I have spent most of my life trying to understand a world that never felt stable. Growing up in North Minneapolis, my reality was shaped by survival, homelessness, loss, and constantly adapting to change. Because of that, I learned early that learning does not only happen in classrooms. It happens through experience, through people, and through stepping outside of what you know. That is why the idea of studying beyond borders is so important to me. For most of my life, traveling outside of my city has not been easily accessible. Financial barriers and responsibilities at home made opportunities like studying abroad feel distant. While others were exploring new places, I was focused on helping my family, working, and staying grounded through instability. Because of that, my understanding of the world has been shaped mostly by what I have lived and what I have seen around me. But I know there is so much more to learn beyond my environment. If given the opportunity to study abroad, I would want to explore communities that reflect both struggle and resilience, similar to my own. I want to understand how other countries support their youth, especially those growing up in poverty or facing trauma. I would ask questions like how do different cultures approach healing, community, and faith. What systems are in place to support young people, and how can those ideas be brought back to communities like mine. These are questions I cannot fully answer without stepping outside of what I already know. Crossing borders would not just expand my knowledge, it would expand my perspective. It would challenge the way I think, strengthen my independence, and deepen my understanding of people beyond my own experiences. As someone who plans to study Business Management with a minor in Sociology, I know that understanding different cultures, people, and systems is essential to becoming a strong leader and creating meaningful change. Learning in another country would allow me to grow not just academically, but emotionally and socially as well. This scholarship would turn something that has always felt out of reach into a real opportunity. It would allow me to move beyond limitation and step into a space of growth, curiosity, and discovery. More importantly, it would allow me to bring that knowledge back to my community. I want to use what I learn to create better opportunities, support systems, and pathways for youth and families in communities like mine. Learning across borders is not just about seeing new places. For me, it is about finding answers, gaining understanding, and becoming someone who can create change not only in my own life, but in the lives of others. It is about carrying knowledge forward, just like Tia believed, and using it with purpose.

My name is Damiyah Willis, and my journey to this point has been shaped by both hardship and growth. I was raised in North Minneapolis, a community full of culture and strength, but also one that faces challenges like poverty, violence, and limited access to resources. Growing up, I experienced homelessness, instability, and the loss of people close to me. My grandmother, who played a major role in raising me, was hospitalized after a serious car accident, which forced me to adjust quickly to a life without stability or consistent support. My father was not present, and my mother was in and out of jail, so I often had to rely on myself at a young age. As the oldest sibling, I took on responsibilities early, helping care for my younger brother while also trying to stay focused in school. I moved from house to house, sometimes staying with friends, which made it difficult to feel grounded or secure. There were moments when survival came before thinking about my future, and times when I felt like I was navigating life alone. On top of that, I experienced the loss of friends and family members due to violence, which deeply impacted me and my outlook on life. Despite everything, I made a choice to keep going. I stayed committed to my education, maintaining A and B honor roll while balancing work, leadership, and personal challenges. I became involved in activities like cheerleading and competitive dance, eventually becoming captain of my dance team. These experiences taught me discipline, teamwork, and how to lead by example. I also became involved in youth leadership and community programs, where I found my voice and began to understand the power of advocacy. One of the most important turning points in my journey was realizing that my story had purpose. Instead of allowing my experiences to hold me back, I used them as motivation to grow. I spoke at the Minnesota State Capitol and participated in youth panels, sharing my lived experiences to advocate for resources and support for young people in my community. These moments helped me understand that my voice could create change, not just for myself, but for others who are facing similar struggles. Attending an HBCU means more to me than just receiving an education. It means being part of a legacy of resilience, excellence, and empowerment. As a young Black woman, I want to be in an environment where I feel supported, understood, and inspired by people who share similar experiences and goals. HBCUs represent community, culture, and opportunity. They are spaces where students are not only educated, but also uplifted and prepared to lead. For me, attending an HBCU means stepping into a space where I can grow academically, spiritually, and personally while staying connected to my identity and purpose. I plan to major in Youth Ministry with a minor in Social Work because I want to be the support system I once needed. Growing up, I often felt like I had to figure things out on my own, and I know there are many young people who feel the same way. Through my education, I want to create safe, supportive spaces where youth feel seen, valued, and encouraged to grow. I want to help them build their confidence, strengthen their faith, and understand that their circumstances do not define their future. My goal is not just to succeed for myself, but to make a difference for my family and my community. I want to break cycles of hardship and create new opportunities for those who come after me. I want to give back to communities like North Minneapolis by providing mentorship, advocacy, and resources for young people. I want to be someone who leads with compassion, understanding, and purpose. My journey has not been easy, but it has shaped me into someone who is resilient, determined, and driven to make a difference. Every challenge I have faced has taught me something valuable and pushed me closer to the person I am becoming. Attending an HBCU is not just a step forward for me, it is a step toward fulfilling my purpose and creating change for others.

My name is Damiyah Willis, and I am a senior at North High School in Minneapolis. I am an A–B honor roll student, varsity cheerleader, competitive dancer, youth leader, and someone who is deeply connected to my community. I grew up in North Minneapolis, a place full of strength and culture but also impacted by poverty, violence, and limited access to resources. Growing up, I experienced homelessness, unstable parenting due to incarceration, frequent school changes, and the loss of people I loved. Those experiences weren’t easy, but they shaped who I am and pushed me to want more for myself and for others who grow up facing similar challenges. I am committed to pursuing higher education because I have seen how powerful education can be when someone is given the right support. For a long time, survival came before planning for the future. There were moments when my personal struggles affected my mental health, academics, and motivation, especially after losing my first love. During that time, it was hard to stay focused and believe in myself. Still, with the support of my grandparents, mentors, and my faith, I pushed through. I worked hard to raise my grades, stay on the honor roll, and remind myself that my circumstances did not define my potential. Education became my way to break cycles I did not choose but refuse to continue. Along the way, I became involved in organizations that helped shape my purpose. I currently serve as a youth leader with Change Starts With Community, a violence prevention and intervention program supporting youth impacted by trauma. I have also participated in advocacy at the Minnesota State Capitol, sharing my lived experience to support funding for youth-centered programs. Being part of Black Girls Advocate, Young Life, and the African American Leadership Forum showed me how powerful it is when young people feel seen, supported, and believed in. These spaces taught me the importance of mentorship, community, and faith. Through these experiences, I discovered my passion for working with children and young people ages 3 to 25, especially those from under-resourced communities like the one that raised me. I plan to major in Community Organization and Advocacy with a focus on child development. With my degree, I hope to work in education, youth programming, or policy advocacy, helping create systems that support young people academically, emotionally, and socially. I want to help provide the guidance, stability, and encouragement that I once needed growing up. Higher education means more to me than earning a degree. It represents growth, healing, and responsibility. I carry my community, my faith, and my story with me. I have lived through hardship, learned perseverance, and found purpose through service. By pursuing higher education, I hope to not only change my own future, but also help create better opportunities for the next generation.