In a world with so much noise and so many opinions, I have decided to advocate for an unpopular viewpoint for the sake of this scholarship. This scholarship will assist me in continuing my education to become an attorney, where I may be required to play devil's advocate at times, regardless of whether I agree or disagree on a particular issue. My viewpoint challenges the prevailing notion that desegregation in schools has exclusively benefited African Americans, asserting that it has been equally detrimental to their progress as segregation. To back up my exaggerated assertion, we must consider the prolonged struggle for equal opportunities and the curriculum being taught. The civil-rights movement fought for equal resource allocation between black and white schools before Brown v. Board of Education. After attempts to compel school districts to implement "separate but equal" proved ineffective, the NAACP Legal Defense Fund focused its efforts primarily on the separation component. In most instances, integration attempts have been shallow, focusing only on physical space desegregation rather than addressing underlying systemic concerns. This might give the illusion of progress while also perpetuating existing inequities. In our eagerness to integrate into their institutions and utilize their resources, we lost sight of our power to create something extraordinary within our community—an example of which is my esteemed institution, Howard University. Howard University, which was founded in 1867, is one of the nation's leading producers of Black professionals. However, we are more likely to encounter reduced inclusivity and negative mental health effects at PWIs. We are honored and celebrated in our institutions. Surrounded by black success. Attending a traditional American school usually a PWI meant learning the history they consider historic. Christopher Columbus was celebrated while Harriet Tubman was neglected. In school, I can't recall ever discussing the long-term effects of slavery in history class, but I do recall going into great detail about the long-term effects of the Holocaust. I remember one class while in middle school in Santa Monica, we were discussing the Black Panthers, and my very own teacher called them a terrorist organization. Throughout my academic career, it wasn’t until I got to my HBCU that I was taught about black history in depth. As African Americans we are a very vital part of this country's development yet the history of what we endured and our background isn’t even being taught in these schools we wanted to be so desperately a part of. When African American history is overlooked or downplayed, students are robbed of a comprehensive understanding of our nation's past. African Americans have made substantial contributions to a multitude of industries, including politics, science, the arts, literature, and civil rights, to name a few. A complete grasp of American history depends on our experiences and stories. It is critical to recognize that the negative effects of integration are frequently caused by inadequate implementation, insufficient support systems, or a failure to address systemic inequalities. However, these issues should not be used as justifications for not pursuing inclusive and equitable societies, but as a learning resource. Recognizing these potential pitfalls can help policymakers and communities implement integration strategies that are more effective, respectful, and a positive force for promoting equality and justice. My long-term goals include pursuing a career in civil rights law and campaigning for social justice on behalf of discriminated-against individuals. My academic pursuits have focused on cultivating and honing the critical skills required for success in this type of role. With this scholarship, I am closer to achieving this goal and using controversial viewpoints as a tool for change.

Amid a pandemic, there was a nationwide outpouring of pain. Yet another innocent African-American man was killed by the police. It was a cycle that we, as African-Americans, couldn't seem to escape. When I learned of George Floyd's death, I felt a surge of emotions that began with rage. I was angered by how frequently this situation occurred and how this police officer could murder an innocent man. Then came a wave of sadness as I wept for this man and tried to imagine how his family must be feeling. I remember watching the news as my eyes filled with tears at an uncontrollable rate. All while experiencing these emotions, I knew something had to be done. But what could I do? I immediately began researching, searching high and low for a simple solution to such a massive problem. I quickly discovered that it was not something that would be fixed overnight. Instead of giving up and feeling helpless, which had crossed my mind, I learned about a couple of Black Lives Matter protests that I knew I could attend. After attending the marches, I began to feel like I was a part of something bigger. In those moments of fighting for what was right, I felt like maybe change was achievable. I wanted to go a step further than just participating in the protest and stumbled upon a community organization that worked for the betterment of the community. I immediately knew that I wanted to partake in the volunteer options they had available. This consisted of a virtual volunteer opportunity that armed you with the knowledge and tools to actively address racial issues facing our society today, both locally and globally. Overall, this experience taught me how to advocate for a more racially equitable world. This summer, I interned with the Loyola Project for the Innocent in addition to attending the protest and volunteering. Throughout the internship, I collaborated with attorneys and law students to re-examine the cases of people who have been wrongfully convicted. I was able to take part in and witness the exoneration of people who had been wrongfully convicted. This experience taught me that similar to the police force, the judicial system is a bit faulty and imperfect as well. All of these activities are just a few of the ones I intend to continue to contribute to a more socially just world. Participating in these activities taught me a unique lesson each time, which I plan on applying my new knowledge to the overall goal. My ultimate goal is to remain an advocate for the voiceless and help the world become a better place, a single volunteer job at a time.

My mom embodies perseverance, resilience, and strength. My mother's name is Natasha, and she is my best friend, #1 supporter, and caretaker all bundled into one. My mom was financially unstable at the time of my arrival and had no help from my father. Because she is my single parent, I can have a special bond with her. As an African American woman with only a diploma, I watched her work to provide me with chances she didn't have. She has always been a source of inspiration for all of the great things I have done and plan to do. As a first-generation college student, I intend to use my mother as a continual reminder of why I am there and for whom I am doing it. I'm aware that one of the things she lamented not being able to do was pursue further education, and I aim to demonstrate to her that I was able to do so with her guidance and encouragement. I decided to pursue pre-law and continue my involvement in the social justice movement. Since I was a child, I've wanted to be able to look after my mother and provide her with some financial stability. This factor influenced my willingness to pursue college since, as her child, I was the one who witnessed her overcome through adversity in order to provide me with all of the possibilities. I can look at going to college and excelling as a way of repaying her for being such an amazing mother. In essence, my relationship with my mother has influenced my decision to attend college as she's been my support system and has motivated me along this life journey, and I see college as an opportunity to repay her for her role as my mother.