My name is Lady Bevel, and I am a doctoral student in Clinical Psychology, a single mother, and the parent of an adult child with special needs as well as a toddler. I am applying for this scholarship not just as a student, but as a woman who has refused to let circumstance silence her calling. I am currently pursuing my doctorate because I believe deeply in the power of healing, especially within communities of color where mental health has historically been stigmatized or under-resourced. My work centers on creating inclusive, emotionally attuned spaces for children and families, particularly those navigating autism, developmental challenges, and trauma. This path is personal for me. My oldest child was diagnosed with Autism at age three. The experience changed the way I see the world and helped me advocate for his needs. My work in the mental health field includes assisting other families with special needs children in advocacy, mental health services, and support within our community. In June 2025, I independently published my first children’s book, What About Me? This is a story designed to validate the often-unspoken experiences of siblings of children with special needs. The book draws on my family’s own journey and was created to help children feel understood, while providing parents with tools for empathy and effective communication. It is part of a growing series that bridges therapeutic insight with storytelling, especially for families like mine. The goal of the book is to engage with other families who have children with special needs and provide different ways of having difficult conversations with our children. Balancing motherhood, graduate school, and full-time caregiving is an enormous responsibility, both emotionally and financially. I currently receive federal aid; however, it does not cover the full cost of tuition. I have explored every loan and aid option available to me, but time-sensitive support through scholarships and grants is now my only viable path forward. Receiving this scholarship would not only allow me to continue my academic journey—it would affirm that the work I’m doing, the stories I’m telling, and the lives I’m touching all matter. I aim to utilize my education to uplift others, transform pain into purpose, and break cycles of silence for generations to come. Thank you for considering my application—and for investing in a future mental health professional who carries her purpose with both urgency and heart. Sincerely, Lady Bevel Doctoral Student • Author • Mental Health Advocate • Mother

My name is Lady Bevel, and caregiving is woven into the fabric of who I am—not by choice, but by calling. As the sibling of a vibrant child with Autism and the daughter of aging parents navigating their own complex needs, I have grown up living between tenderness and responsibility. These experiences have not only shaped me—they’ve sculpted my identity, my career path, and the legacy I hope to leave behind. Caring for a family member with a disability is not something you clock in or out of. It is constant, nuanced, and often invisible to the outside world. My younger brother Osiris is nonverbal, spirited, and deeply sensitive to sound and routine. Helping him navigate a world that doesn’t always accommodate his needs has been both challenging and enlightening. I have watched my parents stretch themselves thin, emotionally and financially, to ensure Osiris receives the therapies and supports he deserves. In many ways, I became the emotional glue—the one who translated, de-escalated, and comforted. Yet amid the chaos, a quiet gift emerged: empathy sharpened into advocacy. I learned to listen between the lines, to recognize unspoken distress, and to speak up—especially when others couldn’t. These caregiving roles helped birth my professional calling as a mental health therapist and now, as a PsyD candidate in Clinical Psychology. My work centers families like mine—those who live in the in-between, juggling diagnosis, survival, and hope. Looking ahead, my goal is to specialize in family systems therapy and trauma-informed care. I envision opening a private practice that offers culturally competent, sliding-scale services to families of color navigating disability, grief, burnout, and complex family dynamics. I also plan to facilitate community-based caregiver support groups, offer workshops in schools and faith communities, and create digital tools that provide emotional education to siblings of special needs children. Therapy shouldn’t be a luxury—it should be a lifeline, especially for those carrying invisible loads. Caregiving has also deepened my awareness of intersectionality. I know firsthand how race, disability, gender, and socioeconomic status collide in the healthcare system. I’ve seen how Black families are often dismissed, how disability is misunderstood, and how caregivers are routinely overlooked. This reality fuels my academic and personal mission: to become a global spokesperson for the caregiving community, particularly those raising special needs children while simultaneously caring for aging parents. These “invisible middle” caregivers need policy, representation, and healing spaces. To that end, I recently published a children’s book titled What About Me?—a love letter to siblings of children with special needs. It’s a resource I wish I had growing up, and the first in a planned series that brings voice, validation, and visibility to our stories. The road is not easy. Balancing school, caregiving, and financial hardship often leaves me exhausted. But I keep going, not out of obligation, but out of purpose. This scholarship would ease the weight of tuition and allow me to continue advocating through writing, research, and clinical work. Caring for my family has taught me how to sit with sorrow and still choose joy. It has taught me to witness others fully, not as broken, but as beautifully complex. Above all, it has shown me that love—when grounded in action—is one of the most transformative forces we have.

My journey has never been traditional—but it has always been intentional. I am a mother, therapist, artist, writer, and doctoral student. Each of those identities has shaped the way I walk through the world, and they all come together in how I serve my community today. I began my formal education in the arts, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts with a minor in Fashion Design. Creativity was my first language, and design became my means of storytelling. In 2008, I launched a small business designing handmade kimonos, which became both a source of empowerment and economic independence. I learned how to market myself, connect with people emotionally through aesthetics, and build something from scratch—skills that now serve me in every corner of my work. This company is still active and when I have time to make custom kimonos for clients is gratifying. I am an artist and nuturing my creativity is essential to my well-being. As I grew as an artist and businesswoman, I also began healing from generational and personal traumas I had long suppressed. Therapy changed my life, and I felt called to offer that same space to others. I pursued and completed my Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology at Pepperdine University, where I trained as a psychotherapist and began working with children, adolescents, and families navigating anxiety, trauma, and identity. My path took on deeper meaning when I became a mother—and even more so when my youngest child was diagnosed with Autism. Overnight, I stepped into roles I wasn’t prepared for: advocate, therapist, teacher, and fierce protector. Navigating therapy schedules, IEP meetings, meltdowns, and isolation became our new normal. But rather than fall apart, I leaned into my calling. I became an adovcate for my son and now for others on this journey of neurodiversity. I am now a doctoral student in the Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology program at Pacifica Graduate Institute, a school known for integrating depth psychology, cultural awareness, and soul-centered practice. Pacifica has already changed my life and I cannot see myself attending another PsyD program. My work focuses on supporting families with special needs children and helping underserved populations access healing in meaningful, culturally sensitive ways. In June 2025, I published my first children’s book What About Me?, which gives voice to the often-overlooked siblings of special needs children. It is part of a larger series aimed at increasing emotional literacy and connection within diverse families. This journey hasn’t been easy. I am a single mother managing a full-time graduate education while raising a neurodivergent child. Financial instability is an ongoing reality, and yet I persist—because I know this work matters. I have been the parent searching for help at 3 AM. I have been the student crying quietly during online classes, overwhelmed but determined. I have also been the therapist witnessing the exact kind of transformation I was once desperate for. Throughout my education, I have remained committed to blending clinical practice with creative expression. I believe that healing doesn’t always begin in a therapy room—sometimes it begins in a story, a piece of art, or a shared moment of recognition. That belief has shaped the way I design therapeutic materials, write children’s books, and connect with families. My training in psychology is informed by my art, just as my art is now grounded in trauma-informed, culturally responsive care. Beyond my academic goals, I am deeply invested in community work. I regularly speak with parents of special needs children, provide emotional support and referrals, and use my platforms to educate others about the emotional landscape of caregiving. I have created resources that help parents talk to siblings about disability, and my vision is to expand this into a full nonprofit organization that offers workshops, books, and emotional toolkits for families of color. One of my long-term goals is to establish a private practice that centers on healing for women, families, and children who often feel excluded from traditional therapeutic spaces. I want to train and mentor young clinicians, especially other Black women, to enter the field with confidence, cultural awareness, and compassion. I see myself not just as a therapist, but as a bridge-builder—someone who connects clinical knowledge with lived experience, professional ethics with empathy, and research with real life. I am also keenly aware of how race, socioeconomic status, gender, and ability intersect to impact access to mental health services. As a Black woman, a single parent, and the caregiver of a neurodivergent child, I have firsthand experience navigating systems that are not built with families like mine in mind. These lived experiences have shaped my clinical lens, strengthened my advocacy work, and pushed me to question the dominant narratives around wellness and success. The psychological field is evolving, but we still have a long way to go. That’s why I am committed to being a part of the change—whether that’s through inclusive clinical care, culturally resonant children’s books, or speaking engagements that amplify underrepresented voices. I want my work to challenge stigma, celebrate complexity, and create healing spaces for those who have been told their needs are too much or their pain is too inconvenient. My education is not a solo endeavor. Every paper I write, every practicum hour I complete, and every child I support is done with my community in mind. I want to take everything I have learned—from the canvas to the classroom, from the therapy room to the kitchen table—and pour it back into the people who need it most. This is how I create legacy. This is how I create change. I carry with me the wisdom of survival, the drive of a mother, and the vision of an artist who believes in better worlds. This scholarship would not only alleviate the financial barriers that threaten to disrupt my education, but it would also affirm that stories like mine matter—and that the future of mental health must be inclusive, creative, and radically compassionate. Thank you for seeing me—and for considering this investment in the next generation of healing.

Living the Life of My Dreams When I imagine the life of my dreams, I don’t see luxury for the sake of appearance—I see freedom, peace, and purpose woven into every part of my day. My dream life begins with presence: waking up without the weight of urgency, surrounded by sunlight, love, and joy. I imagine a home that feels like a sanctuary—filled with plants, warmth, music, and creativity. I begin my morning slowly, maybe dancing in my kimono with my children or sipping tea in silence. There is no rush—just rhythm. In this life, I am not just surviving—I am thriving. Financial freedom is not about excess; it’s about ease. It’s about knowing that my bills are paid, my children’s needs are met, and I can say yes to opportunities without hesitation. As a single mother and a parent to a child with special needs, I’ve learned how to carry a lot—and in my dream life, I no longer carry it alone. My children have what they need to thrive in environments that celebrate their uniqueness. Osiris is supported, understood, and safe. Nandi feels seen and free to be her big, beautiful self. Professionally, I am more than a therapist. I am a published author, a storyteller, a speaker, and a cultural healer. I use my voice to bring visibility to the often-overlooked experiences of Black families—especially those raising children with disabilities. In June 2025, I published What About Me?, a children’s book that gave voice to siblings of children with special needs. That book represents the kind of work I want to continue—creative, heart-centered, and rooted in lived experience. In my dream life, I host retreats for Black mothers, blending mental health with art, ritual, and rest. I speak on panels. I teach. I write. My name appears on bookshelves and conference flyers—not for fame, but because I have something real to say. And love? Love feels safe and soft. I am in a relationship with someone who is emotionally mature and spiritually grounded. Someone who sees the fullness of me and stays. I don’t shrink—I expand in their presence. My dream life is not perfect, but it is aligned. It is honest. It reflects the years I’ve spent healing and growing and refusing to give up. I no longer chase external validation—I create from the inside out. Most importantly, I know that my dream life doesn’t start “someday.” It starts now. With every courageous decision I make to bet on myself. With every scholarship I apply for. With every late-night paper I finish. With every family I help through my work. With every page I write, that might someday help a child feel seen. This is what living the life of my dreams looks like to me—real, whole, and rooted in love.

My name is Ms. Lady D. Bevel, and I am a doctoral student in Clinical Psychology, a single mother, and the parent of a young child with special needs. I am applying for this scholarship not just as a student, but as a woman who has refused to let circumstance silence her calling. I also have a Master's in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University and a B.A. in Fine Arts with a minor in Fashion Design. I currently have an online clothing store showcasing my custom kimonos. I am currently pursuing my doctorate because I believe deeply in the power of healing, especially within communities of color where mental health has historically been stigmatized or under-resourced. My work centers on creating inclusive, emotionally attuned spaces for children and families, particularly those navigating autism, developmental challenges, and trauma. This path is personal for me. My youngest child was diagnosed with Autism at age five. The experience changed the way I see the world and sharpened my commitment to helping other families feel seen, supported, and empowered. In June 2025, I independently published my first children’s book, "What About Me?", a story designed to validate the often-unspoken experiences of siblings of special needs children. The book draws from my family’s own journey and was created to help children feel understood while giving parents tools for empathy and communication. It is part of a growing series that bridges therapeutic insight with storytelling, especially for families like mine. Balancing motherhood, graduate school, and full-time caregiving is an enormous responsibility, both emotionally and financially. I am currently facing an urgent tuition balance of $7,000 that must be paid by July 12, 2025, or I will be unable to register for summer courses and risk losing momentum in my program. I have explored every loan and aid option available to me, but time-sensitive support through scholarships and grants is now my only viable path forward. Receiving this scholarship would not only allow me to continue my academic journey—it would affirm that the work I’m doing, the stories I’m telling, and the lives I’m touching all matter. I want to use my education to uplift others, to transform pain into purpose, and to break cycles of silence for generations to come. Thank you for considering my application and for investing in a future mental health professional who carries her purpose with both urgency and heart. Sincerely, Ms. Lady D. Bevel Doctoral Student • Author • Mental Health Advocate • Mother