A person is built from more than a name or idea. A person is built from the trials and tribulations they go through. My name is Jordan Brown and it carries the hope and dreams of many. I am currently 19 years old and for 19 years all I knew was 3 things. I am a woman, I am black, and I am someone. Early on in my life, I understood what being a woman in America was. A life where I was told I could be anything and everything I wanted to be, but it was not true. I was since birth trapped in a box society gave me for many reasons. Yes, I loved my girly tea set and my Barbie dream house, but there was always a question of why is this a “boy toy”. My brother had Ben 10 and Transformers and I was set to do the domestic side of femininity. Years went by and I was in 4th Grade. Life back then was not the prettiest. My eyes saw the reality of my family. We seem to be in a position that was most common in the black community. Watching every day your family breakdown and raising yourself was the hardest part I had to experience. If I was not at school, then I was at the hospital with my grandma. Almost every 2 years was a visit to the hospital. From the age of 10 to 17 I have slept on hospital couches and ate sugar-free jello. Seeing those doctors and nurses constantly help my grandma was inspiring. I was into STEM in the middle of my 4th-grade year. I loved Legos and the slow action movies. While also loving the science behind our biosystem. Eventually, I was more passionate about science and helping people. I decided I wanted to be an Ob/Gyn. An Ob/Gyn is a doctor who cares for women and their babies during pregnancy and childbirth that also specializes in treating female reproductive conditions. Being a woman, especially a black woman is hard. We are told we are not good enough and treated unfairly no matter what we do. No matter how hard we fought, equality was never given. Black woman still has a higher rate of mortality during childbirth. I want to be the change and let any POC (person of color) know that their bodies matter. Having a baby in an environment that understands your struggle matters. This is still my goal and my passion to help many women throughout life. I am someone that advocates for justice, for people in need, for the rights of many. I currently go to UAB and major in Biomedical Science. If I was given this money, I could continue the journey of expanding my education and striving to become the change many people need. My name carries the hope and dreams of many mothers, black women, and children. The amount would give me fewer worries about figuring out how I could thrive and pay for college. It will give me a chance to excel in my passion and devote time to the healthcare field. I am someone and this someone means something no matter how much the world says I can’t.

Growing up in a society as a black young women, we are depicted as objects that are in the background. Although in the face of emergency, we are always put in the front to access the problem. Challenges has been put on young black women for generations. Either from stereotypes or disregard of respect, being a black woman is one of the most challenging, but powerful person I can be. Many workforces are a part of these many challenges black women go through. From sexual harassment to race discriminations. One humongous problem is the intersectionality in the workforce. You could see it everywhere you go especially in the U.S. The stereotypical young, successful, white heterosexual male. Even the young white woman on the magazines. I am saying this not to suppress some hard working white people, but to make knowledge that people of color are not seen equally. It is time to wake up and see that black owned businesses are working hard and not given the proper credit and acknowledgement. For example, three adults that are all scholars apply for a job. One is a male, the other a white female, and last a black woman. All have qualifications to get the job. The employer wants the "better" face for the job to give the audience something to attract. If you choose the white opponents and gave a reason. You are indeed part of the problem. The way I would address the problem is something everyone that has been silenced needs to know. I would use my voice and protest peacefully. The truth should not be handled lightly, therefore if they is an extreme wage differences, race discrimination, ageism, and etc. People in that situation should defend their rights. I, myself believe that we can not grow if we as oppressed people in the spectrum of intersectionality do not help each other. A known modern problem that has arise is the right of Black LGBTQ+ community. Just because they are different, does not mean they should be treated unfairly. This world has become whitewashed and the lighter and "pure" you are is better. It starts with the people that are not discriminated to educate themselves. The employer has a responsibility to take hold of when issues come along. I would address the employer immediately about the problem, and if nothing is done I would reach out to the highest of the establishment. At the end of the day, people should be treated with respect regardless of the color, sex, age, and beliefs. No one should be disrespected in their place of work and call that a reasonable way to live. If the roles were reversed, the amount of attention that would be brought is the same each and every person deserves.