclusive and supportive environments for marginalized communities. Through my experiences during the pandemic, I have become even more determined to contribute to community-based initiatives that uplift and empower individuals facing similar hardships. I want to ensure that no one is left behind and that the voices of marginalized communities are heard in decision-making processes. Looking ahead, my passion extends beyond local efforts. I am deeply interested in Global Public Health and believe that addressing health disparities and promoting well-being on a global scale is crucial. As a team coordinator for MSU Partners In Health Engage, I have had the opportunity to collaborate with like-minded individuals, organizing events and fundraisers to support global health initiatives. This experience has strengthened my understanding of the importance of community-driven solutions and the power of collective action in creating sustainable change. In the future, I aim to contribute further to community service and disaster relief by pursuing additional education and certifications in disaster management and humanitarian efforts. Equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge, I intend to play a more strategic role in coordinating relief efforts and implementing effective solutions during crises. Moreover, I plan to continue my involvement with MSU Partners In Health Engage and actively support their mission of advancing global public health. Then I would like to get graduate training in Epidemiology and Family Medicine focused on preventative healthcare for those facing unjust health disparities. I have shown dedication to these fields through my published research in Epidemiology projects focused on the intersection of racism and health in the United States

I was born in Detroit, Michigan to a big family in the fall of 2001. The Motor City, known for its legacy as a once-great American city, was at its peak of disinvestment. Driving down Eighteen Mile, the lingering effects of redlining and racial discrimination becomes unignorable. Communities of color face unique challenges today. Historically Black and Mexican neighborhoods such as Black Bottom (known for its rich soils and cultural incubation) continue to be destroyed to build districts that do not benefit the original residents of the land. Disenfranchised residents continue to lose their homes and history due to gentrification after experiencing generations of redlining and housing discrimination. Detroit is a microcosm of the world. Over 100 languages are spoken at home across Metro Detroit. However, Detroit is one of the most racially segregated cities in the United States of America. Not only are the people separated, but the systems and infrastructure that support people. This state has led to separation and unequalness akin to Jim Crow. The stark inequalities in healthcare in Detroit, characterized by systemic racism and persistent segregation, have been a catalyst for my career aspirations. Witnessing the profound disparities experienced by marginalized communities has fueled my passion to pursue a healthcare profession. I am driven by a deep sense of justice, with the belief that everyone deserves access to quality care, regardless of their background or circumstances. I want to be part of the solution by actively working toward equitable healthcare outcomes and providing compassionate care to underserved populations who have long been neglected and marginalized. Growing up in Detroit, I was exposed to the realities of healthcare disparities and the profound impact that healthcare professionals can have on individuals and communities. The glaring disparities resulting from racial segregation and historical injustices heightened my awareness of the pressing need for change. Recent events such as the COVID-19 pandemic have underscored the urgent need for healthcare professionals dedicated to promoting health equity. The high rates of Black maternal mortality, the prevalence of housing, and food insecurity have further solidified my commitment to making a difference in these areas. To me, the health disparities statistics are more than numbers. Stories of violence or preventable deaths are too commonplace in Detroit. By working in public health, I can do my part to make these stories less common. As a first-generation, disabled, black student who has faced homelessness and been impacted by COVID-19, the financial burden of pursuing higher education has been overwhelming. This scholarship would alleviate financial stress and provide resources that would allow me to focus on academics. It would provide me with the necessary resources to succeed and make a positive impact as a healthcare professional, overcoming the systemic inequalities and historical injustices that have affected my community. With the support of this scholarship, I am confident in my ability to not only finish college strong but also contribute to making a difference in my community, where access to quality healthcare is limited.

Spring of my second year of junior high school, my family and I received the most dreadful call that anyone could receive. I would soon learn that my niece, Kamari, who was 4 years my junior and who I considered my best friend and one and only baby sister was in critical condition at the children’s hospital. Never would I have thought something like this could happen. The possibility of Kamari, my little brother Tommy, and I–the inseparable trio–not being able to live as a family anymore horrified me. These thoughts, but also our magical childhood memories, filled my head during the evenings and nights my family and I spent in the hospital by our little hero’s side. My little sister’s condition worsened. Later that week, sadly, we had to say goodbye. I was devastated. Mortality struck me. I realized how precious life is, but no parent should have to bury their child. Suddenly, I watched my sister, Anna, the strongest person I know, do it. Around the world, millions of children are dying of preventable and treatable causes, especially in resource-limited areas abroad and close to home. This global crisis is personal. I believe health is a human right. I believe that all children deserve a beautiful life and there must be strong cooperative global action to address the lack of the right to health. This looks like more access to diagnostic options in the prenatal and postpartum stages. These options could potentially protect mothers and children from possible infections from malarial parasites, Group B streptococcus, HIV/AIDS, and several other neglected tropical diseases. The universality of diagnostics technology for noncommunicable diseases is very important to me. A very long time before I knew any language, I was tested for the inherited genetic condition, sickle cell anemia. As expected, my results said I was a carrier. This means I have the sickle cell trait which can only be painful in extreme conditions but does not compare to the pain and healthcare needs of those who have sickle cell anemia. Malarious areas in particular South Asia and Africa have the highest prevalence of sickle cell hemoglobin variants, but diagnostic options are not widespread. Throughout undergrad, I have been consistently involved in the arts; public health advocacy with Partners In Health; HIV testing and counseling; and research guided by amazing professors in anthropology, sociology, maternal and child epidemiology, and microbiology. My research has led to a manuscript that will be peer-reviewed and presenting my research on Indigenous health disparities in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States of America at a national conference in Epidemiology. I love languages in general, but with an interest in medical research especially as it relates to global disparities in child health, language in my professional toolset is imperative. I will be able to better collaborate with leaders from different communities and cultures to imagine a safer healthier world for children and mothers. I want to continue my journey in children's infectious disease by going on to graduate school and gain more training in the field and use my unique perspective in language, culture, and the sciences to create more equitable programs. A book that has had the greatest impact on my path to medicine include "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kider which is about the late Paul Farmer's journey to becoming a Physician-Anthropologist, cofounding Partners In Health, and his work in Haiti.

From the Bubonic plague (Yersinia pestis) to Leprosy (Mycobacterium leprae), disease-causing bacteria have been present and shaping human history for millennia; but have been shrouded in mystery and superstition for most of it. Not until Louis Pasteur discovered the Germ Theory of Disease in the late 1800s did we start to understand the effects of the unseen microscopic world on living organisms' health. Many prominent diseases that we now think of as easy to cure (e.g. Pneumonia, Gonorrhea, and Leprosy) were deadly a century ago. So what caused diseases to go from debilitating death sentences to easily curable? If you were to ask me, I would say a lot of trial and error. One of the most significant scientific discoveries and prominent treatments for deadly infectious diseases was discovered by accident — Penicillin. Andrew Fleming, coming back from his holiday in September 1928, found his colonies of Staphylococcus contaminated with mold. He observed that the strain of mold was secreting something that was inhibiting the growth of his Staphylococcus. Later, it was discovered that the secretion was Penicillin. This discovery was a turning point in Public Health and has saved many lives. Many life scientists, specifically microbiologists, are taught the importance of Aseptic Technique to prevent the contamination of microbes that they do not want to study. Sometimes mistakes happen. Mistakes, like Andrew Flemings’s, are crucial to scientific advancement. Instead of scraping his experiment due to an accident, Andrew Fleming used his mistakes to make one of the most lifesaving discoveries. As a young scientist, I have tried the best I can to avoid mistakes, but as I mature, I realize that mistakes happen, but it is what you do with those mistakes that matter the most.