My experience as a black woman has been extremely insightful. The insightful experience came from peers, the classroom, and work place. From my peers who did not look like me I was always seen as “overly ambitious” or “angry”. Thoughts from my peers have motivated me to be an exceptional young black woman. In the classroom I was overlooked and seen as unintelligent by teachers. My teachers were more than surprised when I knew or understood a topic my white classmates couldn’t quite understand. As far as the workplace my work ethic had to be better than anyone else because I had to prove that I was capable of getting the job done. The experiences I’ve had as a black woman have molded me into a person who wants to lead and take the initiative to help others. Leading others is a great responsibility that I take on myself and it helps me relate to people better. As someone’s leader I’m able to listen to their needs and make the best decision for whoever I’m leading.Presently I am shaped into a person who is altruistic. Ultimately everyone needs help and I’d like to be the person to help someone in need. I plan to use my experience as a black woman to socially advocate for women who look like me. Socially advocating for black in the ways of speaking on topics that impact us, educating people outside of our race on culturally relevant things like hairstyles in the work place, and the connecting black women to counseling for the emotional trauma we endure. Uplifting black women in the ways of providing them with resources, supporting their educational and career endeavors, and motivating them to be themselves.

My name is Erianna Sanders born in Bradenton, Florida. I am the oldest sibling of three, with a younger sister and brother. I lived in Nashville, Tennessee for most of my life until relocating to Florida with my mother and siblings. I graduated from Manatee High School, class of 2020. During high school I was incredibly involved and proactive with many different groups, clubs, activities, as well as athletics. During my high school year, I was president of Drug Free Youth (D-fy) and Youth in action (YIA), vice president of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), secretary of 4-H member of Advocates for Youth, Healthy Teens Coalition, Sophomore Class Board, and Spanish Club. I was also a part of the girl’s track and field team and a member of the Step/ Dance team. Throughout high school I successfully maintained a 3.0 GPA. I graduated with 32 credits. I was also privileged to complete a semester of Dual Enrollment, which allowed me to earn 6 credit hours. I am now enrolled at Alabama A & M University and I am pursuing a degree in Political Science. While attending AAMU, it is my desire to join clubs, apply to be a RA, and research and learn more of sororities. I have many different hobbies, likes, and interests. I manufacture and sell lip gloss and skin care products online. I developed this business with my sister, we have successfully sold products in fifteen states. I enjoy volunteering with my mother’s Nonprofit Organization, Unique Unity. I assist her team with distribution of food, mask, and healthcare supplies. I have also had the opportunity to assist and support with wellness screenings such as blood pressure checks, glucose screenings, and body mass index checks. This has been a great learning experience with me. It has enabled me to operate in a public and community setting and gives me hands on experience in working with different types of people and the public. This has been helpful for me allowing me to gain knowledge, perspective, and skill in communication and interactions with others. I am seeking a degree in Political Science with the desire to become a Civil Rights Attorney. Earning a degree in Political Science will equip me with knowledge and vernacular that is necessary for the judicial and political world. As a black woman I have noticed the underrepresentation of minorities and the unfairness minorities experience in the judicial system. I would like to change those negative factors as well as assist my community. Along with earning my degree in Political Science I am also seeking a minor in sociology. Having a minor in sociology will better assist my efforts to advocate for those who do not have the means to have a civil rights attorney. My dreams seem very big however, I know I can reach my goals. In my life I’m dreaming big by not limiting myself to financial hardships, networking with community leaders, and by pushing myself to have the best. When it comes to my aspirations and dreams I set a goal which I like to call it “the reward”, I set small goals to get the reward. Here recently I applied for numerous scholarships and I didn’t think I’d be a mentor for HBCU First. If I hadn’t dreamed big enough I would still be searching for an internship. Today I am bettering myself and those around me by going to school. In my family I will be the first to graduate from college. My higher education is equipping me with life skills and allowing me to learn what life it like away from home so I can prepare for adulthood. My education is better those around me because I’m able to encourage them to go to school and to become educated in lively sense of how the world works.

My name is Erianna Sanders born in Bradenton, Florida. I am the oldest sibling of three, with a younger sister and brother. I lived in Nashville, Tennessee for most of my life until relocating to Florida with my mother and siblings. I graduated from Manatee High School, class of 2020. During high school I was incredibly involved and proactive with many different groups, clubs, activities, as well as athletics. During my high school year, I was president of Drug Free Youth (D-fy) and Youth in action (YIA), vice president of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), secretary of 4-H member of Advocates for Youth, Healthy Teens Coalition, Sophomore Class Board, and Spanish Club. I was also a part of the girl’s track and field team and a member of the Step/ Dance team. Throughout high school I successfully maintained a 3.0 GPA. I graduated with 32 credits. I was also privileged to complete a semester of Dual Enrollment, which allowed me to earn 6 credit hours. I am now enrolled at Alabama A & M University and I am pursuing a degree in Political Science. While attending AAMU, it is my desire to join clubs, apply to be a RA, and research and learn more of sororities. I have many different hobbies, likes, and interests. I manufacture and sell lip gloss and skin care products online. I developed this business with my sister, we have successfully sold products in fifteen states. I enjoy volunteering with my mother’s Nonprofit Organization, Unique Unity. I assist her team with distribution of food, mask, and healthcare supplies. I have also had the opportunity to assist and support with wellness screenings such as blood pressure checks, glucose screenings, and body mass index checks. This has been a great learning experience with me. It has enabled me to operate in a public and community setting and gives me hands on experience in working with different types of people and the public. This has been helpful for me allowing me to gain knowledge, perspective, and skill in communication and interactions with others. I am seeking a degree in Political Science with the desire to become a Civil Rights Attorney. Earning a degree in Political Science will equip me with knowledge and vernacular that is necessary for the judicial and political world. As a black woman I have noticed the underrepresentation of minorities and the unfairness minorities experience in the judicial system. I would like to change those negative factors as well as assist my community. Along with earning my degree in Political Science I am also seeking a minor in sociology. Having a minor in sociology will better assist my efforts to advocate for those who do not have the means to have a civil rights attorney. I am hoping to graduate college and law school. I have been preparing myself by taking the required courses to achieve my degree in Political Science. Gaining internships at law firms has been another another way I have prepared myself for my career in a law firm. Having a mentor has had made a tremendous impact on my daily and academic life in the ways of preparedness.