Growing up, my understanding of family, relationships, and stability was shaped by an environment that often lacked those very things. My parents were never together, and the relationship between them was toxic. There was constant tension, poor communication, and a lack of mutual respect that made it difficult to see what a healthy relationship was supposed to look like. As a child, I didn’t fully understand it, but I felt the impact emotionally and mentally. Instead of growing up with a clear example of love, unity, and stability, I was exposed to inconsistency and conflict. Being raised in that kind of environment also meant navigating life without a clear roadmap. As a first generation college student, higher education was not something that was always laid out as an expectation or a guaranteed path. There were moments when distractions, external pressures, and my own lack of discipline made it easy to lose focus. At times, I found myself falling short of my own potential. However, those moments did not define me, they taught me to reflect, to take accountability, and to realize that if I wanted a different future, I had to make intentional choices to create it. My upbringing, while challenging, gave me something powerful, which was clarity. It showed me what I do not want my life to look like. Witnessing toxic patterns and instability made me determined to break those cycles. I do not want to repeat the same dynamics I grew up around. Instead, I want to build a life rooted in stability, respect, and purpose. One of my biggest motivations is the desire to create a healthy, loving relationship with my future partner, one built on communication, trust, and emotional maturity. I want to be the example I never consistently had. Beyond relationships, I am driven to create a new legacy for my future family. Because my parents were never together, I understand what it feels like to grow up without that sense of unity. That is why I aspire to get married, build a strong foundation, and raise my children in a household filled with love, structure, and support. I want my children to grow up seeing what a healthy family looks like where communication is open, where love is consistent, and where they feel secure in their environment. I want to give them what I had to learn on my own. Today, I am a student at Morehouse College, an institution that represents excellence, brotherhood, and legacy. Being here is not just an opportunity, it is a responsibility. As an African American male and a first generation college student, I understand the significance of where I stand. Morehouse is shaping me into a disciplined, purpose driven man, and it is giving me the tools to create the future I envision. I am committed to making the most of this experience by staying focused on my academics, building meaningful connections, and continuing to grow into a leader. My experiences have taught me resilience, self awareness, and the importance of accountability. I have learned that my past does not limit me, it motivates me. Everything I have been through has given me the drive to do better, to be better, and to build something greater than what I come from. I am not just pursuing success for myself, I am working to create a new legacy. One defined by education, stability, healthy relationships, and generational growth.

Faith has not always been something I spoke about openly, but during the most painful moments of my life, it became the quiet strength that helped me endure. Growing up in a household marked by verbal abuse and emotional distance, I learned early on to bury my feelings. I felt unable to turn to my parents for emotional support, fearing disappointment or anger instead of understanding. Even among my older siblings, I often felt invisible and unwanted. In that silence, faith became one of the few places where I felt seen and comforted. The greatest challenge I faced came when my older brother attempted to take his own life. That moment shattered my sense of safety and forced me to confront fear, grief, and confusion all at once. I was young and didn’t fully understand mental health or how to process trauma, but I knew I needed something to hold onto. I remember relying on prayer, not because I had all the answers, but because I needed strength beyond my own. I prayed for my brother’s survival, for peace within my family, and for guidance during a time when everything felt uncertain. My faith grounded me when my emotions felt overwhelming. Following that experience, my family began attending therapy together. Sitting in those sessions was emotionally intense, especially at such a young age. Hearing unspoken pain finally voiced forced me to face realities I had long tried to ignore. During this process, my faith helped me remain hopeful. It taught me patience and trust. I had to trust that healing takes time, and that progress does not always come in visible or immediate ways. Faith reminded me that growth often comes through discomfort and that facing pain is a necessary step toward healing. Through faith, I also learned the importance of forgiveness. This did not mean excusing harmful behavior or forgetting the pain I experienced but choosing not to let bitterness define me. Faith helped me understand that forgiveness is an ongoing process and a form of emotional freedom. It allowed me to release anger and make space for compassion, both for others and for myself. Relying on my faith taught me that vulnerability is not a weakness. During moments when I felt unseen or emotionally isolated, faith reassured me that my life had purpose and value. It encouraged me to face my struggles honestly and believe that my experiences could one day help others. Instead of allowing trauma to harden me, faith softened my perspective and strengthened my empathy. Today, my faith continues to guide how I approach challenges and relationships. It has shaped my desire to support individuals who feel isolated, misunderstood, or silenced by their circumstances. I strive to be patient, empathetic, and present, believing that genuine connection can be a powerful source of healing. My faith has taught me to lead with compassion and to recognize the strength it takes to ask for help. Relying on my faith did not remove the hardships I faced, but it gave me the resilience to move forward. It carried me through family trauma, emotional pain, and moments of deep uncertainty. Through faith, I learned that even in the darkest seasons, growth, healing, and purpose are possible.

Mental health is often misunderstood especially in families like mine where pain is kept quiet and emotions are buried beneath survival. Growing up, I faced a childhood shadowed by verbal abuse from my parents. Their harsh words cut deeper than I ever thought possible. Because of how they treated me, I felt like I couldn’t talk to them about anything, not then, and even now, that distance remains. It was as if sharing my struggles would only bring more disappointment or anger so I learned to stay silent. Even my two older siblings who I looked up to, made me feel like I was unwanted or invisible. Feeling isolated and unseen at such a young age shaped my earliest understanding of loneliness and despair. There were many days when I felt completely alone, as if I had no one to turn to, not even family. But nothing impacted me more profoundly than the day my older brother attempted to take his own life. Witnessing that moment shattered my world and forced my family and me to confront pain we had long tried to ignore. Afterward, we began going to therapy together to support him and heal as a family. I was so young then, and sitting in those therapy sessions was overwhelming. It was hard to process the raw emotions in the room. The fear, the sadness, and the hope all together. At the same time, those sessions opened my eyes to how mental health struggles affect not just the individual, but everyone around them. It was the first time I realized healing required openness and effort from all of us. Therapy was challenging, but it became a lifeline. It gave me the tools to understand my own emotions and trauma, to forgive myself and others, and to start building healthier relationships. It also revealed the truth I had long denied, that mental health is not a weakness but a vital part of well being that needs care and attention. My experience with mental health has deeply shaped my goals. I want to pursue a career where I can support others facing similar struggles especially young people who feel isolated and misunderstood like I once did. I am passionate about creating safe spaces and advocating for mental health awareness, breaking down the stigma that keeps many from seeking help. In my relationships, I strive to be patient, empathetic, and authentic. Knowing what it feels like to be unseen, I am intentional about truly listening and being present for others. I recognize the power of connection and the healing it can bring. Finally, my understanding of the world has grown more compassionate and complex. I see how mental health challenges are often invisible battles fought in silence, influenced by trauma, family dynamics, and societal pressures. I believe that addressing mental health openly can transform communities and foster resilience. Though my journey has been difficult, it has made me stronger and more determined. Mental health is not just a personal challenge, it is a collective one. By sharing my story and advocating for awareness, I hope to inspire others to seek help, build meaningful connections, and approach the world with greater understanding and kindness.