Legendary actor Robin Williams once said that “by being entertaining, you make a connection with another person.” This profound statement resonates deeply with my journey as a dancer and an aspiring artist. The performing arts are truly based on evoking feelings and forging connections, and my experiences have shown me the transformative power of these connections. Participating in the Kennedy Center Dance Lab (KCDL) this past summer was a pivotal experience in my artistic journey, largely due to the influence of an exceptional artist and my mentor: Hope Boykin. Hope Boykin, the artistic lead for KCDL, is a Bessie award winner and former company member of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Her remarkable career and profound insights have significantly shaped my understanding of what it means to be an artist. Meeting and learning from her was an eye-opening experience that fundamentally changed my perspective on dance and my future career. Hope designed KCDL to include intimate conversations with industry professionals and peers, dance workshops, performances, and more. Every day, she would come in with a smile on her face, bursting with life. Her presence was infectious, and I could feel how much she believed in and supported me. Her reassurances and motivational one-on-one meetings set a fire under me, showing me that it truly was possible to pursue dance as a career. Coming from an artist as experienced and accomplished as her, her belief in me meant the world. She empowered us to be our true selves, to stand up for ourselves and one another, and held us to the highest standards of dance, work ethic, and being humans of the highest quality in kindness. Through KCDL, I realized that being a “Citizen Artist” means creating art with the intention of forming a connection with the viewer to send a message bigger than oneself in service of others. As artists, we are given the stage, and it is our responsibility to use this platform to represent our communities, cultures, issues, dreams, and views through our work, giving it a higher purpose. Hope emphasized that “art is not just a weapon for change, but a foundation for our future lives; lives that will impact and raise awareness, directing our unique voices toward leadership.” One of my most memorable experiences in dance occurred during KCDL, visiting Congress and speaking with house representatives and senators' chiefs of staff about funding for the arts. Armed with the understanding and conviction that art plays an integral role in society by triggering emotions, sparking conversations, and bringing people together, I was prepared to advocate for my community. This experience solidified my belief in the power of art to effect change and highlighted the importance of supporting the arts in everyday life. At the University of Michigan and in my professional career, I hope to continue embodying the principles instilled in me by Hope Boykin and the KCDL program. My goal is for my dancing and choreography to make onlookers feel seen and to move them across the spectrum of emotions, from joy and the urge to dance along to a sense of closure and understanding that someone else empathizes with their experiences. In conclusion, the influence of Hope Boykin and my experience at KCDL has been instrumental in shaping my artistic journey. I am committed to using my talents to create meaningful connections and to advocate for the arts. This scholarship will help me further my education and continue to develop as a Citizen Artist, dedicated to making a difference through my work.