To me, being underrepresented doesn't mean being incapable, it just means our voices haven't been heard loud enough yet. That is why I want to use my education and build on it to amplify those voices. Every time I see a story about an African American person facing police brutality, I’m reminded of why I want to pursue a higher education to become the kind of lawyer who changes those stories. I see many of my people needing representation but I do not see my people being the ones representing them. Lack of representation means that black communities may have a harder time accessing fair legal services. This is deeply concerning to me and to many others within the African American community. I realized that not everyone has an equal voice or representation especially in places of power. The lack of representation in the law field pushes me to keep going and to pursue my dream of becoming a lawyer. When I began looking into my career I was stunned to see how underrepresented African American Women are in the field of law. The number of African Americans in the law is significantly low and the number of African American Women in the field is even lower. African Americans make up only 5% of all lawyers in the United States, and African American women represent just 4.1% of lawyers in U.S. law firms. Knowing that African American Women make up only a small fraction of attorneys motivates me to change that statisic. Another concern for me, beyond representation, are the stories of wrongful convictions among African Americans. A good example would be Central Park Five. This was a case where five teenage boys were accused of assaulting and raping a woman in Central Park. The boys spent between six and thirteen years in prison, and when the real perpetrator confessed to the crime, the boys, now grown men, were exonerated. In 2014, the city settled the case and awarded each person in the Central Park Five millions of dollars for compensation but no amount of money will ever be able to replace the time that was stolen from them. Cases like these remind me that someone’s life can change forever. It’s unacceptable that race can still determine whether someone will receive justice. I will not stand by and just hope that this system will change, I will be that change. Going to college would not be just a piece of paper for me. It would be the foundation of my future so I can make an impact. Throughout college I hope to learn about the power in politics while also learning the laws of the legal system and how to use them to benefit others. I also see college as a way to surround myself with people who will challenge me to think outside the box and to grow into the lawyer I aspire to be. I want to study subjects like political science, sociology, and African American studies which will help me understand how legal systems impact communities like mine. Obtaining a degree from Winston-Salem State University would provide me with the knowledge and foundation I need in political science. Once I graduate, I can take the skillsets I learned and build upon them at my future law school. I want to stand as proof that when Black Women are given the opportunity, we don’t just take a seat at the table we build a bigger one.

To me, being underrepresented doesn't mean being incapable, it just means our voices haven't been heard loud enough yet. That is why I want to use my education and build on it to amplify those voices. Every time I see a story about an African American person facing police brutality, I’m reminded of why I want to pursue a higher education to become the kind of lawyer who changes those stories. I see many of my people needing representation but I do not see my people being the ones representing them. Lack of representation means that black communities may have a harder time accessing fair legal services. This is deeply concerning to me and to many others within the African American community. I realized that not everyone has an equal voice or representation especially in places of power. The lack of representation in the law field pushes me to keep going and to pursue my dream of becoming a lawyer. When I began looking into my career I was stunned to see how underrepresented African American Women are in the field of law. The number of African Americans in the law is significantly low and the number of African American Women in the field is even lower. African Americans make up only 5% of all lawyers in the United States, and African American women represent just 4.1% of lawyers in U.S. law firms. Knowing that African American Women make up only a small fraction of attorneys motivates me to change that statisic. Another concern for me, beyond representation, are the stories of wrongful convictions among African Americans. A good example would be Central Park Five. This was a case where five teenage boys were accused of assaulting and raping a woman in Central Park. The boys spent between six and thirteen years in prison, and when the real perpetrator confessed to the crime, the boys, now grown men, were exonerated. In 2014, the city settled the case and awarded each person in the Central Park Five millions of dollars for compensation but no amount of money will ever be able to replace the time that was stolen from them. Cases like these remind me that someone’s life can change forever. It’s unacceptable that race can still determine whether someone will receive justice. I will not stand by and just hope that this system will change, I will be that change. Going to college would not be just a piece of paper for me. It would be the foundation of my future so I can make an impact. Throughout college I hope to learn about the power in politics while also learning the laws of the legal system and how to use them to benefit others. I also see college as a way to surround myself with people who will challenge me to think outside the box and to grow into the lawyer I aspire to be. I want to study subjects like political science, sociology, and African American studies which will help me understand how legal systems impact communities like mine. Obtaining a degree from Winston-Salem State University would provide me with the knowledge and foundation I need in political science. Once I graduate, I can take the skillsets I learned and build upon them at my future law school. I want to stand as proof that when Black Women are given the opportunity, we don’t just take a seat at the table we build a bigger one.

When I entered high school, I never would have imagined that I would feel comfortable and eager to speak and present in front of others. For most of my life, I dreaded doing projects because I knew that, at the end, I would have to present in front of people. The feeling that presenting gave me is one I do not miss. My hands would tremble uncontrollably, and my voice would shake. I couldn’t help but laugh at myself. It wasn’t something I could control, even though I wanted to so badly. My friends couldn’t understand it either. To them, it wasn’t a big deal if they stuttered or spoke in front of others because it wasn’t going to be for that long. Going to 9th grade, I was prepared to just sit in the back and get by. I had no clue what my school had in store for me. My school loves PBLs (project-based learning), and they do them quite frequently. I was constantly working with others and presenting. I couldn’t tell you exactly what switched in my brain to make me feel comfortable. I could only tell you how I felt. During sophomore year, in my Math 2 class, my group was up next to present. As it became my turn to start talking, I noticed that the pain in my stomach was gone, my hands were no longer trembling, and my voice wasn’t shaky anymore. Even with all those eyes on me, I still felt fine. I remember that after the presentation, my teacher pulled me aside and told me how well I had done. At that moment, I knew something had changed, and it was for the better. From that point forward, I have had no trouble presenting. Now, I’m not going to lie, I still get a little nervous before it’s my turn to speak, but it is nothing like it used to be. After gaining more confidence, I decided to get more involved in my school community. I joined the Black Student Union. At first, I was nervous to speak, but I reminded myself how much I had grown. Now, I help lead discussions to educate others about our history. Being part of BSU has allowed me to use my voice not just for myself, but to encourage others to use their voices as well and to create a space where everyone feels heard and valued. Volunteering at UNC Rex Hospital has been one of many ways I have been able to apply the communication skills I developed through school. As a volunteer, I interacted with patients, families, and staff daily. I’ve learned that even small gestures, like greeting someone with a smile or offering to help them find their way, can make a big difference in someone’s day. When I first started, I was worried I wouldn’t know what to say or how to approach people, but my experiences in project-based learning taught me how to stay confident and kind in conversations. Looking back, I can see how much I have grown and how much I will continue to grow. My school’s focus on collaboration and communication not only pushed me out of my comfort zone, but it also prepared me to serve my community with confidence. I’ve learned that learning is not just about improving yourself; it’s also about using what you’ve learned to make a difference in someone else’s life. I entered high school unsure of the power of my voice, but I’m leaving ready to use it to serve and inspire others wherever I go.

To me, being underrepresented doesn't mean being incapable, it just means our voices haven't been heard loud enough yet. That is why I want to use my education and build on it to amplify those voices. Every time I see a story about an African American person facing police brutality, I’m reminded of why I want to pursue a higher education to become the kind of lawyer who changes those stories. I see many of my people needing representation but I do not see my people being the ones representing them. Lack of representation means that black communities may have a harder time accessing fair legal services. This is deeply concerning to me and to many others within the African American community. I realized that not everyone has an equal voice or representation especially in places of power. The lack of representation in the law field pushes me to keep going and to pursue my dream of becoming a lawyer. When I began looking into my career I was stunned to see how underrepresented African American Women are in the field of law. The number of African Americans in the law is significantly low and the number of African American Women in the field is even lower. African Americans make up only 5% of all lawyers in the United States, and African American women represent just 4.1% of lawyers in U.S. law firms. Knowing that African American Women make up only a small fraction of attorneys motivates me to change that statisic. Another concern for me, beyond representation, are the stories of wrongful convictions among African Americans. A good example would be Central Park Five. This was a case where five teenage boys were accused of assaulting and raping a woman in Central Park. The boys spent between six and thirteen years in prison, and when the real perpetrator confessed to the crime, the boys, now grown men, were exonerated. In 2014, the city settled the case and awarded each person in the Central Park Five millions of dollars for compensation but no amount of money will ever be able to replace the time that was stolen from them. Cases like these remind me that someone’s life can change forever. It’s unacceptable that race can still determine whether someone will receive justice. I will not stand by and just hope that this system will change, I will be that change. Going to college would not be just a piece of paper for me. It would be the foundation of my future so I can make an impact. Throughout college I hope to learn about the power in politics while also learning the laws of the legal system and how to use them to benefit others. I also see college as a way to surround myself with people who will challenge me to think outside the box and to grow into the lawyer I aspire to be. I want to study subjects like political science, sociology, and African American studies which will help me understand how legal systems impact communities like mine. Obtaining a degree from Winston-Salem State University would provide me with the knowledge and foundation I need in political science. Once I graduate, I can take the skillsets I learned and build upon them at my future law school. I want to stand as proof that when Black Women are given the opportunity, we don’t just take a seat at the table we build a bigger one.

To me, being underrepresented doesn't mean being incapable, it just means our voices haven't been heard loud enough yet. That is why I want to use my education and build on it to amplify those voices. Every time I see a story about an African American person facing police brutality, I’m reminded of why I want to pursue a higher education to become the kind of lawyer who changes those stories. I see many of my people needing representation but I do not see my people being the ones representing them. Lack of representation means that black communities may have a harder time accessing fair legal services. This is deeply concerning to me and to many others within the African American community. I realized that not everyone has an equal voice or representation especially in places of power. The lack of representation in the law field pushes me to keep going and to pursue my dream of becoming a lawyer. When I began looking into my career I was stunned to see how underrepresented African American Women are in the field of law. The number of African Americans in the law is significantly low and the number of African American Women in the field is even lower. African Americans make up only 5% of all lawyers in the United States, and African American women represent just 4.1% of lawyers in U.S. law firms. Knowing that African American Women make up only a small fraction of attorneys motivates me to change that statistic. Another concern for me, beyond representation, are the stories of wrongful convictions among African Americans. A good example would be Central Park Five. This was a case where five teenage boys were accused of assaulting and raping a woman in Central Park. The boys spent between six and thirteen years in prison, and when the real perpetrator confessed to the crime, the boys, now grown men, were exonerated. In 2014, the city settled the case and awarded each person in the Central Park Five millions of dollars for compensation but no amount of money will ever be able to replace the time that was stolen from them. Cases like these remind me that someone’s life can change forever. It’s unacceptable that race can still determine whether someone will receive justice. I will not stand by and just hope that this system will change, I will be that change. Going to college would not be just a piece of paper for me. It would be the foundation of my future so I can make an impact. Throughout college I hope to learn about the power in politics while also learning the laws of the legal system and how to use them to benefit others. I also see college as a way to surround myself with people who will challenge me to think outside the box and to grow into the lawyer I aspire to be. I want to study subjects like political science, sociology, and African American studies which will help me understand how legal systems impact communities like mine. Obtaining a degree from Winston-Salem State University would provide me with the knowledge and foundation I need in political science. Once I graduate, I can take the skill sets I learned and build upon them at my future law school. I want to stand as proof that when Black Women are given the opportunity, we don’t just take a seat at the table we build a bigger one.