Growing up and looking for up to par doctors is hard especially being a black American. So many black people are extremely skeptical about doctors. Research has shown black Americans do not trust their healthcare providers and it leads to a less likelihood of being cared for. When lack Americans have the same type of sickness as their white peers, blacks are much more likely to die sooner. For example, blacks are three times more likely to die of asthma than white Americans, blacks have a 25 percent higher cancer death rate than whites, and black women are four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. Studies also show that white men are more likely to hold more superior positions in the medical field than black men and white women are more likely to hold more superior positions than black women. Studies suggest diversity in healthcare leadership can enhance the quality of care, quality of life in the workplace, community relations, and the ability to affect community health status. All of these issues are connected to the United States medical history of discriminating, exploiting, and abusing black Americans and having no regard for their rights is a memory that is still embedded into the consciousness of the black community. Historically black bodies were used for medical advancement without approval. Black American's were also forced to participate in dissection or a medical examination and black corpses were taken from their graves and were continuously being used for surgical experiments. Unequal access to healthcare and African Americans feeling ignored are all major issues that need to be addressed and is what I plan to do once I get into the medical field. However, to improve the situation right now everyone can work to become aware of their attitudes towards the black community to reduce bias and negative opinions, educate family, friends, colleagues, and peers about the challenges the black community faces. Nevertheless, my goal is to create a safe and comfortable environment for black patients this is why I plan to Y go to the Xavier University of Louisana which is the first historically black catholic university it is also the #1 University producing African American doctors. To sum it all up I plan to do my part to change the healthcare system and make it more comforting to black Americans and stop racial discrimination in the healthcare system towards them.

Growing up and looking for up to par doctors is hard especially being a black American. So many black people are extremely skeptical about doctors. Research has shown black Americans do not trust their healthcare providers and it leads to a less likelihood of being cared for. When lack Americans have the same type of sickness as their white peers, blacks are much more likely to die sooner. For example, blacks are three times more likely to die of asthma than white Americans, blacks have a 25 percent higher cancer death rate than whites, and black women are four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. Studies also show that white men are more likely to hold more superior positions in the medical field than black men and white women are more likely to hold more superior positions than black women. Studies suggest diversity in healthcare leadership can enhance the quality of care, quality of life in the workplace, community relations, and the ability to affect community health status. All of these issues are connected to the United States medical history of discriminating, exploiting, and abusing black Americans and having no regard for their rights is a memory that is still embedded into the consciousness of the black community. Historically black bodies were used for medical advancement without approval. Black American's were also forced to participate in dissection or a medical examination and black corpses were taken from their graves and were continuously being used for surgical experiments. Unequal access to healthcare and African Americans feeling ignored are all major issues that need to be addressed and is what I plan to do once I get into the medical field. However, to improve the situation right now everyone can work to become aware of their attitudes towards the black community to reduce bias and negative opinions, educate family, friends, colleagues, and peers about the challenges the black community faces. Nevertheless, my goal is to create a safe and comfortable environment for black patients this is why I plan to Y go to the Xavier University of Louisana which is the first historically black catholic university it is also the #1 University producing African American doctors. To sum it all up I plan to do my part to change the healthcare system and make it more comforting to black Americans and stop racial discrimination in the healthcare system towards them.

Growing up and looking for up to par doctors is hard especially being a black American. So many black people are extremely skeptical about doctors. Research has shown black Americans do not trust their healthcare providers and it leads to a less likelihood of being cared for. When lack Americans have the same type of sickness as their white peers, blacks are much more likely to die sooner. For example, blacks are three times more likely to die of asthma than white Americans, blacks have a 25 percent higher cancer death rate than whites, and black women are four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. Studies also show that white men are more likely to hold more superior positions in the medical field than black men and white women are more likely to hold more superior positions than black women. Studies suggest diversity in healthcare leadership can enhance the quality of care, quality of life in the workplace, community relations, and the ability to affect community health status. All of these issues are connected to the United States medical history of discriminating, exploiting, and abusing black Americans and having no regard for their rights is a memory that is still embedded into the consciousness of the black community. Historically black bodies were used for medical advancement without approval. Black American's were also forced to participate in dissection or a medical examination and black corpses were taken from their graves and were continuously being used for surgical experiments. Unequal access to healthcare and African Americans feeling ignored are all major issues that need to be addressed and is what I plan to do once I get into the medical field. However, to improve the situation right now everyone can work to become aware of their attitudes towards the black community to reduce bias and negative opinions, educate family, friends, colleagues, and peers about the challenges the black community faces. Nevertheless, my goal is to create a safe and comfortable environment for black patients this is why I plan to Y go to the Xavier University of Louisana which is the first historically black catholic university it is also the #1 University producing African American doctors. To sum it all up I plan to do my part to change the healthcare system and make it more comforting to black Americans and stop racial discrimination in the healthcare system towards them.

Growing up and looking for up to par doctors is hard especially being a black American. So many black people are extremely skeptical about doctors. Research has shown black Americans do not trust their healthcare providers and it leads to a less likelihood of being cared for. When lack Americans have the same type of sickness as their white peers, blacks are much more likely to die sooner. For example, blacks are three times more likely to die of asthma than white Americans, blacks have a 25 percent higher cancer death rate than whites, and black women are four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. Studies also show that white men are more likely to hold more superior positions in the medical field than black men and white women are more likely to hold more superior positions than black women. Studies suggest diversity in healthcare leadership can enhance the quality of care, quality of life in the workplace, community relations, and the ability to affect community health status. All of these issues are connected to the United States medical history of discriminating, exploiting, and abusing black Americans and having no regard for their rights is a memory that is still embedded into the consciousness of the black community. Historically black bodies were used for medical advancement without approval. Black American's were also forced to participate in dissection or a medical examination and black corpses were taken from their graves and were continuously being used for surgical experiments. Unequal access to healthcare and African Americans feeling ignored are all major issues that need to be addressed and is what I plan to do once I get into the medical field. However, to improve the situation right now everyone can work to become aware of their attitudes towards the black community to reduce bias and negative opinions, educate family, friends, colleagues, and peers about the challenges the black community faces. Nevertheless, my goal is to create a safe and comfortable environment for black patients this is why I plan to Y go to the Xavier University of Louisana which is the first historically black catholic university it is also the #1 University producing African American doctors. To sum it all up I plan to do my part to change the healthcare system and make it more comforting to black Americans and stop racial discrimination in the healthcare system towards them.

Growing up and looking for up to par doctors is hard especially being a black American. So many black people are extremely skeptical about doctors. Research has shown black Americans do not trust their healthcare providers and it leads to a less likelihood of being cared for. When lack Americans have the same type of sickness as their white peers, blacks are much more likely to die sooner. For example, blacks are three times more likely to die of asthma than white Americans, blacks have a 25 percent higher cancer death rate than whites, and black women are four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. Studies also show that white men are more likely to hold more superior positions in the medical field than black men and white women are more likely to hold more superior positions than black women. Studies suggest diversity in healthcare leadership can enhance the quality of care, quality of life in the workplace, community relations, and the ability to affect community health status. All of these issues are connected to the United States medical history of discriminating, exploiting, and abusing black Americans and having no regard for their rights is a memory that is still embedded into the consciousness of the black community. Historically black bodies were used for medical advancement without approval. Black American's were also forced to participate in dissection or a medical examination and black corpses were taken from their graves and were continuously being used for surgical experiments. Unequal access to healthcare and African Americans feeling ignored are all major issues that need to be addressed and is what I plan to do once I get into the medical field. However, to improve the situation right now everyone can work to become aware of their attitudes towards the black community to reduce bias and negative opinions, educate family, friends, colleagues, and peers about the challenges the black community faces. Nevertheless, my goal is to create a safe and comfortable environment for black patients this is why I plan to go to the Xavier University of Louisana which is the first historically black catholic university it is also the #1 University producing African American doctors. To sum it all up I plan to do my part to change the healthcare system and make it more comforting to black Americans and stop racial discrimination in the healthcare system towards them.

Growing up and looking for up to par doctors is hard especially being a black American. So many black people are extremely skeptical about doctors. Research has shown black Americans do not trust their healthcare providers and it leads to a less likelihood of being cared for. When lack Americans have the same type of sickness as their white peers, blacks are much more likely to die sooner. For example, blacks are three times more likely to die of asthma than white Americans, blacks have a 25 percent higher cancer death rate than whites, and black women are four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. Studies also show that white men are more likely to hold more superior positions in the medical field than black men and white women are more likely to hold more superior positions than black women. Studies suggest diversity in healthcare leadership can enhance the quality of care, quality of life in the workplace, community relations, and the ability to affect community health status. All of these issues are connected to the United States medical history of discriminating, exploiting, and abusing black Americans and having no regard for their rights is a memory that is still embedded into the consciousness of the black community. Historically black bodies were used for medical advancement without approval. Black American's were also forced to participate in dissection or a medical examination and black corpses were taken from their graves and were continuously being used for surgical experiments. Unequal access to healthcare and African Americans feeling ignored are all major issues that need to be addressed and is what I plan to do once I get into the medical field. However, to improve the situation right now everyone can work to become aware of their attitudes towards the black community to reduce bias and negative opinions, educate family, friends, colleagues, and peers about the challenges the black community faces. Nevertheless, my goal is to create a safe and comfortable environment for black patients this is why I plan to go to the Xavier University of Louisana which is the first historically black catholic university it is also the #1 University producing African American doctors. To sum it all up I plan to do my part to change the healthcare system and make it more comforting to black Americans and stop racial discrimination in the healthcare system towards them.

It's obvious that obstacles come with life it may be an obstacle that deals with money, family, or fear. Although I have not been in the world for as long as others so far my greatest obstacle has been myself. In my earlier years, there are two things that I have worked so hard to overcome. The first is dealing with what negative things others say about me and then dealing with negative things I have said about myself. I'm aware that it's very common for someone to talk about how negative things said by others affect them but it's a very serious problem but what is also very common is for someone to say "Oh you'll be fine" or "It's OK, just ignore them" but in reality, it's not okay and you can't ignore them. When someone is repeatedly telling you something negative it affects your ego, your mind, and self-esteem and then you think maybe he or she was right about me and that right there is how you become your own obstacle when you start convincing yourself that everything that was said about you is right. This is one reason why you have to believe in yourself when you realize how powerful you are in creating the life that you are seeking anything is possible and you will realize you don't have to change for anyone but just learn to accept who you are and make the best of it. A more current obstacle I'm dealing with is finding myself as a person. Struggling with identity, underlying family issues, and what I like has been a lot to handle. This summer I made a realization with myself about my sexuality I'm not sure exactly what to identify as but I know for a fact it's not straight. I tried to open up to my father about this but it did not work out so well so I began to think that maybe I was wrong or maybe it is something wrong with me but I came to a realization that I'm perfectly fine and I'm better than okay and that I don't have to explain the way I am to anyone else. Clairo has also made me realize it's okay to be different and I don't have to change for anyone. The song "Pretty Girl" also made me realize I don't have to be the standard cookie-cutter girl and that it's okay to be different. She made it okay for me to know that I don't have to have the prettiest hair, perfect skin, or the most trending clothes to be likable and that you'll be accepted if you would only be the most genuine version of yourself you would be more than enough. Sometimes you don't know your full capabilities and tendencies and some challenges in life can rip you apart whether its a direct or indirect challenge but no matter what you have to remember that you come first and you can't change yourself no matter what anyone says about you because that can ultimately bring on more obstacles on top of the ones you're already facing.

My name is Lordess Phillips I am a high school sophomore from Atlanta, Georgia and I plan to pursue my education in the medical field and obtaining my degree preferably at an HBCU. Growing up and looking for up to par doctors is hard especially being a black American. So many black people are extremely skeptical about doctors. This is why I plan to be a respectable doctor and make everyone 100% comfortable when dealing with medical issues and providers. Research has shown black Americans do not trust their healthcare providers and it leads to a less likelihood of being cared for. When black Americans have the same type of sickness as their white peers, blacks are much more likely to die sooner. For example, blacks are three times more likely to die of asthma than white Americans, blacks have a 25 percent higher cancer death rate than whites, and black women are four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. Studies also show that white men are more likely to hold more superior positions in the medical field than black men and white women are more likely to hold more superior positions than black women. Studies suggest diversity in healthcare leadership can enhance the quality of care, quality of life in the workplace, community relations, and the ability to affect community health status. All of these issues are connected to the United States medical history of discriminating, exploiting, and abusing black Americans and having no regard for their rights is a memory that is still embedded into the consciousness of the black community. Historically black bodies were used for medical advancement without approval. Black American's were also forced to participate in dissection or a medical examination and black corpses were taken from their graves and were continuously being used for surgical experiments. Unequal access to healthcare and African Americans feeling ignored are all major issues that need to be addressed and is what I plan to do once I get into the medical field. However, to improve the situation right now everyone can work to become aware of their attitudes towards the black community to reduce bias and negative opinions, educate family, friends, colleagues, and peers about the challenges the black community faces. Nevertheless, my goal is to create a safe and comfortable environment for black patients this is why I plan to go to the Xavier University of Louisana which is the first historically black catholic university it is also the #1 University producing African American doctors. To sum it all up I plan to do my part to change the healthcare system and make it more comforting to black Americans and stop racial discrimination in the healthcare system towards them.

Growing up and looking for up to par doctors is hard especially being a black American. So many black people are extremely skeptical about doctors. Research has shown black Americans do not trust their healthcare providers and it leads to a less likelihood of being cared for. When black Americans have the same type of sickness as their white peers, blacks are much more likely to die sooner. For example, blacks are three times more likely to die of asthma than white Americans, blacks have a 25 percent higher cancer death rate than whites, and black women are four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. Studies also show that white men are more likely to hold more superior positions in the medical field than black men and white women are more likely to hold more superior positions than black women. Studies suggest diversity in healthcare leadership can enhance the quality of care, quality of life in the workplace, community relations, and the ability to affect community health status. All of these issues are connected to the United States medical history of discriminating, exploiting, and abusing black Americans and having no regard for their rights is a memory that is still embedded into the consciousness of the black community. Historically black bodies were used for medical advancement without approval. Black American's were also forced to participate in dissection or a medical examination and black corpses were taken from their graves and were continuously being used for surgical experiments. Unequal access to healthcare and African Americans feeling ignored are all major issues that need to be addressed and is what I plan to do once I get into the medical field. However, to improve the situation right now everyone can work to become aware of their attitudes towards the black community to reduce bias and negative opinions, educate family, friends, colleagues, and peers about the challenges the black community faces. Nevertheless, my goal is to create a safe and comfortable environment for black patients this is why I plan to go to the Xavier University of Louisana which is the first historically black catholic university it is also the #1 University producing African American doctors. To sum it all up I plan to do my part to change the healthcare system and make it more comforting to black Americans and stop racial discrimination in the healthcare system towards them.

Growing up and looking for up to par doctors is hard especially being a black American. So many black people are extremely skeptical about doctors. Research has shown black Americans do not trust their healthcare providers and it leads to a less likelihood of being cared for. When black Americans have the same type of sickness as their white peers, blacks are much more likely to die sooner. For example, blacks are three times more likely to die of asthma than white Americans, blacks have a 25 percent higher cancer death rate than whites, and black women are four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. Studies also show that white men are more likely to hold more superior positions in the medical field than black men and white women are more likely to hold more superior positions than black women. Studies suggest diversity in healthcare leadership can enhance the quality of care, quality of life in the workplace, community relations, and the ability to affect community health status. All of these issues are connected to the United States medical history of discriminating, exploiting, and abusing black Americans and having no regard for their rights is a memory that is still embedded into the consciousness of the black community. Historically black bodies were used for medical advancement without approval. Black American's were also forced to participate in dissection or a medical examination and black corpses were taken from their graves and were continuously being used for surgical experiments. Unequal access to healthcare and African Americans feeling ignored are all major issues that need to be addressed and is what I plan to do once I get into the medical field. However, to improve the situation right now everyone can work to become aware of their attitudes towards the black community to reduce bias and negative opinions, educate family, friends, colleagues, and peers about the challenges the black community faces. Nevertheless, my goal is to create a safe and comfortable environment for black patients this is why I plan to go to the Xavier University of Louisana which is the first historically black catholic university it is also the #1 University producing African American doctors. To sum it all up I plan to do my part to change the healthcare system and make it more comforting to black Americans and stop racial discrimination in the healthcare system towards them.

A mother's love is truly unmatched especially when it's one of the purest love you will ever receive. Now that I am growing and heading out of high school I'm now realizing everything my mother did was to prepare me for the future and the bumps in the road ahead. Even if I wasn't always on my best behavior my mother was always there to support me no matter what. My mom always knew I had dreams for college I have probably brought up a million different career choices that I was interested in but we both knew I really have my heart set on going into college as a pre-med student. Despite my mother's unconditional support, my father on the other hand is not so fond of me going to school out of state and supporting my dreams. Since he doesn't like the idea of me doing this he would tell me things like I will be here when you fail or I don't know what I'm doing. Growing up I always experienced verbally abusive disputes between my mom and dad. He would also cause issues between my other family member on both my maternal and paternal sides. Having to experience these events often made me feel down about myself but my mom was always there to reassure me and tell me how great I will become. Not only is it admiring for a parent to watch you grow but it's even more touching when you watch the person you look up to continue their path to greatness. My mother and my other four siblings used to live in a two bedroom apartment and use air mattresses that was until my mother bought her first house and became a homeowner for the first time back in November 2020. Seeing my mom strive is extremely inspiring and reminds me I can do anything if I put my mind to it. If I were to describe my relationship with my mom it would definitely be the two best friends at the restaurant who are having so much fun. Our relationship is definitely unmatched I can truly tell her anything without fears of being judged. She has paved the way to have currently two college graduates while being a single mother she always tells me to "Fail big and to dream big but dreams without goals are just dreams". “I will look after you and I will look after anybody you say needs to be looked after, any way you say. I am here. I brought my whole self to you. I am your mother.” -Maya Angelou

Growing up and looking for up to par doctors is hard especially being a black American. So many black people are extremely skeptical about doctors and it's mainly because of trust. Research has shown black Americans do not trust their healthcare providers and it leads to a less likelihood of being cared for. When black Americans have the same type of sickness as their white peers, blacks are much more likely to die sooner. For example, blacks are three times more likely to die of asthma than white Americans, blacks have a 25 percent higher cancer death rate than whites, and black women are four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. All of these issues are connected to the United States medical history of discriminating against and exploiting black Americans a memory that is still embedded into the consciousness of the black community. Historically black bodies were used for medical advancement without approval. Black American's were also forced to participate in dissection or a medical examination. Black corpses were taken from their graves and were continuously being used for surgical experiments. Nevertheless, my goal is to create a safe and comfortable environment for black patients this is why I plan to go to the Xavier University of Louisana which is the first historically black catholic university it is also the #1 University producing African American doctors. To sum it all up I plan to do my part to change the healthcare system and make it more comforting to black Americans and stop racial discrimination in the healthcare system towards them.

“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.“ - Maya Angelou This quote is something I live by everyday it helps to remind me that life is not always about focusing on everyone else or being up to date on the latest trends but to simply enjoy life and fill it with love, laughter, and smiles . I feel like everyone is so worried about being better than the other person or trying to be someone they’re not just to please others they forget what we were put on Earth to do which is to simply love others.

It's very common for mental health concerns to go unnoticed and taken very lightly in the black community. The origin of mental health stigma can date all the way back to slavery that included the traumas of racism, dehumanization, oppression, and violence against the black community that is a definite factor in developing a mental illness. In those times it was commonly perceived that slaves were not civilized enough to have depression, schizophrenia, or other mental health illnesses. From that time it became a habit to ignore mental illness and pass it on as stress or just needing some extra sleep at night. Ignoring mental illnesses became adopted in the black community and has been passed on to generation after generation and it led to misconstruing the effects and impacts of mental illnesses. Adults in black communities are 20% more likely to experience mental health problems. Due to lack of trust in the healthcare system because of historical abuse deemed towards black people, financial burdens, and past discrimination in the mental health system factor into low utilization of mental healthcare in the black community. Common negative stereotypes about mental health such as being considered weak or a "threat to society" can also make it harder to know when or where to find help. Mental health issues can also be more common in poverty-stricken areas because of low government funding and lesser knowledge of one's health How can mental health barriers in the black community be broken? Black people experience direct trauma stressors such as being overly policed or verbal and/or physical abuse. Indirect stressors such as viewing the video of the death of George Floyd or living through racism and inequality are challenges faced and factored into mental illness in the black community but are still less likely to seek help. Constantly having to worry about injustice and racist encounters among black people in their day-to-day activities such as grocery shopping, work, or just simply pumping gas can cause paranoia and lead to anxiety, schizophrenia, epilepsy, and more. Unequal access to healthcare and African Americans feeling ignored are all major contributions to this issue. However to improve the situation everyone can work to become aware of their attitudes towards the black community to reduce bias and negative opinions, educate family, friends, colleagues, and peers about the challenges the black community faces regarding mental illnesses. We live in a very diverse world and come into contact with people of all kinds of different backgrounds every day. The more people start to understand others that makes them different the more people will understand it is no shame in mental illness. The black community has a long history of social change and making mental health a top priority is not a sign of unworthiness but a sign of power.