When my name is heard by others, their initial response is often to comment on its uniqueness. They are curious about the background of my name, but little do they know its true meaning. To those unfamiliar with Igbo culture, my middle name, Onyiyechi, may sound like a random combination of nine letters. However, for those who understand Igbo, they would know that Onyiyechi means "God's gift". As a Nigerian, born and raised in America, growing up was challenging as I often felt torn between being too Americanized to be considered truly Nigerian, and too African to fully fit in as an American. Nevertheless, I am grateful for the opportunity to embrace both my Nigerian culture and my identity as a Black American, and I have learned to fully accept and love myself as a Nigerian-American. Recently, I was invited to North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University for their scholarship finalist weekend, and I want to share the life-changing experience I had there. During the opening speech by the Chancellor, all the scholarship finalists were asked to stand up, and as I looked around, I became emotional. It was the first time I truly felt at home. I know that many of my fellow scholars may have had similar experiences, being ridiculed by other people of color for being articulate, achieving good grades, or being patronized for being black and smart, and feeling the need to constantly prove themselves in academic settings due to their appearance. It is clear that while all schools strive for excellence, the standard at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) is higher, as they promote black excellence. When I was searching for colleges, I knew I wanted to be in a place where I would be fully supported, and I believe that attending an HBCU will not only provide that support, but also uplift me as a whole person, recognizing my worth beyond just academic statistics. Surrounded by black intellectuals who share the same goals, I know that attending an HBCU is the first step towards building my future. Speaking of the future, my plans after completing my bachelor's degree include continuing my education to become a physician's assistant. I am particularly interested in working in pediatrics or becoming a psychiatric PA, as I have always had a passion for serving the community. Ultimately, I aspire to establish a nonprofit organization that makes healthcare services more accessible to underrepresented communities, including my own. That being said, let me formally introduce myself: My name is Janet Onyiyechi Imoh, and I hope to make a change.