One year ago, I came home from rehearsal for a musical at the renowned children's theater only to find emergency vehicles outside my house. My dad and his friend had overdosed on marijuana that was contaminated with other serious narcotics. The paramedics gave my dad Narcan, saving him, but hours later, he overdosed again. I found him unresponsive, and I called the police. My dad has suffered from multiple sclerosis since I was ten. His use of medical marijuana helped ease his physical pain but ultimately led to his addiction issues. He had an appendix removed earlier that year and was hospitalized for several weeks. After the overdose, my dad was hospitalized again and then went to rehab for four months. During that time, I juggled 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM rehearsals, hospital visits, and helping to care for my three younger cousins, as their mom faced a mental health crisis. Our family has struggled with significant medical bills and this crisis not only took a toll on me emotionally but also increased my anxiety at school. I sought self-direction to find support in school and manage my stress. Not only will this scholarship inspire me to continue fighting and persisting, but it will directly relieve financial burdens my family has faced in the last few years. My resilience and prioritization of attending college has driven me. While I could not control my circumstances, I learned to show up for my family, advocate for myself, and persevere through challenges. These experiences have shaped my determination to overcome obstacles and support others through their hardships.

Upon learning that the justice system was filled with inequities that disproportionately impacted Black and Brown youth I needed to find a way to lend my voice and my actions to the fight. At age 13, I co-founded Police-Free Schools MN, organizing protests and mobilizing hundreds against excessive law enforcement in Minnesota schools, a system disproportionately harming youth of color. I also joined MN Teen Activists and Solutions Not Suspensions, coalitions fighting for youth justice and legislative reforms. Through these experiences, I became acutely aware of another systemic issue: youth incarceration. As a co-leader with the End Youth Prisons MN campaign, I co-created an art exhibit amplifying the voices of formerly incarcerated youth and envisioning a future without youth prisons. The exhibit highlighted the devastating impact of incarceration on Black and Brown communities. As a member of two of the nation’s most marginalized racial groups, I approach advocacy with empathy and determination to dismantle the systems oppressing my people. My work is driven by purpose. I know I’m creating change for the future Black and Anishinaabe generations and that fuels my commitment. Advocacy is bridge-building. I connect communities, policies, and personal experiences to address systemic inequities. Bridge-building requires trust and collaboration. My work unites community members, policymakers, and youth to inspire dialogue and action. By bridging the gap between systemic issues and impacted people, I amplify marginalized voices and strive for collective progress and lasting change.