My favorite memory from my HBCU, Xavier University of Louisiana, was my senior year Homecoming. Leading up to Homecoming, I was feeling depressed and drained from post-graduation applications, financial imbalance, and the lack of outfits because I did not give myself enough time to crochet them. I was ready for Homecoming to be over so I could lean in and focus on my life after graduation and my crochet business. However, a few days before Homecoming kicked off, I stopped stressing myself out over making outfits I knew I would not be overly proud of and decided to hone in on the fact that this would be my last undergraduate Homecoming and that I should live in the moment before it swept me by. While enjoying my last Homecoming as an undergraduate student, I also promoted and sold items from my crochet business, Merakichets LLC, at the Celebration on The Yard (COTY). After having pulled out from the COTY my junior year due to anxiety and a lack of products, I was joyful by all the love, support, and praise I received for handcrafting my pieces. This solidified that I wanted to continue my career as a crochet artist and that my HBCU would always support me. I will always cherish the HBCU poured into me and the love and support of my community. I cannot wait to return for the Centennial Homecoming as an alumnae and continue the legacy of Xavier's greatness. Go, Gold Rush!

My ILLUSTRIOUS university, Xavier University of Louisiana, brought me leadership. When I first arrived at Xavier University of Louisiana, I had yet to learn I would become a leader. Starting as a biology pre-medicine major, I focused more on staying afloat academically before I even considered participating in extracurricular activities. After Hurricane Ida, I was catapulted into an era of depression and academic isolation; I felt alone with my emotional and educational problems. I began to relay these feelings to close friends, and I was comforted by the fact that they also felt challenged not only by their studies but also by their ability to balance their classes and mental health. By the end of my freshman year, I began to question what I wanted out of myself while improving the quality of living at Xavier for students of my class and future generations. By my sophomore year of college, I decided to switch my major to Public Health Sciences with a double concentration in Biology and English after having to take a summer class to save my scholarship. I wanted to publicize the public health major and the career opportunities while highlighting my passion for content creation by joining the Public Health Student Organization (PHSO) E-Board. I became fused with campus engagement and leadership, taking on more extracurriculars, including a Peace by Piece Student Intern, a Bumble Ambassador, a Black Leadership Network Student Ambassador, and a Niche Ambassador, interacting with students almost weekly. I strived to create content promoting mental health and academic improvement and addressing socioeconomic changes on Xavier's campus. In my junior year, I focused my energy on the Mental Health Coalition (MHC), serving as the Public Relations Chair, where I actively work to improve the mental well-being of students through engaging content, events, and public speaking. Being in the MHC allows me to represent Xavier as a leader but, more importantly, represent a young adult with academic turmoils, financial burdens, and mental deterrents who works to provide campus resources, support, and insight to my fellow Xavierites. Over the summer, I enhanced my leadership skills by interning with the Morehouse Lewis Scholars Imhotep Project, researching sexual health and patient-clinician communication. Being involved in a cohort enhanced my desire to speak up and out and make unfamiliar faces and lifelong connections. The 11 weeks I spent with this program improved my public speaking skills, increased my desire to continue to graduate school, and, most importantly, reinforced the importance of individuality in corporate spaces. Now heading into my senior year, I will serve in my last undergraduate leadership position as the President of the Mental Health Coalition. I had no idea that school spirit, campus engagement, and connecting through academic and mental adversities would incubus my soul. I did not think my story would be so impactful, nor would it be so holy in creating a foundation of change at Xavier. Holding leadership positions has bolstered my passion for mental health, academic wellness, and student involvement at Xavier and in my community. Being a student leader has shown me that leadership is awoken in you and that adversity and persistence are the birthplaces of leadership. As a student leader, I aspire to pivot my leadership roles and skills into marginalized communities to encourage them to create their future and seek equity and unity for all.

If I could receive the funds and opportunity to improve my community, I would create a sexual health and midwifery service clinic, Black In Health, explicitly for Black adolescent girls and young women (BAGYW). This summer, I had the opportunity to research HIV/STIs, and I deduced my topic to improving sexual health conversations among BAGYW. I worked with a local sexual health and reproductive justice organization, SisterLove Inc., in West End Atlanta to mainstream the research and improve conversations that pertain to sexual health, HIV/STI stigma, and sexual health treatment and care. After presenting my research at the CDC, I would like to further my research to create community outreach opportunities. The clinical services will address health disparities that affect marginalized communities, empowering the next generation with knowledge and resources to make informed health decisions to break generational curses in pertinence to sexual health. BAGYW face significant health disparities, particularly in sexual and reproductive health. They experience higher rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), unintended pregnancies, and maternal and infant mortality compared to their peers from other racial groups. According to the CDC, "In the South, Black women account for 67% of incident HIV diagnoses among women." (Linley L et al., 2020). Not only do Black women have a higher HIV contraction rate than White women, but they are also four times as likely to contract Chlamydia and seven times as likely to contract gonorrhea than White women (CDC, 2022). Sexual health disparities are often the result of systemic issues, which can be identified as limited access to healthcare, socioeconomic barriers, and racial discrimination within the healthcare system. Through the creation of a clinic and midwifery service, BAGYW can provide accessible and culturally competent care. Offering services such as STI testing and treatment, contraception, prenatal and postnatal care, and education on sexual health can significantly improve physical, mental, and emotional health outcomes. Early intervention and continuous care can reduce the rates of STIs and unintended pregnancies, while comprehensive prenatal and postnatal care can contribute to lower maternal and infant mortality rates. Most importantly, education is the most competent solution to addressing health disparities. Many BAGYW lack access to comprehensive sexual health education, which leaves them ill-prepared to make informed decisions about their bodies and relationships. Although BAGYW may learn sex education in secondary school, the education can be elementary and overlooked within their environment. Studies have shown that adolescents have higher engagement with risky sexual behaviors and substance abuse, which creates a cesspool for improper sexual activity (Pratt, 2022). Thus, without proper sexual health education and testing at such a pivotal age, these BAGYW grow up with an unhealthy relationship with sex and their health. The clinic and midwifery service can be an educational venue, providing accurate and culturally relevant information on safe sex practices, consent workshops, and reproductive health. Empowering youth with this information can lead to healthier behaviors, reduce the incidence of STIs and unintended pregnancies, and promote overall well-being. Moreover, it can help dismantle the stigma surrounding sexual health discussions, encouraging open and honest conversations. Creating Black In Health is crucial to me because of my commitment to public health and connection to the Black community as a Black woman. A tangible difference can be made in the lives of BAGYW, thus promoting health equity and empowering them to build a healthier future. My research propelled my desire to be a public health professional and bring equity to BAGYW. The well-being of BAGYW is not just a professional concern but a personal one, as their health and success are intrinsically tied to the future of our community.

As a rising senior at THEE illustrious Xavier University of Louisiana, discussing my postgraduate career plans always instills a sense of pride. Starting as a biology pre-medicine major, transitioning to public health spearheaded my passion for helping my community. I want to pursue my Master's in Maternal and Children's Health; I am currently interested in becoming a midwife or doula to shatter the unwavering Black maternal mortality rates that affect the nation. Currently, I am interning with the Morehouse Lewis Scholars Imhotep Program, where I will conduct research within the HIV/STI field and women's sexual health/education with SisterLove Inc. I plan to continue pursuing research in sexual health and education to educate young Black women on the importance of sexual health. As a rising public health professional, I want to implore Black girls and women to take charge of their health through education and provide resources to Black women who have been neglected in healthcare. As a Black woman who also attends an HBCU, I feel incredibly privileged in a world that sees my skin and gender as disadvantages. Xavier has been preparing me to carry myself professionally and confidently, demanding respect in spaces that typically disparage Black women. Attending an HBCU brings a sense of legacy, continuing the traditions my ancestors fought to instill. As a Xavierite, more so a “Centenner”, a student in the Centennial class at Xavier University of Louisiana, I am a part of the legacy that implements education, leadership, community, and pride. Thank you!

I still remember the day I found out my Nana died like it happened yesterday. My family gathered at my uncle's house for a large breakfast surrounded by love, happiness, and the chance to celebrate our finished school CRCT testing. I jumped up from the table to see my grandfather ( or as we called him, Papa Chicken) coming down the stairs with my dad, but not my Nana. I instantly felt a shift and could sense a loss in the storm. My aunt sat all the children down at the table and told us that our Nana had passed away on April 20th, 2015, just a day after my mother's birthday. Immediately, I ran into the family room and bawled my eyes out. At only 11 years old, I had never had a relationship stronger, funnier, or more open than the one I had with my Nana. We would stay up late and make each other laugh to wake up early the following day to go to the grocery store and shop for the family meals. She inspired my love for the piano and music, watching her play naturally as if her fingers were all 88 keys. She taught me how to cook, from simple breakfast foods to her one and only shrimp pasta that appealed to my young taste buds. I lost the woman that I was named after, only left with memories that were now fogged with her underlying cancer diagnosis that I was unaware of. Indeed, my siblings and I would travel with her when she visited Georgia to go for her cancer treatments, but I was only a child with no actual knowledge of the deadliness of cancer. At only 11 years old, I experienced a loss so substantial that, to this day, it brings me to tears just by thinking of her. Losing my Nana was one of the most harrowing realities I have had to endure. After my Nana passing, I fell into a depression so deep that my family was unaware of the detrimental state I was in. While most people would have spiraled out of control, I fixated on having everything under control and trying to keep my already separated family from separating. As I grew older, I would spend my days going to school, doing sports, and being a class clown while my nights were spent crying and pleading to God as to why he would take my light away from me. I was mad at God that he took my Nana away from me when my life was starting. The bond my Nana and I had was matchless, and I wanted God to take my life away so that I would not have to. I would spend nights silently crying while I looked at a picture of my Nana holding me as a baby, her thumb pressed against my heart as if I could still feel her thumbprint engraved on my heart. Grieving my Nana meant acknowledging that as much control I want over something is as much control that I lose over myself. Coming to terms with my grandmother's death meant grasping the reality that life is not always what it seems on the surface, and the real challenge lies underneath. As a young adult, my greatest adversity has been bringing my emotions to the surface to allow others to help me instead of always trying to help those closest to me. However, as an evolving woman, I challenge myself to be a beacon of light to encourage others to pull themselves out of their darkness.

Jeremiah 1:5, "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you; before you were born, I sanctified you; and I ordained you a prophet to the nations." I believe that God has always shown up for me in my life, but for a long time, I did not show up for God. I blamed Him when things went wrong or when I felt that He let blessings and goodness pass me. For a while, I was an in-between Christian, something I defined as one who believes in Christ because their family has been Christians all their life. Throughout high school, I faced adversities that made me feel ashamed to believe in God. I thought, "How could someone so powerful and almighty allow all these bad things to happen to me?" It was not until the summer before my sophomore year of college that I decided to redefine my vision of faith and Christ. When I decided to identify my journey with God, I began by reading at least one verse a day from Psalms or Proverbs. I also was journaling, where I would pray, talk to God, or vent about my day. In October, I decided to begin my healing journey with Christ, addressing childhood traumas that may have hindered my views on life and God. It was a transformative period in my life, and I started to have a more positive outlook on school, my self-esteem, and my relationship with God. By Christmas, I had been daily journaling and reading the Bible as a self-care habit. As much as I could feel myself growing in the path of Christ, I still felt as if I was not unlocking all the possibilities God devoted to me. I began having weekly conversations with my grandmother, talking about Jesus, suffering and sacrifices, why humans sin, and how God forgives us for our sins. Talking to my grandmother helped me unlock why I wanted to mend my relationship with God: No matter how wide my suffering, God will never give me more than I can handle. A year into my reignited faith, I have a stronger bond with God and have no shame in acclaiming my faith. For what seemed like years, I was ashamed to believe in God and even more embarrassed to post or speak about my faith. When I think about how to incorporate my faith into my career, my social media career instantly comes to mind. I am a student content creator, creating content that includes studying, college life, and mental well-being practices. When I first started my social media platforms, I rarely mentioned my faith, ashamed to be perceived as "that Christian girl." As my platform grew, I realized my success was a part of God's plan. I incorporated my faith into my content and shared my baptism and favorite Bible verses with the masses. As my social media career grows, I will continue to broadcast my faith to my followers (and viewers), showing God has a pivotal role in everything I do. God is simply using me as a vessel to showcase his wonders, and even to the nonbelievers, my faith is a testimony that having faith in something greater than myself (God) is the pipeline to unlocking my success. Thank you.

Greetings, my name is Harper Cooper. I use she/they pronouns and identify as a pansexual black woman. I am a Junior at Xavier University of Louisiana, majoring in Public Health Sciences with a Double Concentration in Biology and English. My hobbies include crocheting, working out, and creating content about college academics, lifestyle, and mental health. Since age ten, I wanted to become a doctor to help people. If I could not help myself, the least I could do was learn to help others. I wanted to create a safe environment for my patients, particularly those in motherhood and childbirth. In my sophomore year of high school, I was interested in becoming an Obstetrician and Gynecologist; the sworn duty to safely bring a child into the world would give me a sense of enlightenment. By my senior year of high school, I had settled (or so I thought) on Pediatrics to fulfill the care of these children until they entered adulthood. I applied and accepted my status at the Xavier University of Louisiana as a Biology Pre-Medicine major and was thrust into my journey toward Pediatrics - and unbeknownst to me, a future full of change. When I came to college, I assumed my past traumas were gone in the wind, my mind clear as I entered this new era. Even though I had learned to suppress my emotions, I was unaware of how important it was to have a healthy mindset in college; I thought a new state, new friends, and a fiery passion for helping my community would be a strong enough foundation to get me to become Dr. Cooper. However, upon completing my first semester at Xavier, I realized that I could not bear the pressures of divulging into the world of Pediatric medicine. The traumas I believed to be buried deep were crawling and harboring my mind, body, and spirit, only exacerbated by the academic stress of being a Biology major. I failed Biology my first semester and was ultimately on track to being a dropout had I not gotten my act together. By my sophomore year, I officially decided to transfer to Public Health Sciences, divulging more into the science of people and tackling racial injustice towards black mothers. Instead of just helping people, I wanted to take what I learned about the importance of mental well-being and the pressures that young adults of color experience to pursue their education. At first, I wanted to work solely with Black and LGBTQ+ youth, create resources and bring awareness to mental health in marginalized communities. But, as I began to dive deeper into Public Health, I realized the excruciating disparities that Black mothers endured prenatal and postpartum. Now heading into my junior year of college, I want to simultaneously create solutions for Black and LGBTQ+ youth who wish to pursue their education while maintaining their mental health while also pursuing research on the disparities of Black mothers. Although I originally wanted to help people through Obstetrics (and then Pediatrics,) I have learned that I can only help people once I first help myself. After embracing my trauma and learning to grow with it instead of hiding it, I can begin creating solutions that assist youth struggling with mental health. Not only will I work to liberate these youth from their self-doubt, but I will also dismantle the corrupt system that marginalizes black mothers, thus destroying our community. The healthcare system must be eradicated and reconstructed, pivoting Black and People of Color to new levels of equality socially, physically, and mentally.

As a Public Health major, the career opportunities are immense post undergrad. After graduation, I want to take a semester-long break and travel. I want to blog and document my experiences while traveling and talk about the freedom I experience and why I decided to take a hiatus post-graduation instead of going straight into getting my Masters. For too long, we have lived a "hustle and grind" lifestyle so we can eventually live comfortably; instead, we should practice career moderation, valuing our welfare above all. I believe that pursuing one's education is essential, but having a balance in your personal life is just as important. I want to encourage Black youth you can pursue a career while recharging their mental and emotional health. After my rejuvenation, I plan to pursue my Masters in Public Health Sciences while publicly and digitally advocating for Black youth, specifically their mental and emotional well-being. When I look in the mirror, the first thing I identify about myself is my blackness. My blackness holds power but also trauma from myself, my mother, my grandmother, and so on. Blackness impacts everything: education, income, social status, and family. There are a lot of areas in my communities (school and home) that need improvement; food security and nutrition, mental health, youth education, and community activism. I chose an HBCU because I wanted my education to be culturally rich. I wanted to attend an institution that would prepare me for a world that needs more Black leaders. Thank you.

Growing up in a family of doctors, I wanted to follow in those footsteps. I was a natural helper, always wanting to put a smile on a sad face or be the first aid kit everyone needed. I loved science and math, and adored children, so my destined career was that of a Pediatrician. I was an honors student, student-athlete, and a teacher's favorite throughout high school, the hardest thing for me was not cracking a joke every other minute. However, when I got to college, my love for STEM went in a different, more severe direction, forever changing my perspective of pursuing a STEM degree turned career. In my freshman year of college, I was intent on going to medical school, and completing all the steps to becoming a Pediatrician; I was going to be a Doctor, make my mother proud, and bring home the checks to live a fulfilling lifestyle. But, my dreams quickly halted with the course a load of pursuing a Biology Pre-Medicine degree. I was taking 17 credit hours, including Calculus, Chemistry, Biology, and English. I believed that with my high school classes, I would have been able to master my college education but I was sorely mistaken. I immediately fell behind, and with falling behind, I slipped through the cracks into a burrow of depression and anxiety, with the stress of failure shoveling me deeper into my hole of self-doubt. I did not ask for help because, with the unfamiliar scenario of college, I was embarrassed for my family, even my advisor to know my situation. I thought the cycle of academic terror would be forever so long as I remained in Biology, so I did the next best thing: I switched my major to Public Health Sciences. Before I changed my major to Public Health Sciences, I spoke to my advisor who compelled me to heavily think about what I wanted to do with my future if I were to continue as a Biology major. I no longer wanted to go to medical school, I felt like quitting school, and I would need to do a summer class to keep my scholarship since I failed Biology my first semester. So, I thought about what my passions were in STEM - not what my family expected of me - and realized that Biology was no longer my passion. As a Public Health Sciences major, I am more involved with people, tackling issues such as medical racism, obesity, sexual health, and most importantly mental health. I realized my love of helping people was a cover to me not asking for help myself. I believed that if I helped others, it excused me from not getting the proper care myself. Being a Public Health major, I am learning how to make myself and my community healthier, so that we can all progress together. Professionally, I want to provide the resources to youth that I did not have: the importance of safe sex, dealing with depression and stress, Golden Child trauma, and just learning how to express one's emotions healthily. These resources will vary from digital flyers, attending conferences and summits targeted to youth, and traveling across the country (possibly the world,) to letting young people know that it is okay to be unsure of your future, as long as you do not give up on yourself. I want to emphasize the importance of finding your voice, which will lead to a purposeful upbringing, and expanding self-esteem. STEM is not just a career, it is a lifestyle that makes the world a stronger and unified place.

Generational wealth is financial assets passed through families to children, grandchildren, and beyond. For me, generational wealth is more than a financial asset, property, stocks, and bonds. Generational wealth is a brand of resources, networks, and infrastructures for future generations, so they do not have to exhaust time and energy to build the foundations themselves. Generational wealth now is not just for families but for communities to rely on each other for a united and equitable circle of success. In learning about generational wealth, there was always a gap in minority communities, especially African Americans. Prioritizing name-brand bags and clothes, overzealous cars, and comparative luxurious lifestyles, we lacked education based on stable and everlasting wealth. Financial literacy and generational wealth mingle with White America, a position African Americans cannot have. History has directed me to the perspective that Black people were not supposed to receive an education, garner wealth, or be reigning members of society. Now almost 70 years after we were allowed to receive an equitable education, it is time we began working towards creating generational wealth for our communities. As a college student, I, unfortunately, cannot write a substantial check to resolve the issues that face our community. However, the best way to achieve it is to evoke it as your reality. In my current reality, I am a 19-year-old college sophomore majoring in Public Health Sciences with sparse ideas of a career in Public Health. But I enjoy content creation, writing, and engaging with various audiences. I know of platforms that sponsor scholarships, internships, and building platforms for young students that will elevate their academic experiences. One of the Essentials services of Public Health that I learned was that of Linking. So, I link these platforms to my audiences to open their view to how they can make money towards their education, financial literacy opportunities, networking for a possible job, and creating staple connections within the community. I utilize my platform as a Content Creator to encourage taking chances that can benefit their future and trusting the values of a community. In my attributions to generational wealth, I believe in trying and learning from everything I partake in. As a two-time Student Ambassador, Committee Chair Holder, and Intern, my schedule is packed with brandings, content management, and networking. I encounter a multitude of platforms and audiences, each with a different purpose or value. Admittedly, the pay is an incentive for a college student, but I most enjoy the connection aspect of my positions. Though I accumulate wealth financially, my wealth in connections, new trades, and positionings is bountiful, grander than my ancestors could have dreamed. I am paving the way for Black, women, LGBTQ+, and more to step in, so they can branch off to create environments for their communities. I am a black woman from the South, pursuing her education to accelerate and credit my drive to take charge in a world that hides ulterior motives behind dollar signs. In this moment of procuring my generational wealth, I build my foundation of connections, self-branding, and resource management for those who will come after me. I am achieving my generational wealth every single day!

For so long, I thought HBCUs had all the parties, hype, and the best homecomings. I did not understand the cultural importance of HBCUs and how they would impact my academic career. I had attended PWIs since the 3rd grade and always felt like a pariah. No, my peers were not inherently rude or racist but slightly microaggressive. I was the last pick for group work, was not included in their conversations even if I was standing beside them, and the tense air and stares when we would discuss any historical Black figure in English as if I was directly related to Dr. Martin Luther King. In the 4th grade, I was tested and accepted into the Talented and Gifted Program, which simultaneously put a halt on my relationship with other black students. I was separated academically and socially from those who looked like me, surrounded by white faces, blonde hair, and blue eyes. From 4th grade to my junior year of high school, I saw the same white faces, blonde hair, and blue eyes, lucky to see a Black student in one of my classes. I almost resented that my high school career was so colorless, and I was distant from students who looked like me because we could only converse in the hallways. When I was applying for college, I knew that I did now want to go to another PWI. I wanted to be surrounded by my people, people who looked like me and would go on to change the world for those who looked like us. I chose an HBCU because I knew they would not judge me for my Black skin, only uplifting and embracing my skin for all those years I felt different; Choosing an HBCU was the best decision for my future.

Hello, my name is Harper Cooper. I am a sophomore at the Xavier University of Louisiana, majoring in Public Health Sciences with a Double Concentration in Biology and English. Thank you for taking the time to read my submission, and I hope you consider me a winning candidate for the William A. Lewis Scholarship! One of the most challenging obstacles I have had to overcome in the pursuit of higher education is finding a healthy balance. As a high schooler, when I had As and Bs, it was enough to get into my dream universities; Now that I am in college, I learned that As and Bs are expected of everyone. As a college student, I continue to push myself into new challenges - student ambassadorships, internships, campus organizations, clubs, and my education. As I continue climbing the academic ladder, my world revolves around my ability to balance my endeavors and passions, but there is no ‘How To’ guide on doing so. I have had prolonged moments of stress, burnout, and some lengths of complaining about my academic plate. I would wonder if my campus involvement was too much for me to manage or if I was not doing enough compared to other students. The Individual that has helped me overcome the obstacles of balance is God. I turned my faith over to God almost six months ago, and I have become stronger because of Him. Before I found God, I struggled to come to terms with the reality of being a student. I was afraid to give myself up to be a student, afraid to fail or have a repeat my first year. But God taught me that living in fear will keep me in the same position I have feared. With God, I have learned that it is better to take my chance with Him than to stay with myself in my slums. Every day is a blessing God grants so that I can put my best for me to put my best foot forward and work toward the future he has prepared for me. Talking to God every day has put me on a higher pedestal regarding how I view my education; A chance. A chance to be better, do better and make better chances for those who will come after me. Overall, my pursuit of higher education is not about the degree; it is about what I learn in my pursuit of my degree. I have had failures, successes, triumphs, and overcomings. Gratefully, I attend an HBCU, one of the finest in the country and the best HBCU in Louisiana. I have top-notch resources, staff, and education, which I take advantage of every day. As I pursue my education, I pray God continues to lead me on the right path to success. Thank you to those on the William A. Lewis Scholarship committee for reading my submission.

Greetings to the She Rose Initiative Donors/Readers, My name is Harper Cooper. I am studying Public Health Sciences with a Double Concentration in Biology and English at the Illustrious Xavier University of Louisiana. My hobbies are crochet, African American Literature (currently “Devil’s Gonna Get Him” by Valerie Wilson Wesley,) and content creation. I love jazz and soul music, traveling, and maintaining my relationship with God. I hope this paragraph grants insight and that you are delighted by my submission. I was studying Biology with a minor in Chemistry as a freshman, on the medical track to becoming a Pediatrician. Legacies of doctors in my family and my disposition to better the physical state of my community, working in medicine was a lifelong career dream. I knew there would be adversities to receiving the degrees necessary, but I did not anticipate the emotional challenges of becoming a physician. By the end of the semester, I dropped Calculus, failed Biology, and took an English summer class to maintain my scholarship. In my first year, I experienced a plethora of emotions at the same time and on multiple occasions. My education felt like a chore, and I stopped fighting the challenges. I was depressed, exhausted, and overwhelmed, thinking I could keep this up for another 8 - 10 years. The answer to that was a flat-out no. When I returned to Xavier for the fall semester of my sophomore year, I continued with my Biology studies, now lingering on the profession of a travel nurse or a pediatric nurse. I promised my mother I would continue towards a Biology degree, but in the back of my mind, I no longer wanted to pursue Biology. So, on September 9th, 2022, I dropped Organic Chemistry, changed my major to Public Health Sciences, and switched my minor to a double concentration in Biology and English. For the first time in my college career, I felt I was taking a step in the right direction. Now in my spring semester, I have begun my Public Health Sciences journey and can feel my passion for school reemerged. I chose Public Health Sciences as it was an easy transition from Biology, and Xavier has a distinct Public Health community, both student and faculty. Public Health Sciences is aligned with my passion for assisting Black and LGBTQ+ youth with their sexual and emotional health, the beacon of light I needed growing up. On paper, a degree is a declaration that you completed the necessary years of education. But, as a black woman, a degree is more than a paper. A degree is a key to the doorways of success, change, and opportunities that are not yet present. As I mentioned, my career lies in empowering Black and LGBTQ+ youth. As a member of both communities, we are underrepresented and at risk of falling into the cracks of society. I wish I had a stable, trusting advisor/adult growing up to help me with my mental and emotional state, my adult life could have been more stable. But, I believe in moving forward rather than reminiscing, so I want to assist youth experiencing mental, emotional, and sexual disparities. This scholarship will help break the financial barriers uplifted by my institution. Thank you for your time.

My name is Harper Cooper. I enjoy reading African American Literature (currently “Devil’s Gonna Get Him” by Valerie Wilson Wesley,) challenging myself with new crochet crafts, and whipping up delicious home-cooked meals. My grandparents taught me to appreciate the jazz music of their time, a reason why I decided to pursue my education at the Xavier University of Louisiana. As you divulge into my submission, I appreciate that you chose to read my essay, and I hope it is enriching and informational. As mentioned, I attend the Xavier University of Louisiana, majoring in Public Health Sciences with a Double Concentration in Biology and English. First entering as a Biology Pre-Medicine major, I’ve come to comprehend my foundation standpoints for my STEM degree; representation, guidance, and individuality. When I first entered college, I did not understand that I was not just getting my education for Harper but for my predecessors who fought to get theirs. I would consistently slack off and produce below-subpar grades, even having to take a summer class in my first year of college. Now a sophomore, I understand the importance of getting my education for myself and the community. Although I could earn a degree in any category of majors, I decided to explore the world of STEM to change the common idea that STEM is only for doctors and nurses. My foundational standpoints for my degree are the first step to making the world of STEM more inclusive to African Americans. We have been taunted and discouraged from pursuing STEM, explaining why we make up such a small portion of STEM bachelor degrees. Just by finishing my undergraduate and receiving my degree, I display that a college degree is not a decorated accolade but the key to a world of opportunities. Procuring a STEM degree and speaking on the journey I endured to receive it can encourage generations to come that they are capable of higher learning with dedication and diligence. Not only will a STEM degree represent and guide, but it will inspire individuality in the world. My most notable lesson since I began college was learning that I did not have to go with the crowd. Coming into college surrounded by Biology majors, I thought it was okay to follow suit, even if my passion for Biology ran thin. I struggled immensely, but when I learned to adapt to change rather than fighting it, I found my footing, even if it was a different path from others; it was the right path for me. My foundational standpoints in obtaining my STEM degree emerged from my learning about myself as an individual. Pursuing a post-secondary education has pushed me to highs and lows that I could never have imagined for myself. This push-inspired lessons and wisdom that I can share with my community. I have learned that to have a positive impact on the world, I have to have a positive impact on myself. My ultimate desire is to share my journey with others to show them a new light to life and inspire them to strive for better within. No salary or possession could hinder me from sharing my story, and I want to share it even if it only impacts one individual. Challenging daily goals such as pursuing a college education have become the key to engaging myself in the world of self-improvement. Although a college education may not be for every individual I encounter, I want to express the importance of finding one's footing so that one can change the world too.

My name is Harper. I am a college sophomore majoring in Public Health Sciences with a Double concentration in Biology and English at the Xavier University of Louisiana. I come from a family where three of the four of my grandparents served in the military - Air Force was the specialty. As a college student, I strive daily to accomplish what I have planned for myself. I go to school, participate on and off campus, get my degree and then my Master, all while changing the world. To change the world, the characteristics above are a necessity. To display the traits above are not entitled to serving my country but entirely to live an honest livelihood. The five traits above are interconnected; to have one, you have them all. The definition of resilient given by Merriam Webster is an “ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change. “ Being a college student, I live by resilience. Before I came to college, I thought it would be easy; go to class, turn in the work, take the test, and ace the class. I quickly realized my idea was false, but I did not apply the reality until my sophomore year. I procrastinated, complained, and pushed the idea of being a great student to the far back of my mind. I learned to adapt and adjust; after two dropped classes, a summer course to keep my scholarship, and changing my major, I understood the importance of my education. Resilience is the only way to succeed. In being resilient, I learned to have both a strong work ethic and become focused and determined. With my college education underway, I have learned to apply resilience, determination, a level of focus, and a work ethic to everything I gather in my life. While in college, I have an internship, an ambassadorship, and a part-time job at home. I am the Communication Committee Chair for the Public Health Student Organization, an NSLS Inductee, and a Piece by Peace Volunteer. To uphold my stature and bring value to my organization, I must remain focused and have a strong work ethic. The organizations I abide by are not for the title but to spark change within and bring forth my values. Most importantly, to show strong leadership/communication skills, you have to be unselfish. However, before you can be a leader to others, you have to be a leader for yourself. To have strong communication skills, you have to communicate and comprehend yourself. Knowing yourself, your strengths, and your weaknesses is how you learn what you need in a team. Although I have not led a brigade, I prompt conversations with the student body to bring change to the university. All universities have imperfections, but that does not mean they should go without speaking about the imperfections. I want my university to be the best, but I also want them to honor the students. The best way to bring about change is to infiltrate why change is needed. Overall, I can attest that each of these qualities speaks to me. I practice each trait daily to become my best self. By selecting me for this scholarship, I guarantee you will understand how I appreciate and incorporate these traits into my livelihood.

STEM has become more than a career for me; it is an inspiration. When I started my STEM journey, I wanted to be an OBGYN to have first-hand experience in bringing life into the world. As I progressed through high school, I recognized the inherent responsibilities of becoming a physician and put my energy into becoming a Pediatrician, as I would not feel overwhelmed by the course load. But entering college as a Biology Pre-Medicine major, I recognized that STEM was more than just being a doctor. I attend the Xavier University of Louisiana (XULA), notable for graduating the most African American doctors; This was perfect at the time, as I was designated to enter the world of pediatrics once I finished my undergraduate. I quickly realized that I could not do the bare minimum and get by; Being a STEM major meant long nights of studying and longer nights of procrastinating, ending with me crying at the workload. I had to retake a Biology class and complete a summer course of English to keep my scholarship, which caused frustration and hesitation about my future career. Yet, these apparent failures would lead to a future I could have never seen for myself. When I returned to school for my sophomore year, I had a sit-down conversation about what I wanted to do with my education. I did not want to go to medical school to become a doctor, and my passion for school was dissipating. I finally told myself that now was the time to change, and the opportunity could not have been better. In one swift motion, I dropped Organic Chemistry, changed my major to Public Health Sciences, and replaced my minor in Chemistry with a double concentration in Biology and English. With a year of Biology and English credits under my academic belt, I am ahead in my Public Health degree, now able to fill my schedule with Public Health classes and electives. I begin my Public Health Science classes Spring of 2023 as a college sophomore. Now, "Why do you want to pursue a career in STEM, and how will you use the degree to help uplift the community?" I am not simply pursuing a career in STEM but a lifestyle. STEM is all for creative people creating opportunities and solutions for future generations. The degree I obtain not only from my undergraduate but also a master's in Public Health Sciences will go towards inspiring my community to settle for nothing. Had I stayed a Biology major because it's what I settled on in high school and came into college with, there is no telling what predicament I would be in now. If you are unhappy in your current position, you have to be able to recognize that emotion and make the change necessary to become happy. Yes, you may fail and have a continuous line of failure, but it is better than settling for what you think you have to. I also want to inspire my community not to fall into society's terms of success. As a child, becoming a doctor brings the most money and success. Yes, the Black community needs more doctors, engineers, and lawyers, but we also need more coders, mathematicians, farmers, plumbers, and architects. We need an interwoven community of people that look like us, so our STEM statistics can surpass the double digits. Helping my community is informing and challenging the narrative of what their success can be. If one never settles or gives up on themselves, they have the chance to be a part of more than a statistic.

To me, STEAM is the past, present, and future. Without STEAM, we would not have evolved as a society. STEAM has allowed us to cultivate an advanced civilization that no other mammal has achieved. STEAM is the industry that will always need human innovation, something that no robot can fulfill no matter how upgraded they are. There are so many potential, current, and future opportunities in STEAM, and it will only continue to grow with time and the future population. STEAM creates jobs, careers, and lifestyles and makes our society go round and round. STEAM has not always favored black women based on racist and sexist tension as a black woman. We make up less than 5% of the industries, and the representation has only increased with increased social awareness. However, with college and education becoming more expensive, making the STEAM field more applicable for black women is becoming harder. I want to change this demographic, making STEAM more accessible and diversified. To begin solving this problem, I created Black Women Do STEAM. The purpose of Black Women Do STEAM is to bring STEAM careers and opportunities to Black Women and connect Black Women in the field to possible clientele and share their purpose in the STEAM field. Connections are a significant part of a developing society, and I want to make sure Black Women have as much help as possible when in STEAM. I created this platform as I rarely see programs or choices to help Black Women grow this lustrous industry. To me, STEAM is also about representation. I want young black girls to know that they can achieve whatever they put their mind to, regardless of the career they choose to follow. Historically, Black Women have been the most disrespected and under appreciated of all. STEAM surrounds us in almost every aspect, and white males have dominated it for far too long. I want to break this cycle, implement success, optimism, and wander into the Black community as a whole. I am a college freshman attending the Xavier University of Louisiana as a Pre Med Biology Major. I have aspirations to work in the Pediatrics field and improve the stature of mental health amongst black and LGBTQ+ youth. I chose a college education because it has opened my eyes to the wonders that the world can provide for me. Pursuing a college education has also allowed me to meet like-minded individuals who want to influence the STEAM field and the world with their ideas and knowledge. Earning my college education has pushed me to pursue my ideas and make them a reality. It has influenced me to start my hair business, encourage fitness amongst the black community, and start Black Women Do STEAM. STEAM has been a significant part of my life, and I want it to become a Black women-inclusive field. With my college degree, I can make a fundamental change in the Black community and engage society to be more inclusive of Black Women. Thank you for your consideration!