When I first arrived in America a decade ago, my father made me promise to live the “American Dream” to its fullest by embracing the precious privilege of freedom. At six, I didn’t yet understand the weight of that promise. But today, as a Chinese immigrant, I carry this promise with me as a responsibility. In my hometown, education was a privilege, not a right, especially for girls. In the few schools in my area, desks were shared, textbooks were torn, and aspirations were overshadowed by societal expectations to “marry rich.” Witnessing this disparity, I was determined to change the narrative. Recognizing the opportunities I was afforded in the U.S., I founded Uplift Scholars, a student-led nonprofit that provides educational resources to underserved communities. Since I once sat in those same splintered seats, I know what it means to be denied opportunity, and how deeply education can transform lives and futures. My immigrant identity also attuned me to the injustices that minorities face, from covert prejudice to overt hate. In response to rising anti-Asian sentiment, I launched Share Asian Voices, an online platform spotlighting overlooked history and hate crimes. With over 350,000 interactions, the platform has sparked conversations that transcend stereotypes and foster empathy. Today, I realize that the “American Dream” means seizing the opportunity to create hope for others. Through education and advocacy, I hope to empower the “tired,” “poor,” and those “yearning to breathe free,” while honoring the promise I made to my father all those years ago.