The first time I truly understood the power of being seen was in my parents' church office, watching a young deaf girl's face light up when my father signed to her instead of speaking. As someone who has been profoundly hard of hearing since age one, I recognized that look – the relief of finding someone who could meet you in your world rather than forcing you to adapt to theirs. This moment, combined with my later diagnosis of lupus at fifteen, shaped my understanding of how critical it is for marginalized communities to have mental health providers who truly understand their experiences. Growing up as the child of African American pastors, I witnessed countless hours of free counseling and care provided to our community members. These early experiences showed me that healing happens through formal therapy and authentic connection and understanding. My parents taught me that "with every act of random kindness and deliberate service of goodness, not only do the lives of those we touched change, but we change, becoming more Divinely human." My undergraduate years at Fisk University, a historically Black institution, deepened my understanding of how systemic racism and sexism impact mental health. However, it was my experience as a deaf/hard-of-hearing student in a hearing-able environment that truly illuminated the psychological impact of being "othered." The contradiction of feeling at home in a predominantly African American community while simultaneously feeling foreign due to my hearing status gave me a unique insight into the complex layers of trauma that marginalized individuals face. This firsthand understanding of intersectional marginalization has shaped my vision for a revolutionary healing center that serves youth and young adults who society has pushed to the margins. The center will address the mental health needs of individuals who face discrimination based on their gender, sexuality, class, faith, disabilities, and race. Rather than relying solely on traditional therapy, I will implement a culturally comprehensive, trauma-informed approach incorporating holistic healing methods, including nutrition, fitness, meditation, dance, and art therapy. Art therapy became my lifeline when lupus attacked my body, helping me process the trauma of living with an "invisible" illness. Through artmaking, I discovered the powerful connection between body and mind in promoting overall wellness. This experience showed me how art therapy can give voice to the voiceless, allowing individuals to express themselves in ways that transcend traditional verbal communication – particularly valuable for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community and those with chronic illnesses like lupus. My activism in mental health is deeply personal and practical. As someone who embodies multiple marginalized identities, I understand the critical importance of seeing oneself reflected in one's healthcare providers. The current mental health crisis, which disproportionately affects marginalized communities, requires professionals who not only understand these communities' unique challenges but have lived them. I aim to be the therapist I needed when I was younger – someone who understands the intersectionality of trauma, the impact of systemic oppression, and the power of holistic healing approaches. In the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., I seek to use who I am, who I want to be, and what I can do "for a purpose greater than myself." This purpose is to help heal the deep wounds of marginalization and create spaces where all individuals, regardless of their identities or challenges, can find the kind of understanding and acceptance I witnessed in that church office years ago – the profound relief of being indeed seen and understood.

Profoundly hard of hearing since the age of 1 year old, and diagnosed with lupus erythematosus at 15, I decide every day to make adjustments with the determination to not allow my disability to disable me. As a Pastor's Kid, I have worked to helped hundreds of people through ministry community service, and outreach activities, I have come to understand with every act of random kindness and deliberate service of goodness, not only do the lives of those we touched change, but we change, becoming more Divinely human. Being different is a lonely experience and can have lifelong mental health consequences. One can find themselves in a large crowd of good friends and feel like an absolute outsider if there's something about you that "others" you. Too familiar with moments like this, and all the mental and emotional damage it can cause is one of the reasons I am choosing to become a psychologist. After obtaining my degrees, I will create a healing center where youth and young adults who are considered societal "others" can find a safe place to simply be themselves and to directly address many of the devastating effects of societal rejection and non-acceptance. I will work within faith-based congregations and community organizations to work to remove mental health stigmas and reduce isolation in communities of color. With faith and hard work, I will achieve my goal of becoming a mental health game-changer for people of color by providing culturally competent services, training other mental health professionals and institutions to provide culturally sensitive care.