As I anticipate graduating from CUNY Hunter College with a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience psychology, I plan to pursue further education in medical school to become an adolescent psychiatrist and advocate for children and families. Attending college has been an incredible challenge while balancing work, tuition, and housing instability, yet my determination has never wavered. Since I was 17, I have been committed to earning my degree despite being led astray by my parental intuitions. This scholarship would not only ease the financial burden I carry but also help me graduate on time and continue toward my long-term goals. I am eager to graduate by the fall of 2027 and begin my journey to medical school, where I hope to expand my research in developmental psychology, transgender youth, and the socialization of gender. With this scholarship, I would be able to dedicate more time to preparing for the MCAT, engaging in extracurricular activities, and cultivating a professional network that will strengthen my medical school applications. My dream is to become a physician in New York City and to apply to esteemed institutions such as Stanford University School of Medicine, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, and Harvard Medical School. Receiving this scholarship would not only advance my education but also set the tone for excellence I intend to achieve throughout my career. I strive to lead with balance, self-care, and authenticity. Coming from a family where higher education is not always seen as a path to success, I hope to be an example of how education can transform not only one’s life but an entire community. I have four younger brothers and many early adolescent girl cousins who I deeply admire. I currently work at a nursing home, provide pet care, and share my art with others, all experiences that deepen my empathy and patience. I believe a healthy society begins with understanding and supporting our youth, raising the standards for their developmental and mental healthcare. Tradition is evolving in United States, and I hope to contribute to that evolution by uplifting families who are disproportionately impacted by inequities in research, education, and healthcare. I aspire to bring physicians closer to genuine connection with their patients through empathy and vulnerability. Growing up, it was often I missed doctor’s appointments or visits left me feeling voiceless and unseen. Learning about the historical mistreatment of women of color, particularly Black women, only reinforced my resolve to change that experience for others. My educational journey is part of a personal mission to break generational curses and become a compassionate leader within my community. I believe empathy, paired with confidentiality, cultural sensitivity, and compassion, is one of the most powerful tools in medicine. Through empathy, I aim to help rebuild trust medicine and the people it serves.

Going to college represents empowerment and not just for myself, but for my family. While I have remained focused on my personal growth, I also take accountability for the role I play within my family’s journey. As the eldest sister of my brothers, I strive to lead with integrity, compassion, and intentional action. I am pursuing a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience psychology at CUNY Hunter College, with aspirations of becoming an adolescent psychiatrist. Living in New York has been a dream of mine since I was eight years old. Being accepted into Hunter showed me that dreams grounded in discipline can evolve into reality. My research interest center on developmental psychology, transgender youth, and the socialization of gender. I believe the foundation of a healthy society begins with empathizing with our youth and identifying their needs to improve standards of developmental healthcare. As traditions evolve across the United States, I hope to help preserve childhood and advocate for families disproportionately affected in research and health care. Learning about the historic mistreatment of women of color, queer individuals, and Black children once filed me with shame and anger. Media portrayals of these communities being dismissed or harmed within medical systems reinforced a painful truth, that empathy and equity are still lacking in medicine. This only fuels my determination to be part of the change I wish to see. I want my presence in the medical field to bring physicians closer to genuine connection through vulnerability, understanding, and respect for all patients. I strive to live a balanced life grounded in self-care, grit, and discipline. My fitness journey began in 2021 after gaining 15 pounds during COVID-19. What started as a spiritual and yoga practice grew into a consistent gym routine, now 3 to 5 times a week since 2023. During my first semester at Hunter, I joined my RA’s run club at Midtown’s FOUND study, where I found a community centered around health and mutual motivation. When I am not at school or work, I express myself as a mixed media portrait artist working in acrylic, oil paint, and pastels. Throughout the past year, I have led art workshops for student residents at NYC’s FOUND study. Pictures can be found on my portfolio website at kyahswurld.com. My life revolves around self-care, community building, and cultivating patience. My educational journey is part of a larger mission to break generational cycles and become a leader in my community. Empathy, when paired with confidentiality, compassion, and cultural sensitivity, becomes a powerful tool in medicine. Through empathy, I hope to help rebuild trust between healthcare and the people it serves. I refuse to let my past define me; instead, I ground myself in the present and take accountability to build the future I envision.

I come from a lineage of brave, strong, and independent women who have spent their lives being selfless, often to their own detriment. I want to be different. I want to pursue my dreams of attending medical school without sacrificing myself to traditions that were never truly my own. The matriarchs who raised me gave up parts of their authenticity to be loved, seen, and respected within systems that were never designed for them. I intend to use the strength they passed down to me to do what many still fear to do, live fully and authentically in my truth. I am a young, queer Black woman born in Chicago Heights and raised in St. Louis pursuing a neuroscience psychology undergraduate degree. I do not only possess the curiosity of the academic world but am driven to protect the spectrum of womanhood. I aspire to become an adolescent psychiatrist and advocate for children and families, particularly those navigating identity, trauma, and growth. Tradition in the United States is evolving, and I hope to play a part in that change by protecting childhood and advocating for families who have been disproportionately overlooked in research, education, and medicine. My goal is to bring physicians closer to their patients through connection, empathy, and vulnerability, values that heal as deeply as any medicine can. Empathy and compassion come to me naturally, but I also work to preserve and deepen them. The people I surround myself with and the environments where I volunteer have shaped my understanding of care and human connection. I currently work at a senior home, serve as a caregiver for animals, and plan to pursue a medical career dedicated to uplifting children and families. My academic interests include developmental psychology, transgender youth, and the socialization of gender. I believe that the foundation of a healthy society begins with listening to and empathizing with our youth, understand their needs and raising the standards for their developmental healthcare. I view my educational journey as part of a mission to break generational cycles and become a leader within my community. My past does not define me; instead, it grounds me and fuels my determination to move forward. Building community is an integral part of who I am. At Hunter College, I aim to continue networking and hosting creative events in New York City to cultivate spaces that inspire others to connect, express, and heal. Empathy, when paired with confidentiality, compassion, and cultural sensitivity, becomes a powerful tool in medicine. Through empathy, I aim to help rebuild trust between healthcare and the communities it serves. My journey is not just about becoming a doctor but about redefining what it means to lead with heart.

Ever since I was eight years old, it has been my dream to live and study in New York City. My name is Jakyah Overton, and I am a 23-year-old student born in Chicago Hieghts and raised in St. Louis, two cities that taught me how to gather grit and discipline and turn adversity into compassion. I transferred to Hunter College in the fall of 2024 from the College of Dupage , a community college in Illinois. When I am not in class or working, I practice mixed-media portrait work inspired by popular NYC street artists using acrylic, oil paint and pastels. While art remains a profound part of my identity, my greatest career goal is to pursue a future in medicine. I aspire to advocate for children and families as an adolescent psychiatrist. My passion for helping others began in middle school, when I often babysat my younger brothers and took on household responsibilities. Over time, this sense of care expanded beyond my family and I now work at a senior home, care for animals, and continuously seek opportunities to volunteer myself in community. I reflect often on how in many ways I experienced adultification from my own family during that time in my childhood. These experiences have strengthened my determination to build a career that unites science, empathy and service. Attending college has not been easy. Maintaining a strong GPA while paying tuition on minimum wage and finding stable housing has been incredibly challenging. Since I was 17, I have been determined to earn my degree, even when inconsistent parental support made it difficult. Without parental information for FAFSA, I have had to rely on extended family for housing and fund my education out of pocket. I would like to break away and become completely independent from these individuals. I strive to set an example of resilience, integrity, and determination for the youth in my family. This scholarship would not only relieve financial pressure but also help me stay focused on graduating by Fall of 2027 and pursuing my research interests in developmental psychology, transgender youth, and gender socialization. It would also allow me to prepare for the MCAT, dedicate more time to building my professional network, and participate in extracurricular programs that will strengthen my medical school applications. Growing up, doctor visits often left me feeling intimidated. Mental health care was considered taboo in my family, even as I witnessed loved ones struggle with conditions such as bipolar disorder, ADHD, and Autism Spectrum Disorder. My mother’s experience with preeclampsia after childbirth and the broader healthcare challenges faced by Black families opened my eyes to the inequities that persist in medicine. My educational and career goals are an ode to those experiences. I want to use my knowledge, compassion and voice to ensure that patients of all background receive care rooted in respect, understanding and humanity. I would like to become the person I needed in my own adolescence. Learning about the history of medical racism and the ongoing mistreatment of marginalized communities once filled me with anxiety, but it now fuels my determination. Rather than letting those injustices dishearten me, I am inspired to become the kind of physician who restores trust and represents hope for those who have been overlooked.

Every time I learn something new about the brain, I am reminded how much there is still to discover about the human mind. That curiosity is what led me to major in neuroscience psychology at CUNY Hunter College. My name is Jakyah Overton, and it has been a dream of mine since I was about eight years old. It’s funny to think that my original dream began with learning to sew alongside my great-grandmother, I imagined becoming a fashion designer just like her. While I am proud of my artistic lineage and the creativity it has instilled in me, I eventually realized that my true calling was in understanding and healing people. My interest in helping others began in middle school, when I often babysat my younger brothers and took on many household responsibilities. Those early experiences taught me patience, empathy, and the quiet power of care. Today, that same compassion drives me to care for animals, work at a senior home, and dedicate myself to advancing knowledge of the human brain. The image I’ve chosen to share with you would be me spending the day with my client Guinevere’s french bulldog, Monty. My research interests include developmental psychology, transgender youth, and the socialization of gender. I believe that the foundation of a healthy society begins with truly understanding the needs of our youth to raise the standards of their healthcare and their sense of self. This past summer, I worked as a Lifetime Kids Instructor, and it was incredibly grounding to connect with children ages 0-11. I found myself fascinated by what they valued, what they were aware of, and how they expressed their individuality. Their openness reminded me of my own childhood, when I formed strong beliefs about right and wrong and wasn’t afraid to voice them, even against the expectations of adults. Tradition in America is evolving, and I want to be part of that transformation, one that preserves the beauty of childhood and honors families who have been disproportionately impacted by inequities in research, education, and healthcare. I hope that my presence in medicine will bring physicians closer to true human connection, grounded in vulnerability and understanding with patients of all backgrounds. While life itself can be deeply traumatic, empathy and compassion come to me naturally, nurtured by the people I surround myself with and the environments where I choose to serve. My educational journey is also a personal mission to break generational cycles and become a leader in my community. Growing up, visits to the doctor often let me feeling small and unseen. As I learned about the historic mistreatment of women of color, particularly Black women, my anxiety deepened. The knowledge that Black and queer individuals have been dismissed or harmed by the healthcare system became both painful and motivating. Rather than allowing that reality to dishearten me, I have chosen to let it fuel my purpose. I aspire to become a psychiatrist who not only treats the mind but also restores trust. I aim to become someone who embodies the change I wish to see in medicine.

In middle school, where I attended Gateway Science Academy, my classmates and I were highly academically competitive. Since then, I have always been one to two grades ahead in math and science courses throughout high school. It was an intuitive decision to pursue my education in science and major in neuroscience psychology because I have always enjoyed overcoming my challenges and following my curiosity. My adolescent years deeply impacted my mental health, and my academic achievements helped me stay focused on something positive and optimistic about the future. It has been my dream since I was eight years old to live in New York City, and getting accepted into Hunter College has shown me the beginning of what is truly posible through determination. Yet, the path has not been easy. At eighteen, I was forced to leave my parents’ home in December of 2020 and navigate my personal journey on my own, living with distant relatives who did not quite understand who I was or wanted to authentically become. My parents divorced the following year and my mother repeated the same trauma of casting out my younger brother, who also aspires to attend college. When I’m not at school or work, I am a mixed-media portrait artist working with acrylic, oil paint, and pastels to share bold, abstract and expressionistic portraits. My portfolio, at kyahswurld.com, reflects how art has strengthened my self-expression and built healthy coping mechanisms in the face of adversity. I view my educational journey as of a greater mission to break generational cycles and lead within my intersectional communities. Learning about the historic mistreatment of women of color, particularly Black women, once deepened my anxiety. Media portrayals of Black and queer folk being dismissed or harmed by healthcare and scientists revealed a painful truth: empathy and equity remain scarce in medicine. But instead of letting that reality discourage me, it fuels my purpose to become the change I wish to see. As the eldest sister of four brothers, I strive to lead with integrity and intentional action. I currently work at a nursing home, am a caregiver to animals, and seek opportunities to share my art through volunteer work in my community. Throughout college, it has been incredibly challenging to sustain my academic performance while managing the stress of work, tuition, and overall well-being. Without parental information on my FAFSA, I have had to pay tuition entirely out of pocket. The impact of this scholarship would not only alleviate the financial strain but also bring abundance into the life I envision as an aspiring adolescent psychiatrist. It would allow me to dedicate more focus to my studies and maintain my place on the Dean’s List. My priority is not only to graduate but to do so with exceptional performance and honorable recognition on Hunter College’s Wall of Excellence. This scholarship would help me redefine the odds and pull others like myself out of the margins. I work hard to inspire my family, stand for my community, and preserve my inner child.

My interest in pursuing medical school to become a MD is quite a funny story. I have always been inspired by powerful women in authority, and in middle school, I became uniquely obsessed with ‘Law and Order: SVU’ and deeply admired the character Olivia Benson, played by Mariska Hargitay. In the show, she’s an NYPD Special Victims Unit detective with a tragic past, yet she dedicates her life to helping people like her and her mother. I saw her as a woman who turned pain into purpose and led with strength and compassion. While she began the story as a rookie detective, the show has been on for as long as I have been alive, and she has since risen into the position of Lieutenant Benson. From an early age, I knew I wanted to serve a community similarly as a district attorney or adolescent psychiatrist. It became an obsession to grow and live authentically as a highly educated person with unwavering morals and values. My interest in medicine solidified as my awareness of the lack of representation for myself, narcissistic abuse and childhoods lost to trauma grew. I have always been drawn to math, science and research because they help me understand and protect what I value most: human life. That show became a source of comfort during my own struggles with mental health and self-image. Around that same time, I discovered online LGBTQ+ communities and felt deeply connected to their self expression and creativity. I identify as a queer woman, and although I did not always have the words to articulate my identity, I found a space that made me feel seen. Media portrayals of Black and queer individuals being dismissed or harmed by healthcare systems revealed a painful truth that empathy and equity are still lacking in medicine. But instead of allowing that to discourage me, it drives me to be the change I want to see. Through social media, I have been able to find others like me documenting their medical journeys and proving representation matters. I transferred to Hunter College in the fall of 2024, but before arriving to the Big Apple, I endured some of the biggest heartbreak from my family. At eighteen, I was forced to leave my parents’ home at the end of 2020 and find my own path, living with distant relatives in the suburbs of Chicago. My parents divorced the following year, and my mother mirrored the same trauma onto my younger brother, who also aspires to be in college. The people who supported me along the way will always hold a place in my heart, but I have learned that real growth begins within. I don’t let my past define me but keep me grounded and centered in myself. The challenges I have faced taught me resilience, responsibility, and compassion. I view my education as a mission to break generational cycles and rebuild trust between people and medicine. Through empathy and strength, I aim to lead, to heal, and to serve.

Being the first in my family to attend and graduate college means breaking generational curses. The systemic barriers that have kept my family trapped in cycles of limited academic and financial growth have been a heavy weight to carry. Yet through it all, I’ve learned to lead my inner child with optimism, compassion and hope. My journey is not only about personal achievement but about rewriting the narrative for those who will come after me. I strive to maintain balance through self care, nurturing healthy relationships, and giving back to my community. I’ve always drawn inspiration from the maternal figures in my life, whose strength and resilience have shaped me, even when our relationships were complex and imperfect. At eighteen, I was forced to leave my parents’ home in December of 2020 and navigate my education independently. I lived with distant relatives in the suburbs of Chicago who didn’t really know me or understand the person I aspired to become. When my parents divorced the following year, twice, it deepened the instability at home. My mother, overwhelmed with her own trauma, began to replicate the same painful cycles with my younger brother, who also aspires to pursue college. Despite the instability, I learned that pursuing my goals had to come from within. The people who helped me along the way have left lasting impressions, but ultimately, I’ve realized that growth must be self-disciplined. Enhancing my own life inherently uplifts the people around me. I’ve learned not to let my past define me but to ground myself in the present to take accountability for the life I envision. Whether networking at school, organizing community events, or building connections through work, I continue to push myself into new spaces where I can grow and contribute. It has been my dream since childhood to live in New York City. Getting accepted into Hunter College was a defining moment that proved to me how far determination can take you. I transferred to Hunter in the fall of 2024 from a community college in Illinois. Balancing academics, work, and tuition payments has been a tremendous challenge. Without parental support or access to financial information for FAFSA, I’ve shouldered full responsibility for funding my education and maintaining my well-being. As the eldest of four brothers, I feel a deep responsibility to lead with integrity and intention. I was born in Chicago Heights and raised in St. Louis, two cities that have taught me grit and the value of perseverance. Throughout school, I continue to seek the stability of a community rooted in reciprocity and support. Receiving this scholarship would bring not only financial relief but also peace of mind. It would allow me to continue focusing on building the future I’ve always envisioned. I plan to pursue a career in medicine as an adolescent psychiatrist, advocating for children and families. Through my own family’s challenges, I’ve learned that life can be deeply traumatic but choosing empathy and compassion despite those hardships can transform pain into purpose.

- My name is Jakyah Overton, and I’m a 23-year old neuroscience psychology major at CUNY Hunter College in New York City. Living in New York has been a dream since I was eight years old and being accepted into Hunter as a psych major was more than an academic milestone; it was proof that my drive and hard work could turn my imagination into my reality. Transferring from College of DuPage in fall of 2024 was both thrilling and daunting. Balancing work, tuition, and unstable housing has tested me in every way. Without parental support or FAFSA information, I’ve relied on resilience while moving between relatives, paying out of pocket, and refusing to give up. As the eldest of four brothers, I feel a responsibility to lead with integrity, compassion and purpose. Born in Chicago Heights and raised in St. Louis, I’ve taken grit and creativity from both cities. When I’m not studying or working, I create mixed-media portraits using acrylic, oil paint and pastels. Art has transformed my hardship into expression and therapy for me. My experiences have shaped my commitment to medicine, where I hope to support others navigating mental health challenges with empathy and understanding. - Empathy, to me, is to embody the foundation of being a decent human being. Life can be unpredictable and deeply traumatic, yet the ability to extend compassion toward others has always come natural to me. My empathy is not fragile but it is something I consciously preserve and nurture through the people I surround myself with and the environments I choose to serve in. I currently work in a nursing home and as a caregiver for animals, both of which remind me of the beauty of patience, kindness and human connection. These experiences have guided me toward a lifelong goal: to pursue a career in medicine, specifically advocating for and working with children. Empathy, when paired with confidentiality, compassion, and cultural sensitivity becomes a superpower in medicine. My capacity for empathy has grown out of my own struggles with mental health and self image during adolescence. I remember how it feels to be unseen, misunderstood and unheard. That understanding fuels my drive to advocate for those who share the same experiences, particularly those with intersecting identities that are often marginalized. Pursuing my Bachelors degree in neuroscience psychology is the first step in my path toward medical school, where I aspire to become an adolescent psychiatrist. My work in caregiving continues to strengthen my patience, emotional intelligence and ability to communicate effectively, which are essential to the physician I aim to become. My life is centered around self-care, community building and cultivating patience. I view my educational journey as part of a personal mission to break generational curses and become a leader within my community. My research interests include developmental psychology, transgender youth and the socialization of men. These stem from my belief that a healthy society begins with understanding our youth. By identifying and addressing their needs, we can raise the standard of care, emotional literacy and social support during their most formative years. As American tradition and family structures evolve, I want to ensure that childhood is preserved and respected, especially for those disproportionately affected by the inequities in healthcare, education and research. Growing up, visiting the doctor often left me feeling voiceless and intimidated. Learning about the historic mistreatment of women of color, particularly Black women, only deepened my anxiety. Media portrayals of Black and queer individuals being dismissed or harmed by healthcare systems reinforced a painful truth. But rather than allowing, that realization to dishearten me, it motivates me to be the change I want to see. I’ve witnessed my own family members navigate the healthcare system with vulnerability and strength: relatives diagnosed with bipolar disorder, my mother suffering preeclampsia after childbirth and young Black children in my family living with ADHD, ADD, and Autism Spectrum Disorder. My educational and career pursuits are an ode to their experiences. I want to use my knowledge, compassion and voice to ensure that patients of all backgrounds receive care rooted in respect, compassion and humanity. Through empathy, I aim to help rebuild trust between healthcare and people.