This story begins and ends with a yellow journal. The one I kept as a child became my safe space, where I could question the world around me without judgment. Growing up in a Caribbean-Asian, multi-generational household in New York City, I was immersed in diversity from an early age. However, coming from a low-income, multi-heritage background, I found it difficult to define my identity. Driven by curiosity, I turned to my immigrant elders for their guidance. Their stories of resilience and determination to build better lives moved me. My journal became more than a place for questions; it evolved into a tool for recording and preserving my family history. In high school, my passion for storytelling grew alongside my commitment to community service. I volunteered with Green Guerrillas, a nonprofit dedicated to tackle urban decay through community gardens. While working with the locals to transform abandoned lots into green spaces, I was inspired by their resilience and hope. In my journal, I reflected on the absence of these stories in the media and became determined to improve multi-cultural representation. As a result of my service with Green Guerrillas, I was honored with a Youth Fellowship Award. During college, I channeled my passion for creative writing into tutoring low-income students in language arts. Their untapped potential mirrored my own struggles growing up, and I was honored to help unlock their voices through writing. Graduating Cum Laude and earning Dean's List recognition further reinforced my belief in the power of education. My recent experiences in the production industry have shown me the influence media can have on society. This awareness inspired me to pursue journalism, where I can use both storytelling and the media as instruments for social change. Therefore, I’ve enrolled in a master’s program at Fordham University to enhance my training and skills. Receiving this scholarship would provide invaluable financial support and allow me to fully dedicate myself to my studies this fall. Through my community service, I’ve seen firsthand how uplifting others can create lasting change in their lives. I am confident that this scholarship will play a similar role in shaping my education and helping me reach my goals. My goal as an aspiring journalist is to bridge the divide in our country by producing impactful stories that spark meaningful conversations, challenge perspectives and foster a more informed and compassionate society. Ultimately, I am committed to shaping a media landscape that authentically reflects the diversity of the human experience. As a first-generation student, I’ve had the opportunity to redefine success for my family. When I shared the news of my graduate school acceptance, my mother gave me a gift: a brand-new yellow journal. It was a reminder of my roots in storytelling and that my future is a blank page waiting to be filled.