In my experiences with peers and my community I always wanted to know the reasons “why” behind certain actions. Why was I bullied? Why did they think it was ok? What decisions or factors influenced the way they approached me? There are so many little things, microscopic barriers imposed on the intersectionality of being a woman, being Black, being intellectually gifted, and being a Black, intellectually gifted Black woman. I want to know why this happens and I want to change it. As a Black woman, I recognize the factors and forces that influence and shape my life and how life interacts with me. My experiences directly influenced my interest in sociology – the universe is extraordinarily complex; however, I’m dedicated to understanding our existence within it and the human activities that shape the reasons behind our actions. Examining human interaction from a variety of angles fascinates me. I look forward to reading the work of various thought leaders and change makers and the lively discussions that will take place in Howard University classrooms. After graduating from college, I’ll pursue my dream of becoming a college professor to share the knowledge I’ve gained in academia with other young minds who are interested in sociology and women and gender studies. Human behavior and interaction influence all aspects of society – politics, marketing, religion, social movements, and even crime and punishment. Understanding how humans interact is essential to development and evolution. Sharing the relevancy of social hierarchy and social power structures and exploring the reasons for differentials in opportunities and outcomes excites me. Being a college professor will not only allow me to share my interests in academia and passion about social roles and emotional expectations with young minds, but will also push me to continue growing and learning from the students and the experiences that they share. I anticipate having spirited conversations in class about social class, gender norms, and symbolic interaction that are all influenced by how human beings treat one another. I intend to extend my passion beyond the classroom and author my own field research, scholarly articles, and books about the consistent need to study society and analyze social surroundings and behaviors. Humans are complex beings who are constantly evolving and influencing public policy, global relations, and development. I look forward to encouraging students to view society objectively, while understanding the subjectivity of each person’s contribution to our existence. Upon obtaining my bachelor’s degree, I intend to pursue an advanced degree in sociology to equip myself with the various methods of research designed to analyze the complexities of human society. I envision becoming an expert in the field with my work being relied upon in various professional settings. To become a Black female sociologist is an understated experience because in many ways, LIFE has been the classroom and my classroom contribution has been impactful. My experiences have shaped my identity, influenced my perspectives, and ignited my passion for my future.

I had a rough start to high school; I was bullied in the 9th grade and felt a sense of relief when the pandemic caused everyone to attend school remotely. Learning from home provided refuge from bullies and relieved the anxiety that I would feel as we drove to school each day. However, after the remote learning extended into 10th grade, I missed the social interaction with friends I had. I felt myself slipping into a depression and though my 9th grade experience resulted in levels of discomfort and introversion, I realized my need for social interaction. I began participating in socially distant community service events, like Meals on Wheels and packaging hygiene kits and snack packs for those affected by homelessness, and I developed a passion for service. My commitment to helping others not only fed my soul, but also presented opportunity to see things beyond my limited high school experience. Once we returned to in-person learning in the 11th grade, I vowed that I would not be limited by the experience I had in the 9th grade. I stepped outside of my comfort zone and made the courageous effort to quell any fears associated with the bullying I experienced as a freshman. I sought out a service-oriented organization, and 21st Century Leaders provided exactly what I needed. In addition to community service, the programs in the organization are designed to help students discover and master different leadership competencies needed for success in college and the workplace. It also instilled a sense of confidence that helped me become more self-assured. The focus on development and problem-solving presented opportunities to solve a variety of challenges, and also assisted me with applying those same skills to tackle some of the issues I faced in my personal life. As a senior, my participation in the organization grew and I held an office in the organization. Additionally, I’ve organized community service events as well as planned donation drives for the entire school’s participation. I served as a mentor to a freshman student to not only guide her on the intricacies of high school, but also to share my experience as a testimony that how things begin does not dictate an individual’s outcome. My participation in 21st Century Leaders has been inspiring and certainly contributed to my high school success – academically and personally. I cherish the values and motivation instilled in me and will continue to positively impact society through positive acts of service. Receiving this scholarship will contribute to my ability to attend college without the economic anxiety of excessive loans. Growing up in a single parent/single income household made me value the importance of budgeting and prioritizing needs over wants. Without having to work excessive hours to pay for college, I’ll be able to extend my time to continued commitment to service and mentorship. I’ve learned so much about what’s truly important through my commitment to the broader community and lessons of leadership; I look forward to sharing this wisdom with others.

In my experiences with my peers and my community I always wanted to know the reasons “why” behind certain actions. Why was I bullied? Why did they think it was ok? What decisions or factors influenced the way they approached me? There are so many little things, microscopic barriers imposed on the intersectionality of being a woman, being Black, being intellectually gifted, and being a Black, intellectually gifted Black woman. I want to know why this happens and I want to change it. As a Black woman, I recognize the factors and forces that influence and shape my life and how life interacts with me. My experiences directly influenced my interest in sociology – the universe is extraordinarily complex; however, I’m dedicated to understanding our existence within it and the human activities that shape the reasons behind our actions. Examining human interaction from a variety of angles fascinates me. I look forward to reading the work of various thought leaders and change makers and the lively discussions that will take place in college classrooms. After graduating from college, I’ll pursue my dream of becoming a college professor to share the knowledge I’ve gained in academia with other young minds who are interested in sociology and women and gender studies. Human behavior and interaction influence all aspects of society – politics, marketing, religion, social movements, and even crime and punishment. Understanding how humans interact is essential to development and evolution. Sharing the relevancy of social hierarchy and social power structures and exploring the reasons for differentials in opportunities and outcomes excites me. Being a college professor will not only allow me to share my interests in academia and passion about social roles and emotional expectations with young minds, but will also push me to continue growing and learning from the students and the experiences that they share. I anticipate having spirited conversations in class about social class, gender norms, and symbolic interaction that are all influenced by how human beings treat one another. I intend to extend my passion beyond the classroom and author my own field research, scholarly articles, and books about the consistent need to study society and analyze social surroundings and behaviors. Humans are complex beings who are constantly evolving and influencing public policy, global relations, and development. I look forward to encouraging students to view society objectively, while understanding the subjectivity of each person’s contribution to our existence. Upon obtaining my bachelor’s degree, I intend to pursue an advanced degree in sociology to equip myself with the various methods of research designed to analyze the complexities of human society. I envision becoming an expert in the field with my work being relied upon in various professional settings. To become a Black female sociologist is an understated experience because in many ways, LIFE has been the classroom and my classroom contribution has been impactful. My experiences have shaped my identity, influenced my perspectives, and ignited my passion for my future.

I had a rough start to high school; I was bullied in the 9th grade and felt a sense of relief when the pandemic caused everyone to attend school remotely. Learning from home provided refuge from bullies and relieved the anxiety that I would feel as we drove to school each day. However, after the remote learning extended into 10th grade, I missed the social interaction with friends I have. I felt myself slipping into a depression and though my 9th grade experience resulted in levels of discomfort and introversion, I realized my need for social interaction. I began participating in socially distant community service events, like Meals on Wheels and packaging hygiene kits and snack packs for those affected by homelessness, and I developed a passion for service. My commitment to helping others not only fed my soul, but also presented opportunity to see things beyond my limited high school experience. Once we returned to in-person learning in the 11th grade, I vowed that I would not be limited by the experience I had in the 9th grade. I stepped outside of my comfort zone and made the courageous effort to quell any fears associated with the bullying I experienced as a freshman. I sought out a service-oriented organization, and 21st Century Leaders provided exactly what I needed. In addition to community service, the programs in the organization are designed to help students discover and master different leadership competencies needed for success in college and the workplace. It also instilled a sense of confidence that helped me become more self-assured. The focus on development and problem-solving presented opportunities to solve a variety of challenges, and also assisted me with applying those same skills to tackle some of the issues I faced in my personal life. As a senior, my participation in the organization grew and I held an office in the organization. Additionally, I’ve organized community service events as well as planned donation drives for the entire school’s participation. I served as a mentor to a freshman student to not only guide her on the intricacies of high school, but also to share my experience as a testimony that how things begin does not dictate an individual’s outcome. My participation in 21st Century Leaders has been inspiring and certainly contributed to my high school success – academically and personally. I cherish the values and motivation instilled in me and will continue to positively impact society through positive acts of service. Receiving this scholarship will contribute to my ability to attend college without the economic anxiety of excessive loans. Growing up in a single parent/single income household made me value the importance of budgeting and prioritizing needs over wants. Without having to work excessive hours to pay for college, I’ll be able to extend my time to continued commitment to service and mentorship. I’ve learned so much about what’s truly important through my commitment to the broader community and lessons of leadership; I look forward to sharing this wisdom with others.

In my experiences with my peers and my community, I always wanted to know the reasons “why” for certain actions. Why was I bullied? Why did they think it was ok? What decisions or factors influenced the way they approached me? There are so many little things, microscopic barriers imposed on the intersectionality of being a woman, being Black, being intellectually gifted, and being a Black, intellectually gifted Black woman. I want to know why this happens and I want to change it. As a Black woman, I recognize the factors and forces that influence and shape my life and how life interacts with me. My experiences directly influenced my interest in sociology – the universe is extraordinarily complex; however, I’m dedicated to understanding our existence within it and the human activities that shape the reasons behind our actions. Examining human interaction from a variety of angles fascinates me. I look forward to reading the work of various thought leaders and change makers and the lively discussions that will take place in college classrooms. After graduating from college, I’ll pursue my dream of becoming a college professor to share the knowledge I’ve gained in academia with other young minds who are interested in sociology and women and gender studies. Human behavior and interaction influence all aspects of society – politics, marketing, religion, social movements, and even crime and punishment. Understanding how humans interact is essential to development and evolution. Sharing the relevancy of social hierarchy and social power structures and exploring the reasons for differentials in opportunities and outcomes excites me. Being a college professor will not only allow me to share my interests in academia and passion about social roles and emotional expectations with young minds, but will also push me to continue growing and learning from the students and the experiences that they share. I anticipate having spirited conversations in class about social class, gender norms, and symbolic interaction that are all influenced by how human beings treat one another. I intend to extend my passion beyond the classroom and author my own field research, scholarly articles, and books about the consistent need to study society and analyze social surroundings and behaviors. Humans are complex beings who are constantly evolving and influencing public policy, global relations, and development. I look forward to encouraging students to view society objectively, while understanding the subjectivity of each person’s contribution to our existence. Upon obtaining my bachelor’s degree, I intend to pursue an advanced degree in sociology to equip myself with the various methods of research designed to analyze the complexities of human society. I envision becoming an expert in the field with my work being relied upon in various professional settings. To become a Black female sociologist is an understated experience because in many ways, LIFE has been the classroom and my classroom contribution has been impactful. My experiences have shaped my identity, influenced my perspectives, and ignited my passion for my future.

Recently, I attended a leadership convention at Morehouse College to discuss equity and inclusion. In discussion, the speaker had us close our eyes to envision what she described. She depicted taking a business trip, giving us examples of ordinary people we would encounter. On the first class seat to our destination, we sat across from an elderly couple, engaging in small talk. After the flight, we grabbed food at a nearby inexpensive restaurant where a friend group celebrated. Finally reaching our destination, we shook hands with the CEO of the esteemed business where we’re employed. My peers and I were quite confused as to where the speaker was going with this image. She had us open our eyes and elucidate how we envisioned each individual. Almost all our answers were the same. The elderly couple being White and heterosexual. The friend group being one of mixed backgrounds and races, and the CEO being a White male. Here I was sitting with the most diverse group of people, yet our perception of society was unvarying. Already interested in studying sociology, this was utterly fascinating to me. My junior and senior year, I’d taken courses at Georgia State pertaining to sociology to further strengthen my interest in the major and my knowledge about the world around me. However, the convention really provided first-hand exposure to the effects of maintaining an outdated structure of society and our collective societal perception. In my personal experiences, I’ve dealt with the effects the structure and perception of society impose on the intersectionality of being both Black and a woman. I’ve had to advocate for myself, boost my voice, and create spaces where I’m valued. These experiences shaped my life, influenced my decisions, and brought me here to complete this essay. Everything I’ve explained thus far are instances of sociology at play. Although, that is just scratching the surface. The study of sociology goes deeper than I could’ve ever imagined and to keep unraveling and learning about it places such excitement in my heart. With this excitement and interest in mind, I teach my family and friends ideologies I gather from courses. It is vital for me to ensure that my community is aware of how much society affects their lives and the harmful consequences it can have. It is also just riveting for me to teach my peers and open their eyes to a new perspective of how we exist and function in this world. To one day be able to teach young, eager minds like mine with the same collective passion is a dream and an aspiration of mine. I believe teaching future generations about this world and to be able to actively participate in the shifting of societal perspective will bring me the utmost fulfillment. This is what I want to do and this is what gets me excited to wake up, hustle, and achieve my goals. I know studying sociology, a subject that has so much value and importance to the functioning of this world, will be beneficial. With sociology, I have the chance to make a change and do something I love. The Career Search Scholarship would offer me the resources necessary to pursue my dreams and continue my education. I would be honored to be selected as a recipient of this scholarship and I thank you for your time and consideration.

Growing up, I believed I wasn’t enough. The color of my skin was perceived as obscene, the way I talked was considered mocking, and the way I presented myself was never quite right. It wasn’t a belief I was born with but rather one I was taught. While other kids were learning their times tables or how a flower grows, I was learning about the world and how society functions. From a young age, I was taught not to like myself. I was bullied based on my identity. Through media, real-life experiences, and society, I was taught and persuaded to believe that being Black and being a Black woman was not desired. These teachings took hold of the way I expressed and perceived myself. My experiences from these teachings inspired me to learn about sociology. I wanted to understand the root of it all. I wanted to understand why the world was the way it was and how I can participate to strengthen and change it. Starting sociology as a way to unlearn society's teachings became my favorite pastime. Not only had I begun to reeducate myself on everything there is to love about being Black and the intersectionality of being a Black woman, but I had picked up a study I could see myself doing for the rest of my life. I even started college-level courses concerning society to further strengthen my interest and my knowledge about the world around me. I became hyper-aware of the outdated structure of society engrained in people of color. Once I was aware of this, I learned the beauty in my identity, the strength in my color, and the power of my presence. My experiences of being perceived as inferior led me to the discovery of self-love and my dream career. It's my goal to teach sociology as a college professor. It is vital for me to ensure that my community and future students understand how much society affects their lives and to encourage others to actively work and participate in building a better future. I would never want any more young Black girls to feel the way I felt about myself and the first step is shifting society's perspective. My challenges and experiences in life inspire and motivate me to work hard and always put my education and dreams as a top priority. As a Black woman, there is already a default disadvantage of succession compared to others. Obtaining an education provides me with a way to challenge the inequality at hand in the best way possible. The Xavier M. Monroe Scholarship would offer me the resources necessary to pursue my dreams and continue my education. I would be honored to be selected as a recipient of this scholarship and I thank you for your time and consideration.

Growing up, I believed I wasn’t enough. The color of my skin was perceived as obscene, the way I talked was considered mocking, and the way I presented myself was never quite right. It wasn’t a belief I was born with but rather one I was taught. While other kids were learning their times tables or how a flower grows, I was learning about the world and how society functions. From a young age, I was taught not to like myself. I was bullied based on my identity. Through media, real-life experiences, and society, I was taught and persuaded to believe that being Black and being a Black woman was not desired. These teachings took hold of the way I expressed and perceived myself. My experiences from these teachings inspired me to learn about sociology. I wanted to understand the root of it all. I wanted to understand why the world was the way it was and how I can participate to strengthen and change it. Starting sociology as a way to unlearn society's teachings became my favorite pastime. Not only had I begun to reeducate myself on everything there is to love about being Black and the intersectionality of being a Black woman, but I had picked up a study I could see myself doing for the rest of my life. I even started college-level courses concerning sociology to further strengthen my interest and my knowledge about the world around me. I became hyper-aware of the outdated structure of society engrained in people of color. Once I was aware of this, I learned the beauty in my identity, the strength in my color, and the power of my presence. My experiences of being perceived as inferior led me to the discovery of self-love and my dream career. It's my goal to teach sociology as a college professor. It is vital for me to ensure that my community and future students understand how much society affects their lives and to encourage others to actively work and participate in building a better future. I would never want any more young Black girls to feel the way I felt about myself and the first step is shifting society's perspective. My challenges and experiences in life inspire and motivate me to work hard and always put my education and dreams as a top priority. As a Black woman, there is already a default disadvantage of succession compared to others. Obtaining an education provides me with a way to challenge the systematic inequality at hand in the best way possible. The Teresa Lord Future Leader Scholarship would offer me the resources necessary to pursue my dreams and continue my education. I would be honored to be selected as a recipient of this scholarship and I thank you for your time and consideration.