I am a survivor! I am Resilient! I am a Victor! I have the Victory over Depression & Anxiety! I too have had many battles with depression & anxiety stemming from childhood trauma. There is so many times I felt like I wanted to die, kill myself, stand in traffic to get hit or simply jump in the lake. Most of my childhood through teenage years I covered up my mental health by wearing a smile, singing & saying "I'm Ok". I suffered a lot during my younger years from things that was beyond my control. Sexual abuse is one of the most confusing abuses because while you feel it is wrong, your body reacts in a positive way. By me being the eldest of 5 children in a single parent home, I was overlooked a lot. I did not get the attention I needed to validate who I am as a person which caused me to have some spasmic episodes of anger. I would experience some very high times & lots of low times. I did not know what these feelings or emotions were until i was in my late teens. It was childhood depression. anxiety and identity issues to say the least. Sometimes I would go through crying spells for no reason at all & just wanted to be left alone. Some relatives would ask me what is wrong with me but I could not answer because i did not know what was wrong with me. I grew up often misunderstood which did not help my depression & anxiety, it just made it worse. My weight would go up and down a lot of the times & especially at night i would binge eat whatever I could get my hands on. I really did not seek treatment until my mid to late 20's, I knew I needed help but had no one to talk to . I sought out a therapist, my primary care physician put me on anti-depressants & I waited to see what the outcome would be. The medication worked very well, i started to loose weight & even felt good about myself. I was not having a lot of dark thoughts, thinking about committing suicide & even killing others for hurting me. I even started doing daily prayers & meditations to help me with y self-esteem levels. It is very important to find someone safe to talk to and is culturally competent as well. My mental health has inspired me to talk about my journey with others that may need the encouragement to seek medical treatment, counselor, therapy & anything else to get to ones highest potential. Motivational speaking comes very natural to me in that i love to talk to people. Becoming a nurse that has overcame suicidal thoughts, major depressive disorder & anxiety can help save someone else that is in crisis. We overcome by the words of our testimonies when we can be free to tell it. A healthy lifestyle is eating healthy nutritious foods, exercising, going to therapy, taking medication if need be & living life to the fullest!

I am a survivor! I am Resilient! I am a Victor! I have the Victory over Depression & Anxiety! I too have had many battles with depression & anxiety stemming from childhood trauma. There is so many times I felt like I wanted to die, kill myself, stand in traffic to get hit or simply jump in the lake. Most of my childhood through teenage years I covered up my mental health by wearing a smile, singing & saying "I'm Ok". I suffered a lot during my younger years from things that was beyond my control. Sexual abuse is one of the most confusing abuses because while you feel it is wrong, your body reacts in a positive way. By me being the eldest of 5 children in a single parent home, I was overlooked a lot. I did not get the attention I needed to validate who I am as a person which caused me to have some spasmic episodes of anger. I would experience some very high times & lots of low times. I did not know what these feelings or emotions were until i was in my late teens. It was childhood depression. anxiety and identity issues to say the least. Sometimes I would go through crying spells for no reason at all & just wanted to be left alone. Some relatives would ask me what is wrong with me but I could not answer because i did not know what was wrong with me. I grew up often misunderstood which did not help my depression & anxiety, it just made it worse. My weight would go up and down a lot of the times & especially at night i would binge eat whatever I could get my hands on. I really did not seek treatment until my mid to late 20's, I knew I needed help but had no one to talk to . I sought out a therapist, my primary care physician put me on anti-depressants & I waited to see what the outcome would be. The medication worked very well, i started to loose weight & even felt good about myself. I was not having a lot of dark thoughts, thinking about committing suicide & even killing others for hurting me. I even started doing daily prayers & meditations to help me with y self-esteem levels. It is very important to find someone safe to talk to and is culturally competent as well. My mental health has inspired me to talk about my journey with others that may need the encouragement to seek medical treatment, counselor, therapy & anything else to get to ones highest potential. Motivational speaking comes very natural to me in that i love to talk to people. Becoming a nurse that has overcame suicidal thoughts, major depressive disorder & anxiety can help save someone else that is in crisis. We overcome by the words of our testimonies when we can be free to tell it.

I am a survivor! I am Resilient! I am a Victor! I have the Victory over Depression & Anxiety! I too have had many battles with depression & anxiety stemming from childhood trauma. There is so many times I felt like I wanted to die, kill myself, stand in traffic to get hit or simply jump in the lake. Most of my childhood through teenage years I covered up my mental health by wearing a smile, singing & saying "I'm Ok". I suffered a lot during my younger years from things that was beyond my control. Sexual abuse is one of the most confusing abuses because while you feel it is wrong, your body reacts in a positive way. By me being the eldest of 5 children in a single parent home, I was overlooked a lot. I did not get the attention I needed to validate who I am as a person which caused me to have some spasmic episodes of anger. I would experience some very high times & lots of low times. I did not know what these feelings or emotions were until i was in my late teens. It was childhood depression. anxiety and identity issues to say the least. Sometimes I would go through crying spells for no reason at all & just wanted to be left alone. Some relatives would ask me what is wrong with me but I could not answer because i did not know what was wrong with me. I grew up often misunderstood which did not help my depression & anxiety, it just made it worse. My weight would go up and down a lot of the times & especially at night i would binge eat whatever I could get my hands on. I really did not seek treatment until my mid to late 20's, I knew I needed help but had no one to talk to . I sought out a therapist, my primary care physician put me on anti-depressants & I waited to see what the outcome would be. The medication worked very well, i started to loose weight & even felt good about myself. I was not having a lot of dark thoughts, thinking about committing suicide & even killing others for hurting me. I even started doing daily prayers & meditations to help me with y self-esteem levels. It is very important to find someone safe to talk to and is culturally competent as well. My mental health has inspired me to talk about my journey with others that may need the encouragement to seek medical treatment, counselor, therapy & anything else to get to ones highest potential. Motivational speaking comes very natural to me in that i love to talk to people. Becoming a nurse that has overcame suicidal thoughts, major depressive disorder & anxiety can help save someone else that is in crisis. We overcome by the words of our testimonies when we can be free to tell it.

Hello All, I am a fun loving, easy going individual who loves to enjoy life! I am the eldest of 5 children & raised by a single mother. This life has not been easy for me, I have had to work hard for everything I have. I have been working in healthcare close to 15 years in various capacities & places. I have been a Certified Pharmacy Technician with Walgreens Co for over 10 plus years garnering many relationships with customers from all walks of life. I've expanded from retail pharmacy to in-patient/out-patient pharmacy experiences from making sterile I.V's, sterile compounded medication, to bedside deliveries. On the other hand, I operate as a Certified Patient Care Technician, Phlebotomist, & home health aid as well. Working in the healthcare field has been ver rewarding learning the necessary skill set to becoming a great Registered Nurse. My life's work is to make an even greater positive impact on the world by helping to heal not just the body but spirit as well! How can one just treat a symptom or illness & not deal with the person as a whole. It is a great duty for a person like me to fulfill on a daily basis in knowing that the patient is being given the best treatment & care. I am a unique being that is a light in darkness on this earth.

I chose to pursue a career in nursing because I get to aid in the process of seeing a person be made whole. I always knew that I wanted to help people when I was coming up as a child. I was around my aunts and mother who all worked in the healthcare field. Both of my Aunts were Patient Care Technicians & my mom was a Certified Nursing Assistant. I would se them with their nice colorful scrubs, hear some of their stories about how their days went and how it was very rewarding. My days when I were younger often times filled with helping my grandmother do house work such as: sweeping & mopping the kitchen/backsteps, taking out the garbage, sorting through pictures and even helping make quilts for my great-grandmother sickly friends. Nursing is a field where you have to be able to use critical thinking skills, making swift actions & being flexible. My experiences in the healthcare field as a Certified Pharmacy Technician has granted me many opportunity's as well. I have been able to help people with H.I.V, Hepatitis A, B & C, Chronic illnesses to acute sicknesses become stable in regards to a regimen of specialty drugs compounded by me. I believe nursing is not for the faint in heart & you must be passionate about helping others until a resolve is met. I have operated as Nursing assistant for many years gaining experiences on how to clean wounds, wrap wounds in sterile dressings, logrolling patients, changing the linen while the ned is occupied with the patient to say the least. Being attentive to that patients individual needs is very important and being culturally competent as well.

My caregiving experiences started long before I knew the definition of what a caregiver consisted of. I am the eldest of 5 children reared in a single family home with a mom that worked multiple jobs to sustain the needs of her children. I had the responsibilities of taking care of my younger siblings rather it would be homework, cooking, making sure they bath and getting to school on time. I sacrificed a lot for my siblings so that they would not have to go through the things I went through. Often times my mother did not have any extra finances to give us for extracurricular activities, so i contributed financially to my younger siblings. It was a myriad of times I had to give my sister or brother bus fare or money for outside lunches. I had to grow up speedily due to the responsibilities placed on me early & to be a protector for my siblings. Taking care of other people came natural to me so I began to work as a nursing assistant at a local hospital here in Chicago. I started working overnights on the suicide wing of the hospital where patients ranged from teenage to geriatrics. I assisted in making them feel comfortable in their rooms with playing card games, giving them water to drink, fluffing their pillows to combing some of their hair. I learned what cultural competency were firsthand. I gained on the job training on how to communicate with all races of people despite them not speaking english as their first language. I have a heart for people & want to see everyone reach their highest potential in this life. I believe that in any thing a person do, it has to be governed with Love! If you love what you do, you would do it whether you are being compensated a little money, a lot of money or no money at all. This world needs to have more caring, compassionate & centered human-beings to help others who are not well whether it is mentally, physically or spiritually. I like to think of myself as a light in darkness because no matter where I am planted, I am the medicine that people need to be better. Sometimes a gentle touch, smile, kind word, hug, plate of food, or even laughter can brighten up a persons day! I chose to be a light to the lost & helping hand to the sick.

"COMPARISON is an ACT of VIOLENCE AGAINST ONESELF"-Iyanla Vanzant This phrase has helped me to make paradigm shift for the greater. I was a person who constantly measured myself against others and their accomplishments. Why? There is a myriad of reasons why I did this and it took me down a dark rabbit hole for years. As a child I suffered sexual trauma, verbal abuse and was a fatherless boy! I know this is a lot to unpack however, it is the truth right now! The effects of what happened to me as a child showed up in my adulthood (unhealed & untreated). I compared myself to my siblings, to co-workers, church members, and others alike. I was beating myself up about everything! I did not go to a traditional college (4 years), i studied at the community level. My confidence levels were shot and so was my self-esteem too! There were a number a years i felt like I was not going to make anything of myself in this life. I came a cross a book written by Ms. Iyanla Vanzant called, "In The Meantime-Finding yourself and the love you want" and this was the start of my journey to healing. This self help book gave me so many tools to better myself in the way I thought about myself. Later on down through the years I learned to stop comparing myself to others & to find my purpose here on earth. I had committed the act of violence against myself for so long, it was the norm. These days i am much better with meditation, medication and mental health checks. It is amazing how life got when i stopped comparing myself to others. I am uniquely me, unapologetic, & loving myself!

In all thy ways KNOW THY SELF! I believe in being honest with my self and to know what works for me. My study habits have gotten better over the years of me being in school and I learned that each of us has different studying mechanisms. I have to have my space quiet, counter and/or desk organized, pen & notebook ready, and be laser focused! I am intentional in putting forth the effort of mastering whatever I am suppose to know educationally for a class and the wiser. My phone is either put on vibrate, do not disturb or shut all the way off to help me study. When it is close to a mid-term or final test, I go to bed earlier so my body can be well rested. I make sure I am eating enough of omega-3 fatty acids (fish, nuts etc.), lots of leafy green vegetables (spinach, cabbage etc,), protein ( chicken, seafood, turkey etc.) and drink plenty of water. In doing all of this, it helps keep my mind clear, body regulated, hydrated, and test taking ready.

I am at peace when i can take a stroll through the park and smell the fresh aromas of flowers & fresh cut grass. I am a nature lover and it takes me to a space of oneness with the universe! I crave the sun all the time to get that natural vitamin D and what better way to do it than being outside in the element. I believe that if we as human beings take care of the earth, the earth will take care of us. I am all for an eco-friendly planet and to do my part in taking care of nature too.Being outside in the elements calms my anxiety and depression down too. I worked as a Seasonal Junior Laborer for the Chicago Park District for a few years and my job was to clean up the city parks. This job made me appreciate the natural beauty of nature and not to be a liter bug. My job consisted of a myriad of duties such as: Mowing the areas where grass grew, operate a weed eater, raking up broken glass or misc items, dumping garbage as an assistant to the driver, picking up paper and debris etc. Working as a seasonal laborer for the park district made me appreciate nature even the more. Once everything was trimmed & cleaned, the park looked brand new!

I am an overcomer is what i tell myself whenever i find myself in a difficult situation. There have been many times in my life where I had to deal with difficult people. I am a Certified Pharmacy Technician by trade and work in a retail pharmacy setting. There have been a myriad of situations where i had to use patience, persistence and keep a peaceful tone of voice. It was a beautiful summer day and a customer came up to the pharmacy counter to pick up their medication. I asked the 3 identifiers for picking up the prescription and the customer wanted to know what all they were picking up. This customer is not a newbie to the pharmacy or me and these were all routine medications. I proceeded to read the prescriptions to the customer with the prices and this individual got upset about the prices. The customer asked me did I run it through their insurance and i told them yes. As I investigated the problem more closely, i looked to see if they had a deductible and they did. I explained to the customer how the deductible (donut hole and/or pay out of pocket costs) was applied to the prescriptions, and once this amount was paid, the cost would go back down. After about 35 minutes of intense drilling from the customer, they digressed and left with an understanding of how the deductible works. The customer was relieved that the prescriptions will not be this high anymore and thanked me for my due diligence !

What generosity means to me is being selfless on purpose. I have always exuded this trait early on as a child, giving of myself freely. I believe if everyone possessed this trait the world would be more loving & compassionate. This to me can means paying it forward on so many levels too. As a prime example is that I payed the bill for an unsuspecting group of people in a restaurant i was dining in. I was enlightened to do this for them from the kindness of my heart and I did not tell them either. I did not do this for any form or fashion or even to be thanked! There is enough hate in the world and I prefer to spread love & generosity. I have experienced so many acts of generosity in my life and it would behoove me not to give back. Generosity to me is to extend grace to individuals as well. We/I all need grace in the life due to our imperfections as human beings. I have many lived experiences of generosity being bestowed upon me. There was a time I did not have enough money to pay for my groceries and someone standing behind me payed the entire bill! This is definitely an act of generosity and paying it forward moment!

My mental health is my wealth! If i am not praying and meditating on a regular basis, i get off my square and trouble arises. I was diagnosed with severe depression in my early 20's but didn't start taking the medication until my late 20's. I suffered through a lot growing up as a child. When i was an infant i experienced sexual abuse lasting up until my early teens. Of course I was not aware of what was going on, however I started to feel ashamed about it. This was a precursor to what I know deal with on a daily basis. I would from time to time go and speak with a counselor through my job due to a build up of anger and resentment towards my Mom and my abuser. I have held so many traumatic experiences inward, never expelling them for judgement shall truly follow. I walked around for years feeling like I was not loved or lovable because of what happened to me as a child. Growing up from where I come from, there was no going to see a therapist or counselor. You are deemed crazy if you go and talk to a white individual about your problems and being prescribed medication. This is a stigma that is still prevalent in the African-American community to this day. I now see a therapist once a week and take medication on a daily basis. This has improved my quality of life and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Some days are better than others i must say. I do not know if depression is curable, but with God all things are possible. My belief in God has kept me afloat all this time. I have contemplated suicide several times due to how people have treated me and feeling like an outcast. To be manipulated by your own bloodline and strangers alike is very hurtful, disheartening and disappointing. During the height of Covid-19 my level of anxiety and depression fluctuated with extreme highs and some very low lows. I was persuaded to start my own podcast and that is what kept me going as well. My podcast (Kingskidd) has received a lot of great feedback from the people I have shared them with. Doing this gave me my own little platform to discuss my issues, frustrations, and solutions to my lived experiences. It is a joy of mine to share my experiences in life and have people encouraged by them. One thing I do know is that trouble don't last always. There is still so many things I am yet overcoming, but God! Every where I go i am always spreading the love God gave me to everyone. I did not get the love i needed when i was growing up from neither parent. I am a love child looking for love when it is inside of me all this time. This scholarship would be a great help to me and to help me reach my goal of becoming a registered nurse. I believe it is imperative to give back to my community as well. There have been so many other black/brown healthcare professionals that have paved the way for me and i must return the favor.

My mental health is my wealth! If i am not praying and meditating on a regular basis, i get off my square and trouble arises. I was diagnosed with severe depression in my early 20's but didn't start taking the medication until my late 20's. I suffered through a lot growing up as a child. When i was an infant i experienced sexual abuse lasting up until my early teens. Of course I was not aware of what was going on, however I started to feel ashamed about it. This was a precursor to what I know deal with on a daily basis. I would from time to time go and speak with a counselor through my job due to a build up of anger and resentment towards my Mom and my abuser. I have held so many traumatic experiences inward, never expelling them for judgement shall truly follow. I walked around for years feeling like I was not loved or lovable because of what happened to me as a child. Growing up from where I come from, there was no going to see a therapist or counselor. You are deemed crazy if you go and talk to a white individual about your problems and being prescribed medication. This is a stigma that is still prevalent in the African-American community to this day. I now see a therapist once a week and take medication on a daily basis. This has improved my quality of life and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Some days are better than others i must say. I do not know if depression is curable, but with God all things are possible. My belief in God has kept me afloat all this time. I have contemplated suicide several times due to how people have treated me and feeling like an outcast. To be manipulated by your own bloodline and strangers alike is very hurtful, disheartening and disappointing. During the height of Covid-19 my level of anxiety and depression fluctuated with extreme highs and some very low lows. I was persuaded to start my own podcast and that is what kept me going as well. My podcast (Kingskidd) has received a lot of great feedback from the people I have shared them with. Doing this gave me my own little platform to discuss my issues, frustrations, and solutions to my lived experiences. It is a joy of mine to share my experiences in life and have people encouraged by them. One thing I do know is that trouble don't last always. There is still so many things I am yet overcoming, but God! Every where I go i am always spreading the love God gave me to everyone. I did not get the love i needed when i was growing up from neither parent. I am a love child looking for love when it is inside of me all this time. I believe that if more people of color and minorities seek out mental health counselors, a lot of the crime rates will go down. A lot of people are dealing or not dealing with their past and it affects the present. If there was more funding across the board to get programs back into the communities and schools to help the downtrodden, the death and crime rate increases.

My mental health is my wealth! If i am not praying and meditating on a regular basis, i get off my square and trouble arises. I was diagnosed with severe depression in my early 20's but didn't start taking the medication until my late 20's. I suffered through a lot growing up as a child. When i was an infant i experienced sexual abuse lasting up until my early teens. Of course I was not aware of what was going on, however I started to feel ashamed about it. This was a precursor to what I know deal with on a daily basis. I would from time to time go and speak with a counselor through my job due to a build up of anger and resentment towards my Mom and my abuser. I have held so many traumatic experiences inward, never expelling them for judgement shall truly follow. I walked around for years feeling like I was not loved or lovable because of what happened to me as a child. Growing up from where I come from, there was no going to see a therapist or counselor. You are deemed crazy if you go and talk to a white individual about your problems and being prescribed medication. This is a stigma that is still prevalent in the African-American community to this day. I now see a therapist once a week and take medication on a daily basis. This has improved my quality of life and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Some days are better than others i must say. I do not know if depression is curable, but with God all things are possible. My belief in God has kept me afloat all this time. I have contemplated suicide several times due to how people have treated me and feeling like an outcast. To be manipulated by your own bloodline and strangers alike is very hurtful, disheartening and disappointing. During the height of Covid-19 my level of anxiety and depression fluctuated with extreme highs and some very low lows. I was persuaded to start my own podcast and that is what kept me going as well. My podcast (Kingskidd) has received a lot of great feedback from the people I have shared them with. Doing this gave me my own little platform to discuss my issues, frustrations, and solutions to my lived experiences. It is a joy of mine to share my experiences in life and have people encouraged by them. One thing I do know is that trouble don't last always. There is still so many things I am yet overcoming, but God! Every where I go i am always spreading the love God gave me to everyone. I did not get the love i needed when i was growing up from neither parent. I am a love child looking for love when it is inside of me all this time. Whenever i find myself in a stupor or feeling in despair, i just call on the name of Jesus & he makes everything alright!

My mental health is my wealth! If i am not praying and meditating on a regular basis, i get off my square and trouble arises. I was diagnosed with severe depression in my early 20's but didn't start taking the medication until my late 20's. I suffered through a lot growing up as a child. When i was an infant i experienced sexual abuse lasting up until my early teens. Of course I was not aware of what was going on, however I started to feel ashamed about it. This was a precursor to what I know deal with on a daily basis. I would from time to time go and speak with a counselor through my job due to a build up of anger and resentment towards my Mom and my abuser. I have held so many traumatic experiences inward, never expelling them for judgement shall truly follow. I walked around for years feeling like I was not loved or lovable because of what happened to me as a child. Growing up from where I come from, there was no going to see a therapist or counselor. You are deemed crazy if you go and talk to a white individual about your problems and being prescribed medication. This is a stigma that is still prevalent in the African-American community to this day. I now see a therapist once a week and take medication on a daily basis. This has improved my quality of life and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Some days are better than others i must say. I do not know if depression is curable, but with God all things are possible. My belief in God has kept me afloat all this time. I have contemplated suicide several times due to how people have treated me and feeling like an outcast. To be manipulated by your own bloodline and strangers alike is very hurtful, disheartening and disappointing. During the height of Covid-19 my level of anxiety and depression fluctuated with extreme highs and some very low lows. I was persuaded to start my own podcast and that is what kept me going as well. My podcast (Kingskidd) has received a lot of great feedback from the people I have shared them with. Doing this gave me my own little platform to discuss my issues, frustrations, and solutions to my lived experiences. It is a joy of mine to share my experiences in life and have people encouraged by them. One thing I do know is that trouble don't last always. There is still so many things I am yet overcoming, but God! Every where I go i am always spreading the love God gave me to everyone. I did not get the love i needed when i was growing up from neither parent. I am a love child looking for love when it is inside of me all this time. Whenever i find myself in a stupor or feeling in despair, i just call on the name of Jesus & he makes everything alright! To obtain this scholarship will help me continue my journey to becoming a registered nurse. This is truly a step closer to my dream of being able to help people get well.

My mental health is my wealth! If i am not praying and meditating on a regular basis, i get off my square and trouble arises. I was diagnosed with severe depression in my early 20's but didn't start taking the medication until my late 20's. I suffered through a lot growing up as a child. When i was an infant i experienced sexual abuse lasting up until my early teens. Of course I was not aware of what was going on, however I started to feel ashamed about it. This was a precursor to what I know deal with on a daily basis. I would from time to time go and speak with a counselor through my job due to a build up of anger and resentment towards my Mom and my abuser. I have held so many traumatic experiences inward, never expelling them for judgement shall truly follow. I walked around for years feeling like I was not loved or lovable because of what happened to me as a child. Growing up from where I come from, there was no going to see a therapist or counselor. You are deemed crazy if you go and talk to a white individual about your problems and being prescribed medication. This is a stigma that is still prevalent in the African-American community to this day. I now see a therapist once a week and take medication on a daily basis. This has improved my quality of life and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Some days are better than others i must say. I do not know if depression is curable, but with God all things are possible. My belief in God has kept me afloat all this time. I have contemplated suicide several times due to how people have treated me and feeling like an outcast. To be manipulated by your own bloodline and strangers alike is very hurtful, disheartening and disappointing. During the height of Covid-19 my level of anxiety and depression fluctuated with extreme highs and some very low lows. I was persuaded to start my own podcast and that is what kept me going as well. My podcast (Kingskidd) has received a lot of great feedback from the people I have shared them with. Doing this gave me my own little platform to discuss my issues, frustrations, and solutions to my lived experiences. It is a joy of mine to share my experiences in life and have people encouraged by them. One thing I do know is that trouble don't last always. There is still so many things I am yet overcoming, but God! Every where I go i am always spreading the love God gave me to everyone. I did not get the love i needed when i was growing up from neither parent. I am a love child looking for love when it is inside of me all this time. Whenever i find myself in a stupor or feeling in despair, i just call on the name of Jesus & he makes everything alright!

I am the epitome of Black Boy Joy & I revel in it. It does not take much for me to feel joyful or to express it either. Joy is something the world cannot take away from me at all. It is a spiritual nourishment for my soul & I need it everyday. When times get rough I think about how God helped me make it over that circumstance and how anticipate him doing it again. For the Joy of the Lord is my strength! I am smiling while i am typing this essay because I got JOY! To have Joy is a knowing that trouble don't last always and there is Joy on the other side of this circumstance. A lot of people often get happiness confused with joy but, it is nothing like having Joy ring out from the depths of your soul. To be happy is just a state of being-this changes. I got Joy bells ringing in my soul and those who can see, see it!

My name is Victor A. Stroud Jr. & I have been in healthcare for over 12 years. I have always had a passion for helping people since I was a little boy and through out high school my major was "medical occupation". I have been afforded some great opportunities to work as a Certified Pharmacy Technician as: In-patient/Out-patient technician, bed-side delivery technician, H.I.V Specialty Technician and as a retail technician as well. This work is very rewarding for me because I get to know my patients/residents and to see them get well. Also, I work as a NCPCT ( Nationally Certified Patient Care Technician) in a rehabilitation center with credentialing as a phlebotomist too! These accomplishments have been garnered through hard work, dedication, resilience, prayer and even some tears. Attending Chamberlain is a dream come true due to the setbacks I encountered in life. To be awarded this $1,000 would help me pay for another semester in school. Signing Off Nurse Vic !!!

The way i practice self-care is seeking the face of God on a daily basis. I pray and meditate on a daily basis in combination with reading the bible. Doing this keeps me centered and more connected to the earth. Also, I go to therapy on a weekly basis to discuss my personal issues and what I am doing to work through them. I have built a great rapport with my therapist & I can reach her at any given time. This has made my life much better and even in the way i communicate. Being open to doing things another way has made my life much better. Practicing self-care has helped me to accept myself the way I am, until my change comes. I will always be a work in process is what I am saying. Also, speaking positive affirmations over myself in the mirror everyday helps build up my esteem too.

What I love about myself is that I have a very funny sense of humor. I can find humor in everything and everybody. My relatives often would tell me when I was younger, you play too much! In my youth with me being the oldest, i craved attention but, was not given it by my busy mother. The times I recall getting attention was either good school reports or bad school reports. I learned that laughter is medicine for the soul. Sometimes when I go through trials in this life, I think about something funny and laugh. Have you ever heard the saying, "I have to laugh to keep from crying" is a true statement for real. There have been times in my life where i did not know if i was going or coming to say the least. Spirit would often come to me and cheer me up, because God would not want me to be sad. For the spirit of heaviness, I put on the garment of Praise & push forward. Laughter is my medicine.........

One of the many ways I purposefully put positivity in the world is to be the change I want to see. As i have matured in this life I would prefer to spread love than hate and i demonstrate it . One of my love languages is to give and to see the unsuspecting individual's response. I am a Love Vessel that demonstrates the love of Christ to everyone! I believe in embracing people for who they are and what they are. We live in a world full of rejected people, hurting each other. I want to be that living example that Healing is the children's bread of life. My close associates, co-workers and fellow relatives would tell all that I am a giver, lover, thoughtful in the sweetest ways and always looking out for other people. This is to a fault of my own, with me being an empathetic person .

The way I keep a growth mindset is being open to doing things differently from my norm. I am not a know it all type of person, so i look for knowledge to make myself better. Within my scope of practice as a Certified Pharmacy Technician, things are always changing and my ability to adapt is very easy. Normally if there is something new on the market or any information that my team can use, I bring that information to them. I have an open door policy as well. I believe I am approachable, teachable, and open for correction. Mistakes are inevitable due to our human nature however, there is very little errors that I can make. There have been many times i have made a mistake early on in the field , where I filled one medication thinking its the right one. This is where the pharmacist steps in and shares why this is a teachable moment. I am very careful, cautious & efficient being in the field for over 10 years now.

My name is Victor A. Stroud Jr. & I have been in healthcare for over 12 years. I have always had a passion for helping people since I was a little boy and through out high school my major was "medical occupation". I have been afforded some great opportunities to work as a Certified Pharmacy Technician as: In-patient/Out-patient technician, bed-side delivery technician, H.I.V Specialty Technician and as a retail technician as well. This work is very rewarding for me because I get to know my patients/residents and to see them get well. Also, I work as a NCPCT ( Nationally Certified Patient Care Technician) in a rehabilitation center with credentialing as a phlebotomist too! These accomplishments have been garnered through hard work, dedication, resilience, prayer and even some tears. Attending Chamberlain is a dream come true due to the setbacks I encountered in life. I plan to have some type of mentorship program to give back to the next generation of healthcare professionals. This should be a goal for everyone to help pave the way for others and make it easier for the next. Signing Off Nurse Vic !!!

To call someone a friend in today's society is used too loosely for me. A friend to me is someone who sticks close by like a brother or sister and have your best interest at heart at all times. I have been the friend to get the short end of the stick and betrayed. BooHOO right? Being a friend to someone means being honest with them, even if they do not like it. Individuals always tell me that I am brutally honest to a fault. A friend will fight for you when it is time to fight whether it be spiritual or physical. I have longed to find the quality of a person who can reciprocate too. A lot of people are selfish and self-centered and only want what things for themselves. A friend should be selfless in the times of a need for one another too. As aforementioned, these are testimonies of what friendship means to me.

My name is Victor A. Stroud Jr. & I have been in healthcare for over 12 years. I have always had a passion for helping people since I was a little boy and through out high school my major was "medical occupation". I have been afforded some great opportunities to work as a Certified Pharmacy Technician as: In-patient/Out-patient technician, bed-side delivery technician, H.I.V Specialty Technician and as a retail technician as well. This work is very rewarding for me because I get to know my patients/residents and to see them get well. Also, I work as a NCPCT ( Nationally Certified Patient Care Technician) in a rehabilitation center with credentialing as a phlebotomist too! These accomplishments have been garnered through hard work, dedication, resilience, prayer and even some tears. Attending Chamberlain is a dream come true due to the setbacks I encountered in life and being awarded this scholarship would help me continue on my journey to BSN~ Signing Off Nurse Vic !!!

My dream life would be a financially stable life and I would not have to live paycheck to paycheck. I would love to stay in an condo overlooking the lakefront with a balcony. with success comes downfalls as well, so i would have an accountant and in-house barber. I want to eat at the finest restaurants, travel the world, and to spend my life with a partner.

My name is Victor A. Stroud Jr. & I have been in healthcare for over 12 years. I have always had a passion for helping people since I was a little boy and through out high school my major was "medical occupation". I have been afforded some great opportunities to work as a Certified Pharmacy Technician as: In-patient/Out-patient technician, bed-side delivery technician, H.I.V Specialty Technician and as a retail technician as well. This work is very rewarding for me because I get to know my patients/residents and to see them get well. Also, I work as a NCPCT ( Nationally Certified Patient Care Technician) in a rehabilitation center with credentialing as a phlebotomist too! These accomplishments have been garnered through hard work, dedication, resilience, prayer and even some tears. Attending Chamberlain is a dream come true due to the setbacks I encountered in life. Signing Off Nurse Vic !!!

My name is Victor A. Stroud Jr. & I have been in healthcare for over 12 years. I have always had a passion for helping people since I was a little boy and through out high school my major was "medical occupation". I have been afforded some great opportunities to work as a Certified Pharmacy Technician as: In-patient/Out-patient technician, bed-side delivery technician, H.I.V Specialty Technician and as a retail technician as well. This work is very rewarding for me because I get to know my patients/residents and to see them get well. Also, I work as a NCPCT ( Nationally Certified Patient Care Technician) in a rehabilitation center with credentialing as a phlebotomist too! These accomplishments have been garnered through hard work, dedication, resilience, prayer and even some tears. Attending Chamberlain is a dream come true due to the setbacks I encountered in life. Signing Off Nurse Vic !!!

My name is Victor A. Stroud Jr. & I have been in healthcare for over 12 years. I have always had a passion for helping people since I was a little boy and through out high school my major was "medical occupation". I have been afforded some great opportunities to work as a Certified Pharmacy Technician as: In-patient/Out-patient technician, bed-side delivery technician, H.I.V Specialty Technician and as a retail technician as well. This work is very rewarding for me because I get to know my patients/residents and to see them get well. Also, I work as a NCPCT ( Nationally Certified Patient Care Technician) in a rehabilitation center with credentialing as a phlebotomist too! These accomplishments have been garnered through hard work, dedication, resilience, prayer and even some tears. Attending Chamberlain is a dream come true due to the setbacks I encountered in life. I have suffered many things in my life, however being sexually abused as a child is an obstacle I am overcoming daily. It took me many years to understand that I have a purpose in this life and that I am not a failure. Is there anything to hard for God? Come on in the room somebody. I am currently in therapy in combination with taking medication for depression. I have to take it one day at a time and not be so hard on myself. I had been out of school for almost 10 years before i finally made up my mind that I would finish what i started years ago. I am more determined than ever to become that RN BSN and to make the healthcare world a better place. Signing Off Nurse Vic !!!

My name is Victor A. Stroud Jr. & I have been in healthcare for over 12 years. I have always had a passion for helping people since I was a little boy and through out high school my major was "medical occupation". I have been afforded some great opportunities to work as a Certified Pharmacy Technician as: In-patient/Out-patient technician, bed-side delivery technician, H.I.V Specialty Technician and as a retail technician as well. This work is very rewarding for me because I get to know my patients/residents and to see them get well. Also, I work as a NCPCT ( Nationally Certified Patient Care Technician) in a rehabilitation center with credentialing as a phlebotomist too! These accomplishments have been garnered through hard work, dedication, resilience, prayer and even some tears. Attending Chamberlain is a dream come true due to the setbacks I encountered in life . I believe education is the way to a better life, especially financially. Signing Off Nurse Vic !!!

I am not crazy! Ain't nothing wrong with me! What the fuck are you looking at? These are the voices going on in my head at once. I have experienced depression throughout my life starting in childhood, but could not put a finger on it. It has taken me years to seek counseling and even to take medication that sometimes did not work. This covid-19 pandemic took all of us by surprise and brought out the craziness in people. I sought help some years ago about the sexual abuse I faced as a child and did not keep up with those appointments. Now i see a therapist once a week, take routine medication, and starting to exercise more. I have been in healthcare for over 12 years. I have always had a passion for helping people since I was a little boy and through out high school my major was "medical occupation". I have been afforded some great opportunities to work as a Certified Pharmacy Technician as: In-patient/Out-patient technician, bed-side delivery technician, H.I.V Specialty Technician and as a retail technician as well. This work is very rewarding for me because I get to know my patients/residents and to see them get well. Also, I work as a NCPCT ( Nationally Certified Patient Care Technician) in a rehabilitation center with credentialing as a phlebotomist too! These accomplishments have been garnered through hard work, dedication, resilience, prayer and even some tears. Attending Chamberlain is a dream come true due to the setbacks I encountered in life. Once I obtain my Bachelors of Science in Nursing, I want to further my career to get my Nurse Practitioner's license. I want to be able to help the poor and needy in a bigger capacity. Also, mentorship is a vital role in giving back to the next generation of heath care professionals. Signing Off Nurse Vic !!!

My name is Victor A. Stroud Jr. & I have been in healthcare for over 12 years. I have always had a passion for helping people since I was a little boy and through out high school my major was "medical occupation". I have been afforded some great opportunities to work as a Certified Pharmacy Technician as: In-patient/Out-patient technician, bed-side delivery technician, H.I.V Specialty Technician and as a retail technician as well. This work is very rewarding for me because I get to know my patients/residents and to see them get well. Also, I work as a NCPCT ( Nationally Certified Patient Care Technician) in a rehabilitation center with credentialing as a phlebotomist too! These accomplishments have been garnered through hard work, dedication, resilience, prayer and even some tears. As aforementioned, all of these skilled trades come from certifications and maintaining a good track record. Attending Chamberlain is a dream come true due to the setbacks I encountered in life. Signing Off Nurse Vic !!!

My name is Victor A. Stroud Jr. & I have been in healthcare for over 12 years. I have always had a passion for helping people since I was a little boy and through out high school my major was "medical occupation". I have been afforded some great opportunities to work as a Certified Pharmacy Technician as: In-patient/Out-patient technician, bed-side delivery technician, H.I.V Specialty Technician and as a retail technician as well. This work is very rewarding for me because I get to know my patients/residents and to see them get well. These accomplishments have been garnered through hard work, dedication, resilience, prayer and even some tears. I have many dreams and aspirations to become a Family Nurse Practitioner in under served communities. Attending Chamberlain is a dream come true due to the setbacks I encountered in life. My life has not been easy at all, I am a survivor of sexual trauma stemming from infancy. This is an obstacle i am still overcoming with prayer, meditation, medication & therapy. I can now talk about my experience of sexual trauma openly without crying and breaking down. I believe there is a greater purpose, bigger than you and I for these experiences.

My name is Victor A. Stroud Jr. & I have been in healthcare for over 12 years. I have always had a passion for helping people since I was a little boy and through out high school my major was "medical occupation". I have been afforded some great opportunities to work as a Certified Pharmacy Technician as: In-patient/Out-patient technician, bed-side delivery technician, H.I.V Specialty Technician and as a retail technician as well. This work is very rewarding for me because I get to know my patients/residents and to see them get well. Also, I work as a NCPCT ( Nationally Certified Patient Care Technician) in a rehabilitation center with credentialing as a phlebotomist too! These accomplishments have been garnered through hard work, dedication, resilience, prayer and even some tears. Attending Chamberlain is a dream come true due to the setbacks I encountered in life. My reasonable service would be to mentor the next generation of healthcare workers. It is a joy of mines to just help people and see the rewards of the labor. Signing Off Nurse Vic !!!

My name is Victor A. Stroud Jr. & I have been in healthcare for over 12 years. I have always had a passion for helping people since I was a little boy and through out high school my major was "medical occupation". I have been afforded some great opportunities to work as a Certified Pharmacy Technician as: In-patient/Out-patient technician, bed-side delivery technician, H.I.V Specialty Technician and as a retail technician as well. This work is very rewarding for me because I get to know my patients/residents and to see them get well. Also, I work as a NCPCT ( Nationally Certified Patient Care Technician) in a rehabilitation center with credentialing as a phlebotomist too! These accomplishments have been garnered through hard work, dedication, resilience, prayer and even some tears. Attending Chamberlain is a dream come true due to the setbacks I encountered in life. I promise to give back to my community by mentoring the next generation of healthcare workers. I know what it's like to look for help and no one seems to be an assistance. Signing Off Nurse Vic !!!

I was not born with a Silver Spoon in my mouth nor a Silver platter to eat of! I have had many adverse experiences in my life and a level of resilience like no other. My life started off with being sexually traumatized as an infant by a distant cousin. That was my first sexual experience, the thumb print for my current happenstance. I walked around for many years confused sexually and torn between should I date a woman or man. I have often been ridiculed for being effeminate, too loud, gay, or just being me! I have experienced depression from the sexual trauma, now take medication and see a therapist weekly. I have dealt with depression even in my childhood, but could not put a name to it. I would experience extreme highs and extreme lows, moodiness, sensitive, cried a lot and felt like I just did not belong. I have surpassed a lot of other African-American males in my age bracket when it comes to working. I have a resume like no other, i am no stranger to work. I have made it through all of those traumas by the grace of God and doing the work as well. I have faced racism, discrimination, sexism, and hate speech the best way I could, HEAD ON! My life has been threatened many times because of my openness and frankness of my personality. I still rise like the Phoenix from the ashes................. My personal definition of success is not about a degree or tangible materials but of Charity! If i can help someone along the way in this life, that is a job well done. I am a person that will help any and everybody to get where they need to be. However, when I need help the crowd thins and I am left to fiend on my own. I can be an assertive person when need be and I will get the things I need, period. Everyone's level of success is different and achieving a degree is a great accomplishment too. I want to be known for being a loving, helpful, creation to the earth. I see myself 20 years from now hopefully having a family of my own and have mentored a lot of up and coming nurses of color. I believe we must be able to give back to the one's coming behind, the next generation. Another hope of mine is to have established a scholarship to help minorities advance in the medical field as well as to be a Family Nurse Practitioner. I am not a person that wants to work for someone my entire life. Also, taking mission trips to help the poor and needy is on my bucket list as well. I know where i have been, but I do not know where I will end up in this life! It is imperative to treat everybody right and with the Love of Christ!