As someone who grew up in Miami, Florida I often hear the glorification of my city. To outsiders, Miami is all about the beautiful beaches, amazing food, and endless nightlife but there's more to the city than its comforting prospects. Like most inner city areas, Miami has many disparities. When I was younger I didn't realize the effects these inequalities had on my generation, all I noticed was how schools in northern environments had better resources than others. I've always had an interest in why things have to be this way but I quickly discovered this is a systemic issue rooted in America's truth. Systematic oppression is a cancer we must dispose of. Educational resources should not be determined by a community's income status. Many people tell me there's nothing I can do to get rid of this issue but that's where they're wrong. Expressing doubt about someone's ability to achieve a goal makes them want to accomplish it more. This is why I became a double major in political science and public administration. My goal is to work from the inside out, to create and be the change I want to see. Now that I'm in my junior year of college, I've narrowed down my career path. Currently, I'd like to focus on learning more about my major and networking within it. Ideally, my career would start through my academic resources. This will look like attending conferences, obtaining a summer internship, and defining my advocacy voice while using my background in social media by documenting this journey. In my freshman year, I had the privilege to, serve as Vice President of the Sister to Sister organization, participated as a steering committee member/mistress of ceremony for TCC's 1st inaugural I Am Woman conference, attended Florida's Women in Energy Leadership Forum per invite, as well as being selected as 1 of 3 student Women's History Month Honorees. Not only have these accomplishments started the foundation of my academic success, but they gave me the push and reassurance I needed to ignite my potential. As I advance in my career I aspire to emulate all my role models in different ways. I strive to grasp Angela Rye's ability to articulate political issues, Michelle Obama's dedication to our youth, and Sarah Jakes Roberts' strength to be resilient and go after her dreams no matter the opinions or circumstances. Above all, I aim to be the representation African-American children need. Not by portraying a perfect image for the media but by being honest. Many times individuals expect public figures to operate as if they are robots but I plan to use my voice to shed light on authenticity. Often I hear people say "Don't focus on the end goal, appreciate your journey because the present is a gift". At first, it was difficult for me to process this. When you have a dream as big as becoming the President of the United States it's hard to not be so calculated but focusing on the future too much will take the focus off of what's right in front of you. I've sown the seed of transforming from a child living in a broken home who never found the importance of academic success to becoming a professional academic scholar. Now it is time to tend to my garden and allow God to handle the rest.