Growing up, my mother often told me, “You’re a king,” a phrase that initially felt abstract but has become a guiding principle in my life. She would remind me of this during pivotal moments, teaching me that every decision I make has the power to influence not just my own future but also the well-being of my family, community, and even future generations. These words instilled in me a deep sense of responsibility, inspiring me to pursue a path that allows me to show compassion, uplift others, and create meaningful change. I am currently pursuing a major in psychology because it combines my passion for understanding human behavior with my desire to make a tangible difference in people’s lives. My interest in psychology stems from personal experiences growing up in a family that faced challenges with mental illness, alcohol, and substance abuse. Witnessing the ways these struggles can fracture families ignited my desire to be part of the solution. I recognized early on that psychology offered the tools to not only address these issues but also empower individuals and communities to overcome them. During my undergraduate journey, I became a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), where I worked directly with children on the autism spectrum to help them develop skills for more independent lives. One particularly transformative experience involved working with a client who exhibited dangerous behaviors that made progress seem almost impossible. Many of my coworkers were apprehensive about taking on this case due to the challenges involved, but I saw it as an opportunity to apply my passion for psychology and my belief in the transformative power of kindness. To better support this client, I conducted my own research, analyzing behavioral patterns and proposing evidence-based strategies. Collaborating with my supervising Behavior Analyst (BA), I helped develop and implement a plan that significantly reduced the client’s behaviors. Beyond the measurable outcomes, I worked to build a genuine connection with the client by engaging with their interests, showing empathy, and creating an environment where they felt valued and respected. Over time, what started as a professional relationship grew into a bond built on trust and mutual understanding. This experience reinforced my belief that psychology is not just about interventions or therapies—it’s about seeing people as individuals, meeting them where they are, and helping them achieve their potential. It also highlighted the profound ripple effects that small, intentional actions can have on individuals, their families, and their communities. My journey in psychology has shaped both my academic goals and my aspirations for the future. I intend to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology, teach at the university level to inspire the next generation of psychologists, and eventually establish my own practice. Through research, teaching, and clinical work, I hope to create holistic approaches to mental health that address both individual needs and systemic challenges. However, my path to higher education has not been without challenges. My mother and I have shared the financial burden of my education, and despite starting at community college to minimize costs, I have missed five semesters due to tuition struggles. These obstacles have only strengthened my determination to succeed and to use my education to empower others who face similar challenges. This scholarship would allow me to focus fully on my studies and take one step closer to achieving my dream of transforming lives through psychology. By continuing my education, I aim to honor the lessons my upbringing has taught me: that kindness, resilience, and purpose have the power to change lives and create a legacy of impact that extends far beyond myself.

Growing up, my mother often told me, “You’re a king,” a phrase that initially felt abstract but has come to guide my life in profound ways. She would remind me of this during pivotal moments, encouraging me to approach life with purpose and the understanding that my choices could ripple far beyond myself. These words instilled in me a deep sense of responsibility—not only to persevere in my own journey but also to uplift those around me and contribute to a stronger, healthier community. My upbringing was shaped by resilience and the determination to overcome challenges. Mental illness, alcohol, and substance abuse affected my family, leaving a lasting impact on my childhood. I witnessed firsthand how these struggles could fracture relationships and destabilize lives, but I also saw the transformative power of kindness, support, and professional intervention. These experiences planted the seed for my passion for psychology, as I resolved to help individuals and families navigate their own challenges and find pathways to healing. During my undergraduate studies, I became a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), working with children on the autism spectrum to help them develop skills for more independent lives. One of the most meaningful experiences in this role involved a client who was considered among the most challenging by my colleagues due to their frequent and dangerous behaviors. When I was assigned to their case, I approached the situation with empathy and a commitment to making a difference. While working closely with this client, I realized that building trust and showing kindness were as critical as implementing behavioral interventions. I dedicated myself to understanding their unique needs, taking time to learn their interests, and celebrating every small step of progress. When traditional methods didn’t yield results, I drew from my coursework and conducted additional research to identify patterns in the behavior and propose evidence-based strategies. These efforts led to a collaborative plan with my supervising Behavior Analyst (BA) that significantly reduced the client’s behaviors and improved their quality of life. This experience was transformative for both of us it reinforced my belief in the power of knowledge, compassion, and perseverance to create lasting change. My journey has taught me that building a legacy is not about grand gestures; it is about consistent, meaningful actions that uplift others and create opportunities for growth. As I continue my education at North Carolina A&T, I remain committed to using what I have learned to empower individuals, strengthen communities, and inspire future generations. My dream is to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology, establish my own practice, and teach at the university level, where I can mentor others who share my passion for service and innovation in mental health. Paying for my education has not been easy. My mother and I have shared the financial burden, and despite starting at community college to reduce costs, I have missed five semesters due to an inability to cover tuition. These setbacks have only deepened my determination to succeed. I view education as both a personal milestone and a tool for creating systemic change. This scholarship would allow me to focus fully on my studies, continue my mission to serve others, and build a legacy of compassion, resilience, and empowerment.

Growing up, my mother often said, “You’re a king,” a phrase that initially felt abstract but has come to define my perspective on life. She reminded me of this during pivotal moments, teaching me that every choice I make has the power to impact not only my own path but also the well-being of my family, community, and future generations. These words instilled in me a deep sense of responsibility to embody kindness, compassion, and a dedication to serving others. One of the most meaningful examples of these values is my work as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT). In this role, I support children on the autism spectrum by helping them develop the skills needed for more independent lives. A particularly impactful moment occurred when I worked with a client whose behaviors were considered among the most challenging at my workplace. Many of my coworkers approached this client with trepidation, unsure of how to connect or help. When I was assigned to their case, I saw it not as a challenge to overcome, but as an opportunity to show compassion and create meaningful change. I approached this client with the belief that everyone deserves kindness and acceptance, regardless of their circumstances. I made it my mission to connect with them on a personal level, consistently demonstrating patience, empathy, and genuine interest in their world. By engaging with their unique interests and celebrating small victories, I built a rapport that many thought was unattainable. However, this journey was not without challenges. My supervising Behavior Analyst (BA) and I initially struggled to find effective interventions to reduce the client’s dangerous behaviors. Determined to help, I conducted my own research, analyzing patterns in the behavior and proposing evidence-based strategies. I presented my findings during a supervision session, and together we developed a plan that significantly reduced the client’s behaviors. Seeing the positive impact this had on their quality of life was transformative. I witnessed firsthand how kindness, combined with intentional action, can create ripple effects that extend far beyond the individual. Through this experience, I learned that compassion is not just about empathy; it is about showing up consistently, listening deeply, and meeting people where they are. This philosophy has shaped my academic and personal goals, inspiring me to pursue a career where I can use psychological research to improve lives and strengthen communities. It also reinforced my commitment to service, motivating me to create spaces where others feel valued and supported. My journey through higher education has been marked by challenges. My mother and I have shouldered the financial burden together, and despite starting at community college to minimize costs, I’ve had to miss five semesters due to tuition struggles. Yet, these obstacles have only strengthened my resolve to succeed and give back. They’ve shown me the power of perseverance and the importance of creating opportunities for others. This scholarship would allow me to focus on my studies and expand my capacity to serve. I am committed to carrying forward a legacy of compassion by using my education to empower individuals, strengthen communities, and inspire future generations. Kindness is not just an action—it’s a commitment to leaving the world better than you found it, and I strive to embody that every day.

Growing up, my mother often said, “You’re a king,” a phrase that initially felt abstract but has come to guide my life in profound ways. She reminded me of this during pivotal moments, teaching me that every choice I make has the power to impact not only my own path but also the well-being of my family, community, and future generations. These words instilled in me a deep sense of responsibility to show kindness and make a difference in the lives of others. One of the most meaningful examples of this is my work as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), where I support children on the autism spectrum in developing skills for more independent lives. A particularly impactful moment occurred when I worked with a client who exhibited dangerous behaviors that my supervising Behavior Analyst (BA) and I initially struggled to address. Wanting to help, I conducted my own research, analyzing patterns in the behavior and proposing evidence-based interventions. My findings led to a collaborative plan that significantly reduced the behaviors, improving the client’s quality of life. Witnessing this change reinforced my commitment to kindness through action, showing me how small, intentional efforts can create lasting ripple effects for individuals and their families. When I started working with this particular client as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), I quickly learned they were considered one of the most challenging clients among my coworkers. For non-disclosable reasons (HIPAA), the client exhibited a high frequency of behaviors that made progress seem nearly impossible. Many of my colleagues approached the situation with fear and hesitation, unsure of how to effectively connect with or help the client. When I was assigned to their case, I saw it not as a burden, but as an opportunity to embody kindness and compassion. I approached this client with the belief that everyone deserves kindness and acceptance, regardless of their challenges or circumstances. I recognized that while their behaviors were difficult, they were still a child who needed to feel valued and understood. I made it my mission to see beyond the behaviors and connect with them on a personal level. By consistently showing patience, empathy, and genuine interest in their world, I built a rapport that many thought was unattainable. Each day, I worked closely with the client, not only implementing behavior interventions but also taking the time to engage with their interests and show that I cared about them as an individual. I celebrated their progress, no matter how small, and created an environment where they felt supported and respected. Over time, our bond grew into something more meaningful than a professional relationship—it became a friendship. Despite being more than 15 years older than them, I learned so much from their perspective, resilience, and individuality. Through this experience, I realized that kindness is not just about grand gestures; it is about consistency, patience, and the willingness to meet someone where they are. By showing this client that they were valued and cared for, I was able to help them make measurable progress. More importantly, I gave them a safe space to grow and thrive, which had a profound impact on both of us. This experience has shaped my approach to life and work, reinforcing my belief in the power of kindness to create meaningful change. It’s not always easy, but it is always worth it. This lesson continues to guide me in my academic and personal pursuits, and I hope to carry it forward in every interaction and opportunity I encounter. Beyond direct action, I view kindness as a responsibility to uplift others, whether by mentoring, listening, or using my education to empower communities. My journey through higher education has been marked by challenges; my mother and I have shared the financial burden, and despite starting at community college to minimize costs, I’ve missed five semesters due to tuition struggles. Still, I’ve persevered, making my way to my dream school, North Carolina A&T. This scholarship would allow me to focus on my studies and expand my ability to give back. I am committed to using what I learn to create meaningful change, empowering individuals, strengthening communities, and inspiring future generations. Kindness is not just about individual actions—it’s about building a legacy of impact, and this opportunity would bring me one step closer to achieving that.

Growing up, my mother often said, “You’re a king,” a phrase that initially felt abstract but has guided my life in profound ways. She would remind me of this during pivotal moments, teaching me that every choice I make has the power to influence not just my own path, but also the well-being of my family, community, and even future generations. These words instilled in me a deep sense of purpose and responsibility to give back and make a difference in the lives of others. My journey into psychology began with a desire to help others, inspired by my family’s struggles with mental illness, alcohol, and substance abuse. I witnessed firsthand how these challenges can fracture families, and I wanted to be part of the solution. During my undergraduate studies, I became a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), working directly with children on the autism spectrum to help them prepare for more independent lives. One of the most impactful moments of my career as an RBT involved a client whose dangerous behaviors were particularly challenging to address. My supervising Behavior Analyst (BA) and I struggled to identify an effective intervention. Determined to help, I conducted my own research, drawing from both my coursework and external studies to analyze the behavior, identify patterns, and propose evidence-based strategies. I shared my findings during a supervision session, and together we developed a plan that significantly reduced the client’s behaviors. Seeing the positive impact this had on my client’s life was transformative, reinforcing my commitment to using knowledge and research to empower others. Through my work, I have come to understand that giving back is not just about direct action but also about creating ripple effects of change. By helping one client and supporting their family, I contribute to a brighter future for their community. My experiences as an RBT and my upbringing have fueled my desire to continue giving back, not only by helping individuals but also by creating knowledge and solutions that benefit others on a larger scale. This scholarship would enable me to continue pursuing my education and expand my ability to make meaningful contributions to others. Paying for school has been a challenge, with my mother and me shouldering the financial burden together. To ease the strain, I began my academic journey at a community college, the most financially feasible option and have made my way to my dream institution North Carolina A&T. Despite our best efforts, I have had to miss a total of five semesters due to an inability to cover tuition costs. This experience has only deepened my determination to succeed and to use my education to empower individuals, strengthen communities, and inspire future generations. With this scholarship, I would have the opportunity to focus fully on my studies and achieve my goal of creating lasting, positive change.

My sophomore year of undergrad was the hardest year of my life. After coming back to severe depression again I found myself needing help and having to drop out of school for a semester so that I could move back home and be with my mother. Early in my life I never knew about mental health and always felt like it was always about pushing even when you didn't feel alright. High school we would move again to another county, this being my 4th county I would move I found myself always feeling alone and like I didn't belong on this earth. With a loving mother and not much family we would communicate to I felt more alone than ever. My mother was starting to struggle with alcohol abuse. This would make my mother and I distant and we would both be going through life alone with each other. Eventually, I would hit my breaking point in front of my mother and went through my first breakdown within depression and anxiety. I started with medication and this made me feel numb to life and like nothing even mattered. Until my mother left to go to rehab in California. From North Carolina I seen my mother leave to go across the country. When she came back I seen my mother just like a new person who had the glow back into their life. I seen the importance of being a person that is their for the people who are struggling with mental illness and substance abuse. I would later go on to move out to study Psychology at North Carolina A&T in Greensboro. Along this I would run into severe depression again. Through the amounts of stress and financial dependency on just my Mother and I I would just shut down. One day I got into an accident that would give me a concussion and it would make me have to drop out of school in the moment. I never knew that this would affect me mentally and push me to have to get therapy for the trauma and the life that I witnessed living with my Mother. I hope to finish my school with a PhD and a Masters in social work. This way I can help individuals and society as a whole. This has been my new life meaning since high school when I first understood what mental health is. Seeing that change on my mother inspired me to be the best person for any and everyone with the field of Mental health and health care in general. I currently work as an RBT while I do my undergraduate studies working with Autistic children to prepare for the world. I thank you all for this opportunity and I hope we can build an relationship around changing the world! Thank you.

I want to change the world and be a weapon for humanity anywhere that I go! I chose to do this with the beautiful major of Psychology. I aspire to be a clinical psychologist with my masters in social work. I hope that in clinical psychology I can serve the underprivileged through the dedication and belief that my professors do and will have on me. Psychology and counseling being a thing that I can build a business in to help people all around the world. Seeing the effects of broken homes, substance abuse, mental illness and many more things play into my environment. I hope to use this degree to travel around the world and be a doctor for the underprivileged and those in need of help to be their best selves. I start out hoping to get into a study about generational trauma and substance abuse. Substance abuse can change a person and make a person make sacrifices to themselves and family surrounding them. I seen this first hand through my own mother before and after she got out of rehab. This showed me the importance of change and the people who are trained to do that. My mother has always been my inspiration. This is a goal of mine not only for my mother but for my whole family being a first generation student within both sides of my family. Seeing how addiction tore apart the family that my mother had and we still deal with to this day of not knowing relatives and just not having relatives in general because of the foster care system. This is now a big goal of mine and I am grateful for you all giving me the opportunity to work with you all.

Growing up, I wanted to be an NBA player I never saw my life ever relating to health care especially not the mental health field. As I grew up I seen mental health, addiction, and a broken family surrounded around me and eventually I knew I wanted to be a clinical psychologist. Growing up most of my life it was just my mother and myself. My mother went through a lot with two parents that struggled with substance abuse. This later had my mother in the foster system separated from her family and siblings. At the age of 19 my mother had me and suffered from these generational struggles of abuse with alcohol. This gave me first hand with substance abuse and the amount that it can change someone. My mother is still my biggest inspiration because even through addiction and adversity my Mother found a way to push through after flying away from home to go to rehab. My mother eventually would reconcile with my grandmother and we would finally meet for the first and only time before she would die of cancer. My grandmother told me something that would always stick with me. This was " you will change the world" and this has always stuck with me. Changing the world seems like an enormous task that I know that I can't just go get a degree in. After Seeing the change in my mother made me want to be able to help other families that may or may not be underprivileged and broken homes that just need someone to care and sit down with patience to work on mental health and substance abuse. Studying in this career inspired me to be an RBT(registered behavioral technician) and work with Autistic children while I would progress through my undergraduate studies. This giving me experience working with insurance and healthcare preparing me for graduate school and the career that comes after. With this degree I can understand why and how we think and how to be a helping hand to society and people who are just like my Mother. This degree has helped me realize the importance of healthcare and the people who have to go through long vigorous amounts of schooling so that we can be prepared to help the world wherever that might be. I thank you for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship and I hope that we can build a relationship on my journey to change the world.

Attending an HBCU has been an experience beyond anything I could have dreamed, especially since I never imagined college as an attainable goal for myself. Growing up, I was captivated by movies like Drumline and Stomp the Yard but not just for the music and dance, but for the way they celebrated Black culture and community. These films gave me an early glimpse of the pride and unity that define historically Black colleges and universities. Being a student at NC A&T has made me feel part of something larger than myself. Here, I am not just seen as a person of color, but as someone driven to make an impact on the world, while fully embracing my identity as a Black person. Each year, I learn more about the legacy of NC A&T and the rich history that surrounds us, deepening my pride in my school. It has become important to me to uphold the standards set by those who came before us, striving every day to honor their achievements and carry forward their mission. As a psychology student at NC A&T, I am deeply motivated by my own mental health journey and a strong commitment to helping others. This field not only aligns with my passions but also with my goal of addressing issues that are often overlooked within the Black community, particularly the impact of generational trauma and the lingering effects of systemic oppression. I aspire to earn a doctorate in clinical psychology, focusing on providing support and healing for those affected by these challenges. Currently, I work as a behavioral technician here in Greensboro, gaining clinical experience while balancing my studies. This hands-on work allows me to understand firsthand the needs within our community, further reinforcing my dedication to this path. With a doctorate in clinical psychology, I aspire to launch my own practice of an affordable mental health program specifically designed for Black adolescents and teens. This pivotal stage of life can shape future paths in profound ways, and I want to be a resource to guide young people through it. Reflecting on my own journey, I know how impactful mentorship, my mother’s unwavering support, and mostly the grace of God have been in helping me realize my purpose: to support and uplift others. Through this program, I hope to give back to my community by providing access to mental health resources that encourage self-discovery, resilience, and growth. Thank you for considering my application and supporting my pursuit of meaningful change through mental health advocacy.