For nearly twenty years, I have consistently worked within the legal profession in various capacities, except for the one I have always dreamed of, as an attorney. In my previous positions, I have held diverse roles, including legal secretary, contracts coordinator, and contracts administrator, across boutique firms, large firms, and financial institutions. Additionally, I have served as a paralegal in personal injury law, working for both plaintiff and defense firms. In my current capacity as a paralegal specialist in higher education, I have gained exposure to various legal areas, including employment law, labor relations, human resources, compliance, and immigration law. To further enhance my skills and understanding of the complexities of immigration law, I pursued and completed an Advanced Certificate in Immigration Law from CUNY's School of Professional Studies. As a four-time CUNY Alumna, with two Associate's in Applied Science, one Bachelor’s of Science, and one Advanced Graduate Certificate, and an employee of CUNY, the decision to apply to CUNY Law was a natural and straightforward choice. The esteemed history of CUNY and, more importantly, the Law School’s dedication to public interest and community support aligns with the person I have evolved into today. Throughout my life, I have had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the impact of providing services to the community in real time. As a proud member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated, I actively contribute to the organization's initiatives at both the international and local levels. This involvement includes participation in diverse community service events, including nationwide walks for causes such as Breast Cancer and the March of Dimes, as well as fundraising for organizations like St. Jude's. I have been actively engaged in collecting toys for Christmas toy drives, gathering school supplies for back-to-school initiatives, and mentoring young girls ages 8 to 11. I collaborate with the Far Rockaway Greek Council, often in conjunction with the Queens chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., in various community initiatives. Our joint efforts include supplying groceries for the community refrigerator, distributing books to elementary-age students, offering clothing assistance to those in need, and providing both physical and financial support for their annual Thanksgiving food drive benefiting the residents of the Rockaway Peninsula. Lastly, during my tenure on the Executive Board of the New York City Paralegal Association, Incorporated, I actively provided pro bono services. Moreover, I contributed to CUNY’s Citizenship Now initiative as a CUNY employee. These experiences serve as constant reminders of the pressing need for advocates who are not only skilled and empathetic but also resourceful and impactful for the underprivileged and underrepresented. These qualities align with the esteemed tradition of CUNY Law. The meaningful clinical opportunities offered, particularly in the Community & Economic Development Clinic, further underscore the commitment to service that resonates with me, and I eagerly anticipate participating in it. In my first five years post-CUNY Law graduation, I plan to continue fostering partnerships with the organizations with which I currently have relationships, while finding ways to cultivate and establish new organizations that continue the tradition of promoting opportunities for the greater good. Eliminating the systematic barriers that hamper the development of the next generation has always been an internal goal. Each generation is supposed to have the resources and wherewithal to carry the torch onward. However, without proper support, that vision can quickly be hampered by trials and tribulations, which further fuel frustration and lack of motivation. As an individual who seeks every opportunity to become a champion for those I can help, I look forward to providing a helping hand as legal counsel.

For as long as I can remember, the only thing I have ever desired to do professionally was become an attorney. For the past two decades, I've pondered the right moment to pursue law school while consistently prioritizing others' needs over my ambitions. Now, having attained my master’s degree and amassing twenty years of invaluable legal experience while raising two accomplished, academically inclined, and socially adept children as a single parent, I sense the time is ripe to shine the spotlight on my long-held aspirations. I’ve engaged in discussions with my children, acknowledging its significant impact on our family dynamics. Previous obstacles and concerns no longer hold me back, allowing me to dedicate myself to this new chapter of my life in all aspects. At forty-six, I'm intentional and resolute about shaping the upcoming phase of my life. Over the past ten years, I've been a paralegal specialist at LaGuardia Community College, marking my lengthiest tenure with a single employer and ensuring stable employment. As a proud member of twenty years in Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., a supportive member of the Far Rockaway Greek Council, Inc., and a former executive board member of the New York City Paralegal Association, Inc. at its inception in 2007, I am consistently involved in various community initiatives. These initiatives have honed my ability to connect with diverse communities, allowing for impactful collaborations to promote solutions at the local level. For example, during the annual Back-to-School drive, I collaborated with the Far Rockaway Greek Council, Inc., to provide school supplies to local students through the Operation Big Bookbag initiative. This annual event is essential because it highlights the dire need for financial assistance to secure school supplies for local children. Oftentimes, students return to school in September underprepared with critical tools to ensure a successful school year. My participation in this initiative helps fill the gap for students lacking the proper tools to be successful in school. In my first five years post-CUNY Law graduation, I plan to continue fostering partnerships with organizations I currently work with, while finding ways to cultivate and establish new organizations that continue the tradition of promoting opportunities for the greater good. Eliminating the systemic barriers that hinder the development of the next generation has always been a core internal goal. Each generation is supposed to have the resources and wherewithal to carry the torch onward. However, without proper support, that vision can quickly be hampered by trials and tribulations, which further fuel frustration and lack of motivation. As an individual who seeks every opportunity to become a champion for those I can help, I look forward to providing a helping hand as legal counsel. This scholarship will allow me to continue my education without some of my current financial concerns. As a single mom of two teenagers, I find myself balancing my education with preparing them for their current and future endeavors. My son is a junior in high school, and my daughter is a sophomore in private school. Winning this scholarship would allow me to focus the funding I currently allocate towards my expenses towards the next generation.

As a young African American girl growing up in New York City public housing in a single-parent household, I knew only grit and determination would remove me from my environment. I knew early on that education was my ticket to a better life. I was fortunate to stay academically strong from elementary through high school. I even fought with my high school vice principal to review my credits and permit me to graduate a year early at age 16. What I did not understand about this incredible opportunity was that I was emotionally, socially, and mentally unprepared for transitioning from being in the top 50% of students, many of whom I knew my entire childhood, to college-age students from across the country. My college transition, coupled with increasing homesickness, consecutive deaths in my family, and the lack of wherewithal to consult with academic support, led to my dismissal after my sophomore year. Flunking out of college was a significant blow to my self-esteem and future aspirations. My only feasible decision was to enroll in LaGuardia Community College's Paralegal Studies program. I returned to my studies with renewed determination and learned the legal system's foundation. I eventually completed my bachelor’s degree in legal assistant studies after almost ten years of beginning college. As a result, I became a first-generation college graduate. Achieving this milestone required immense perseverance and a belief in my ability to overcome adversity. I was fortunate enough to secure a seat in the Pipeline program at the CUNY School of Law and to master the LSAT and its pre-law program. I am currently a rising part-time 1L in my dream school, CUNY School of Law, while working full-time as a Paralegal Specialist. Balancing work, family responsibilities, and my mental health required a level of resilience that I had to develop over time. Each setback I’ve experienced became an opportunity to learn and grow, reinforcing my determination to succeed. They have shaped me into a woman who, despite numerous challenges, continues to strive for excellence and to inspire others to do the same. Her words are a reminder that the measure of a person is not in the frequency of their falls but in their relentless determination to rise. Ultimately, it does not matter how many roads you must walk or how many times you must sit; gather your composure, pivot when necessary, and keep going. I am a living testimony that the virtue of perseverance will propel you to the final destination, which, for me, is becoming a lawyer.