Art has always been a big part of my life, from visual studio arts to performing arts, I have always found myself immersed in and communicating through it. As a child, it was a way for me to express the things I couldn’t put into words, and when I grew up, it became my lifeline. Art is a language by which myself and others can communicate, the bounds of speech and social acceptability aside. It can be used to bring political action, change to society, and light to dark or difficult topics, and the understanding of the human mind helps us to do the same. That is why I chose to study psychology and dedicate my life to helping heal others. I am interested in pursuing a career in psychology and social work by opening a series of counseling firms and community centers for underserved youth nationwide. I envision art and dance studios in every building so that when words fall short, my clients can learn not only to cope healthily but speak fluently in every medium. I am also interested in psychological research, examining how the arts can directly affect cognitive processes and assist in learning and coping for children with mental illness. While I never had access to therapy, art was as my escape— a form of self-expression in which one learns to find beauty in what others may deem mundane. As a survivor of abuse and domestic violence in my youth, I understand firsthand what it is like to be left alone with your thoughts, trying to piece everything back together without the support you need. I grew up fighting for the words to ask for help, and when I was sexually assaulted my freshman year of high school, everything fell apart all the more. In the midst of chaos, I committed myself to getting better and using my experiences and story for a purpose bigger than myself. I found silence and serenity in being able to put my pain on paper— even when I couldn’t talk about it, I could paint you a picture. It was in that moment that I learned that art wasn’t just a hobby for me— it wasn’t reserved for when I was a child, and it wasn’t just about expressing where I was but seeing where I could be. Art gave me an opportunity to recognize that just like drawing, painting, or carving, healing may be messy, but the finished product is worth the time and work that it takes. My suffering was not beautiful, but I believe my survival is because it refined me and shaped me into who I believe I am called to be. Through art therapy, I hope to give others the same chance I was given—to turn pain into purpose, silence into expression, and healing into something both transformative and enduring.

I grew up in church with parents who were leaders in ministry and as a result was raised to take care of those around me because that is what we are called to do as believers. While I was always contributing, my personal involvement began in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic left food banks overwhelmed and families struggling across the greater Seattle area. My church called on volunteers to step in and I answered by helping pack wellness bags and driving with fellow church members and community officials to distribute food and hygiene supplies to people experiencing homelessness and food insecurity. Those moments downtown, speaking with individuals who were often overlooked by society, shifted something in me as I began to see shared qualities between myself and the youth we encountered on the streets. It was then I realized that service is not only about meeting basic needs but also about creating space for joy and hope in which people can truly encounter Christ in and through me. Shortly after volunteering, I began a nonprofit outreach ministry offering free dance lessons to children and youth experiencing poverty, called K-dance. The name plays off the word “cadence,” symbolizing rhythm, movement, and forward momentum with a K for Kingdom and my name, Kalieyah. I was able to make a difference firsthand by instilling values and building children's confidence through something as simple as positive affirmations that spoke life over them. My goal was not just to teach choreography but to provide a safe place where children could feel seen, heard, and celebrated, even in the midst of difficult circumstances. The work I started continues to shape me as it has taught me that faith without action is incomplete, and that even small gestures—whether a bag of food, a kind word, or a dance class—can ripple outward to have a big impact. My drive comes from knowing that poverty and injustice are not struggles one person can fight alone; it takes a community and while my church gave me the foundation of service, my own faith pushed me to create something of my own that acknowledges those who are overlooked, in a way that uses the gifts given to me. Since graduating high school and moving to college across the country, I have left my parents church and joined another in Washington DC, where I continue regular community service monthly as well as lead Bible study at my school. Today, I carry that same cadence forward as I stay involved in praise dance and aim to walk in purpose, leading with love, and striving to create change wherever God calls me.

People of color have significantly less access to mental health care, and when it is made available, it may be refused because of various stigmas in each community— fear of bias, internalized beliefs and perceptions, and/or financial deficits each contributing to hesitance towards accepting service. According to the World Health Organization, mental health problems are often compounded by psychological stress from systemic racism, and African American adults are 20% more likely to report serious psychological distress than other races. A Black child acting out in school often faces disciplinary consequences rather than counseling, and Black people with more serious mental health challenges (i.e. schizophrenia) are more likely to end up in police custody than in psychiatric treatment. This epidemic serves as evidence that misdiagnosis and/or unjust/ unfit treatment plagues BIPOC communities. BIPOC would benefit from mental health care treatment as when adequate and culturally competent service is provided, it heals broken people and unites divided communities. I aim to bring awareness to the struggles of youth of color concerning mental health and encourage others to help combat the system that continues to oppress and harm many people. I am pursuing a B.S. in psychology and sociology with a concentration in criminology. I chose to study psychology due to my own lived experience and observations— I have committed myself to the continual betterment of my community in everything I do. I naturally counsel others and recognize that I am called to live a life of service; I believe that life’s a gift and want to help others live it to the fullest. I see education as a tool for empowerment and change, one of the biggest needed, being in mental health care for BIPOC Americans. Over the past few years, many teens and young adults have had mental health issues, in part due to COVID-19. In high school, I had many of my peers come to me for counseling in various areas, such as coping with depression and anxiety, sexual assault, substance abuse, domestic disputes, suicide, and more. In 2021, I decided to take action by holding a virtual chatroom on social media, where many shared stories of abuse, mental health concerns, and sexual assault experiences. I then answered questions and helped them find resources and healthy coping mechanisms. My story and openness to tackle social issues led to a city-wide conversation about healthy relationships, grief, mental health, and more. This movement challenged many people to share their experiences in a safe, healing space, and the advice I had become accustomed to giving inspired me to write a book as a guide to navigating life’s ups and downs. In 2023, I published my first book, titled Before & After You: A Guide to Healing and Recovery after Sexual Assault, on Amazon, and I am in the process of launching a nonprofit helpline to provide resources and support to survivors. Attending Howard University has shown me the power of knowledge in shaping identity and provided opportunities for the practical application of said knowledge. I want to open a series of counseling firms and community centers for inner city youth of color nationwide, pursuing a lifelong career counseling children and families, as well as fostering educational and job opportunities for young people. I aim to provide mentorship to youth and young adults (ages 5 to 25) and run homeless shelters and food banks in various communities across the U.S. while teaching non-violent conflict resolution, wellness workshops, and more.

I see education as more than just getting a degree but a tool for empowerment and change, one of the biggest needed being in mental health care for Black Americans. During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, I volunteered with my church to help food banks across greater Seattle. I began packing and distributing wellness bags for people experiencing homelessness and food insecurity. Shortly after, I began my nonprofit program called K-dance (meaning cadence), teaching children free dance/ cheer lessons. I observed the results of domestic violence and homelessness firsthand, speaking life into children who did not have the same opportunities as others, and allowing them to feel seen and heard, even in difficult circumstances. Over the past few years, a lot of teens and young adults have had mental health issues, in part due to COVID-19. In high school, I had many of my peers come to me for counseling in various areas, such as coping with depression and anxiety, sexual assault, substance abuse, domestic disputes, suicide, and more. In 2021 I decided to take action by holding a virtual, anonymous chatroom on social media, where many shared stories of abuse, mental health concerns, and sexual assault experiences. I then answered questions and helped them find resources and healthy coping mechanisms. I decided to help as I naturally counsel others and recognize that I am called to live a life of service; I recognize that life is a gift and want to help others live it to the fullest. My story and openness to tackle social issues led to a city-wide conversation about healthy relationships, grief, mental health and more. This movement challenged many people to share their experiences in a safe, healing space and the advice I had become so accustomed to giving, inspired me to write a book as a guide to navigating life’s ups and downs. In 2023, I published my first book, titled Before & After You: A Guide to Healing and Recovery after Sexual Assault, on Amazon, and I am in the process of launching a nonprofit helpline to provide resources and support to survivors. I knew I couldn't just sit still; instead, I have committed myself to the continual betterment of myself and contribution to the various communities I am in. Attending Howard University has shown me the power of knowledge in shaping identity and giving me the tools to make a difference. In the future, I want to open a series of counseling firms and community centers for inner city youth of color nationwide, providing needed resources to underserved communities. I am currently double majoring in pursuit of my B.S. in psychology and sociology with a concentration in criminology. I want to use what I study to tackle various social issues, including addressing teen wellbeing and self-esteem by teaching non-violent conflict resolution and wellness classes. I want to pursue a lifelong career in psychology, counseling children and families, as well as fostering educational and job opportunities for young people. I aim to provide mentorship to youth and young adults (ages 5 to 25) and run homeless shelters and food banks in various communities across the U.S. These issues are important to me as I’ve seen firsthand how mental illness, bullying, sexual assault and social ostracization can rip people and families apart, and I want to do everything I can to spark change.

My name is Kalieyah. I'm 18 and a high school senior in Seattle. I am interested in pursuing a career in psychology and social work; I will counsel children and teens with mental illness and substance use disorders. I plan to open a series of national community centers to help get kids off the streets and give them somewhere to go. I hold a strong belief that there needs to be more education on substance use and how to both avoid it and assist others in their recovery. Unfortunately, many young people start using and abusing drugs to cope with life stressors or trauma and are never able to break the cycle they have entered. Substance use disorder is a serious condition and education about it in school curriculums would help to normalize the issue and draw awareness to it. It not only affects the people struggling but ripples out to everyone around them and those in the communities. I have many friends that I've watched become addicted to various substances. The fentanyl epidemic in Washinton state has taken a toll on youth here. Many people have either gotten laced or knowingly begun using or taking "blues" or fake per costs. Unfortunately, many students have become hooked on various drugs and developed addictive tendencies that caused many people around me to change or stop progressing positively. One of my friends that lost his battle took his own life and his sisters while using. I have seen the good in people struggling as well as the bad that tries to kill them. It is heartbreaking to watch someone you once knew to be so successful, beautiful, and/ or bright fall into substance use and lose themselves completely. I hate to watch people I know or love fall down or throw away their hard work so I aim to help them find care or treatment, and progress and recover. Education on substances, substance use and other options to replace drug use is extremely important as people are dying every day and youth are normalizing substance dependence. I want to help people recover by teaching about the use of substances and substance disorder, as well as addiction and breaking the cycle of both addiction and dependency on drugs from all aspects. This plan starts with education on what's going on, why encouraging this behavior is wrong, how to help others you see struggling, where to find resources for you or those around you and more. I hope to make a positive impact on others and society as a whole by helping to aid in recovery and present other coping options for those struggling with substance use disorders.