Social Issues are in the forefront right now. The biggest social issue I can think of right now would be the rising violence in and around the area I live in. Everyday, I hear about someone getting shot or killed and it is right around the corner. This is a scary time right now. I have been trying to make sure that I am doing the right thing. Not only so that I can go to college but also so that I can live. I am a young black male and sometimes I think there is a invisible target on my chest. One wrong move or be at the wrong place at the wrong time and it all can be over for me in a blink of an eye. If I had the chance, I would love to become an at risk youth advocate. I think that our youth needs some guidance and love. There are so many young people that are being misguided by the things they hear and see on a daily basis. Being a positive role model is very important to me. it is very easy as a young black male to get caught up in the wrong doings of your community. If I had the chance, I would become a youth advocate. I wo9uld mentor young black men ages 12-21. I have seen many people do it and it seems like it can work if the person is dedicated and consistent. If I can just help a few turn their lives around, I feel like I would be doing good. The reason why this is so important to me is because I have lost many friends in the street. They are either dead or in jail. I happened to be a lucky one who has a village that cares about me and stayed on my neck. Most importantly, my father. He is really tough on me and doesn't give me any room to make mistakes. Especially ones that will damage my life. But, I know he means well and he loves me. He just wants to see me succeed. I am going to make sure to become a youth advocate after I graduate college. It is important to me to not only take hold of this social issue but also give back to my community.

I have been accepted to a HBCU. I will be attending Central State University in the fall. It is very important to me to go to a HBCU with people who not only look like me, but share the same culture as me. I currently live in Calumet City IL with my mother. It is just us. She has pushed me so hard in school and she always says that we must give back in order to do well in life. I recently asked her exactly what she meant by that. She said that it is important to give back to your community and the people in it. She said that this will make a positive impact on our race and culture. I have realized that she is absolutely right. My plan is to g to school and graduate with a BS in Computer Science. I want to become a cyber security engineer. After getting employment, I would love to offer some classes to young men. This will introduce them to the field and maybe allow them to make a decision on what they want to do with their lives. The truth is, I am a young black male that could have easily chosen to go another way with my life. But, I chose to keep focused on being a good person and making sure that I could get into a university. Now, I don't have the highest GPA, but no matter what, I will finish on top. I will graduate and continue my education as well as give back to my community. I will dedicate my life to helping young black men stay on the right path. I was lucky enough to have a team of people who care about me and show me the right way to go. So, now; I am going to do the same.

I am so excited about being accepted to the HBC of my choice. I am going to Central State University. It is important to me to attend a HBCU. So many years ago black people weren't allowed to go to college without a fight. This is why HBCU's were built. Furthermore, it is very important to me to go to school with people of the same culture and make a positive mark in the world for black people. It is so much going on in this world right now and I believe if we all just try to do more positive things, like go to school and get an education; we would be on top. My mother has an masters degree and she explained to me how hard it was for her and how hard she had to work in order to finish with a good GPA. I am trying to one up her one day. I plan to get a PHD. It is very important to me to be able to take care of myself and not be dependent on anyone to do it for me. Getting an education with safeguard my future and put me in a place where I can succeed. I want my life to be a positive example for anyone watching. I am an only child but, I have younger cousins and other family members that are watching me. It is important for me to show them the right way to do things in life. I plan to go to college and graduate on time with a high GPA and further my education right after that. No breaks for me. I have to get this done. This is for my mom and dad but especially for me.