As a person who didn’t grow up with much, even the necessities, my life experiences shaped me to be a person who always gives. The person I am and the character I have become will always give back, wherever and however I can. There are so many people in this world who don't know their potential and might not reach it because someone wasn’t there to pour into them and uplift them. Because of this, I will always strive to be that person, a resource for others, so they can achieve greatness. For example, in high school, I was in speech and debate, and I did very well because there were people around me who helped foster my skills. That’s what community is about, and I intend to always be an important person in my community, wherever I am in life. While I was in speech and debate, I would volunteer at the middle schools in my district, helping those students foster their own debate skills. In doing so, I wanted to make sure that I gave back to my community, especially the community that made me who I am. Giving back has always been an intentional choice of mine. I intend to give back in the areas where I know my skills will be put to good use. That’s what I did as I went to college. As a result, I sought opportunities to continue serving others. Similarly, my major is Business Information Technology. It may not seem like a major that would lead to a profession that gives back, but that doesn’t mean those who are in that profession can’t take matters into their own hands and give back to the community. In fact, at my university, I became a part of an organization that is about business technology. Through that organization, I volunteered at a community center where I helped teach young Black girls about technology and the possibilities they could achieve if they decided to go into tech when they get older. As I stated before, when I give back, it’s always intentional. I didn’t have someone teach me about technology; that’s why I strive to be a resource for those young girls and help them unlock their potential. Unfortunately, so many students don’t know what they can achieve because they were never given the opportunity to step into various STEM spaces. Through these experiences, I’ve noticed that within the Black community, Black children don’t know their potential. They were never given the opportunity to truly unlock their skills and see beyond their environment. The Black community as a whole continues to go through the same cycles that prevent us from excelling because we aren’t given viable resources as children; this is what I intend to change with my degree. Therefore, I want to open more doors for Black children in my community and across the diaspora. Business is a versatile field that can make an impact in any sector anywhere in the world. Consequently, seeing the good community service can do has only amplified my desire to be an important member of my community and create change. Moreover, it’s known that systemic racism still impacts the Black community to this day. The government won’t provide the resources for Black youth to excel, so we as a community need to take matters into our own hands. I’ve realized that I need to be the change that I want to see, and I want to implement that change for my people across the world. We as a community need to start communicating and coming together with a clear vision, so we can be the reason future generations succeed. To begin with, these “diaspora wars” need to end. The entire Black community has one culture that just took different forms; once we realize that, then the sky is the limit when it comes to the change we’ll make. Additionally, we need to start investing time, money, and care into our community and ourselves. As we build the resources we need to succeed and see each other as family rather than anything but, that will be the ultimate reform for the Black community. Black people across the world have a history of building from the ground up, so we know that it’s possible. Ultimately, it starts with our mindset and how we view ourselves and the rest of the people in the Black community. It is up to us to break out of the mindset that the system has forced upon us. We need to stop letting things stay the way they are, because it’s truly hurting us. We need to be intentional with the relationships we build and start having conversations revolving around what we want for ourselves and how we’ll make it happen. Most importantly, looking out for each other and taking care of our village is how we will see the change we need. Community service showed me just how much change a true and stable community can bring. Therefore, those of us who have seen the effects of the system on the Black community and don’t want that for Black youth need to start creating the change we want to see. Just as others have invested in me and helped me realize my potential, I am committed to investing in future generations so they can do the same. Through building strong communities and creating opportunities for Black youth, I hope to leave a lasting impact that extends far beyond myself.

In a world where technology is constantly growing, with no sign of slowing down, it would be simple to just put our phones down, but that’s easier said than done. Technology has become so embedded in our daily lives that it’s hard to imagine getting tasks done without it. That’s also a reason why it has hindered us so much. Technology has made things too convenient for people; they no longer have to go out of their way to engage in certain activities, and those activities include connecting with other people. Now technology isn’t all bad; it has enhanced our lives tremendously. Certain sectors in society-like the medical field- have been able to progress due to technology, and that has benefited us greatly. However, it has dampened our lives when it comes to interacting with each other. The increased use of social media has made a major impact on human connection. We no longer seek out meeting up with friends to catch up or just sit in each other’s presence, because it’s already in front of our faces. We can easily go on social media to see what the people in our lives are doing, or we can simply FaceTime or text. Now that isn't so bad when used in moderation, but that isn’t the case with society today. Social media has also led to people being afraid of others' perception, because we compare our lives and ourselves to those that we see on our screens. This has caused us to hold celebrities and influencers to a higher standard than our own lives, when in reality we’re all living this life together. We use an excessive amount of technology to connect with people, and we have lost the art of meeting up and having face-to-face conversations. Through this increased use of technology, we no longer have third spaces. Places where it’s not home, work, or school and free aren't around anymore, nor are they sought out. This is due to technology giving people the convenience to talk through a screen or not talk at all. Places where you don’t need to pay for anything, and you can have a good time with the people in your community, need to exist. These spaces give people a sense of belonging, rather than the isolated feeling technology gives. Going out of your way to talk and interact with the people in your life without involving a screen is the type of action that needs to be taken, and the type of action that improves our lives. A part of the human experience is connecting with others and building meaningful relationships in your community. Those connections impact how we navigate our lives and society. We as a people need to connect so we can truly live. Community and healthy relationships lead to a fulfilling and healthy life. Having people you can trust and depend on improves our quality of life. There is a reason why technology leads to an increase in depression and anxiety, because we are no longer making those personal connections with each other. Community and healthy relationship-building are how we grow as a society and as a community, and this world may look a little different if we start valuing the beauty of human connection. As stated before, technology is a good thing, but it should be used where it is needed. We as humans need to stop becoming so reliant on technology and start seeking out meaningful and intentional connections with each other. We can’t rely on big tech companies to stop producing their products or shut down their social media apps; we have to take it upon ourselves to create the change we need and want to see. We need to start seeking out meaningful relationships and holding deep and impactful conversations; those conversations lead to change and build communities. Technology won’t stop growing, and neither should the connections and communities we build. As we start building connections with one another that don’t involve the use of technology, we will start seeing an improvement in mental health in society. We would also see more communities being formed and people truly looking out for each other. We would also see third spaces being created and people having somewhere to go that feels safe and comforting with the people they care about the most. Just because technology has no plans of leaving, that doesn’t mean it has to replace the parts of our lives that are imperative to the human experience.

As a person who didn’t grow up with much, even the necessities, my life experiences shaped me to be a person who always gives. The person I am and the character I have become will always give back, wherever and however I can. There are so many people in this world who don't know their potential and might not reach it because someone wasn’t there to pour into them and uplift them. I will always strive to be that person, a resource for others, so they can achieve greatness. In high school, I was in speech and debate, and I did very well because there were people around me who helped foster my skills. That’s what community is about, and I intend to always be an important person in my community, wherever I am in life. While I was in speech and debate, I would volunteer at the middle schools in my district, helping those students foster their own debate skills. I wanted to make sure that I gave back to my community, especially the community that made me who I am. Giving back has always been an intentional choice of mine. I intend to give back in the areas where I know my skills will be put to good use. That’s what I did as I went to college. My major is Business Information Technology. It may not seem like a major that would lead to a profession that gives back, but that doesn’t mean those who are in that profession can’t take matters into their own hands and give back to the community. In college, I became a part of an organization that is about business technology. Through that organization, I volunteered at a community center where I helped teach young girls about technology and the possibilities they could achieve if they decided to go into tech when they get older. As I stated before, when I give back, it’s always intentional. I didn’t have someone teach me about technology; that’s why I strive to be a resource for those young girls and help them unlock their potential. So many students don’t know what they can achieve because they were never given the opportunity to step into various STEM spaces. As I continue my education in college, I will continue to give back and be a resource for others. As I enter my second year of college, I intend to join an organization at my university that builds beds for children in need and helps low-income families. This is something that not only can I relate to, coming from a low-income family, but also something that will change a child's life. As a society, we take so much fr granted and don’t know how privileged we are to have basic things. I’ve been guilty of this too; that’s why I strive to be aware of what I have, whether that be the skills I possess or the tangible items in my life, so I know where I can make a difference in a child’s life. Once I graduate, I intend to start a non-profit organization where children in low-income communities can unlock their potential and understand that the sky isn’t the limit, the sky is what you stand on to reach beyond what society and their environment have shown them. This non-profit will expose children to various activities and allow them to explore their interests and what they want to achieve in life. Children are the future, and it’s my job to make sure their future is bright.

Once I obtain my bachelor's degree, I will use my knowledge and internship experience to build a company/ organization dedicated to black children, giving them the tools to find themselves. Black children are often hindered due to the barriers put in front of them, preventing them from succeeding. I want to start at the foundation, so these children can already have a stable mindset and know what they are capable of. I will give elementary, middle school, and high school students the tools and resources for them to reach their highest potential. That's one of the reasons why I wanted to attend an HBCU. I decided to attend an HBCU because I knew that I would receive the tools to be successful, and I have. I'm a freshman attending an HBCU, and I'm deeply confident I have made the right choice. I'm surrounded by black excellence and like-minded individuals on a daily basis. The people around me want to see me succeed, just as much as I want them to do the same, and that community is what it means to be black. In a society where the system has been deliberately built to hold us back and prevent us from succeeding, black people create communities to fight against it. Staying resilient while also having fun and being unapologetically ourselves is what it means to be black. When you're black, the sky isn't the limit; it's just what we stand on to reach the beyond.

As a young black woman who has seen the talent black children possess and has seen myself in these kids, my main goal is to open avenues for them to succeed. I would use my education to help black kids see their own talent so they can grow up and break the barriers society puts in front of them. I won’t wait until I get my bachelor’s degree to do this; I already started, as I’m pursuing my degree. I volunteer at a community center, where I teach young girls about technology, how to use it, and what their future has in store for them with technology. This is only the tip of the iceberg of what I plan to do in my community. I aim to influence children across various ages, allowing them to reach their full potential and break the systemic barriers that have been set in place to discourage black children. Through volunteering and internships in my undergraduate years, I plan to give black youth the tools and resources that allow them to open their mind to the various possibilities the world has in store for them. Once I obtain my bachelor's degree, I will use my knowledge and job experience to build a company/ organization dedicated to black children, giving them the tools to find themselves. I want to start at the foundation, so these children can already have a stable mindset and know what they are capable of. I would help elementary, middle school, and high school students get their foot in the door of the business world. My company/organization would teach black children about various careers they can pursue, provide opportunities for hands-on experience, and offer internships to high school and college students. There has been much progress over the years of black people gaining opportunities in fields that weren’t as accessible to us in the past, but it simply isn’t enough. I plan to be a resource for the youth and help fulfill their hopes and dreams. While I know it won’t be easy, beating the odds stacked against me will be worthwhile. Opening pathways for young black people to succeed is more than enough motivation for me. I plan to be the resource I wish I had in middle and high school. I want to show young black people that the sky isn’t the limit, the sky is what they should stand on to reach the beyond.

Business is such a versatile field that black people can truly excel in. Due to economic and societal factors many black people don’t ever get a chance to truly unlock their potential and this starts out from a young age. There is a substantial amount of children who I have encountered through volunteering and middle schools and elementary schools that are incredibly intelligent and have talents that would take them far in life. However, due to the lack of resources in schools and financial instability, very few eleven have the opportunity to recognize their talent and unlock their potential. As a young black woman who has seen the talent black children possess and who has seen myself in these kids, my main goal is open avenues for them to be successful. I would use my education to help black kids see their own talent so they can grow up and break the barriers society put in front of them. I don’t just plan to wait until I get my bachelor’s degree to do this, I plan to start while I’m pursuing my degree. I want to obtain internships and job opportunities that value the skills and creativity that these kids possess so they can be successful in life. As versatile as the business field is, it lacks diversity. Once I obtain my bachelors degree I would use my knowledge and job experience to build a company dedicated to black children who want to enter the business field. I want to start at the foundation, so these children can already have a stable mindset and know what they are capable of. I would help elementary, middle school and high school students get their foot in the door of the business world. My company / organization would teach black children about business, give them opportunities to get hands-on experience, and I would offer internships to high school and college students. Business is a common field, but seeing black people in that field isn’t so common. There has been much progress over the years of black people gaining opportunities in this field, but it simply isn’t enough. I plan to be a resource for the youth and help fulfill their hopes and dreams. While I know it won’t be easy, beating the odds stacked against me will be worthwhile. Opening pathways for young black people to succeed is more than enough motivation for me. I plan to be the resource I wish I had in middle and high school. I want to show young black people that they are their own key to success.

For much of my youth, I harbored a deep-seated fear of continuing to live in poverty as an adult. I longed for a life where my needs weren’t a thought and my wants came at will.—where I could provide for my family without the constant anxiety of financial uncertainty. Thus, the medical field seemed like the logical and pragmatic choice to achieve these goals. However, as I progressed through high school, I began to recognize that I shouldn’t pursue a career that I don’t have a passion for because it would ultimately leave me unhappy with life. I knew I didn’t want to go into healthcare, but I still wanted to pursue a career that was noble and fulfilling. I didn’t know what career path would be best for me until my sophomore year when a pivotal moment occurred, fundamentally shifting my perspective. I attended a field trip to an architectural firm with my CANstruction club. I was particularly fascinated by how the firm utilized cutting-edge technology to design and execute complex structures. One of the employees explained that technology is applicable in various sectors, giving the potential to revolutionize industries. As soon as he told me that information, I finally broke away from the box I confined myself to. My mind began flooding with wonder and curiosity of what technology could do for the future, and aid so many individuals. I came to understand that technology, with its vast applicability and continuous growth, was the career path I wanted to pursue. I felt as though it would be the field where I could truly make a difference. Once I realized I wanted to pursue a career in technology, I began to do research. I strived to find a career that truly captivated my interests, of the constant expansion of technology. During my exploration I discovered Business Information Technology (BIT)—a field that integrates business administration with information technology. This discovery felt like a natural fit, as both business and technology are fields that are rapidly evolving and offer immense opportunities for growth and innovation. The intersection of these two intrigued me, as it promised not only a dynamic career but also the potential to contribute to something much larger than myself.Through further research, I found that a career in BIT would allow me to combine my aspirations for financial stability with my desire to make a meaningful contribution to society. I began to understand that my goal of securing a comfortable life for myself and my future family—could be realized through technology, just as it could have been through healthcare. As I embark on the journey, I am excited for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in this career path. I never use my hardships and struggles as a way to feel sorry for myself, I use it as motivation to be successful, and I will continue to do so as I enter this field. Technology not only provides the opportunity for financial success, but it also allows me to participate in shaping the future and helping others in a way that is both meaningful and far-reaching.

For much of my youth, I harbored a deep-seated fear of continuing to live in poverty as an adult. I longed for a life where my needs weren’t a thought and my wants came at will.—where I could provide for my family without the constant anxiety of financial uncertainty. Thus, the medical field seemed like the logical and pragmatic choice to achieve these goals.However, as I progressed through high school, I began to recognize that I shouldn’t pursue a career that I don’t have a passion for because it would ultimately leave me unhappy with life. I knew I didn’t want to go into healthcare, but I still wanted to pursue a career that was noble and fulfilling. I didn’t know what career path would be best for me until my sophomore year when a pivotal moment occurred, fundamentally shifting my perspective. I attended a field trip to an architectural firm with my CANstruction club. I was particularly fascinated by how the firm utilized cutting-edge technology to design and execute complex structures. One of the employees explained that technology is applicable in various sectors, giving the potential to revolutionize industries. As soon as he told me that information, I finally broke away from the box I confined myself to. My mind began flooding with wonder and curiosity of what technology could do for the future, and aid so many individuals. I came to understand that technology, with its vast applicability and continuous growth, was the career path I wanted to pursue. I felt as though it would be the field where I could truly make a difference. Once I realized I wanted to pursue a career in technology, I began to do research. I strived to find a career that truly captivated my interests, of the constant expansion of technology. During my exploration I discovered Business Information Technology (BIT)—a field that integrates business administration with information technology. This discovery felt like a natural fit, as both business and technology are fields that are rapidly evolving and offer immense opportunities for growth and innovation. The intersection of these two intrigued me, as it promised not only a dynamic career but also the potential to contribute to something much larger than myself.Through further research, I found that a career in BIT would allow me to combine my aspirations for financial stability with my desire to make a meaningful contribution to society. I began to understand that my goal of securing a comfortable life for myself and my future family—could be realized through technology, just as it could have been through healthcare. As I embark on the journey, I am excited for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in this career path. I never use my hardships and struggles as a way to feel sorry for myself, I use it as motivation to be successful, and I will continue to do so as I enter this field. Technology not only provides the opportunity for financial success, but it also allows me to participate in shaping the future and helping others in a way that is both meaningful and far-reaching.

Business is a versatile field that allows black people to truly excel. Due to economic and societal factors, many black people don’t ever get a chance to truly unlock their potential, and this starts from a young age. There is a substantial number of children whom I have encountered through volunteering in middle schools and elementary schools who are incredibly intelligent and possess talents that would take them far in life. However, due to the lack of resources in schools and financial instability, very few eleven have the opportunity to recognize their talent and unlock their potential. As a young black woman who has seen the talent black children possess and who has seen myself in these kids, my main goal is to open avenues for them to be successful. I would use my education to help black kids recognize their own talents, so they can grow up and break through the barriers society puts in front of them. I don’t just plan to wait until I get my bachelor’s degree to do this; I plan to start while I’m pursuing my degree. I want to obtain internships and job opportunities that value the skills and creativity that these kids possess, so they can be successful in life. As versatile as the business field is, it lacks diversity. Once I obtain my bachelor's degree, I will use my knowledge and job experience to build a company dedicated to black children who want to enter the business field. I want to start at the foundation, so these children can already have a stable mindset and know what they are capable of. I would help elementary, middle school, and high school students get their foot in the door of the business world. My company / organization would teach black children about business, give them opportunities to get hands-on experience, and I would offer internships to high school and college students. Business is a common field, but seeing black people in that field isn’t so common. There has been much progress over the years in black people gaining opportunities in this field, but it simply isn’t enough. I plan to be a resource for the youth and help fulfill their hopes and dreams. While I know it won’t be easy, beating the odds stacked against me will be worthwhile. Opening pathways for young black people to succeed is more than enough motivation for me. I plan to be the resource I wish I had in middle and high school. I want to show young black people that they are their own key to success.