It is deplorable for man to glance upon his common brethren, lowly & ignoble, & without cause or justification, render him the injustice of slight. Of the many social issues the American public find themselves privy too, none are as pervasive as poverty. The exacerbation of poverty is a epiphenomonal phenomenon achieved through a amalgamation of factors such as income inadequacy, economic recession, unemployment & underemployment amongst other things. Debilitaing economic conditions coupled with sociological deficiencies like inadequate education & broken family structure further ensconce families in this mire. Poverty gives way to homelessness & homelessness in a land brandishing equity and opportunity is ignominious. Homelessness has become so ubiquitous that society has lost all impetus to reverse such plight; this depravity is a meager picayune to the masses. It is my belief that this malady can be reversed through community activism one state, one city, one town, one municipality at a time through resource allocation, lobbying & legislation. Change must first occur within the individual, such behavior will be catalytic for further behavior creating a coalition of like minded people with one monolithic effort in mind, more change. A man of humble beginnings myself, it was illuminated to me from an adolescent that a scarcity of altruism had ordained such pestilence to haunt our steps. I questioned the attitude of the fortunate (& by fortunate I don't mean well off), what information were they privy to that afforded them such leisure ? A integral component I've noticed among affluent individuals is a safety net comprised of a camaraderie of affordability & sociability called upon at the minor & slightest of inconveniences. Opportunity, revenue, connections, a wellspring of utilities providing an abundant amount of possibilities. Such availability was not at my disposal or the disposal of my fellow colleagues & this reason is the cornerstone of my initiative. It is my honest belief that more affordability must be provided for those who are without by those with the intelligibility to accomplish such a feat. Poverty is a virulent & caustic reality that can be thwarted through consistency & effort. Collectively if we band together we could witness a ascent of low income America. A single vow was made, to assist in any faculty available to any and all in need. Since 2017, I've been working alongside local non-profit organizations to facilitate aid for low income & single mother households alongside our valiant homeless populous. Four Saturdays a month, a large caravan & I swarm city streets providing edification, discourse, food, housing opportunities & other resources. After volunteering at a food pantry for the first time in 2016, I was galvanized by the depravity I witnessed. This year alone, we've donated 12,000 pounds of food to food pantries & 8,000 pounds worth of clothes. While this aid is merely a drop In a bucket, what we do in our community can have a lasting impact that could affect coming generations & lead to more activism from neighboring counties. Poverty can be resolved one helping hand at a time.

If you give a man a fish, you can feed him for a day, but if you teach a man how to fish, he can feed himself for a lifetime.. "There is absolutely no question of any genetic differential: Intelligence potential is distributed among Negro Infants in the same proportion and pattern as among Icelanders and Chinese or any other group. American society however, impairs the Negro potential. The statement of the HARYOU report that "there is no basic disagreement over the fact that central Harlem students are performing poorly in school" must be taken as true of Negro slum children throughout the United States." Moynihan, David. "The Case for National Action." 1965, p.37. This was said in the spring of 1965 (almost a year after the Civil Rights and Economic Opportunity Act of 1964) and has equal pertinence today. The average black family passes on zero wealth to their children, the African American family boast one of the lowest median household incomes, & literacy rates among black students are disproportionately lower than their counterparts. Whilst this instability is a culmination of the past 6 decades, one defining factor has statistically been contributive to the black communities ascend and demise, education (or a lack thereof). Growing up in a single parent household and witnessing the ramifications of moderate collegiate pursuit has only added depth to the importance of education. Take our asiatic companions for example, 61% of asian have bachelors degrees of higher compared to the national average of 37.9%. Asian Americans with a masters degree earn $118,688 while white Americans with the same credentials only earn $98,430. Asians not only have higher rates of degrees but also a greater tendency towards degrees that confer higher pay in the job market. Traditional Chinese culture attached great importance to education as a means of enhancing a person's worth and career. The value of this importance speaks for itself; while not the cause, education is a correlative factor directly linked to success. It is undeniable that education is of the utmost importance yet its value is of the same if not greater prestige. No amount of monetary value can add or take away from the intrinsic worth education carries; education possesses a valuable component referred to as knowledge that far exceeds any occupation or opportunity it can garner. As a future master of accounting, this knowledge will breed new skills favorable in the job market and possibly confer a higher degree of employment. With these skills & funds, I will use both to further impact my community, providing resources to support & undergird the less fortunate. Knowledge can be used as a transformative tool to change the socioeconomic landscape of those alienated from society, creating a more auspicious environment where opportunity will flourish. Before any of this can occur, transformation must take root in the individual first. One must take his newly found knowledge & use it as a catalyst for growth. Only then can he stand as a paragon, shining, presenting a light to those shrouded in darkness. Education is a beacon of hope for the misfortunate & to pursue it is a liberty not obtainable to some but available to all.

“In the meantime, cling tooth and nail to the following rule: not to give in to adversity, not to trust prosperity, and always take full note of fortune’s habit of behaving just as she pleases. Whatever you have been expecting for some time comes as less of a shock.” Seneca I am no stranger to adversity, without its intoxicating potency, resilience buckles, durability breaks, and society is left desolate with only the wolves to separate the weak from the chaff. I recall a season most dearest to me; a catalyst that would indelibly affect my philosophy & doctor the trajectory of my life. The year is 2021; I'm relishing in the blissful serenity that ignorance can only afford. Through fasting and supplication, an epiphany springs forth to relocate to the Northwest and pursue my raison d'etre from there on out. Bubbling over with glee, I began packing immediately without a moment to waste; I was eager to inaugurate this solemn journey all to haphazardly (as I would soon realize). As anti-climatic as one might assume, my plans are foiled not once nor twice, but three times I'm prohibited. Perplexed by why, despite my best efforts, I contemplated what bane was the cause of this vexation and to my displeasure, I discovered one common denominator brooding with arrogance...t'was myself. May I offer an alternative; adversity is best at unveiling the insufficiency of a man to himself. Long have I warred with thee in the days of my youth in what I couldn't ascertain was a hopeless attempt to change the inevitable. Adversity is not a foe one should wage war against, thy would only fall to an untimely demise for adversity is liken unto a raging wave consuming all in its path. In the open endlessness of the unforgiving sea, two intrepid mariners navigate their vessels with contrasting finesse amidst tumultuous waves. One adept seafarer deftly harnesses the elemental fury, skillfully leveraging the roiling current to propel his craft forward with a masterful dance of sail and wind. Meanwhile, his counterpart, ensnared by the relentless onslaught of nature's wrath, finds himself ensconced within the calamitous embrace of the tempest, his vessel ensnared within its relentless grip, its might overwhelming his futile attempts at control. Ask yourself, what voyager are you... If you feel plagued or tormented by ghastly winds of adversity, In my most humble & honest opinion, I'd like to present to your attention a treasure in our fallen society, character evaluation. Adversity presents us with a window of opportunity to reassess our flaws and thus undergirds thee loins with preparation. Granted adversity has proven to be a daunting, there's is more to pain than discomfort; virtuosic good is often procured through struggle. To prevail despite the odds is deemed admirable even to detractors. Do not shy away from adversity; for without its chastising, how can one grow ?

There is nothing salubrious nor ebulient regarding the welfare state & its uncongenial ramifications. First and foremost, single parenthood is not a catalyst, inaugural event; it is merely a byproduct. The percentage of children living with single parents increased substantially in the United States during the second half of the 20th century. Only 9 percent of children lived with single parents in the 1960s—a figure that increased to 28 percent in 2012 (NIL). Prior to 1960, 22% of black children grew up in a household with one parent. 30 years later, following the introduction of the "well-fare" state, that percentage has tripled... despite the obvious undertones, this is not an essay on governmental policy. This understanding wasn't divulged till late adolescence, prior to that life was contextualized through a distorted lens predominately due to the guise of my mother and for good reason. Nevertheless, truth rarely escapes the curios; for no dialogue was needed to ascertain the concealed plight she bore. As I studied her vexation, a knowledge germinated deep in the bellows of my intellect, a "posteori" knowledge I'd detest till my dying breath.. that something is not just wrong with this country, but in general. Faced with this realization, it became abundantly clear pitying myself, my mother, or the situation wouldn't alleviate her toil. From that day forward, a decision was made to consider myself fortunate. Uncanny I'm aware, but from my perspective, this yearning for liberation wouldn't be as heartfelt without the trials and tribulations me and my family endured. Education was not my first inclination, for I lacked strong conviction & saw school as incessantly laborious & only for the pretentious. It lacked captivation (to the idiosyncratic of course), or at least it did. As far as education is concerned, according to the Census’ American Community Survey, among Black residents aged 25 or over, 22.6% had earned a bachelor’s degree or higher. This rate is up from 17.9% in 2010, but falls short of the national rate of 32.9%.Since Fall 2010, Black student enrollment has declined from 3.04 million to 2.38 million, a 22% decrease while undergraduate enrollment declined from 2.67 million to 1.99 million, a 25% decrease (PNPI). Among Black U.S. households in 2022, 49% earned less than $50,000, while 51% made $50,000 or more. A third of Black households (34%) earned $75,000 or more, including 22% that made $100,000 or more (PEW). Why is this important you ask? Because there's an obvious correlation between a lack of post-high school education & annual household income unable to be ignored by you & I alike. People need inspiration, they desire leadership & what better way to lead than by example? My goal is to create more opportunities to the less fortunate, those without the resolve or tenacity I shoulder & if selected to receive this scholarship paces closer to completing this conquest. Au revoir

Realistically, the only way impoverished African American communities (as well as minority communities) will receive proper treatment for mental health is if we create our own healthcare systems and erect our own legislative bodies to govern them. We must also include our own currency to fund them. The African American community is the only minority community that doesn't have a native land to be deported back to, the remedy for this is mass incarceration as well as treating petty crimes as heinous acts. According to the Sentencing Project, conducted by the Research for advocacy and reform organization, black Americans are incarcerated 5 times the rate as white Americans, also Mexican Americans are incarcerated 1.3 times the rate of white Americans. Black men are 2.5 more times likely to be shot than a white man; black men to be shot by the police are twice as likely as white people to be unarmed. Why did I include this when the prompt is about optimal health? African Americans won't receive optimal health opportunities as long as their viewed as unequal expendable entities. Too often than not, young African American boys are diagnosed with illnesses such as ADHD or ADD. I believe that diagnosis can sometimes be inaccurate so why is this idea stigmatized onto this community? Because it's business, children in the special education system garner more money for a school and an health institution, it's far easier to false diagnose and receive a check than to do extensive time consuming research to develop a proper cause. In my opinion, most children with ADHD are either defiant or don't have things that are grasping their attention, is the attention span really the issue ? Children are prescribed a control substance ( C2) by the name of methylphenidate, better known as Ritalin to treat ADHD, the same bracket drugs like Oxycontin, Percocet, Vicodin, Fentanyl, and Morphine. The most common side effects are nervousness, trouble sleeping, weight loss, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting. Surprisingly, African Americans are more likely be falsely diagnosed for having psychotic disorders than Euro-Americans. Until we are seen as equals, we will not receive optimal health care. Change must start somewhere, achieving proper mental health for minority communities is a monumental leap in the race of social justice and equality. Advocacy in one area can possibly spark support in other areas. We must continually push these issues and put people in positions of power that have our best interest in heart. This is a battle we cannot win alone, we need funding and we need power. Pursuing careers like doctors and lawyers are shunned for no reason at all. If we can increase our political bodies and create laws as well as enforce them, we might have a chance.

Being incarcerated is one thing, and being a prisoner of your own mind is a different ballpark. When I was around the age of seven, I was with my father when he went to jail for the second time. He was caught with possession of an unregistered fire arm and a considerable amount of narcotics. Losing my father to the system was a bitter pill to swallow. The male father figure I needed in my life was absent, I looked to my mother to guide me the best way she could. I eventually grew up on my own, forced to adapt to my environment. When my father came home, I was exposed to what incarceration does to a person. Never able to pursue a normal career and unable to relinquish the shackles of his own intellect, he decided to make ends meet the way that was comfortable. I decided from that day I was going to go after my dreams relentlessly, I didn't want imprisonment or my upbringing to halt me from the life I knew I was destined to live. School, life, family, the importance of everything illuminated so fast. Losing my father to the system was my introduction to manhood. Seeing the lifelong affects of a felony leaves an everlasting aftertaste in a person's mouth. I have an uncle who I love dearly, he too is a victim of the system [as well as his mind]. Due to his incarceration (as well as his record) it's almost impossible for him to live a normal life. He has a heart of pure gold, he'd give the shirt off his back to help someone. How can a real man look around at so much anguish and not be moved to do something about it... Witnessing post incarceration living pushes me to achieve my degree, go after every single dream I have wholeheartedly in order to rescue my family from their lives. Doing the best I can and making wise decisions everyday is overcoming adversity in my opinion. My entire family encourages me to continue on the road that I'm on, I'm surrounded by examples of those who did what they see fit, becoming incarcerated, and cannot escape their past. Their words of encouragement as well as their past mistakes motivates me to be a better person.

If you give a man a fish, he will eat. If you teach a man to fish, he will eat forever. The best way to help others is to be compassionate of their situation and offer adequate assistance. Often than not, people in unfair situations need emotional support, financial assistance and a point in the right direction. I enjoy giving people my opinion when asked. I'm regularly asked about my point of view on a situation, so when I can give people truthful and honest words of advice, I do it in a heart beat. The right indoctrination and advising can change peoples entire perspective on a situation. In my opinion, the best help is offered with a wise word, after all what are words for? Better for words to come before experience, a warning comes before destruction. I always offer genuine love with a sizzle of constructive construction. What we say will always stick with people so why not offer people words of affirmation that will uplift and uphold them, words they can mount of their chest everyday? Words have power, the smallest thing can make or break someone. Words have power so I enjoy using my voice to help those who need it.

A happy I can remember is the first time my youngest sister told me she loved me. She's four years old now so I'd say she was about 3 when she first told me. She's a timid soft soul so for her to tell me she loved me meant the world to me. I moved away for a brief period so I assumed she wouldn't remember me. After returning, we rekindled our relationship and sure enough one day she told me she loved me. I'll never forget it, so sweet and innocent, I know she meant it.

“Death does not signify the end, if often embraces the opportunity for new beginnings.“ Death is a beautiful of cycle of rebirth. As the life is risen from nothing it returns to nothing but bones; the spirit has risen but the body stays and decomposes. About 2 years ago I lost my dearly beloved grandmother in tragic fashion. She battled cardiovascular issues, a continuous wave of infections and cancer. Nevertheless, her warrior spirit fought tooth and nail day in and day out. Her battle taught me a valuable lesson I will mount upon my chariot of schemata all the days of my life, that dying is enough inspiration for living. It taught me to never halt your joy because of your circumstances but the most important lesson I learned was you don’t stop fighting until the fight is over. I visited her on her death bed, pain swelling on the inside. Her final words to me were “ son, this is not a time of grief, this is a time of celebration. I’m going to a place of peace and tranquillity. I’ve lived my life, I have no regrets. I only ask that you remember me as a fighter, not as a victim. “ That day, I made a decree in my heart to fight. I chose to fight for those who didn’t have the will to fight for themselves. Her death was all the fuel I needed to walk into the purpose for my life, boxing. I fight for my mother, my fist will set her free from a life of shortcomings and impoverishment she doesn’t deserve. I fight for my sisters, who will never know the struggle I’ve faced. I fight to glorify our excellent father in heaven, God. I fight for his honor, his satisfaction, his joy. Inky Johnson, motivation speaker and ex Tennessee football player once said “ at a certain point in time you’re going to hit adversity, something a lot tougher than you and it’s going to make you quit because you have no driving force for why you do what you do.” I’ve met adversity countless times, looked her in the eyes and overcame every single time. When you know why you fight no stronghold, no mountain, no valley, and no stumbling block can stop you from reaching where you must. To whoever reads this, I encourage you to search the crevices of your heart and ask yourself why you fight. What motivation do you use, who are you fighting for, “ It doesn’t depend on the size of the dog in the fight, it depends on the size of the fight in the dog.”

“Men are more ready to repay an injury than a benefit, because gratitude is a burden and revenge a pleasure” by Tacticus. This quote means a great deal to me because on this hellish love ridden mess heap we call a planet, affliction and disappointment are inevitable occurrences, especially from others. To me this quote means you must be careful who your allow in your inner circle and be twice as careful who your humble enough to ask a favor from. A snake only sheds its skin to become a snake again. This quote will forever be embedded in the schemata of my mind, carrying this philosophy with you on a day to day basis will ultimately make you a goal driven person. I view it as more encouragement to try your hardest to obtain what you need in your own power and don’t expect handouts. Yes, there will be people who are sent to help you but do not expect everyone to be a angel, most have alternative motives.