“Anoma anntu a, obua da.” This old saying in the Ghanaian dialect, Twi, roughly translates to, “If a bird does not fly, it goes to bed hungry.” It is a principle that has been engraved in my life for as long as I can remember. It’s a saying my parents live by and continuously teach my brother and me every day: to do the hard work now in order to reap the benefits later. I have always wanted to be nothing short of exceptional. Throughout my years in school, my goal has been to surpass my past achievements, goals, and successes. Whether that means striving for all A’s, participating in various clubs and organizations as a leader, or devoting more time and effort to community service and events, I want nothing more than to be better than my past self—to be my best, to be someone others can look up to, to fly beyond the sky. As the child of immigrants, the expectation is to succeed no matter what and to make education your number one priority. I had a front-row seat to the struggles and hardships of being an immigrant in America. I watched my parents work tireless hours, adapt to new cultural and language barriers, and begin to leave their mark in a place not built to accommodate them—an environment that doesn't speak their language, eat their food, or acknowledge their cultural practices. Over the years, I have come to understand what true sacrifice looks like. It can take many forms and be demonstrated in different ways. My parents, like many African immigrants before them, sought to forge a life of success and prosperity for their family and future generations, even in the face of adversity, discrimination, and tribulations. The values my parents instilled in me are what have brought me this far. I grew up deeply immersed in my culture; learning the language, playing the music, and wearing our traditional garments. While these things may seem insignificant at first glance, I came to recognize the quiet bravery in my parents’ actions. Their pride in where they came from and who they were never wavered or crumbled. Instead, it grew and was passed along to my brother and me. It continues to push us toward becoming our best, most authentic selves. It is with this pride that I found my passion in healthcare and began to pursue my BSN. I want to see more nurses who look like me, who can represent their patients through lived experiences and understand their plights on a deeper level. One aspect of community reform that I believe is crucial to societal improvement, especially within the African diaspora, is addressing the impact of immigration on healthcare. The hardships many face, the injustices endured, often go unacknowledged. As an aspiring nurse, I hope to use my experiences and resources to create a space where patients feel at home, even when they are not. There are so many ways to connect with people, through shared experiences, interests, nationalities, ethnicities, and backgrounds. Though these differences have long divided communities, we can begin to rebuild, reconnect, and reconcile, together, toward a brighter future. As an immigrant, a child of immigrants, and a black woman, I bring unique perspectives and lived experiences to the table. Raising awareness about the immigrant experience in healthcare is crucial. It begins with recognizing systemic biases, acknowledging the lack of access many face, and finding ways to bridge those gaps for individuals who may not be able to do so on their own. Some ways to address this issue include offering healthcare assistance to immigrants through walk-in clinics, sharing health and wellness information on community-based platforms or social media, organizing in-person events, and simply offering a listening ear to those who are struggling. Helping individuals find a community that embraces their past, present, and bright future can make all the difference. I will always be grateful for my upbringing and the heritage my parents instilled in me. It is crucial to acknowledge the lived struggles of our neighbors, peers, and colleagues. That is the only way we can understand one another, lend a helping hand, and grow together as one people.