Ever since I was a kid, I have loved playing video games and have been interested in technology. When I was around 10, my dad helped me build a Nintendo 64 mini console. Starting with a “Raspberry Pi” motherboard, we set out on our mission. We downloaded an operating system called Retropie, bought a Nintendo 64 shell for the Pi board online and a controller, downloaded a ton of retro games, and voila! I thought this was the coolest thing ever. My dad signed me up for an online course for kids on how to code using a basic coding program called Scratch. I discovered that I could create video games by utilizing technology. From that point on, I’ve wanted to create games as a profession. Growing up in Washington DC, I never thought about “diversity”. I lived in a neighborhood that was majority black, with a few neighbors who were of different ethnicities. In Elementary and Middle School, I attended a “city-wide” Montessori School that was majority Black, but it had a good variety of races and ethnicities. Even in high school, I attend a “city-wide” school that has a lot of diversity. The place where I first really noticed the lack of diversity was Scouts. My Troop was diverse but mostly white. When I went to special events or summer camp, they were majority white. However, I didn’t let the lack of people who looked like me stop me from achieving the prestigious Eagle Scout rank. As a matter of fact, the lack of Black Eagle Scouts was a motivating factor for me to earn that rank, because I wanted to be an inspiration for other younger Black Scouts who didn’t always see themselves in the program. I believe diversity is a crucial component to driving innovation and progress in any field, but it is especially important in STEM fields. One of the most important reasons to prioritize diversity in STEM is that it directly enhances innovation. The very nature of STEM fields relies on solving complex, global problems that affect people from all walks of life. When teams are diverse, they bring a variety of perspectives, life experiences, and problem-solving approaches to the table. This ultimately fosters creativity and leads to more comprehensive and inclusive solutions. We are in the age of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning algorithms. Without diverse representation among the engineers and developers creating these systems, biases can unknowingly be embedded in the technology. We already see this in facial recognition software that struggles to accurately identify people of color because the datasets used to train these systems are not diverse enough. By including more individuals from underrepresented communities in STEM, these blind spots can be identified and corrected, ensuring that technology works equitably for everyone. As someone who has experienced firsthand the importance of having my voice heard, I believe that my unique perspective as a Black male will allow me to contribute to the next wave of innovation in immersive media and computer science. Whether it’s designing virtual reality experiences that reflect cultural diversity or creating software that serves marginalized communities, I am excited to bring my background and creativity into STEM spaces that often overlook voices like mine. As a future STEM professional, I am committed to advocating for equity in the field. Whether it’s mentoring younger students, supporting initiatives that bring STEM programs to underserved schools, or working to ensure that the technology I develop is accessible to all, I intend to use my education and platform to make STEM more inclusive.

I believe LeBron James IS the greatest basketball player of all time! I know this is a very subjective debate, and I know many people will say it is Michael Jordan, but in my opinion, it’s Lebron. We know that LeBron came into the NBA in 2003-2004 right out of High School (Jordan had three years of college) and immediately impacted the Cleveland Cavaliers. By 2007, he led the Cavs to their first championship. He then went on to win two championships with the Miami Heat (2012, 2013). He went back to Cleveland and won a championship with them, their first ever, in 2016. Then, in 2020, he won a championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in “the bubble”. LeBron is a four-time League MVP, four-time NBA Finals MVP, and 2024 Olympics MVP, and he recently passed Kareem Abdul Jabbar as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. He has the fourth most assists in NBA history and 8th in most 3-pointers in NBA history. Entering into his 21st season, he is currently the oldest player in the NBA, and he is still performing at an All-Star level. His longevity and high-level consistency are unheard of! Although he entered the NBA at such a young age and was arguably the most hyped player, he has lived up to and surpassed all expectations. This is very difficult. We have seen many number 1 picks (or top 10 picks, for that matter) never make it or fizzle out quickly, but LeBron has handled the pressure, unlike few others. And the pressure is both on and off the court. While I love LeBron, the player, I really admire LeBron, the man. I see how he treats his family. I see how he helped his friends achieve great things. I see how he started a school where he grew up (Akron, Ohio) and partnered with the local university to provide his students with scholarships if they graduate! I also see how he is unafraid to use his platform to speak out against the many injustices that occur, such as Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Breonna Taylor, and Jacob Blake. Many of the basketball players my father watched, like Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley, never spoke up on issues that affected society. LeBron’s willingness to take a stand only adds to his on-the-court legacy, and this is why LeBron is the GOAT!