I am an African American woman who witnessed my grandmother work hard despite only having a sixth-grade education. She spent her career in the mental health field at a psychiatric hospital until she retired. I heard stories about how her mother grew up during the Jim Crow era in the South and later migrated up North, raising my grandmother and her siblings. After separating from a grandfather I never met, my great-grandmother prioritized providing for her four children over education. My mother left home as a teenager, and her relationship with my grandmother became strained. She dropped out of high school to have me at the age of 16. Despite this, she worked diligently in various odd jobs and eventually earned her GED, which was her highest level of education. I noticed that she was very supportive of my educational pursuits. I excelled in school, but life presented challenges, and I eventually left home to live with my grandmother. I lived with her from ages 11 to 17 before moving out on my own. I lived with other family members and roommates, and I got married at a young age. I decided to return to school to graduate high school. Tragically, my mother passed away when I was about 19; she was only 35 years old at the time. After her passing, I divorced and focused on working while continuing my education. I have always been a natural-born leader and a supporter of others. Fast forward to now—I am a mother who consistently encourages my son to value education and, most importantly, to pursue his passions in life. I understand the struggles of being an African American woman facing societal challenges while raising an African American male. In my youth, I had a strong passion for the arts; I wanted to be a dancer and actress, but my grandmother saw little value in that. As I grew older, I shifted my focus to jobs and training that would benefit my community. I grew up in an area devastated by the drug epidemic, where many African Americans were significantly affected. My mother died due to drug use, and my father passed away at a young age after contracting HIV from sharing an infected needle. He also shared his struggles with mental illness with me. I became an advocate for my son when I noticed he was showing signs of artistic talent. I initially worked as a substance use counselor and later began working with the homeless population. Now, I am pursuing a career as a Clinical Mental Health Counselor, which feels like a full-circle moment. I remember my grandmother encouraging me to work in this field, but I was initially afraid of the unknown. My experiences with my son and working with diverse populations as a substance use counselor brought me back to this path. Everything is interconnected. I am passionate about helping others who are dealing with substance use, mental illness, and homelessness. I believe it is possible to live life to the fullest with the right support. I have witnessed this firsthand as a mental health clinician, and I have noticed a lack of representation of African Americans in this field. I love my work because it addresses the holistic needs of individuals, yet the profession itself is often undervalued. I aspire to make a difference in how mental health clinicians are perceived as employees, as well as how clients and patients are treated as valued members of the community.

Growing up, I witnessed firsthand how mental health struggles impacted my father's and uncle's lives. Their challenges, compounded by self-medicating behaviors, shaped many of their decisions. Observing this as a child was painful but instilled in me a deep understanding of how untreated mental health issues can profoundly affect a person's choices, relationships, and overall well-being. This personal experience sparked my desire to help others facing similar struggles. I have always been sensitive to and always was at the right time and place to be of service. It also taught me the importance of compassion and withholding judgment. Working in the Mental health field has profoundly shaped my beliefs, relationships, and career aspirations, particularly in my eight years of working with homeless individuals and people with mental illnesses. This journey has been more than a profession; it has been a transformative experience that deepened my empathy, challenged my perspectives, and ignited a passion for fostering change. When I began working with homeless individuals and those with mental illnesses, I quickly realized the magnitude of the stigma and systemic barriers they face. Many of my clients came to me in their lowest moments, carrying stories of trauma, loss, and resilience. Despite their hardships, they taught me invaluable lessons about perseverance, hope, and the human spirit. Witnessing their transformation while helping them to move into their first apartment was nothing short of inspiring. These milestones were not just victories for them but moments of collective joy and affirmation of the work we did together. Being a part of their journeys reminded me of the incredible impact of providing people with support, dignity, and a chance to rebuild their lives with inclusivity at its best. Through these experiences, my beliefs have evolved. I view mental health not as an individual issue but as a societal responsibility. I would become an advocate for holistic approaches that address the root causes of homelessness and mental illness, such as systemic inequality, trauma, and lack of access to resources. This perspective has solidified my relationships and the way I work with clients. I intuitively approach others with patience, empathy, and understanding, recognizing that everyone carries unseen burdens. Professionally, this work has cemented my aspiration to continue serving people with mental illness. I want to contribute to creating policies and programs that prioritize mental health care, affordable housing, and community support. I would extend advocating for mental health workers as well. There should be mental health days off to prevent burnout. The joy I feel in witnessing a client transform and regain a sense of stability, hope, and self-worth fuels my commitment to this field. Ultimately, my journey has been deeply personal. Working in the social services field has allowed me to honor my father's memory by helping others navigate similar challenges. It has reaffirmed my belief in the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of showing up for others in meaningful ways. This work is not just my career; it is my calling and continues to shape the person I am today.

My journey began at 11 when I left home to escape watching my mother being a victim of domestic violence. I went on to live with my father and was subjected to abuse in his home. I eventually moved in with my grandmother and eventually left her home at the age of 17. I stayed focused on graduating high school. Books became my solace during these tough times, and my mother, who supported education despite facing hardships, inspired my love for learning. Tragically, she passed away at 36 from addiction-related issues when I was about 21 and newly married. I kept pushing through. At 23, I was in the process of getting a divorce while I had my son and sought help from family and friends to support me while pursuing my undergraduate degree and working full time. After losing my mother to addiction and, about 20 years later, my father of AIDS, I became an addiction counselor for two years. Then I started working with the homeless as an outreach worker and housing specialist. I realized I wanted to do more than just deal with one area of a client's life. This led me to pursue a clinical mental health counselor career to support clients holistically. I enjoyed working with people and helping them blossom and transform from what they thought would be the end of being able to enjoy life as they once knew it before their world was turned upside down from being homeless and having to navigate the different variables that come with the situation like having to live with a mental illness, and or addiction. With eight years in social services, I find fulfillment in making a positive difference in people's lives. At 51, I returned to school to pursue my second master’s degree, which is a prerequisite for obtaining licensure. My goal is to open my own wellness and mental health practice. A scholarship would help me complete my studies without stressing over how I will be able to pay for it. Currently, I serve as co-president of my honor society for counselors while maintaining my grades and working as a counselor. I strive to create a supportive work environment for my future staff and change how mental health agencies operate, focusing on the needs of both clients and workers. As an African American woman, I am dedicated to ensuring dignity and respect for everyone involved.

Living the life of my dreams means waking up each day surrounded by the beauty of a home I built from the ground up, a space that reflects my vision, creativity, and love for intentional living. This home is my sanctuary, where I feel connected to myself and the world around me. It includes a cozy, inspiring office where I write books sharing my thoughts, experiences, and insights. Writing allows me to weave my passions for storytelling and personal growth, giving me a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Publishing my poetry is a dream realized, a way to share my innermost thoughts and emotions with the world. I would also like to help people visualize their lives through art and support other people's visions. Beyond my home, I own a thriving holistic mental health therapy practice, a space dedicated to helping others achieve wellness and balance in their lives. It's not just a business; it reflects my belief in the power of holistic care to transform lives. My office, separate from my home, offers clients a warm, professional environment where they feel safe and supported in their journey toward healing. Travel is another part of my dream life. Exploring new places feeds my soul, giving me fresh perspectives and inspiration for my writing and therapy work. Every trip, whether near or far, connects me with the world and deepens my understanding of different cultures and ways of living. I would also like to share the joy of travel by having insightful wellness resorts to promote self-care. These experiences enrich my practice and help me guide others with empathy and wisdom. My devotion to empowering others, especially women, is at the heart of my dream life. I am passionate about mentorship, guiding women to discover their passions and build lives that align with their dreams. Through workshops, personal coaching, and shared stories, I inspire others to step into their power and create their ideal lives—whatever that looks like for them. Knowing I've helped someone unlock their potential brings me immense joy and purpose. Ideally, living a life full of joy and endless possibilities is the life I've always dreamed of being in a harmonious blend of creativity, service, and adventure. It's a life where I contribute meaningfully to the world while staying true to my passions. Living intentionally and following my heart would create a rich, balanced, and deeply fulfilling life.