As an African-American woman from East Harlem, my personal experiences with both public and private schools in New York City have given me first-hand insights into the impact of redlining and stereotype threat on the achievement gap. Initially attending one of the best public schools in Harlem, I witnessed how it gradually lost funding, transitioning towards a common core curriculum that hindered the intellectually stimulating environment I once knew. This shift illustrated the disparities in resources between public and private institutions, as my private school had access to individual college counselors and on-site therapists, while my friends in low-income public schools had one overwhelmed guidance counselor serving multiple roles. Throughout my academic journey, I faced the challenge of test anxiety, which significantly lessened when I entered the private school environment due to proper test preparation. However, I still grappled with the fear of being perceived as the "black girl who isn't at the top of her class." These experiences further highlighted the inequalities that persist in our education system, particularly for students from underprivileged backgrounds. Attending the United Nations International School in high school, I anticipated feeling included in such a diverse space, only to find that as one of the seven Black girls in my grade, I often felt like the world was on my shoulders. Adding to the weight was my background of coming from the projects and attending school on scholarship. In one specific instance, during a history class, I remained quiet while white boys argued about the concept of the "angry black woman," fearful of reinforcing stereotypes and potentially jeopardizing my standing. Determined to make a difference, I am pursuing my education at Howard University, where I have embraced leadership roles and immersed myself in political science and Afro-American studies. Howard University has provided me with the opportunity to develop the skills needed to create change and uplift marginalized communities. With this knowledge and my passion for social justice, I plan to establish a nonprofit organization focused on empowering Black girls and reminding them of their powerful voices. Upon earning my master's in public policy and attending law school, I aim to use these additional qualifications to advocate for policy changes that promote equity and fairness in education and beyond. By engaging with the community, hosting workshops, and collaborating with local organizations, I aspire to address the specific needs of Harlem residents and break down barriers. I specifically hope to host financial literacy workshops, provide mental health support, and teach more about the importance of civic engagement, particularly within the African-American community. I ultimately want to create my own scholarship program to help students fund their education because scholarships are what have helped me get to where I am today. Additionally, I hope to help create a more equitable education landscape within New York by changing policy directly. Improving my community is of utmost importance to me because I have personally experienced the impact of inadequate resources and stereotypes on academic achievement. My journey from Harlem to Howard University, coupled with my love for travel and cultural immersion, has strengthened my resolve to create a more equitable and empowered society. By taking action to uplift and empower Black girls, supporting minority-owned businesses, and advocating for policy reforms, I believe I can foster lasting change and dismantle the barriers that perpetuate inequality in our society. Through these efforts, I hope to inspire others to join me in this journey toward a brighter and more just future for all.

As an African-American woman from East Harlem, my personal experiences with both public and private schools in New York City have given me first-hand insights into the impact of redlining and stereotype threat on the achievement gap. Initially attending one of the best public schools in Harlem, I witnessed how it gradually lost funding, transitioning towards a common core curriculum that hindered the intellectually stimulating environment I once knew. This shift illustrated the disparities in resources between public and private institutions, as my private school had access to individual college counselors and on-site therapists, while my friends in low-income public schools had one overwhelmed guidance counselor serving multiple roles. Throughout my academic journey, I faced the challenge of test anxiety, which significantly lessened when I entered the private school environment due to proper test preparation. However, I still grappled with the fear of being perceived as the "black girl who isn't at the top of her class." These experiences further highlighted the inequalities that persist in our education system, particularly for students from underprivileged backgrounds. Attending the United Nations International School in high school, I anticipated feeling included in such a diverse space, only to find that as one of the seven Black girls in my grade, I often felt like the world was on my shoulders. Adding to the weight was my background of coming from the projects and attending school on scholarship. In one specific instance, during a history class, I remained quiet while white boys argued about the concept of the "angry black woman," fearful of reinforcing stereotypes and potentially jeopardizing my standing. Determined to make a difference, I am pursuing my education at Howard University, where I have embraced leadership roles and immersed myself in political science and Afro-American studies. Howard University has provided me with the opportunity to develop the skills needed to create change and uplift marginalized communities. With this knowledge and my passion for social justice, I plan to establish a nonprofit organization focused on empowering Black girls and reminding them of their powerful voices. Upon earning my master's in public policy and attending law school, I aim to use these additional qualifications to advocate for policy changes that promote equity and fairness in education and beyond. By engaging with the community, hosting workshops, and collaborating with local organizations, I aspire to address the specific needs of Harlem residents and break down barriers. I specifically hope to host financial literacy workshops, provide mental health support, and teach more about the importance of civic engagement, particularly within the African-American community. I ultimately want to create my own scholarship program to help students fund their education because scholarships are what have helped me get to where I am today. Additionally, I hope to help create a more equitable education landscape within New York by changing policy directly. Improving my community is of utmost importance to me because I have personally experienced the impact of inadequate resources and stereotypes on academic achievement. My journey from Harlem to Howard University, coupled with my love for travel and cultural immersion, has strengthened my resolve to create a more equitable and empowered society. By taking action to uplift and empower Black girls, supporting minority-owned businesses, and advocating for policy reforms, I believe I can foster lasting change and dismantle the barriers that perpetuate inequality in our society. Through these efforts, I hope to inspire others to join me in this journey toward a brighter and more just future for all.

As an African-American woman from East Harlem, my personal experiences with both public and private schools in New York City have given me first-hand insights into the impact of redlining and stereotype threat on the achievement gap. Initially attending one of the best public schools in Harlem, I witnessed how it gradually lost funding, transitioning towards a common core curriculum that hindered the intellectually stimulating environment I once knew. This shift illustrated the disparities in resources between public and private institutions, as my private school had access to individual college counselors and on-site therapists, while my friends in low-income public schools had one overwhelmed guidance counselor serving multiple roles. Throughout my academic journey, I faced the challenge of test anxiety, which significantly lessened when I entered the private school environment due to proper test preparation. However, I still grappled with the fear of being perceived as the "black girl who isn't at the top of her class." These experiences further highlighted the inequalities that persist in our education system, particularly for students from underprivileged backgrounds. Attending the United Nations International School in high school, I anticipated feeling included in such a diverse space, only to find that as one of the seven Black girls in my grade, I often felt like the world was on my shoulders. Adding to the weight was my background of coming from the projects and attending school on scholarship. In one specific instance, during a history class, I remained quiet while white boys argued about the concept of the "angry black woman," fearful of reinforcing stereotypes and potentially jeopardizing my standing. Determined to make a difference, I am pursuing my education at Howard University, where I have embraced leadership roles and immersed myself in political science and Afro-American studies. Howard University has provided me with the opportunity to develop the skills needed to create change and uplift marginalized communities. With this knowledge and my passion for social justice, I plan to establish a nonprofit organization focused on empowering Black girls and reminding them of their powerful voices. Upon earning my master's in public policy and attending law school, I aim to use these additional qualifications to advocate for policy changes that promote equity and fairness in education and beyond. By engaging with the community, hosting workshops, and collaborating with local organizations, I aspire to address the specific needs of Harlem residents and break down barriers. I specifically hope to host financial literacy workshops, provide mental health support, and teach more about the importance of civic engagement, particularly within the African-American community. I ultimately want to create my own scholarship program to help students fund their education because scholarships are what have helped me get to where I am today. Additionally, I hope to help create a more equitable education landscape within New York by changing policy directly. Improving my community is of utmost importance to me because I have personally experienced the impact of inadequate resources and stereotypes on academic achievement. My journey from Harlem to Howard University, coupled with my love for travel and cultural immersion, has strengthened my resolve to create a more equitable and empowered society. By taking action to uplift and empower Black girls, supporting minority-owned businesses, and advocating for policy reforms, I believe I can foster lasting change and dismantle the barriers that perpetuate inequality in our society. Through these efforts, I hope to inspire others to join me in this journey toward a brighter and more just future for all.

As an African-American woman from East Harlem, my personal experiences with both public and private schools in New York City have given me first-hand insights into the impact of redlining and stereotype threat on the achievement gap. Initially attending one of the best public schools in Harlem, I witnessed how it gradually lost funding, transitioning towards a common core curriculum that hindered the intellectually stimulating environment I once knew. This shift illustrated the disparities in resources between public and private institutions, as my private school had access to individual college counselors and on-site therapists, while my friends in low-income public schools had one overwhelmed guidance counselor serving multiple roles. Throughout my academic journey, I faced the challenge of test anxiety, which significantly lessened when I entered the private school environment due to proper test preparation. However, I still grappled with the fear of being perceived as the "black girl who isn't at the top of her class." These experiences further highlighted the inequalities that persist in our education system, particularly for students from underprivileged backgrounds. Attending the United Nations International School in high school, I anticipated feeling included in such a diverse space, only to find that as one of the seven Black girls in my grade, I often felt like the world was on my shoulders. Adding to the weight was my background of coming from the projects and attending school on scholarship. In one specific instance, during a history class, I remained quiet while white boys argued about the concept of the "angry black woman," fearful of reinforcing stereotypes and potentially jeopardizing my standing. Determined to make a difference, I am pursuing my education at Howard University, where I have embraced leadership roles and immersed myself in political science and Afro-American studies. Howard University has provided me with the opportunity to develop the skills needed to create change and uplift marginalized communities. With this knowledge and my passion for social justice, I plan to establish a nonprofit organization focused on empowering Black girls and reminding them of their powerful voices. Upon earning my master's in public policy and attending law school, I aim to use these additional qualifications to advocate for policy changes that promote equity and fairness in education and beyond. By engaging with the community, hosting workshops, and collaborating with local organizations, I aspire to address the specific needs of Harlem residents and break down barriers. I specifically hope to host financial literacy workshops, provide mental health support, and teach more about the importance of civic engagement, particularly within the African-American community. I ultimately want to create my own scholarship program to help students fund their education because scholarships are what have helped me get to where I am today. Additionally, I hope to help create a more equitable education landscape within New York by changing policy directly. Improving my community is of utmost importance to me because I have personally experienced the impact of inadequate resources and stereotypes on academic achievement. My journey from Harlem to Howard University, coupled with my love for travel and cultural immersion, has strengthened my resolve to create a more equitable and empowered society. By taking action to uplift and empower Black girls, supporting minority-owned businesses, and advocating for policy reforms, I believe I can foster lasting change and dismantle the barriers that perpetuate inequality in our society. Through these efforts, I hope to inspire others to join me in this journey toward a brighter and more just future for all.