Being a man more specifically, a Black man in today’s society has awakened me to many hard truths. As I’ve grown older, I’ve become increasingly aware of the systemic challenges that affect not only me, but countless others within the Black community. These realities can be disheartening, and at times overwhelming, but they’ve also pushed me to find strength, identity, and purpose. Attending a prestigious HBCU like Morehouse College has been one of the most powerful steps in that journey. Morehouse has not only offered me a high-caliber education, but it has also provided something deeper community, brotherhood, and hope. The sense of solidarity at Morehouse is like nothing I’ve ever experienced. There’s a bond here that goes beyond academics or social life. It’s a shared understanding among young Black men who are all striving to better themselves and uplift their communities. Whether you’re having a rough day or just need someone to talk to, there’s always a brother willing to support you. That spirit of unity constantly reminds me of the values I grew up with back home in Paulsboro. Paulsboro is a small, impoverished town in New Jersey, known more for its hardships than its opportunities. Violence and poverty were everyday realities, and resources were scarce. Yet, despite these difficulties, the community always prioritized one thing: the children. No matter the circumstances be it politics, neighborhood conflicts, or gang tensions everyone came together when it was time to support the youth. Peewee football games were sacred. For those few hours, the world seemed to pause, and people came out in droves to cheer for the kids. That unwavering commitment to the next generation is something I will never forget. One memory that has stayed with me is when the entire town came together to build a new playground for the local elementary school. Everyone showed up construction workers, teachers, parents, even students like me and my friends. Some of us helped with the assembly, while others watched over the kids. I even ended up signing a few autographs because the children recognized me from our high school’s production of Shrek the Musical. It was a surreal moment, one filled with joy, laughter, and purpose. That day, there was no room for prejudice or division. We were simply neighbors, working hand-in-hand to create something beautiful. Our shared goal overshadowed our differences. Morehouse mirrors that same sense of collective purpose. Here, I’ve learned that brotherhood is not just a word it’s an action. It’s in the way we uplift one another, share resources, and show up when it matters most. Being surrounded by ambitious, compassionate young Black men has inspired me to grow not just academically, but personally and spiritually. Both Paulsboro and Morehouse have shaped me in ways I never expected. They’ve taught me that real strength lies in unity, and real progress comes from lifting others as we climb. I am proud of where I come from, and I’m equally proud of where I’m going. With the lessons I’ve learned and the community I’ve gained, I am more prepared than ever to make a lasting impact.

My family views college as more than just a means to earn a degree; it sees collegians as liberated individuals who will write the next chapter of their lives. My pathway to college was not a solo journey. It is layered with the strength, sacrifices, and buried aspirations of the many women and men who preceded me. It begins with my great-grandmother, a woman I love and respect deeply. She never progressed beyond the eighth grade, not for lack of intelligence or ambition, but because the times called for her to leave school and go to work. Setting aside her own unrealized potential, she constructed a life defined by resilience, hard work, and love for her family. Her daughter, my grandmother, also did not attend college. She became a young mother and followed a life dictated more by responsibility than by choice. Then came my mother, who had the unrealized dream of studying psychology and going to school, just like the women before her. But, like those women, life chose a different path for her. My father had his own difficulties to contend with. He battled mental health issues and had very few opportunities. Like me, he wasn’t able to attend college. So when I walk across the campus of Morehouse College, a place where Black excellence and purpose converge, I carry my whole family with me. I am a first-generation college student. That means something profound in my household. For some people, going to college is a personal accomplishment. For me, it is a radical act of healing and redefinition. At Morehouse, I'm majoring in Theater and Performance, a decision that surprises some people. But for me, theater is where I find my voice, where I tell the stories that often go unheard, and where I embrace the power of imagination and representation. Choosing this path means I can breathe new life into that old saying. It means the work I do can help reaffirm the truth that success does not have only one definition. Being a Theater major at an HBCU means I cannot simply rest on the pride of being part of the legacy of Black artists and storytellers who have used their craft to change the world. Attending college signifies shattering the silence that once bound me with generational limitations. It means stepping into realms my forebears could only dream of. It means seizing the kinds of chances they never had and using them to create something not just for myself, but for my middle-school-age girl cousins and for the future children I might one day raise. What I ultimately hope to achieve is not just a successful career in the arts, but a legacy of possibility. I want to prove that where you come from does not have to dictate where you're going. I want to show my family, my community, and myself that dreams, no matter how long they’re deferred, can bloom again.

Mental health awareness and civil rights activism have always been deeply personal to me. These values became even more significant during my first year at Morehouse College, where I was forced to confront my own mental health struggles while still carrying the emotional weight of a complicated relationship with my father, David Brown Jr. My father was a victim of America’s cycle of systemic oppression born into a society that criminalized his existence and punished his pain. After years of incarceration, he came home a different man. He battled addiction, paranoia, and emotional instability symptoms of unhealed trauma that shaped the way he navigated the world and our relationship. He loved me in his own way, but his behavior was often erratic and difficult to be around. As a child, I felt that inconsistency deeply. I watched my peers’ fathers support them at games, show up for school projects, and guide them with presence while I quietly mourned the absence of that kind of bond in my own life. Despite our distance, a part of me always longed to be someone he could be proud of. Even after his passing in the summer of 2022, that desire didn’t fade. If anything, it intensified. I felt like I was now carrying both our stories, his struggle and my potential, and I didn't want to fail either one. I convinced myself that if I stayed strong, kept helping others, and pushed through my grief, I could somehow redeem both of us. But when I got to Morehouse, that strength began to crack. I felt lost in a crowd of bright, talented students. I struggled silently with depression, and the pressure I placed on myself became unbearable. I questioned everything my purpose, my value, my identity. I kept thinking, If I’m not helping others, what good am I? The weight of trying to be everything for everyone; especially for the version of me I believed my father wanted left me feeling empty. I had spent so much of my life trying to fit into an image I created to make him proud that I never stopped to ask: Who is Josiah? That question lingered heavy and unanswered. I didn’t know how to find that answer, but something inside me remembered music. It had always been a shared love between my father and me, even when words failed us. That connection led me to audition for the Morehouse College Glee Club a decision that quietly changed everything. Joining the Glee Club didn’t immediately silence my doubts, but it offered me something I hadn’t felt in a long time: space. The brotherhood I found there didn’t expect perfection from me. They saw me in my brokenness and chose to stand beside me. They listened when I struggled to speak. They prayed for me when I didn’t have the strength to pray for myself. In that space, I didn’t need to perform or prove I just needed to be. Being surrounded by men who embraced me for who I was flaws, grief, questions and all helped me begin to reconnect with myself. Slowly, I started to feel more grounded. The doubts were still there, but they no longer drowned out my voice. For the first time, I realized that healing didn’t mean erasing pain it meant growing through it. And in that growth, I began to understand Josiah, not the son striving for posthumous validation, but the evolving young man with dreams, passions, and a voice of his own. That journey of self-discovery brought me back to a moment I’ll never forget. During my junior year of high school, after my first stage production, a five-year-old walked up to me and asked for my autograph. It was such a small thing, but to me, it was everything. That moment reminded me of the joy, connection, and inspiration that comes from storytelling. I realized how alive I felt on stage, how empowered I felt stepping into characters, and how healing it could be to express truth through performance. Rediscovering that passion in college led me to declare a major in Theater and Performance. Acting is more than an art form to me it’s a calling. It’s how I make sense of the world. It’s how I give voice to those who are silenced. It’s how I keep both my father’s legacy and my own story alive, with truth and vulnerability. Mental health is still a journey for me, but I no longer see it as something to hide. I see it as a source of strength a reminder that I have endured, and that I can help others endure too. My father’s struggles, my depression, and the love I’ve found in the Glee Club have all shaped the man I am becoming. I’ve learned that purpose isn’t about perfection it’s about authenticity. And pride doesn’t come from fitting into someone else’s image; it comes from living as your full self. I am Josiah a son, an actor, an advocate, and a work in progress. And for the first time, I’m learning to be proud of who he is becoming, no longer chasing someone else’s expectations, but finally learning how to live for me. I’m still healing, but I’m no longer hiding. And in that truth, I’ve found my strength.

Growing up my father was not always a part of my life. The moments he did come around, were not always the most Pleasant. Often, I was embarrassed by my father's actions. However: my great-grandfather filled his shoes as my father figure early in life. In my pop pop’s eyes, I could do no wrong; whatever I needed or wanted he always got for me. At the same time, he also taught the importance of being a respectable man. I can still the nights when I could not sleep, so I would sneak into a den living space to watch tv. Every time he would find me in there, he would not say a word. He would just go downstairs as quietly as he came and pour me a cup of juice and leave me in there still, I fell back asleep. Ever since I was a little boy, I have always had a musical obsession, my grandfather even dubbed my pots and pans, and thought I sounded like a young Sam Cooke. Whether it was singing Hamilton with my sister for hours on end, singing in the church choir, or performing a concert for myself in the shower, I loved music, my mom, family, and my grandfather. Losing my Pop pop was one of the worst days of my life. When he got sick; watching his health deteriorate was unbearable; this loving man who was a father figure for me now could hardly recognize my face let alone remember my name. When he passed, I was devastated even questioned my faith as to how God could take away one the people closest to me. However, once I reached the acceptance stage a grief, I realized that losing my grandfather was necessary despite the heart break it taught me that being stagnate in life causes you to lose out on memories and opportunities I lost all creative feeling and just wanted to do nothing. However, I came to the revelation that just sitting in my depression and sulking was not the way to honor him. I began to slowly rebuild myself and began writing music, and most recently became an inspiring actor. Every day I push forward to achieve my aspirations of influencing the world and becoming a renowned respectable actor and someone my mom, and grandfather can be proud of. I strive to make him proud through my actions and my accolades proving that I can become every ounce of the man he thought I could be. I am a member of the national honor society, as well as an ambassador for the society, musician, athlete, writer, actor, and activist. at every opportunity I always offer my support to someone in need like he did for me, and I try to mentor kids as much as possible. I also openly perform in front of others singing to my heart's content. Most recently I was gifted with the opportunity to perform the national anthem at my high school graduation. With every performance, whether it be an opening night for a play, or an open mike night at the local library or cafe I give it everything I have, because I know I have people counting on me to succeed even those up above looking over me from heaven. Going into my next venture as a college first-year student attending one of the most prestigious "HBCUs" in the country I know will make him all the prouder of me, and with your financial contribution I can make that dream a reality. If you choose to invest in my future, I assure you will not be disappointed with your investment.

For as long as I can remember I have always had a musical obsession. Whether it was banging my mom’s pots and pans together like I was the opening act, performing on a Broadway stage with the lights shining on me, singing to my heart's content. Music has always given me blissful satisfaction and peace. When I think about music or a lyric pop into my head it is like everything around me slows down, time stops allowing me the opportunity to breathe and relax. “I’ma tell’em all that you could either hate me or love me but that's just the way I am,” from Charlie Puth’s “The way I am” still rings loud and clear in my head. It was actually this song that convinced me to become a musician and got me started on writing my own music. The message behind the song resonated with me so deeply. Music has saved me from some of my darkest times when I felt alone, or my thoughts had me completely isolated from others, believing no one wanted to be around me if I did not play the role, they expected me to be. My dark thoughts became so suffocating, and I lacked any motivation to do anything. Listening to this song taught me to love me first, and not to worry about others. That type of inspiration and hope is the same type of hope I am determined to pass onto the next generation of kids, who have felt lost, alone, or boxed-in based on what others expected from them. The people pleasers of the world, who need to know that it is okay if not everyone likes you or wants to be your friend. While theater has only recently made an appearance in my life, it has certainly proven its right to stay. Theater has enticed me unexpectedly however it is a welcomed new influence in my life that has allowed me to continue to challenge myself and out-grow my comfort zone. From watching “Hamilton” with my sister as we try to belt out every single song until we can barely talk; or to the incredible bonds and unforgettable memories I will treasure for a lifetime that I made rehearsing for my first ever show this last Spring with my high school drama club, followed by my first showcase during last summer, and finally performing my second and final High school production this past spring. I say all this conclude how passionate i am about the arts and music. I've gotten to where I am today based off the gift god has blessed me with, as well as other factors such as an eternally loving, and supportive family, that has blessed me always wanted to to see me thrive and succeed in what ever I do. However I know to get to where it is that I want to be I need to further my craft, with a Collegiate level education, and my determination and work ethic, and your financial support i know i can make my aspirations a possibility.

My favorite aspect of the game is in the vast infinite biome of every new world you create as well as its minigame servers.. It leaves so many possibilities and allows for continuous exploration. i love function because it brings a quality of life factor to the game that I enjoy when playing friends. because there's always a new ravine, mining spot, forest, or plains to explore and colonize. Me and my sister always use to spend hours upon weeks just exploring mining and building base all over the biome, and battling the wither, or the ender dragon never got tiring, and whenever we completed what could be consider the story of the game, we'd just start over on a new world with new fun self imposed rules like no saving spawn or allowing for you to lose all your items once you've died. While the minigame server such as the hub provide me and my friends fun player created games to play and enjoy. I just love playing sky wars, build battles, speed run, parkour, or death run. Playing these games with my friends was so much fun we'd go on forever just always challenging each to see who could do it the best. Its resonates so deeply with me because Minecraft was apart of my child hood. I grew up with it watching Minecraft youtubers like skydoesminecraft, Dantdm, popularmmos, stampycat, sundee, they were my entertainment growing up. Therefore I'll always be grateful for them and Minecraft.

For as long as I can remember I have always had a musical obsession. Whether it was banging my mom’s pots and pans together like I was the opening act, performing on a Broadway stage with the lights shining on me, singing to my heart's content. Music has always given me blissful satisfaction and peace. When I think about music or a lyric pop into my head it is like everything around me slows down, time stops allowing me the opportunity to breathe and relax. That type of inspiration and hope music has given me is the same type of hope I am determined to pass onto the next generation of kids, who have felt lost, alone, or boxed-in based on what others expected from them. The people pleasers of the world, who need to know that it is okay if not everyone likes you or wants to be your friend. While theater has only recently made an appearance in my life, it has certainly proven its right to stay. Theater has enticed me unexpectedly however it is a welcomed new influence in my life that has allowed me to continue to challenge myself and out-grow my comfort zone. From watching “Hamilton” with my sister as we try to belt out every single song until we can barely talk; or to the incredible bonds and unforgettable memories I will treasure for a lifetime that I made rehearsing for my first ever show this past Spring with the High School Drama Institute. I have never questioned whether I could sing or act, however, I know that I still have a journey to travel to consider myself at the peak of my creative talent. I have always loved music and with my recently discovered passion for theater, my goal is to take them both to the next level in life. On the journey of improvement, I often rely on my Music and Theater teachers for guidance. The support, space, and chance to demonstrate my talents publicly has been lifechanging. As a sophomore Mr. Krasting, my Choir teacher, allowed me the opportunity to audition for a solo in the upcoming concert. Competing among the seniors, my hard work and dedication earned me a solo performance. Ms. Thompson, my Drama teacher, was the driving force in encouraging me to try out for my school’s performance of “Shrek, the Musical,” my junior year. I earned and played the one and only Donkey. I finally felt like I belonged. It was here that I fell in love with theater, all because of the encouragement and support of Ms. Thompson and my family. I will always remember and be thankful for the support and help given to me by my family, Mr. Krasting, Ms. Thompson, and the experiences at the High School Drama Institute. I know and am grateful for the doors opened to me to a room full of endless possibilities that I believe will forever influence my passion, creativity and life goals through dedication, preparation, and determination. Success to me looks like being a multi Grammy and Oscar wining influencer. Running community programs that give back to the communities that supported my journey. Providing an outlet for the lost souls of society who were like me growing up who felt lost and confused. Being a shining light on the stage, or on the big screens. I am grateful all the blessings I've received up to now but I know that I still have to keep improving and your scholarship would allow me to grow one step closer to my dream. With that said thank you for your time and consideration.

On numerous accounts the bible warns against speaking evil onto another person or thing, as there is vast power in the tongue. However that strength can also be used for good and prosperity and civil advancements. Not only as a member of the lgbtqia+ community, but also as a black man I know first hand the importance of what speaking up for what's right and just what it cost those who've come before me to afford me what I have now. Therefore I full-heartedly believe that the power of diverse voices is in the ability to chance, and corrects the errors and obstruction presented in public relations, and reshape society for its betterment. evident throughout history how people like were discriminated against and had their voices silenced. The most prominent is the renowned Civil rights movement in which the black community and all of their supporters gathered across the country for the combined effort to give the black community the proper and humane rights afforded to others in the country at the time. Such historical protest and movements such as the march on Washington, Montgomery bus boycott; have helped shaped the society we live in today. While such groups as the gay liberation front and the gay activists' alliance fought just as diligently for not only me but today's current lgbtqia+ individuals across the globe. Were it not for these people speaking out loud, not letting their voices be silenced even for a second, I don't know where I would be in life if I would have the opportunities. The power held in the voice of each of us is infinite and we all have our own unique voice that can further change society going further. While civil figures such as Martin Luther King. Jr, and Harvey milk have done their part by furthering our freedoms originally promised by the founding fathers, however since we still have a need for such important forces as the Black lives matter movement, and the Gay- Straight alliance we still have a long way before we reach true equality. We've seen time again and again in today's society with influencer's speaking up or voicing their stories, and the impact they've had have encouraged other to continuing protesting in regards to BLM, or to come out themselves in regards lgbt influencers. For myself music has held the strongest affect on me and the power and messages put behind the words artist use can yield civil change to or at least shed light on the topic. Such songs such as Billie holiday's strange fruit depicting the image a black man after being lynch, or Sam Cooke's "A change Gonna Come", spreading hope and reinvigorating civil rights forces to continue the fight. Not only diverse voice, but diverse ways of voicing one's opinion can help change, reshape, influence, and structure a path towards society's betterment. However I full-heartedly believe that the power of diverse voices is to change and correct the errors and obstructions presented in public relations through various means.

For as long as I can remember I have always had a musical obsession. Whether it was banging my mom’s pots and pans together like I was the opening act, performing on a Broadway stage with the lights shining on me, singing to my heart's content. Music has always given me blissful satisfaction and peace. When I think about music or a lyric pop into my head it is like everything around me slows down, time stops allowing me the opportunity to breathe and relax. I like to think of music as my escape from the world when things become a little too much. In fact the song," just the way I am,” by Charlie Puth’s still rings loud and clear in my head. It was actually this song that convinced me to become a musician and got me started on writing my own music. The message behind the song resonated with me so deeply. Music has saved me from some of my darkest times when I felt alone, or my thoughts had me completely isolated from others, believing no one wanted to be around me if I did not play the role, they expected me to be. My dark thoughts became so suffocating, and I lacked any motivation to do anything. Listening to this song taught me to love me first, and not to worry about others. That type of inspiration and hope is the same type of hope I am determined to pass onto the next generation of kids, who have felt lost, alone, or boxed-in based on what others expected from them. The people pleasers of the world, who need to know that it is okay if not everyone likes you or wants to be your friend. As a sophomore Mr. Krasting, my Choir teacher, allowed me the opportunity to audition for a solo in the upcoming concert. Competing amongst the seniors, my hard work and dedication earned me a solo performance. I will always remember and be thankful for the support and help given to me by my family, Mr. Krasting. I know and am grateful for the doors opened to me to a room full of endless possibilities that I believe will forever influence my passion, creativity and life goals through dedication, preparation, and determination. The skills and techniques instilled in me by my choir teacher still hold true, in my everyday. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities and gifts life has given me and for those who support me such as my loving mother, and choir teacher. I know that with your scholarship I could take my passion to the next level and further hone my craft.

Mental health awareness, and Civil rights activism have always weighed heavily on my heart, due to the strain felt in my relationship with my father. My father, David Brown. Jr, like countless others was a victim of America’s cycle of oppression that has continually victimized the Black community. My father has always struggled with his mental health, everyone who knew him believed it was prison that turned him into the person I knew. After multiple years of incarceration, he grew impulsive, paranoid, and developed a drug addiction to cope with his trauma. There was not an in between with my dad, you either got him at his best or got him at his worst. The rollercoaster of emotions that I experience often was his quick temper, irrationality, and paranoia making him difficult to be around. I remember feeling like an outsider when my friends’ dads were coaching our midget league teams, or helping with science fair projects, it is a feeling I wish on no one. Because of the pain I felt the distance between my dad, and I grew, and our interactions became shorter. My mom was a big advocate for me to keep a relationship with my dad, and she convinced me to be more understanding of his mental health issues. Unfortunately, our relationship did not improve before he passed away the summer of 2022. Despite our fractured relationship, I find solace in our mutual love of music. Experiencing the mental health struggles my dad went through and dealing with depression myself have opened my eyes to the need to better support those with mental health issues and illnesses, too often those like my dad are just labeled crazy and left forgotten. Mental health has enlightened me to become an activist and help spread awareness, as well as offer support to those around me. I try to help my friends and people in need when I can to the best of ability.

As a fellow anime enthusiast I would have to say that the one series I could watch and read over and over again is Jujutsu Kaizen, because not only is the animation impeccable and beautiful, and as well as the action is invigorating, but also I love the narrative and theme behind the show and emotional integrity of it. For instance the central moral theme or philosophical question symbolized by JJK is What constitutes a good life worth living. We see this theme visualized through multiple characters. Most prominent in our main character Yuji Itadori, who was a typical high school student who lived with his elderly grandfather who would while on his death bed pass on his aspirations and the message of helping others so that you're surrounded by those you love when you die to Yuji, who uses this as motivation to carry him in his early stages when introduced to the world of cursed and energy and cursed spirits when his high school and only friends are attack by a spirit looking for an object of immense power being on the fingers for monstrous legendary cursed spirit Ryomen Sukuna . Through Yuji itadori we see one embodiment of the theme through the views as a martyr in Yuji, as after the encounter with a young sorcerer Megumi fushiguro and consuming said cursed finger Yuji when be given the ultimatum of either dying immediately by the hands of the strongest sorcerer Saturo Gojo or too consume the remaining 19 cursed fingers of sukuna and then be killed exterminating the cursed spirit through his sacrifice. Yuji would chose the former going on to continue living ultimately to end up making a sacrifice later on. Though this choice Yuji's martyr complex emerges seeing himself as a necessary sacrifice to end the evil being sukuna. However this choice isn't entirely selfless in the fact there were other options such as the current era's strongest sorcerer Saturo gojo who was equal in power to sukuna, and would share idealism on the opposite spectrum with sukuna that being hedonism. Though given an alternative in gojo; yuji on the other hand still believe that he must die in order save the greater good. While on the hand, Gojo and Sukuna share hedonistic beliefs and ideas when posed with the question, What constitutes a good life worth living. Both Gojo and Sukuna believe a good life is by indulging in ones own desires and impulses and believe the only valuable thing being undeniable strength and unrivaled power. Both believe that strength defines society, but however where as sukuna has no end to his madness in his hedonistic ways. Gojo wants to be surpassed which drives he interest in cultivating the next generation jujutsu society. Because of this ideology gojo clash with the ways of the society in which he lives in. The are many other character with varying philosophies to answer the philosophical question of the narrative which makes it all the more interesting and thrilling to see these characters defend or evolve or adapt new our their own philosophies to live the ideal life style.

For as long as I can remember I have always had a musical obsession. Whether it was banging my mom’s pots and pans together like I was the opening act, performing on a Broadway stage with the lights shining on me, singing to my heart's content. Music has always given me blissful satisfaction and peace. When I think about music or a lyric pop into my head it is like everything around me slows down, time stops allowing me the opportunity to breathe and relax. “I’ma tell’em all that you could either hate me or love me but that's just the way I am,” from Charlie Puth’s “The way I am” still rings loud and clear in my head. It was actually this song that convinced me to become a musician and got me started on writing my own music. The message behind the song resonated with me so deeply. Music has saved me from some of my darkest times when I felt alone, or my thoughts had me completely isolated from others, believing no one wanted to be around me if I did not play the role, they expected me to be. My dark thoughts became so suffocating, and I lacked any motivation to do anything. Listening to this song taught me to love me first, and not to worry about others. That type of inspiration and hope is the same type of hope I am determined to pass onto the next generation of kids, who have felt lost, alone, or boxed-in based on what others expected from them. The people pleasers of the world, who need to know that it is okay if not everyone likes you or wants to be your friend. While theater has only recently made an appearance in my life, it has certainly proven its right to stay. Theater has enticed me unexpectedly however it is a welcomed new influence in my life that has allowed me to continue to challenge myself and out-grow my comfort zone. From watching “Hamilton” with my sister as we try to belt out every single song until we can barely talk; or to the incredible bonds and unforgettable memories I will treasure for a lifetime that I made rehearsing for my first ever show this past Spring with the High School Drama Institute. I know that I still have a journey to travel to consider myself at the peak of my creative talent. I have always loved music and with my recently discovered passion for theater, my goal is to take them both to the next level in life.

For as long as I can remember I have always had a musical obsession. Whether it was banging my mom’s pots and pans together like I was the opening act, performing on a Broadway stage with the lights shining on me, singing to my heart's content. Music has always given me blissful satisfaction and peace. When I think about music or a lyric pop into my head it is like everything around me slows down, time stops allowing me the opportunity to breathe and relax. While theater has only recently made an appearance in my life, it has certainly proven its right to stay. Theater has enticed me unexpectedly however it is a welcomed new influence in my life that has allowed me to continue to challenge myself and out-grow my comfort zone. From watching “Hamilton” with my sister as we try to belt out every single song until we can barely talk; or to the incredible bonds and unforgettable memories I will treasure for a lifetime that I made rehearsing for my first ever show this past Spring with the High School Drama Institute. I know that I still have a journey to travel to consider myself at the peak of my creative talent. I have always loved music and with my recently discovered passion for theater, my goal is to take them both to the next level in life. On the journey of improvement, I often rely on my Music and Theater teachers for guidance. The support, space, and chance to demonstrate my talents publicly has been lifechanging. As a sophomore Mr. Krasting, my Choir teacher, allowed me the opportunity to audition for a solo in the upcoming concert. Competing among the seniors, my hard work and dedication earned me a solo performance. Ms. Thompson, my Drama teacher, was the driving force in encouraging me to try out for my school’s performance of “Shrek, the Musical,” my junior year. I earned and played the one and only Donkey. I finally felt like I belonged. It was here that I fell in love with theater, all because of the encouragement and support of Ms. Thompson and my family. I will always remember and be thankful for the support and help given to me by my family, Mr. Krasting, Ms. Thompson, and the experiences at the High School Drama Institute. I know and am grateful for the doors opened to me to a room full of endless possibilities that I believe will forever influence my passion, creativity and life goals through dedication, preparation, and determination.

Mental health awareness, and Civil rights activism have always weighed heavily on my heart, due to the strain felt in my relationship with my father. My father, David Brown. Jr, like countless others was a victim of America’s cycle of oppression that has continually victimized the Black community. My father has always struggled with his mental health, everyone who knew him believed it was prison that turned him into the person I knew. After multiple years of incarceration, he grew impulsive, paranoid, and developed a drug addiction to cope with his trauma. There was not an in between with my dad, you either got him at his best or got him at his worst. The rollercoaster of emotions that I experience often was his quick temper, irrationality, and paranoia making him difficult to be around. I remember feeling like an outsider when my friends’ dads were coaching our midget league teams, or helping with science fair projects, it is a feeling I wish on no one. Because of the pain I felt the distance between my dad, and I grew, and our interactions became shorter. My mom was a big advocate for me to keep a relationship with my dad, and she convinced me to be more understanding of his mental health issues. Unfortunately, our relationship did not improve before he passed away the summer of 2022. Despite our fractured relationship, I find solace in our mutual love of music. According to prisonpolicy.org, more than 66% of prisoners in federal prisons are not receiving mental health care, and that is infuriating. Music has carried me through life’s struggles of losing my dad, depression and finding my way. For as long as I can remember I have always had a musical obsession. Whether it was banging my mom’s pots and pans together like I was the opening act, performing on a Broadway stage with the lights shining on me, singing to my heart's content. Music has always given me blissful satisfaction and peace. When I think about music or a lyric pop into my head it is like everything around me slows down, time stops allowing me the opportunity to breathe and relax. “I’ma tell’em all that you could either hate me or love me but that's just the way I am,” from Charlie Puth’s “The way I am” still rings loud and clear in my head. It was actually this song that convinced me to become a musician and got me started on writing my own music. The message behind the song resonated with me so deeply. Music has saved me from some of my darkest times when I felt alone, or my thoughts had me completely isolated from others, believing no one wanted to be around me if I did not play the role, they expected me to be. My dark thoughts became so suffocating, and I lacked any motivation to do anything. Listening to this song taught me to love me first, and not to worry about others. That type of inspiration and hope is the same type of hope I am determined to pass onto the next generation of kids, who have felt lost, alone, or boxed-in based on what others expected from them. The people pleasers of the world, who need to know that it is okay if not everyone likes you or wants to be your friend.

I have never questioned whether I could sing or act, however, I know that I still have a journey to travel to consider myself at the peak of my creative talent. I have always loved music and with my recently discovered passion for theater, my goal is to take them both to the next level in life. On the journey of improvement, I often rely on my Music and Theater teachers for guidance. The support, space, and chance to demonstrate my talents publicly have been life-changing. When I think about music or a lyric pop into my head it is like everything around me slows down, time stops allowing me the opportunity to breathe and relax While theater has only recently made an appearance in my life, it has certainly proven its right to stay. Theater has enticed me unexpectedly however it is a welcomed new influence in my life that has allowed me to continue to challenge myself and out-grow my comfort zone. From watching “Hamilton” with my sister as we try to belt out every single song until we can barely talk; or to the incredible bonds and unforgettable memories I will treasure for a lifetime that I made rehearsing for my first-ever show this past Spring with the High School Drama Institute. I have always loved music and with my recently discovered passion for theater, my goal is to take them both to the next level in life. On the journey of improvement, I often rely on my Music and Theater teachers for guidance. The support, space, and chance to demonstrate my talents publicly has been lifechanging. As a sophomore Mr. Krasting, my Choir teacher, allowed me the opportunity to audition for a solo in the upcoming concert. Competing among the seniors, my hard work and dedication earned me a solo performance. Ms. Thompson, my Drama teacher, was the driving force in encouraging me to try out for my school’s performance of “Shrek, the Musical,” my junior year. I earned and played the one and only Donkey. I finally felt like I belonged. It was here that I fell in love with theater, all because of the encouragement and support of Ms. Thompson and my family. I will always remember and be thankful for the support and help given to me by my family, Mr. Krasting, Ms. Thompson, and the experiences at the High School Drama Institute. I know and am grateful for the doors opened to me to a room full of endless possibilities that I believe will forever influence my passion, creativity and life goals through dedication, preparation, and determination.

For as long as I can remember I have always had a musical obsession. From banging my mom’s pots and pans together like I was the opening act, performing on a Broadway stage with the lights shining on me, or singing to my heart's content. To watching “Hamilton” with my sister as we try to belt out every single song until we can barely talk. Music has always given me blissful satisfaction and peace. When I think about music or a lyric pop into my head it is like everything around me slows down, time stops allowing me the opportunity to breathe and relax. “I’ma tell’em all that you could either hate me or love me but that's just the way I am,” from Charlie Puth’s “The Way I am” still rings loud and clear in my head. It was this song that convinced me to become a musician and got me started on writing my music. The message behind the song resonated with me so deeply. Music has saved me from some of my darkest times when I felt alone, or my thoughts had me completely isolated from others, believing no one wanted to be around me if I did not play the role, they expected me to be. My dark thoughts became suffocating, and I lacked any motivation to do anything. Listening to this song taught me to love myself first, and not to worry about others. That type of inspiration and hope is the same type of hope I am determined to pass on to the next generation of kids, who have felt lost, alone, or boxed in based on what others expected from them. The people pleasers of the world, who need to know that it is okay if not everyone likes you or wants to be your friend. I have never questioned whether I could sing or act, however, I know that I still have a journey to travel to consider myself at the peak of my creative talent. I have always loved music and with my recently discovered passion for theater, my goal is to take them both to the next level in life. On the journey of improvement, I often rely on my Music teacher for guidance, support, space, and chance to demonstrate my talents publicly which has been life-changing. As a sophomore, Mr. Krasting, my Choir teacher, allowed me the opportunity to audition for a solo in the upcoming concert. Competing among the seniors, my hard work and dedication earned me a solo performance. I will always remember and be thankful for the support and help given to me by my family, Mr. Krasting. I know and am grateful for the doors opened to me to a room full of endless possibilities that I believe will forever influence my passion, creativity and life goals through dedication, preparation, and determination.

For as long as I can remember I have always had a musical obsession. Whether it was banging my mom’s pots and pans together like I was the opening act, performing on a Broadway stage with the lights shining on me, singing to my heart's content. Music has always given me blissful satisfaction and peace. When I think about music or a lyric pop into my head it is like everything around me slows down, time stops allowing me the opportunity to breathe and relax. “I’ma tell’em all that you could either hate me or love me but that's just the way I am,” from Charlie Puth’s “The way I am” still rings loud and clear in my head. It was actually this song that convinced me to become a musician and got me started on writing my own music. The message behind the song resonated with me so deeply. Music has saved me from some of my darkest times when I felt alone, or my thoughts had me completely isolated from others, believing no one wanted to be around me if I did not play the role, they expected me to be. My dark thoughts became so suffocating, and I lacked any motivation to do anything. Listening to this song taught me to love me first, and not to worry about others. That type of inspiration and hope is the same type of hope I am determined to pass on to the next generation of kids, who have felt lost, alone, or boxed in based on what others expected from them. The people pleasers of the world, who need to know that it is okay if not everyone likes you or wants to be your friend. While theater has only recently made an appearance in my life, it has certainly proven its right to stay. Theater has enticed me unexpectedly however it is a welcomed new influence in my life that has allowed me to continue to challenge myself and out-grow my comfort zone. From watching “Hamilton” with my sister as we try to belt out every single song until we can barely talk; or to the incredible bonds and unforgettable memories I will treasure for a lifetime that I made rehearsing for my first-ever show this past Spring with my highschool during our production of "Shrek the muscial" and again later when developing as a student with the High School Drama Institute. As a sophomore, Mr. Krasting, my Choir teacher, allowed me the opportunity to audition for a solo in the upcoming concert. Competing among the seniors, my hard work and dedication earned me a solo performance. Ms. Thompson, my Drama teacher, was the driving force in encouraging me to try out for my school’s performance of “Shrek, the Musical,” in my junior year. I earned and played the one and only Donkey. I finally felt like I belonged. It was here that I fell in love with theater, all because of the encouragement and support of Ms. Thompson and my family. I will always remember and be thankful for the support and help given to me by my family, Mr. Krasting, and Ms. Thompson, and the experiences at the High School Drama Institute. I know and am grateful for the doors opened to me to a room full of endless possibilities that I believe will forever influence my passion, creativity and life goals through dedication, preparation, and determination.

Ever since I was a young child, I've always been fascinated by music. From banging pots and pans as a toddler to singing in the shower, choir, and church choir. I got the nickname Pots&Pans from my late great-grandfather who was a father figure in my life when my dad couldn't be. He was my shield and my protector for him I could do no wrong and was the best singer around. He would always encourage me as well as my mom and my sister, grandmother, and great-grandmother. When my great-grandfather passed away I was lost and heartbroken. I had lost my direction and didn't know what to do, so I started praying for a sign and the lord in his grace provided me a path back through the return of music into my life. Amazing artists like Sam Smith, John Legend, Charlie Puth, and Aloe Blacc helped me piece myself back together and find my path. They helped me through my grief and helped me find my identity and purpose again. Their music filled me with so much acceptance of life and myself I wasn't afraid of being me. Later on, after my dad passed just last summer music once again threw me a lifeline as it helped me forgive my dad for not being there because we shared a connection through it, and I was able to reconnect with his parents my grandparents and a whole other side of my family that was ready to accept me and aid me in any way possible. I was gifted so much through music and god I don't know where I'd be without it. And the final door music has opened for me is into the world of Musical theatre and acting in general. I found perfect harmony through theatre I've made countless friends and family through music and theatre, I even found my second family after attending the high school drama institute where I met others just like me pursuing their passions and we became our own family. My dream is to pass that same feeling of acceptance, reassurance, and hope to the next me of the world, who might've lost someone who loved them so much, or who was a protector , and doesn't know where to go without that person and need guidance. I'm determined for my music to provide a safety net a found to the next person in need.