If given the opportunity, I would dedicate myself to creating programs and resources that empower Black youth and families, particularly those navigating systemic inequities that limit opportunity and access to support. Growing up in a low-income household, I witnessed firsthand how barriers such as under-resourced schools, limited access to mental health care, and systemic bias can shape the trajectory of young people’s lives. I know what it feels like to carry the weight of those barriers while trying to pursue education and personal growth. These experiences have fueled my determination to ensure that others in my community do not face the same obstacles alone. My vision for improving my community begins with accessible, community-based programs focused on early intervention, mentorship, and education. I want to develop youth programs that teach emotional regulation, conflict resolution, and leadership skills, providing tools to help young people navigate challenges at school, at home, and in their neighborhoods. I also hope to establish resources for families, helping caregivers understand and support their children’s social, emotional, and academic development. By providing education, guidance, and mentorship, I aim to build a foundation for resilience and success that can ripple across generations. In addition to direct programming, I would use research and advocacy to address structural inequities affecting my community. By documenting patterns of systemic barriers—whether in education, mental health care, or social services—I hope to inform policies and programs that create lasting, meaningful change. Sustainable change comes from identifying the root causes of inequity and addressing them through informed, community-centered solutions. At Howard University, I am pursuing dual degrees in Psychology and Sociology with a minor in Criminology, and my experiences here have shaped how I want to serve my community. Through coursework, research, and campus involvement, I have learned how systemic inequities affect Black youth and families, and I have applied these lessons in volunteer and mentorship roles, helping younger students navigate academic and social challenges while fostering resilience, leadership, and self-advocacy. Looking ahead, my ultimate goal is to open community centers in neighborhoods across the country that provide comprehensive support for Black youth and families. These centers would offer mentorship programs, educational resources, mental health services, and leadership development initiatives—equipping young people with the tools they need to thrive despite systemic barriers. By creating spaces that nurture growth, resilience, and opportunity, I hope to address both immediate needs and long-term disparities within our communities. This work is deeply personal because I have experienced the transformative power of guidance and support, and I want every child in my community to have access to the same opportunities. Through these centers, I aim to honor the legacy of individuals like PVT Henry Walker Sr., whose courage, resilience, and dedication to service left a lasting mark on his family and community. Just as he demonstrated that determination and commitment can create opportunities even in the face of immense obstacles, I hope to provide the next generation of Black youth with the tools, guidance, and safe spaces they need to thrive. My vision is to combine education, mentorship, and advocacy in a way that uplifts families and strengthens communities, creating generational change and expanding possibilities for those who come after me.

My journey with mental health has shaped not only who I am but everything I hope to build for others. Growing up in a low-income household, I watched people I loved struggle silently with depression, trauma, and loss—conditions often misunderstood or minimized. Conversations about therapy or healing were rare, and emotional pain was often masked by a false sense of strength. Witnessing this silence taught me early on how deeply stigma can wound—and how necessary it is to break it. I faced my own battles with mental health, navigating depression, ADHD, and anxiety while trying to support family and friends. My struggles deepened after experiencing sexual assault and isolation during COVID-19, yet I maintained a public image and composure. Learning to rebuild myself taught me that healing isn’t linear but is possible with compassion, education, and community. At 18, I self-published a guide on consent, healing, and recovery for youth—a resource I wished I had growing up. Later, my work at JHB Childcare Group allowed me to apply trauma-informed care and emotional regulation strategies to help children facing behavioral and developmental challenges, reinforcing my belief that mental health support must be accessible early and to all. While I look forward to my future aims and aspirations, I am paying for my education completely independently, which has made focusing on school very difficult. I was emancipated at 17 due to hardships in my family and events in my high school career, and as a result, I am responsible for funding all my endeavors. I now support myself fully, working almost full-time while maintaining my grades in college. These challenges have strengthened my resilience and deepened my empathy for students and youth who struggle to survive while trying to pursue their education. At Howard University, I am pursuing dual degrees in Psychology and Sociology with a minor in Criminology, driven by a desire to understand how mental health intersects with individual experiences, community, and systemic challenges. My goal is to earn a Ph.D. in Psychology so that I can combine research and clinical practice to create meaningful change. I want to work directly with youth and families navigating trauma, anxiety, and depression, while also contributing to knowledge that can improve mental health care for those who are often overlooked. My passion for psychology comes from having lived the struggles many students face—the feeling of trying to survive while carrying emotional burdens—and knowing firsthand how life-changing access to support, understanding, and guidance can be. I want to go into psychology because I believe it has the power to heal, transform, and empower. My own experiences with depression, ADHD, anxiety, and trauma showed me what it means to feel unseen and unsupported, and they taught me the importance of compassionate care. I hope to create spaces where young people can feel heard and validated, where mental health is not stigmatized, and where early intervention can prevent small struggles from becoming lifelong barriers. My career in psychology will be more than therapy or research but truly knowing and supporting people, helping them reclaim their lives, and giving them the tools to thrive despite the challenges they face. I want to turn my experiences into advocacy, guidance, and tangible support for all youth who need it.

My career goal is to become a clinical psychologist and researcher dedicated to improving mental health outcomes for youth, particularly in Black communities. I’m passionate about understanding behavior through a scientific lens—using data, experimentation, and critical analysis to uncover how environment, identity, and access to care shape psychological well-being. I see research as a form of social work on a larger scale: a way to create change not just for individuals, but for entire systems that impact them. I want to study how differences in brain function relate to conditions like ADHD, depression, and trauma, particularly in Black communities that have historically been misdiagnosed or overlooked in clinical research as well as provide resources backed by science by using data to highlight the structural and systemic factors that shape psychological outcomes in Black communities At Howard University, I’m developing the research skills necessary to design and conduct my own studies using the scientific method. I want to publish evidence-based research that challenges biases in existing literature and fills the gaps where current data fails to capture the realities of Black youth and expands how we understand mental health across racial and cultural lines. My goal is to use research to identify patterns, expose inequities, and provide sociological insight that can inform policies, community programs, and clinical practices. I believe that my career allows for the intersection of STEM and other fields in which scientific work can be applied to the arts on a macro level to inform public policy, education, and mental health initiatives. Through this work, I hope to bridge the gap between science and social impact—using research as both a tool for truth and a pathway to healing.

My journey with mental health has shaped not only who I am but everything I hope to build for others. Growing up, I watched people I loved struggle silently with depression, trauma, and loss—conditions often dismissed or misunderstood in the Black community. Conversations about therapy or healing were rare, and emotional pain was often masked by a false sense of strength. Witnessing this silence at home and in my community taught me early on how deeply stigma can wound—and how necessary it is to break it. When I was younger, I faced my own battles with mental health and learned firsthand what drowning felt like when I gave every part of myself to help others, trying to support family members and friends while gasping for air myself. I grew up often neglected emotionally and fell into a pit of depression for the duration of middle and high school. The struggle of depression, ADHD and anxiety worsened after my victimization via sexual assault and isolation during COVID-19, all the while I maintained a public image and composure. As I began to work at putting myself back together again, I learned that healing isn’t linear, but it is possible with compassion, education, and community. Those lessons became the foundation of my purpose. At 18, I self-published a guide on consent, healing and recovery for youth—a project born from wanting to create the kind of resource I never had growing up that may have taught me how not to spiral. Later, through my work at JHB Childcare Group, I applied trauma-informed care and emotional regulation strategies to help children struggling with behavioral and developmental challenges. These experiences affirmed my belief that mental health support must begin early and be accessible to all. In college, I am pursuing dual degrees in Psychology and Sociology with a minor in Criminology at Howard University. I plan to continue in pursuit of a Ph.D. in Psychology so that my research and care can begin to change the lives of individuals and the mental health care system simultaneously. My academic path is directly tied to my personal mission: to open community-based counseling centers and youth programs focused on nonviolent conflict resolution, family healing, and restoring trust in mental health care—especially within marginalized communities. My mental health journey reshaped me which rippled into my relationships as I learned to truly forgive and support others while maintaining my own health. It taught me to love with patience, to communicate with empathy, and to see people beyond their symptoms or mistakes. It helped me understand that resilience doesn’t mean suppression or masking but allowing yourself to feel, to rest, and to rise again with purpose. Understanding the world through the lens of mental health has made me both softer and stronger. It has made me an advocate for others’ pain and a believer in collective healing. I no longer see mental health as a weakness or mental illness as something to be hidden and ashamed of, but as a shared human experience that deserves openness, care, and dignity. My vision is to make that belief a reality, one conversation and one program at a time.

I deserve this scholarship because I have dedicated my life’s work to transforming pain into purpose—both my own and that of others. My journey has been defined by a passion for healing and advocacy, especially within Black and Brown communities where mental health resources are often limited or stigmatized. From leading programs at JHB Childcare Group to founding KCCIM Outreach, I’ve built initiatives centered on care, creativity, and empowerment for children facing poverty, trauma, and behavioral challenges. What sets me apart is that my ambition is not rooted in personal gain but in collective restoration. At 18, I self-published a guide on consent and recovery for youth, and I am now writing my second book on Black youth in America—blending creative storytelling with research to challenge stereotypes and open dialogue about healing. I’m also developing a nonprofit helpline for domestic violence survivors to access virtual counseling and crisis support. Each of these projects reflects my commitment to action, not just aspiration. Earning this scholarship will help me continue pursuing dual degrees in Psychology and Sociology at Howard University while maintaining my 4.0 GPA. I plan to earn my Master’s in Social Work and Ph.D. in Psychology to open community-based counseling centers for inner-city youth nationwide. My work focuses on dismantling the barriers that prevent marginalized communities from accessing equitable care and opportunity. I believe my greatest advantage lies in my lived experience, leadership, and unwavering drive to create systems of healing where there once were cycles of harm. With this scholarship, I will continue turning compassion into impact—one child, one family, and one community at a time.

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.