My experiences with domestic violence and substance abuse have not only shaped my perspective but also inspired my life’s mission. For three years, I was trapped in a toxic, narcissistic relationship filled with emotional, physical, and verbal abuse. At the time, I mistook dysfunction for love patterns that mirrored my upbringing. My partner’s behavior was eerily similar to the emotional abuse I had endured from my father, and I didn’t yet understand how to love myself. I sought validation in others, believing that was the only way to feel worthy. He would tell me I was undesirable and unlovable, creating deep wounds around self esteem and intimacy. His words left me anxious and ashamed. He isolated me from loved ones, came home drunk most nights, and hid bottles of alcohol in our home. I didn’t realize until much later that what I had experienced wasn’t love it was control. Things reached a breaking point when I became pregnant. After deciding to terminate the pregnancy, he became erratic. On the way home from the procedure, he drove recklessly, swerving between lanes. It ended with police intervention and his hospitalization. I was left alone, both emotionally and physically, to begin piecing my life back together. Therapy has been a turning point in my healing. It has helped me unpack the trauma, rebuild my confidence, and recognize that I’ve always been worthy of love, safety, and respect. I’m now on a path of rediscovery and transformation. This journey has shown me the power of inner healing and I want to help others do the same. I’m pursuing a degree in Communications because I believe our stories have power. Through speaking engagements and outreach programs, I hope to share my experiences to help other women particularly Black women navigate and escape toxic cycles of abuse. Too often, our pain is minimized or misunderstood. I want to be a voice that says: you are not alone, and healing is possible. In addition, I’m working toward a career in medical device sales, where representation is urgently needed. Being a successful Black woman in that space sends a message of resilience and hope. I want to show young women that our past doesn’t define our future and that success is attainable, even after adversity. Ultimately, I hope to use my education to bridge gaps in care, communication, and community support for African American women affected by abuse and trauma. My story is one of survival but more importantly, it’s one of rising. I believe that by speaking out, lifting others, and leading with compassion, we can change the outcomes for generations to come.

My name is Jaleelah Robinson, and I currently work as a certified pharmacy technician. Through this role, I’ve developed a deep appreciation for healthcare and the many ways we can positively impact patients lives. However, over time, I began to feel the need for a more direct, hands on role in patient care something that would allow me to be there for people during some of their most challenging moments. That’s when I started seriously considering a career in radiation therapy. My partner originally suggested radiation therapy to me, knowing my strengths and my desire for a career that offers both purpose and balance. As I learned more about the field, I was drawn to its mix of technical expertise and compassionate care. I was also encouraged by the strong job outlook, great pay, and the potential for a healthier work-life balance. It felt like the right fit, and for the first time in a while, I saw a future I was genuinely excited about. Shifting from pharmacy to radiation therapy is a big change, but I believe my experience has prepared me well. Working in pharmacy has taught me the importance of accuracy, teamwork, and being present for patients. These skills are essential in radiation therapy, where attention to detail and emotional intelligence are just as critical as clinical knowledge. I’m fully committed to this path and plan to take full advantage of every learning opportunity from classroom training to clinical practice to become the best healthcare professional I can be. One of my biggest goals after becoming a certified radiation therapist is to give back. I know how overwhelming it can be to make a career change or figure out your next step, especially when you don’t have a traditional college degree. I want to mentor others who are considering the trades and show them that there are meaningful, well paying jobs out there that don’t require going into massive debt. I also hope to be involved in cancer outreach programs, educating people in my community about early detection and treatment options. I believe the more we know, the better we can care for ourselves and each other. This career shift represents more than just a professional move it's a personal mission. I want to build a career where I can serve others while continuing to grow, learn, and inspire those around me. Radiation therapy gives me that chance. With support from this scholarship, I’ll be able to focus on my training and take steps toward building a future where I’m doing work that matters. Thank you for considering my application and for supporting people like me who are ready for the next chapter.

Growing up, I lived in an environment where love was conditional, emotions were suppressed, and perfection was expected. My father, a narcissistic and emotionally abusive figure in my life, shaped much of my early world. Instead of learning self-confidence, I learned how to survive how to make myself small, silent, and "good enough" to avoid criticism. Over time, this upbringing eroded my self-esteem to almost nothing. I lived for years believing that my worth was tied to how well I could meet impossible standards and how little I took up space. As I entered adulthood, the effects of this upbringing became harder to hide. I struggled with deep depression, waves of anxiety, and a paralyzing sense that no matter how much I achieved, I would never be enough. For a long time, I thought this was just how life was supposed to feel lonely, heavy, and exhausting. But eventually, the weight became too much. I realized I couldn’t keep carrying these invisible wounds alone. That’s when I made one of the bravest choices of my life: I reached out for help and started therapy. Going to therapy was terrifying at first. It felt like opening a door I had been taught to keep locked. But little by little, therapy gave me tools to understand my experiences, name my emotions, and start healing the deep-rooted beliefs that had controlled me for so long. I began to see that the way I had been treated was not a reflection of my worth. I learned that my voice mattered. I learned that taking up space is not something to apologize for. My journey through therapy, depression, and rebuilding my self-esteem has fundamentally reshaped my beliefs. I no longer believe that strength is about hiding pain or pretending to be perfect. True strength, I now understand, is about vulnerability, resilience, and the courage to heal even when the wounds are invisible to others. I believe that empathy is one of the most powerful forces in the world and that healing ourselves gives us the ability to help heal others. These changes have also deeply influenced my relationships. I no longer seek validation from people who diminish me. Instead, I seek connections rooted in respect, honesty, and mutual support. I know now that healthy relationships are built not on control or fear, but on trust, compassion, and real acceptance. Most importantly, I’ve learned how to offer those things to myself. My career aspirations have also evolved because of this journey. While I currently work as a pharmacy technician to support myself, my dream is to become a professional singer and communications professional. I want to use my voice both literally and figuratively to inspire others who feel voiceless. I want my music, my storytelling, and eventually my public speaking to be a light for people navigating dark seasons. My experiences with mental health have given me not just empathy, but a mission: to show others that their past does not have to define their future. In many ways, mental health challenges broke me open but from those cracks grew my deepest sources of strength. I no longer see my struggles as something to hide; I see them as part of my purpose. Healing is not linear, and I still have hard days. But today, I face them with hope, resilience, and an unwavering belief that I am enough and that I am worthy of building the future I once thought I didn’t deserve.