An academic, entrepreneur, pragmatic prodigy, and pageant queen are just a few words to describe me. At 13, I enrolled in my first college course at a local community college. By 16, I had earned my high school diploma and an associate's degree. Serving as National Miss Juneteenth USA 2022 and North Texas High School Voter Registration Chair gave me a platform to elevate critical issues such as teaching factual history and engaging youth in the governing process. Sharing my experiences on these platforms has earned me recognition, including the honor of being the inaugural winner of Penguin Publishing House’s Creative Writing Michelle Obama Award for Memoir. I am a highly motivated student, dedicated to academic excellence and passionate about serving marginalized communities with pragmatic solutions. When the world paused in 2020, I launched a podcast to discuss mental health, politics, and my experiences as a thirteen-year-old college student. The podcast resonated with listeners, especially young girls, and quickly gained a global audience. This success inspired me to found Pragmatic Prodigies, a nonprofit organization committed to moving conversations from theory to action. Through Pragmatic Prodigies, I began mentoring students and encouraging participation in dual-credit courses. During this process, I discovered that many girls missed school due to the silent epidemic of teen period poverty. In response, I collaborated with a local community college, social service organizations, and government officials to collect over 20,000 menstrual products in just 60 days. Recognizing the need for sustainable solutions, I partnered with corporations, government agencies, and community organizations to develop programming and advocate for policy change. Our efforts expanded further when we organized the inaugural Teen Summit in 2022. This event featured workshops led by local and state officials focused on raising public awareness and drafting a bill to eliminate the Pink Tax. Thanks to these collective efforts, Texas signed legislation in September to remove the tax on menstrual products, a monumental step toward equity. Now, as a Political Science major and English minor at Spelman College, my life experiences fuel my passion for advocacy. My ultimate goal is to become a Civil Rights attorney specializing in education reform and, eventually, a Supreme Court Justice—a significant aspiration given that only 3% of all attorneys in the U.S. are Black women. This scholarship would help alleviate financial barriers, empowering me to pursue my dreams and make a meaningful impact in my community and beyond. This journey isn’t just for me; it’s for my family, community, mentees, and the next generation. Together, we can create a legacy of progress and change.

An academic, entrepreneur, pragmatic prodigy, and pageant queen are a few words to describe me. I enrolled in my first college course at my local community college at age 13, and at age 16, I earned my high school diploma and an associate's degree, and in 2023, I enrolled in my HBCU, Spelman College. The sound of the marching band playing "Talkin Out The Side of Your Neck,'' adorned by the rhythmic movements of the Drum Major and Majorettes, surrounded by various expressions of black excellence, are the offspring of Yemayá and Oshún. HBCUs feel like a revolution; they look like a family reunion on a hot summer day in the park and taste like Fish Fry Fridays while playing dominoes or Spades. Solid and resilient, like my mama's wide-tooth comb, smiles, hugs, laughter, and intellectual banter while sharing a meal are a few of my most vivid memories and experiences of my parents' HBCU Homecomings and how I'd imagine my time at Spelman College will be. Being a black girl in the suburbs, you learn very quickly that there are roles to fill, and like a video game, you get to choose your character. HBCUs provide a place to be unapologetically you. They are black girl Disneyland, where your bonnets' purpose is understood, shea butter is the norm, and brothers walking by aren't intimidating because you know they mean no harm. Simply put, HBCUs feel like a community and home. The HBCU experience is grounded in the foundation of Black identity within the United States, a space where individual Blackness is celebrated and embraced collectively. Built on African ways of knowledge, centered on the mastery of educational concepts, and learning in a communal environment with humanity and freedom at the core, Historically Black Colleges and Universities are an extension of the proverbial village that offers a home away from home for students like me across the diaspora. My roles as National Miss Juneteenth USA 2022 and the North Texas High School Voter Registration Chair lent me a platform to elevate issues such as teaching factual history and engaging the youth in the governing process. Using my voice to share my experience has garnered recognition and awards, including the inaugural winner of the Penguin Publishing House Creative Writing Michelle Obama Award for Memoir. I am a highly motivated student dedicated to academic excellence and passionate about serving marginalized communities with pragmatic solutions. When the world stopped in 2020, I launched a podcast discussing issues concerning mental health, politics, and my academic experiences as a thirteen-year-old college student. The podcast grew exponentially as other girls saw themselves in the topics I discussed, leading the podcast to gain a global audience. This was the catalyst for creating my non-profit organization, Pragmatic Prodigies. While moving the conversation from theory to action, I began mentoring and encouraging participation in dual credit courses. This is where I learned that girls missed school due to the silent epidemic of teen period poverty. In partnership with the local community college, social service organizations, and local government officials, over 20,000 period products were collected in 60 days. Partnering with various organizations, such as government, corporations, and community organizations, assisted us in developing sustainable programming through policy. We were dedicated to eliminating the pink tax because of the immediate need to provide girls with period protection. Pragmatic Prodigies hosted our inaugural Teen Summit in 2022, where local and state elected officials conducted workshops on increasing public awareness and, in coalition with sister organizations, created a bill to address the Pink Tax. I have always dreamed of attending an HBCU with like-minded women driven toward service and intellectual advancement. Spelman provides a safe space to procure knowledge and explore the black identity and its facets. I am majoring in Political Science and minoring in English at Spelman College. My life experiences inspire me to use my voice to serve as a Civil Rights attorney specializing in education reform and, ultimately, a Supreme Court Justice, where around 3% of all attorneys in the US are black women. This scholarship will alleviate financial barriers by empowering me to pursue my dreams and make a meaningful impact in my field. This is not just for me; it's for my family, community, mentees, and the next generation.

In Yoruba culture, one's mission is to work on your Iwa, or character, with the intent to consistently evolve towards righteousness. My childhood library contained several character-shaping books, such as Anansi The Spider, focused on community, knowledge, and triumph through adversity. These tales shaped my personal, academic, and professional goals to serve humanity. When the world stopped in 2020, I launched a podcast discussing issues concerning mental health, politics, and my academic experiences as a thirteen-year-old college student. The podcast grew exponentially as other girls saw themselves in the topics I discussed, leading the podcast to gain a global audience. This was the catalyst for creating my non-profit organization, Pragmatic Prodigies. While moving the conversation from theory to action, I began mentoring and encouraging participation in early college courses to the young ladies at Morningside Middle School in Fort Worth, Texas. This zip code has the lowest life expectancy in Texas due to historical disenfranchisement. I learned that many girls would miss school because they did not have enough period products to last during their monthly menstrual cycle. Deeply concerned about how the lack of access to these necessities affected them academically, I was shocked to learn that nearly 1 in 5 American girls missed school due to a lack of period protection. To address these demoralizing and often embarrassing issues, I used pragmatism, skills, and resources to collect period products to be housed in a portable building on the school grounds. In partnership with the local community college, social service organizations, and local government officials, over 20,000 period products were collected in 60 days. This effort to raise awareness and combat period poverty has expanded to serving students in neighboring states, communities, school districts, and countries across the diaspora. Though the immediate need of providing girls with period protection has been met, I am dedicated to a permanent answer by eliminating the Pink tax, feminine products marketed as more expensive than male products. Pragmatic Prodigies hosts a Teen Summit where local and state elected officials conduct workshops on increasing public awareness and creating a bill to address the Pink Tax. Through advocacy in action, my passion is to help educate students while building agencies to address systemic inequities. As an academic, entrepreneur, and Pragmatic Prodigy, I am committed to working on my Iwa by using critical thinking skills, intellectual prowess, and resources to serve my community. As a student majoring in Political Science and minoring in English at Spelman College, my life experiences inspire me to use my voice to serve as a Civil Rights attorney specializing in education reform and, ultimately, a Supreme Court Justice, where around 3% of all attorneys in the US are black women. This scholarship will alleviate financial barriers by empowering me to pursue my dreams and make a meaningful impact in my field. This is not just for me; it's for my family, community, mentees, and the next generation.

In Yoruba culture, one's mission is to work on your Iwa, or character, with the intent to consistently evolve towards righteousness. My childhood library contained several character-shaping books, such as Anansi The Spider, focused on community, knowledge, and triumph through adversity. These tales shaped my personal, academic, and professional goals to serve humanity. When the world stopped in 2020, I launched a podcast discussing issues concerning mental health, politics, and my academic experiences as a thirteen-year-old college student. The podcast grew exponentially as other girls saw themselves in the topics I discussed, leading the podcast to gain a global audience. This was the catalyst for creating my non-profit organization, Pragmatic Prodigies. While moving the conversation from theory to action, I began mentoring and encouraging participation in early college courses to the young ladies at Morningside Middle School in Fort Worth, Texas. This zip code has the lowest life expectancy in Texas due to historical disenfranchisement. I learned that many girls would miss school because they did not have enough period products to last during their monthly menstrual cycle. Deeply concerned about how the lack of access to these necessities affected them academically, I was shocked to learn that nearly 1 in 5 American girls missed school due to a lack of period protection. To address these demoralizing and often embarrassing issues, I used pragmatism, skills, and resources to collect period products to be housed in a portable building on the school grounds. In partnership with the local community college, social service organizations, and local government officials, over 20,000 period products were collected in 60 days. This effort to raise awareness and combat period poverty has expanded to serving students in neighboring states, communities, school districts, and countries across the diaspora. Though the immediate need of providing girls with period protection has been met, I am dedicated to a permanent answer by eliminating the Pink tax, feminine products marketed as more expensive than male products. Pragmatic Prodigies hosts a Teen Summit where local and state elected officials conduct workshops on increasing public awareness and creating a bill to address the Pink Tax. Through advocacy in action, my passion is to help educate students while building agencies to address systemic inequities. As an academic, entrepreneur, and Pragmatic Prodigy, I am committed to working on my Iwa by using critical thinking skills, intellectual prowess, and resources to serve my community. As a student majoring in Political Science and minoring in English at Spelman College, my life experiences inspire me to use my voice to serve as a Civil Rights attorney specializing in education reform and, ultimately, a Supreme Court Justice, where around 3% of all attorneys in the US are black women. This scholarship will alleviate financial barriers by empowering me to pursue my dreams and make a meaningful impact in my field. This is not just for me; it's for my family, community, mentees, and the next generation.

In Yoruba culture, one's mission is to work on your Iwa, or character, with the intent to consistently evolve towards righteousness. My childhood library contained several character-shaping books, such as Anansi The Spider, focused on community, knowledge, and triumph through adversity. These tales shaped my personal, academic, and professional goals to serve humanity. When the world stopped in 2020, I launched a podcast discussing issues concerning mental health, politics, and my academic experiences as a thirteen-year-old college student. The podcast grew exponentially as other girls saw themselves in the topics I discussed, leading the podcast to gain a global audience. This was the catalyst for creating my non-profit organization, Pragmatic Prodigies. While moving the conversation from theory to action, I began mentoring and encouraging participation in early college courses to the young ladies at Morningside Middle School in Fort Worth, Texas. This zip code has the lowest life expectancy in Texas due to historical disenfranchisement. I learned that many girls would miss school because they did not have enough period products to last during their monthly menstrual cycle. Deeply concerned about how the lack of access to these necessities affected them academically, I was shocked to learn that nearly 1 in 5 American girls missed school due to a lack of period protection. To address these demoralizing and often embarrassing issues, I used pragmatism, skills, and resources to collect period products to be housed in a portable building on the school grounds. In partnership with the local community college, social service organizations, and local government officials, over 20,000 period products were collected in 60 days. This effort to raise awareness and combat period poverty has expanded to serving students in neighboring states, communities, school districts, and countries across the diaspora. Though the immediate need of providing girls with period protection has been met, I am dedicated to a permanent answer by eliminating the Pink tax, feminine products marketed as more expensive than male products. Pragmatic Prodigies hosts a Teen Summit where local and state elected officials conduct workshops on increasing public awareness and creating a bill to address the Pink Tax. Through advocacy in action, my passion is to help educate students while building agencies to address systemic inequities. As an academic, entrepreneur, and Pragmatic Prodigy, I am committed to working on my Iwa by using critical thinking skills, intellectual prowess, and resources to serve my community. As a student majoring in Political Science and minoring in English at Spelman College, my life experiences inspire me to use my voice to serve as a Civil Rights attorney specializing in education reform and, ultimately, a Supreme Court Justice, where around 3% of all attorneys in the US are black women. This scholarship will alleviate financial barriers by empowering me to pursue my dreams and make a meaningful impact in my field. This is not just for me; it's for my family, community, mentees, and the next generation.

In Yoruba culture, one's mission is to work on your Iwa, or character, with the intent to consistently evolve towards righteousness. My childhood library contained several character-shaping books, such as Anansi The Spider, focused on community, knowledge, and triumph through adversity. These tales shaped my personal, academic, and professional goals to serve humanity. When the world stopped in 2020, I launched a podcast discussing issues concerning mental health, politics, and my academic experiences as a thirteen-year-old college student. The podcast grew exponentially as other girls saw themselves in the topics I discussed, leading the podcast to gain a global audience. This was the catalyst for creating my non-profit organization, Pragmatic Prodigies. While moving the conversation from theory to action, I began mentoring and encouraging participation in early college courses to the young ladies at Morningside Middle School in Fort Worth, Texas. This zip code has the lowest life expectancy in Texas due to historical disenfranchisement. I learned that many girls would miss school because they did not have enough period products to last during their monthly menstrual cycle. Deeply concerned about how the lack of access to these necessities affected them academically, I was shocked to learn that nearly 1 in 5 American girls missed school due to a lack of period protection. To address these demoralizing and often embarrassing issues, I used pragmatism, skills, and resources to collect period products to be housed in a portable building on the school grounds. In partnership with the local community college, social service organizations, and local government officials, over 20,000 period products were collected in 60 days. This effort to raise awareness and combat period poverty has expanded to serving students in neighboring states, communities, school districts, and countries across the diaspora. Though the immediate need of providing girls with period protection has been met, I am dedicated to a permanent answer by eliminating the Pink tax, feminine products marketed as more expensive than male products. Pragmatic Prodigies hosts a Teen Summit where local and state elected officials conduct workshops on increasing public awareness and creating a bill to address the Pink Tax. Through advocacy in action, my passion is to help educate students while building agencies to address systemic inequities. As an academic, entrepreneur, and Pragmatic Prodigy, I am committed to working on my Iwa by using critical thinking skills, intellectual prowess, and resources to serve my community. As a student majoring in Political Science and minoring in English at Spelman College, my life experiences inspire me to use my voice to serve as a Civil Rights attorney specializing in education reform and, ultimately, a Supreme Court Justice, where around 3% of all attorneys in the US are black women. This scholarship will alleviate financial barriers by empowering me to pursue my dreams and make a meaningful impact in my field. This is not just for me; it's for my family, community, mentees, and the next generation.

In Yoruba culture, one's mission is to work on your Iwa, or character, with the intent to consistently evolve towards righteousness. My childhood library contained several character-shaping books, such as Anansi The Spider, focused on community, knowledge, and triumph through adversity. These tales shaped my personal, academic, and professional goals to serve humanity. When the world stopped in 2020, I launched a podcast discussing issues concerning mental health, politics, and my academic experiences as a thirteen-year-old college student. The podcast grew exponentially as other girls saw themselves in the topics I discussed, leading the podcast to gain a global audience. This was the catalyst for creating my non-profit organization, Pragmatic Prodigies. While moving the conversation from theory to action, I began mentoring and encouraging participation in early college courses to the young ladies at Morningside Middle School in Fort Worth, Texas. This zip code has the lowest life expectancy in Texas due to historical disenfranchisement. I learned that many girls would miss school because they did not have enough period products to last during their monthly menstrual cycle. Deeply concerned about how the lack of access to these necessities affected them academically, I was shocked to learn that nearly 1 in 5 American girls missed school due to a lack of period protection. To address these demoralizing and often embarrassing issues, I used pragmatism, skills, and resources to collect period products to be housed in a portable building on the school grounds. In partnership with the local community college, social service organizations, and local government officials, over 20,000 period products were collected in 60 days. This effort to raise awareness and combat period poverty has expanded to serving students in neighboring states, communities, school districts, and countries across the diaspora. Though the immediate need of providing girls with period protection has been met, I am dedicated to a permanent answer by eliminating the Pink tax, feminine products marketed as more expensive than male products. Pragmatic Prodigies hosts a Teen Summit where local and state elected officials conduct workshops on increasing public awareness and creating a bill to address the Pink Tax. Through advocacy in action, my passion is to help educate students while building agencies to address systemic inequities. As an academic, entrepreneur, and Pragmatic Prodigy, I am committed to working on my Iwa by using critical thinking skills, intellectual prowess, and resources to serve my community. As a student majoring in Political Science and minoring in English at Spelman College, my life experiences inspire me to use my voice to serve as a Civil Rights attorney specializing in education reform and, ultimately, a Supreme Court Justice, where around 3% of all attorneys in the US are black women. This scholarship will alleviate financial barriers by empowering me to pursue my dreams and make a meaningful impact in my field. This is not just for me; it's for my family, community, mentees, and the next generation.

In Yoruba culture, one's mission is to work on your Iwa, or character, with the intent to consistently evolve towards righteousness. My childhood library contained several character-shaping books, such as Anansi The Spider, focused on community, knowledge, and triumph through adversity. These tales shaped my personal, academic, and professional goals to serve humanity. When the world stopped in 2020, I launched a podcast discussing issues concerning mental health, politics, and my academic experiences as a thirteen-year-old college student. The podcast grew exponentially as other girls saw themselves in the topics I discussed, leading the podcast to gain a global audience. This was the catalyst for creating my non-profit organization, Pragmatic Prodigies. While moving the conversation from theory to action, I began mentoring and encouraging participation in early college courses to the young ladies at Morningside Middle School in Fort Worth, Texas. This zip code has the lowest life expectancy in Texas due to historical disenfranchisement. I learned that many girls would miss school because they did not have enough period products to last during their monthly menstrual cycle. Deeply concerned about how the lack of access to these necessities affected them academically, I was shocked to learn that nearly 1 in 5 American girls missed school due to a lack of period protection. To address these demoralizing and often embarrassing issues, I used pragmatism, skills, and resources to collect period products to be housed in a portable building on the school grounds. In partnership with the local community college, social service organizations, and local government officials, over 20,000 period products were collected in 60 days. This effort to raise awareness and combat period poverty has expanded to serving students in neighboring states, communities, school districts, and countries across the diaspora. Though the immediate need of providing girls with period protection has been met, I am dedicated to a permanent answer by eliminating the Pink tax, feminine products marketed as more expensive than male products. Pragmatic Prodigies hosts a Teen Summit where local and state elected officials conduct workshops on increasing public awareness and creating a bill to address the Pink Tax. Through advocacy in action, my passion is to help educate students while building agencies to address systemic inequities. As an academic, entrepreneur, and Pragmatic Prodigy, I am committed to working on my Iwa by using critical thinking skills, intellectual prowess, and resources to serve my community. As a student majoring in Political Science and minoring in English at Spelman College, my life experiences inspire me to use my voice to serve as a Civil Rights attorney specializing in education reform and, ultimately, a Supreme Court Justice, where around 3% of all attorneys in the US are black women. This scholarship will alleviate financial barriers by empowering me to pursue my dreams and make a meaningful impact in my field. This is not just for me; it's for my family, community, mentees, and the next generation.

In Yoruba culture, one's mission is to work on your Iwa, or character, with the intent to consistently evolve towards righteousness. My childhood library contained several character-shaping books, such as Anansi The Spider, focused on community, knowledge, and triumph through adversity. These tales shaped my personal, academic, and professional goals to serve humanity. As an International Baccalaureate scholar, understanding interpersonal relationships with the world was of the utmost importance. Many of my assignments revolved around global humanitarianism and making an impact. Research for a class project led me to advocate for Kenyan women and girls in period poverty. This project sparked my desire to become my sister's keeper by helping brown and black girls, an attribute that runs deep in my DNA. When the world stopped in 2020, I launched a podcast discussing issues concerning mental health, politics, and my academic experiences as a thirteen-year-old college student. The podcast grew exponentially as other girls saw themselves in the topics I discussed, leading the podcast to gain a global audience. This was the catalyst for creating my non-profit organization, Pragmatic Prodigies. While moving the conversation from theory to action, I began mentoring and encouraging participation in early college courses to the young ladies at Morningside Middle School in Fort Worth, Texas. This zip code has the lowest life expectancy in Texas due to historical disenfranchisement. I learned that many girls would miss school because they did not have enough period products to last during their monthly menstrual cycle. Deeply concerned about how the lack of access to these necessities affected them academically, I was shocked to learn that nearly 1 in 5 American girls missed school due to a lack of period protection. To address these demoralizing and often embarrassing issues, I used pragmatism, skills, and resources to collect period products to be housed in a portable building on the school grounds. In partnership with the local community college, social service organizations, and local government officials, over 20,000 period products were collected in 60 days. This effort to raise awareness and combat period poverty has expanded to serving students in neighboring states, communities, school districts, and countries across the diaspora. Through the immediate need of providing girls with period protection, I am dedicated to a permanent answer by eliminating the Pink tax, feminine products marketed as more expensive than male products. This summer, Pragmatic Prodigies hosted our inaugural Teen Summit where local and state elected officials conducted workshops on increasing public awareness and creating a bill to address the Pink Tax. In partnership with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.- Southwest Region, The City of Fort Worth, and United Way, we aim to educate our community on the disparities that exist. Through advocacy in action, Pragmatic Prodigies' mission is to help educate black and brown girls while building agency to address systemic inequities. As an academic, entrepreneur, and Pragmatic Prodigy, I am committed to working on my Iwa by using critical thinking skills, intellectual prowess, and resources to serve my community. Around 3% of all attorneys in the US are black women. As a First-Year Political Science major and English minor at Spelman College, my life experiences inspire me to use my talents in the legal field as a Civil Rights attorney specializing in medical privacy and, ultimately, a Supreme Court Justice.

In Yoruba culture, one's mission is to work on your Iwa, or character, with the intent to consistently evolve towards righteousness. My childhood library contained several character-shaping books, such as Anansi The Spider, focused on community, knowledge, and triumph through adversity. These tales shaped my personal, academic, and professional goals to serve humanity. As an International Baccalaureate scholar, understanding interpersonal relationships with the world was of the utmost importance. Many of my assignments revolved around global humanitarianism and making an impact. Research for a class project led me to advocate for Kenyan women and girls in period poverty. This project sparked my desire to become my sister's keeper by helping brown and black girls, an attribute that runs deep in my DNA. When the world stopped in 2020, I launched a podcast discussing issues concerning mental health, politics, and my academic experiences as a thirteen-year-old college student. The podcast grew exponentially as other girls saw themselves in the topics I discussed, leading the podcast to gain a global audience. This was the catalyst for creating my non-profit organization, Pragmatic Prodigies. While moving the conversation from theory to action, I began mentoring and encouraging participation in early college courses to the young ladies at Morningside Middle School in Fort Worth, Texas. This zip code has the lowest life expectancy in Texas due to historical disenfranchisement. I learned that many girls would miss school because they did not have enough period products to last during their monthly menstrual cycle. Deeply concerned about how the lack of access to these necessities affected them academically, I was shocked to learn that nearly 1 in 5 American girls missed school due to a lack of period protection. To address these demoralizing and often embarrassing issues, I used pragmatism, skills, and resources to collect period products to be housed in a portable building on the school grounds. In partnership with the local community college, social service organizations, and local government officials, over 20,000 period products were collected in 60 days. This effort to raise awareness and combat period poverty has expanded to serving students in neighboring states, communities, school districts, and countries across the diaspora. Through the immediate need of providing girls with period protection, I am dedicated to a permanent answer by eliminating the Pink tax, feminine products marketed as more expensive than male products. This summer, Pragmatic Prodigies hosted our inaugural Teen Summit where local and state elected officials conducted workshops on increasing public awareness and creating a bill to address the Pink Tax. Through advocacy in action, Pragmatic Prodigies' mission is to help educate black and brown girls while building agency to address systemic inequities. As an academic, entrepreneur, and Pragmatic Prodigy, I am committed to working on my Iwa by using critical thinking skills, intellectual prowess, and resources to serve my community. Around 3% of all attorneys in the US are black women. As a First-Year Political Science major and English minor at Spelman College, my life experiences inspire me to use my talents in the legal field as a Civil Rights attorney specializing in education reform and, ultimately, a Supreme Court Justice.

In Yoruba culture, one's mission is to work on your Iwa, or character, with the intent to consistently evolve towards righteousness. My childhood library contained several character-shaping books, such as Anansi The Spider, focused on community, knowledge, and triumph through adversity. These tales shaped my personal, academic, and professional goals to serve humanity. As an International Baccalaureate scholar, understanding interpersonal relationships with the world was of the utmost importance. Many of my assignments revolved around global humanitarianism and making an impact. Research for a class project led me to advocate for Kenyan women and girls in period poverty. This project sparked my desire to become my sister's keeper by helping brown and black girls, an attribute that runs deep in my DNA. When the world stopped in 2020, I launched a podcast discussing issues concerning mental health, politics, and my academic experiences as a thirteen-year-old college student. The podcast grew exponentially as other girls saw themselves in the topics I discussed, leading the podcast to gain a global audience. This was the catalyst for creating my non-profit organization, Pragmatic Prodigies. While moving the conversation from theory to action, I began mentoring and encouraging participation in early college courses to the young ladies at Morningside Middle School in Fort Worth, Texas. This zip code has the lowest life expectancy in Texas due to historical disenfranchisement. I learned that many girls would miss school because they did not have enough period products to last during their monthly menstrual cycle. Deeply concerned about how the lack of access to these necessities affected them academically, I was shocked to learn that nearly 1 in 5 American girls missed school due to a lack of period protection. To address these demoralizing and often embarrassing issues, I used pragmatism, skills, and resources to collect period products to be housed in a portable building on the school grounds. In partnership with the local community college, social service organizations, and local government officials, over 20,000 period products were collected in 60 days. This effort to raise awareness and combat period poverty has expanded to serving students in neighboring states, communities, school districts, and countries across the diaspora. Through the immediate need of providing girls with period protection, I am dedicated to a permanent answer by eliminating the Pink tax, feminine products marketed as more expensive than male products. This summer, Pragmatic Prodigies hosted our inaugural Teen Summit where local and state elected officials conducted workshops on increasing public awareness and creating a bill to address the Pink Tax. Through advocacy in action, Pragmatic Prodigies' mission is to help educate black and brown girls while building agency to address systemic inequities. As an academic, entrepreneur, and Pragmatic Prodigy, I am committed to working on my Iwa by using critical thinking skills, intellectual prowess, and resources to serve my community. Around 3% of all attorneys in the US are black women. As a First-Year Political Science major and English minor at Spelman College, my life experiences inspire me to use my talents in the legal field as a Civil Rights attorney specializing in education reform and, ultimately, a Supreme Court Justice.

Question 1 An academic, entrepreneur, pragmatic prodigy, and pageant queen are a few words to describe me. I enrolled in my first college course at my local community college at age 13, and at age 16, I earned my high school diploma and an associate's degree. My roles as National Miss Juneteenth USA 2022 and the North Texas High School Voter Registration Chair lent me a platform to elevate issues such as teaching factual history and engaging the youth in the governing process. Using my voice to share my experience has garnered recognition and awards, including as the inaugural winner of the Penguin Publishing House Creative Writing Michelle Obama Award for Memoir, I am scheduled to graduate early and enter Spelman College's 3+3 program in 2026 with the ultimate goal of attending Law School. Around 3% of all attorneys in the US are black women. As a rising junior Political Science major and English minor at Spelman College, my life experiences inspire me to use my talents in the legal field as a Civil Rights attorney specializing in education reform and, ultimately, a Supreme Court Justice. Question 2 Participating in Internships and Fellowships such as the African American Mayor's Association, United Negro College Fund Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, and Penguin Random Publisher House Creative Writing Award has sparked my interest in the various aspects of the law. In addition, I plan to secure internships and to clerk with organizations such as the NAACP’s Legal Defense Fund or the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, These experiences exposed me to levels of power, influence, and interpretation of the law that affect the daily lives of our community. Question 3 When the world stopped in 2020, I launched a podcast discussing issues concerning mental health, politics, and my academic experiences as a thirteen-year-old college student. This was the catalyst for creating my non-profit organization, Pragmatic Prodigies. While moving the conversation from theory to action, I realized that women and girls in the Morningside Middle School community would miss up to 5 weeks of work or school due to a lack of access to menstrual products that harmed them socially, economically, and academically. As the Co-Founder and CEO of The Pragmatic Prodigies, a 501(C)3 dedicated to advocating for equity in advanced education. We do this by partnering with schools, parents, and community organizations to provide resources that remove barriers such as Period Poverty. My life experiences inspire me to use my talents in the legal field as a Civil Rights attorney specializing in education reform and, ultimately, a Supreme Court Justice. Question 4 Education is an entrance to a global conversation and a thorough understanding of the world. Access to quality education can be difficult or even nonexistent in marginalized communities. 1 in 5 girls misses school due to period poverty. If given the opportunity, I would like to expand my non-profit's mission of expanding opportunities for advanced education and ending period poverty. Through advocacy in action, my mission is to help educate black and brown girls while building agencies to address systemic inequities.

Attending an HBCU with like-minded women driven toward service and intellectual advancement has always been a dream of mine. As a Dual Credit student, I always noticed that, at best, maybe one or two of my classmates shared my race and gender. As an aspiring attorney, I understand that those odds do not increase in my favor as I venture off to law school and the corporate world, as only three percent of attorneys across the United States are Black women. I have long since yearned for a semblance of academic sisterhood in a way that my honors and AP classes could never provide. Attending Spelman College allows me the experience of black girl magic in every classroom, debate, or club on campus. After graduating this spring with my high school diploma and an Associate of Arts degree, I enrolled in Spelman College. Spelman’s rigorous curriculum offers a path to earn an undergraduate degree and a juris doctor in six years. Leveraging bountiful opportunities within the gates of a community-centered and historic institution of higher focused on creating well-rounded women, I will hone the skills necessary to become the second Black woman in U. S. history to hold the position. Around 3% of all attorneys in the US are black women. As a Political Science major and English minor at Spelman College, my life experiences inspire me to use my talents in the legal field as a Civil Rights attorney specializing in education reform and, ultimately, a Supreme Court Justice.

When the world stopped in 2020, I launched a podcast discussing issues concerning mental health, politics, and my academic experiences as a thirteen-year-old college student. This was the catalyst for creating my non-profit organization, Pragmatic Prodigies. While moving the conversation from theory to action, I began mentoring and encouraging participation in early college courses to the young ladies at Morningside Middle School in Fort Worth, Texas. This zip code has the lowest life expectancy in Texas due to historical disenfranchisement. I learned that many girls would miss school because they did not have enough period products to last during their monthly menstrual cycle. Deeply concerned about how the lack of access to these necessities affected them academically, I was shocked to learn that nearly 1 in 5 American girls missed school due to a lack of period protection. To address these demoralizing and often embarrassing issues, I used pragmatism, skills, and resources to collect period products to be housed in a portable building on the school grounds. In partnership with the local community college, social service organizations, and local government officials, over 20,000 period products were collected in 60 days. This effort to raise awareness and combat period poverty has expanded to serving students in neighboring states, communities, school districts, and countries across the diaspora. Though the immediate need of providing girls with period protection has been met, I am dedicated to a permanent answer by eliminating the Pink tax, feminine products marketed as more expensive than male products. This summer, Pragmatic Prodigies hosted our inaugural Teen Summit where local and state elected officials conducted workshops on increasing public awareness and creating a bill to address the Pink Tax. In partnership with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.- Southwest Region, The City of Fort Worth, and United Way, we aim to educate our community on the disparities that exist. Through advocacy in action, my mission is to help educate black and brown girls while building agencies to address systemic inequities. As an academic, entrepreneur, and Pragmatic Prodigy, I am committed to working on my Iwa by using critical thinking skills, intellectual prowess, and resources to serve my village. Around 3% of all attorneys in the US are black women. As a Political Science major and English minor at Spelman College, my life experiences inspire me to use my talents in the legal field as a Civil Rights attorney specializing in education reform and, ultimately, a Supreme Court Justice.

An academic, entrepreneur, pragmatic prodigy, and pageant queen are a few words to describe me. I enrolled in my first college course at my local community college at age 13, and at age 16, I earned my high school diploma and an associate's degree. My roles as National Miss Juneteenth USA 2022 and the North Texas High School Voter Registration Chair lent me a platform to elevate issues such as teaching factual history and engaging the youth in the governing process. Using my voice to share my experience has garnered recognition and awards, including as the inaugural winner of the Penguin Publishing House Creative Writing Michelle Obama Award for Memoir, In Yoruba culture, one's mission is to consistently work on your Iwa, or character, to evolve towards righteousness. My childhood library contained several character-shaping books, such as Anansi The Spider, which focused on community, knowledge, and triumph through adversity. These tales shaped my personal, academic, and professional goals to serve humanity through legislation. When the world stopped in 2020, I launched a podcast discussing issues concerning mental health, politics, and my academic experiences as a thirteen-year-old college student. The podcast grew exponentially as other girls saw themselves in the topics I discussed, leading the podcast to gain a global audience. This was the catalyst for creating my non-profit organization, Pragmatic Prodigies. The Pragmatic Prodigies is a non-profit 501(C)3 dedicated to advocating for equity in advanced education for black and brown girls in marginalized communities through mentorship and legislation. We do this by partnering with schools, parents, and community organizations to provide resources that remove barriers such as Period Poverty. Nearly 1 in 5 American girls missed school due to a lack of period protection. To address these demoralizing and often embarrassing issues, I used pragmatism, skills, and resources to collect period products to be housed in a portable building on the school grounds. In partnership with community members and organizations, 30,000 period products were collected in 60 days. This effort to raise awareness and combat period poverty has expanded to serving students in neighboring states, communities, school districts, and countries across the diaspora. Through the immediate need to provide girls with period protection, I am dedicated to a permanent answer by eliminating the Pink tax, feminine products marketed as more expensive than male products. Committed to continuing the legacy of social justice warriors, engaging in intellectual warfare, I plan to reshape American culture through the law. Around 3% of all attorneys in the US are black women. As a rising junior Political Science major and English minor at Spelman College, my life experiences inspire me to use my talents in the legal field as a Civil Rights attorney specializing in education reform and, ultimately, a Supreme Court Justice. Receiving this scholarship is vital to me because it allows me to focus on earning without worrying about the financial burden of student loan debt. This is not just for me; it’s for my family, community, mentees, and the next generation.

In Yoruba culture, one's life mission is to work on one's Iwa or Character. Eshu, the trickster, is known to pose tough opposition, and one must make decisions along the journey. Compiling one's life experiences, values, and beliefs influences decisions when faced with Eshu. My adolescent library contained several character-shaping books, such as Anansi The Spider, which focused on leadership characteristics such as wisdom, knowledge, and creation. These Sabie or writings and the principles taught in them helped to shape my academic & professional goals. Seeking wisdom and knowledge, I enrolled in my first college course at Tarrant County College when I was thirteen. The goal was an Individual Education Plan that included a more challenging curriculum. This non-traditional academic pursuit enriched my education, expanded my knowledge, pushed my creativity, and assisted in developing wisdom and foresight. I excelled academically and will graduate this spring with my high school diploma and an Associate of Arts, making my attendance at a 4-year university more attainable. When the world stopped in the spring of 2020, I launched a podcast discussing issues concerning mental health, politics, and my academic experiences. The podcast grew exponentially around the world leading to the podcast gaining a global audience. This was the catalyst for creating my non-profit organization. As the Co-Founder and CEO of The Pragmatic Prodigies, a 501(C)3 dedicated to advocating for equity in advanced education. I am committed to mentoring and partnering with organizations to serve my community. Continuing my education will further develop my skills and allow me to advance my mission and vision of identifying obstacles that impede black and brown girls from reaching their highest potential. While moving the conversation from theory to action, I realized that women and girls in the Morningside Middle School community would miss up to 5 weeks of work or school due to a lack of access to menstrual products that harmed them socially, economically, and academically. To address these demoralizing and often embarrassing issues, I used pragmatism, skills, and resources to collect period products to be housed in a portable building on the school grounds. In partnership with the local community college, social service organizations, and local government officials, over 20,000-period products have been collected. Though the immediate need has been met, I am determined to seek a permanent legal solution to what is deemed a luxury. The Pink Tax is a luxury tax on female products, like women's razors, pads, tampons, and other sanitary items. As an academic, entrepreneur, and pragmatic prodigy, I am committed to using critical thinking skills and intellectual prowess to serve my community and, ultimately, the nation as a Supreme Court Justice. Using my voice to share my experience has garnered me being named the inaugural winner of the Michelle Obama Award for Memoir. Around 3% of all attorneys in the US are black women. I want to continue to use my voice by creating and interpreting laws that help with the liberation of marginalized groups. This is not just for me; it’s for my family, community, mentees, and the next generation. I am grateful to have the opportunity to pay my knowledge forward because to whom much is given, much is required. Thank you for your consideration and the opportunity to share more about myself.

Under the covers of my bed, I clicked the most miniature flashlight I could find and continued reading. Horrifying imagery of pervasive surveillance, propaganda, and rats leaped off the page as I read, despite my every instinct telling me to stop. The genius of George Orwell's 1984 was simultaneously riveting yet all too real, as if I had witnessed a private moment of someone's real life. What terrified me even more was the knowledge that Oceania was based on very sound logic, the idea that anyone could be controlled as long as you control the language they used. The Oceanian government made it impossible for people to develop their thoughts, allowing the ruling class to control the narrative of the people's opinions, thereby stimulating intellectual warfare. Words and phrases cited as rebellious were removed from the English language entirely. While extreme, it is eerily reminiscent of current rhetoric regarding what is being taught in schools today. Similar to the control of language in the Oceanian community, recent events have shown similar censorship patterns in my community. Critical Race Theory has become a buzzword in public spheres, and teaching integral parts of American history has been questioned. Most importantly, my school district has opted to suppress gaining new knowledge or entertaining new concepts by banning books in schools. 1984 taught me that language is the foundation of control. Understanding the language of people in power is imperative to combatting exploitation; therefore, majoring in English arms me with a silent weapon: knowledge. If we do not take the chance to expand our understanding, we may succumb to hiding under the covers of reading. We will become Big Brother's many nameless and faceless followers, as many Oceanians did, unaware of reality. The validity of written laws such as the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights laid the foundation for America. In addition, the Emancipation Proclamation and subsequent Constitutional amendments added language to governing documents that continued defining societal engagement rules. The English language with Latin roots is steeped in ideology, interpretation, and the application of its meaning. Diverse voices in public relations not only shape public narratives. It helps shape public opinion, which directly correlates to societal norms and legislation that becomes laws. Diversity in representation creates a vast environment for social engineers focused on humanity. Exposure to differing experiences and points of view assists in designing the world we want to live in by helping society build the muscles of understanding and empathy.

When being a suburban black girl at a predominantly all-white wealthy school that caters to the one percent; you learn very quickly that there are roles to fill, and like a video game, you get to choose your character. If you decide that being pigeonholed into one archetype for the entirety of your academic career isn’t really for you, the general public will watch you just long enough to assign your character. You get the chance to play the game by going back to being the supporting character in the background. It must be noted that “fading into the background” is never truly an option, because you’re black at an all-white school, remember? Eyes are on you at all times, even if you think they aren’t. These eyes will continue to follow you from class to class, watching for the slightest indication or shift in character that was created for you. Watching eyes will observe, but never with enough interest to remember your name, as they’ll continue to “confuse” you with other black girls because they do not see you, they see black, and to them, that’s all. There will come a time when a teacher will take your existence in their classroom as disrespect, a time when boys will subtly say “nigger” to gauge your reaction, a time when administrators and faculty are genuinely surprised you speak so eloquently, confidently, and with poise because you’ve been taught who you are. This is the moment when you must ask yourself a series of questions to determine your next move. How will you engage to survive and move to the game’s next level of microaggressions? Are you confrontational? Do you mind being seen as mean for sticking up for yourself? Are you kind in correcting racism? It’s certainly not a requirement for this interaction, but you do run the risk of being judged and ridiculed for not handling the situation in an “appropriate manner”. There will come a time when suburbia makes you feel small, but do not slump your shoulders in an attempt to make suburbia comfortable. Slumping and shrinking will become a habit you will be hard-pressed to break as you age because you’ll realize, growing black girl, that you have attempted to clip your wings before you had the chance to fly. You will regret the slumping and shrinking, as it will require physical therapy of the soul. It will require stretching, massaging, and moving until you are comfortable with who and what you are again. Though all of what has been written for you, dear black girl, is critical, the following is the most valuable information ever. You’re not a video game character; you’re not pixelated, or two-dimensional, nor do you have to be. You are no one-sided character, and you are more than an archetype. You are not Sapphire or Jezebel, you are black girl magic personified. Spread your pixie dust by being as dynamic, loud, funny, or smart as you want to be because no one can play the game like you. These are the words I wish I had heard during my middle school experience. Experiences such as these are why I choose to prepare to change the world at Spelman College. At an HBCU, I am celebrated and affirmed because it was designed speficily with me in mind.

In Yoruba culture, one's mission is to consistently work on their Iwa, or character, to evolve towards righteousness. My childhood library contained character-shaping books, such as Anansi The Spider, which focused on community, knowledge, perseverance, resources, and leadership. These tales shaped my personal, academic, and professional goals to serve humanity through legislation. As an academic, I enrolled in college at 13, and as a dual enrolled student, I graduated at age 16 with my associate's degree and high school diploma last May. In 2020, I created a podcast to discuss my experience as a thirteen-year-old college student. Surprisingly, girls across the diaspora connected with topics I discussed and became comfortable voicing their stories, which included period poverty. Giving voice humanized this issue and highlighted those affected by the silent epidemic; I realized this was happening to peers right in my own community. Fun fact: 1 in 5 girls miss school due to the lack of menstrual products, thus hurting them academically and emotionally—the catalyst for creating my non-profit organization, Pragmatic Prodigies. I partner with middle school girls in marginalized communities to identify obstacles that impede them from reaching their highest academic and personal potential. Period poverty is a significant barrier to academic achievement and often causes girls to miss a substantial amount of school, thus hurting their academics. To address these demoralizing and often embarrassing issues, I used pragmatism, skills, and resources to collect period products. In partnership with the local community college, social service organizations, and local government officials, over 20,000-period products were collected in 60 days. This effort to raise awareness and combat period poverty has expanded to serving students in neighboring states, communities, school districts, and countries across the diaspora. As the leader of Pragmatic Prodigies, persistence pushed me to meet the needs of my community and be disciplined and purposeful when building a coalition of pragmatic prodigies that address issues in their community. Through my podcast, Iwa moves me to continue breaking boundaries with my mentees across DFW and around the diaspora. My role as National Miss Juneteenth USA 2022, an entrepreneur and academic, has given me a platform to use my voice to elevate the silent epidemic of teen period poverty. I am a highly motivated student dedicated to academic excellence and passionate about serving marginalized communities with pragmatic solutions. Through advocacy in action, my mission is to help educate black and brown girls while building agency to address systemic inequities. As an academic, entrepreneur, and Pragmatic Prodigy, I am committed to working on my Iwa by using critical thinking skills, intellectual prowess, and resources to serve my community. Around 3% of all attorneys in the US are black women. As a political science major on a pre-law track, receiving this scholarship is vital because it allows me to focus on my dream of becoming a civil rights attorney without worrying about the financial burden of student loan debt. This is not just for me; it's for my family, community, mentees, and the next generation.

My great-grandmother often tells me the Orki of a boy born into slavery in the "land of cotton" on the Gulf of Mississippi. Affectionately coined "The Professor," he was born into chattel slavery, where literacy was a death sentence. Desiring liberation, secretly, The Professor learned to read, write, and do mathematics. His commitment to experiencing full humanity in the Delta inspired him to teach hundreds of newly freed children as their parents continued to work in the cotton fields. The Professor was Mr. Joe Miller, my fourth great-grandfather, educator, and community activist during Reconstruction. My fourth-great grandfather, on whose shoulders I stand, impact laid the foundation for generations of teachers, doctors, and lawyers through education. Sankofa, "It is not taboo to fetch what is at risk of being behind." My legacy is grounded in remembering and honoring my ancestors by using my gifts and talents to leave the world better than I received it. When the world stopped in the spring of 2020, I launched a podcast discussing issues concerning mental health, politics, and my academic experiences. The podcast grew exponentially around the world leading to the podcast gaining a global audience. This was the catalyst for creating my non-profit organization. As the Co-Founder and CEO of The Pragmatic Prodigies, a 501(C)3 dedicated to advocating for equity in advanced education. I am committed to mentoring and partnering with organizations to serve my community. Continuing my education will further develop my skills and allow me to advance my mission and vision of identifying obstacles that impede black and brown girls from reaching their highest potential. While moving the conversation from theory to action, I realized that women and girls in the Morningside Middle School community would miss up to 5 weeks of work or school due to a lack of access to menstrual products that harmed them socially, economically, and academically. To address these demoralizing and often embarrassing issues, I used pragmatism, skills, and resources to collect period products to be housed in a portable building on the school grounds. In partnership with the local community college, social service organizations, and local government officials, over 20,000-period products have been collected. As an academic, entrepreneur, and pragmatic prodigy, I am committed to using critical thinking skills and intellectual prowess to serve my community and, ultimately, the nation as a Supreme Court Justice. Participating in debates and Mock Trials has prepared me to use my voice, research different points of view, share my experience, and advocate for the world in which I want to live. Around 3% of all attorneys in the US are black women. I want to continue to use my voice by creating and interpreting laws that help with the liberation of marginalized groups. This is not just for me; it’s for my family, community, mentees, and the next generation. .

In Yoruba culture, one's mission is to consistently work on your Iwa, or character, to evolve towards righteousness. My childhood library contained several character-shaping books, such as Anansi The Spider, which focused on community, knowledge, and triumph through adversity. These tales shaped my personal, academic, and professional goals to serve humanity through legislation. As an International Baccalaureate scholar, understanding interpersonal relationships with the world was paramount. Many of my assignments revolved around global humanitarianism and making an impact. Research for a class project led me to advocate for Kenyan women and girls in period poverty. This project sparked my desire to become my sister's keeper by helping brown and black girls, an attribute that runs deep in my DNA. When the world stopped in 2020, I launched a podcast discussing issues concerning mental health, politics, and my academic experiences as a thirteen-year-old college student. The podcast grew exponentially as other girls saw themselves in the topics I discussed, leading the podcast to gain a global audience. This was the catalyst for creating my non-profit organization, Pragmatic Prodigies. While moving the conversation from theory to action, I began mentoring and encouraging participation in early college courses to the young ladies at Morningside Middle School in Fort Worth, Texas. This zip code has the lowest life expectancy in Texas due to historical disenfranchisement. I learned that many girls would miss school because they did not have enough period products to last during their monthly menstrual cycle. I was deeply concerned about how the lack of access to these necessities affected them academically. I was shocked to learn that nearly 1 in 5 American girls missed school due to a lack of period protection. To address these demoralizing and often embarrassing issues, I used pragmatism, skills, and resources to collect period products to be housed in a portable building on the school grounds. In partnership with the local community college, social service organizations, and local government officials, over 20,000-period products were collected in 60 days. This effort to raise awareness and combat period poverty has expanded to serving students in neighboring states, communities, school districts, and countries across the diaspora. Through the immediate need to provide girls with period protection, I am dedicated to a permanent answer by eliminating the Pink tax, feminine products marketed as more expensive than male products. The Pragmatic Prodigies hosted our inaugural Teen Summit in 2022, where local and state elected officials conducted workshops on increasing public awareness and creating a bill to address the Pink Tax. We aim to educate our community on the existing disparities in partnership with community organizations, The City of Fort Worth, and United Way. Around 3% of all attorneys in the US are black women. As a Political Science major and English minor at Spelman College, my life experiences inspire me to use my talents in the legal field as a Civil Rights attorney specializing in education reform and, ultimately, a Supreme Court Justice.

My great-grandmother often tells me the Orki of a boy born into slavery in the "land of cotton" on the Gulf of Mississippi. Affectionately coined "The Professor," he was born into chattel slavery, where literacy was a death sentence. Desiring liberation, secretly, The Professor learned to read, write, and do mathematics. His commitment to experiencing full humanity in the Delta inspired him to teach hundreds of newly freed children as their parents continued to work in the cotton fields. The Professor was Mr. Joe Miller, my fourth great-grandfather, educator, and community activist during Reconstruction, I stand on the shoulders of my ancestors, whose impact laid the foundation for generations of teachers, doctors, and lawyers through education. Sankofa, "It is not taboo to fetch what is at risk of being behind" My legacy is grounded in remembering and honoring my ancestors by using my gifts and talents to leave the world better than I received it. When the world stopped in 2020, I launched a podcast discussing issues concerning mental health, politics, and my academic experiences as a thirteen-year-old college student. This sparked my desire to become my sister's keeper by helping brown and black students, an attribute that runs deep in my DNA. The podcast grew exponentially as other girls saw themselves in the topics I discussed, leading the podcast to gain a global audience. This was the catalyst for creating my non-profit organization, Pragmatic Prodigies. While moving the conversation from theory to action, I began mentoring and encouraging participation in early college courses to the young ladies at Morningside Middle School in Fort Worth, Texas. This zip code has the lowest life expectancy in Texas due to historical disenfranchisement. I learned that many girls would miss school because they did not have enough period products to last during their monthly menstrual cycle. To address these demoralizing and often embarrassing issues, I used pragmatism, skills, and resources to collect period products to be housed in a portable building on the school grounds. In partnership with the local community college, social service organizations, and local government officials, over 20,000-period products were collected in 60 days. This effort to raise awareness and combat period poverty has expanded to serving students in neighboring states, communities, school districts, and countries across the diaspora. Through the immediate need to provide girls with period protection, I am dedicated to a permanent answer by eliminating the Pink Tax, a tax on goods and services used primarily by women. Advocacy in action, Pragmatic Prodigies' mission is to help educate girls while building agency to address systemic inequities. As an academic, entrepreneur, and Pragmatic Prodigy, I am committed to continuing the legacy of my hero because of his courage and dedication to humanity. I am inspired to serve disenfranchised students as a Civil Rights attorney and ultimately as Supreme Court Justice.

My great-grandmother often tells me the Orki of a boy born into slavery in the "land of cotton" on the Gulf of Mississippi. Affectionately coined "The Professor," he was born into chattel slavery, where literacy was a death sentence. Desiring liberation, secretly, The Professor learned to read, write, and do mathematics. His commitment to experiencing full humanity in the Delta inspired him to teach hundreds of newly freed children as their parents continued to work in the cotton fields. The Professor was Mr. Joe Miller, my fourth great-grandfather, educator, and community activist during Reconstruction. Living the seven principles of Kwanzaa Umoja (Unity), Kujchagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujima (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani (Faith) my fourth-great grandfather, on whose shoulders I stand, impact laid the foundation for generations of teachers, doctors, and lawyers through education. Sankofa, "It is not taboo to fetch what is at risk of being behind" my legacy is grounded in remembering and honoring my ancestors by using my gifts and talents to leave the world better than I received it. When I was thirteen, I enrolled in my first college course at Tarrant County College. The goal was an Individual Education Plan that included a more challenging curriculum. I excelled academically and will graduate this early with my high school diploma and an associate of arts degree. As an International Baccalaureate scholar, understanding interpersonal relationships with the world was paramount. Many of my assignments revolved around global humanitarianism and making an impact. Research for a class project led me to advocate for Kenyan women and girls in period poverty. This project sparked my desire to become my sister's keeper by helping brown and black girls, an attribute that runs deep in my DNA. When the world stopped in 2020, I launched a podcast discussing issues concerning mental health, politics, and my academic experiences as a thirteen-year-old college student. The podcast grew exponentially as other girls saw themselves in the topics I discussed, leading the podcast to gain a global audience. This was the catalyst for creating my non-profit organization, Pragmatic Prodigies. While moving the conversation from theory to action, I began mentoring and encouraging participation in early college courses to the young ladies at Morningside Middle School in Fort Worth, Texas. This zip code has the lowest life expectancy in Texas due to historical disenfranchisement. I learned that many girls would miss school because they did not have enough period products to last during their monthly menstrual cycle. I was deeply concerned about how the lack of access to these necessities affected them academically. I was shocked that nearly 1 in 5 American girls missed school due to a lack of period protection. To address these demoralizing and often embarrassing issues, I used pragmatism, skills, and resources to collect period products to be housed in a portable building on the school grounds. In partnership with the local community college, social service organizations, and local government officials, over 20,000-period products were collected in 60 days. This effort to raise awareness and combat period poverty has expanded to serving students in neighboring states, communities, school districts, and countries across the diaspora. Through the immediate need to provide girls with period protection, I am dedicated to a permanent answer by eliminating the Pink Tax, feminine products marketed as more expensive than male products. This summer, Pragmatic Prodigies hosted our inaugural Teen Summit, where local and state elected officials conducted workshops on increasing public awareness and creating a bill to address the Pink Tax. We aim to educate our community on the existing disparities in partnership with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.- Southwest Region, The City of Fort Worth, and United Way. In Yoruba culture, one's mission is to work on your Iwa, or character, to consistently evolve towards righteousness. My childhood library contained several character-shaping books, such as Anansi The Spider, which focused on community, knowledge, and triumph through adversity. These tales shaped my personal, academic, and professional goals to serve humanity. Advocacy in action, my mission is to help educate girls while building agency to address systemic inequities. As an academic, entrepreneur, and pragmatic prodigy, I am committed to continuing the legacy of my fourth-great grandfather by working on my Iwa and serving humanity. My life experiences inspire me to use my talents in the legal field as a Civil Rights attorney specializing in education reform and, ultimately, a Supreme Court Justice. I plan to craft relevant, relatable, and realistic legislation that removes barriers, fosters equity, and provides spaces and experiences where underrepresented and marginalized students are recognized, embraced, and celebrated. As a Supreme Court justice, I plan to interpret laws that center on creating an equitable society.

My favorite summertime traditions are BBQ cook-offs and visiting Mudd Island during the Memphis in May festival with my family. I looked forward to our time walking on Beale Street and visiting Shelby Farm until I saw the video excursion of Tyre Nichols. The video of the slaying of Tyre Nichols by the police reminded me of the stories my great-grandmother shared about growing up in the Deep South. Deeply disturbed by watching the family of another murdered young black man seek "justice" from a system that has internalized anti-blackness, I question its definition, interpretation, and implementation. The law and the concept of justice have always intrigued me. A self-proclaimed bookworm, I look to history, critical thinking, and attorneys that serve as my mentors. What is justice? "Justice," a derivative from the French and Latin word meaning to judge or punish, implies that someone can Be made "whole" or complete. Justice enacted would be the return of life to Tyre Nichols, which can not be done physically. Therefore justice is an elusive concept, and a narrow sense of punishment is sought after through man-made laws. The master narrative of criminal justice consists of five elements of the legal system. In the case of the execution of black bodies in this county, a black person is murdered, evidence is presented, a trial is held, punishment is given, sentencing is rendered, and the narrative in the media is that justice was served. The fundamental, root mental roadmap to an improved justice system begins with humanity. By respecting all human life, race no longer becomes a proxy for values. A humane criminal justice system holds those who commit offenses accountable equitably. Progressive prosecutors prioritize violent crime over lower-level cases, freeing up local, state, and national resources. Citizens would be automatically registered to vote at the age of 18, thus making them eligible to serve on a jury. Police would not have immunity and could be personally sued for misconduct for failure to intervene and the US Justice Department would have a national database for the "pass the trash"law identifying officers for misconduct. Communities take control of the process through elected government positions to decide how to define and enact justice through reimagining community policing. Using local and state budgets to invest in training, social services, and community advisory boards promotes accountability. For justice to be blind, it must be designed to see people and their humanity. It is my goal to get a Bachelor's and Master’s degree majoring in English and a minor in Africana Studies through the Spelman College 3+3 program with the ultimate goal of attending The Syracuse University College of Law. In addition, I plan to secure internships and to clerk at the NAACP’s Legal Defense Fund, Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, or the Jimmy Carter Presidential Center. These historical institutions align with my life’s purpose to seek justice and freedom for my community and will prepare me to serve my community with direction and purpose. The J. Rayan Law Scholarship is an investment with an expected ROI of academic achievement and a positive contribution to the legal profession. Around 3% of all attorneys in the US are black women. Receiving this Scholarship is vital to me because it allows me to focus on earning a degree in humanities with an emphasis on Political Science and achieve my dream of becoming an attorney specializing in global rights and medical privacy without worrying about the financial burden of student loan debt. This is not just for me; it’s for my family, community, mentees, and the next generation.

My great-grandmother often tells me the Orki of a boy born into slavery in the "land of cotton" on the Gulf of Mississippi. Affectionately coined "The Professor," he was born into chattel slavery, where literacy was a death sentence. Desiring liberation, secretly, The Professor learned to read, write, and do mathematics. His commitment to experiencing full humanity in the Delta inspired him to teach hundreds of newly freed children as their parents continued to work in the cotton fields. The Professor was Mr. Joe Miller, my fourth great-grandfather, educator, and community activist during Reconstruction. My legacy is grounded in remembering and honoring my ancestors by using my gifts and talents to leave the world better than I received it. When the world stopped in 2020, I launched a podcast discussing issues concerning mental health, politics, and my academic experiences as a thirteen-year-old college student. This sparked my desire to become my sister's keeper by helping brown and black students, an attribute that runs deep in my DNA. The podcast grew exponentially as other girls saw themselves in the topics I discussed, leading the podcast to gain a global audience. This was the catalyst for creating my non-profit organization, Pragmatic Prodigies. While moving the conversation from theory to action, I began mentoring and encouraging participation in early college courses for black and brown girls. I learned that many girls would miss 1 to 5 weeks of school because they did not have enough period products to last during their monthly menstrual cycle. In partnership with the local community college, social service organizations, and local government officials, over 20,000-period products were collected in 60 days. This effort to raise awareness and combat period poverty has expanded to serving students in neighboring states, communities, school districts, and countries across the diaspora.

In Yoruba culture, one's life mission is to work on one's Iwa or Character. Eshu, the trickster, is known to pose tough opposition, and one must make decisions along the journey. Compiling one's life experiences, values, and beliefs influences decisions when faced with Eshu. My adolescent library contained several character-shaping books, such as Anansi The Spider, which focused on leadership characteristics such as wisdom, knowledge, and creation. These Sabie or writings and the principles taught in them helped to shape my academic & professional goals. Seeking wisdom and knowledge, I enrolled in my first college course at Tarrant County College when I was thirteen. The goal was an Individual Education Plan that included a more challenging curriculum. This non-traditional academic pursuit enriched my education, expanded my knowledge, pushed my creativity, and assisted in developing wisdom and foresight. I excelled academically and will graduate this spring with my high school diploma and an Associate of Arts, making my attendance at a 4-year university more attainable. When the world stopped in the spring of 2020, I launched a podcast discussing issues concerning mental health, politics, and my academic experiences. The podcast grew exponentially around the world leading to the podcast gaining a global audience. This was the catalyst for creating my non-profit organization. As the Co-Founder and CEO of The Pragmatic Prodigies, a 501(C)3 dedicated to advocating for equity in advanced education. I am committed to mentoring and partnering with organizations to serve my community. Continuing my education will further develop my skills and allow me to advance my mission and vision of identifying obstacles that impede black and brown girls from reaching their highest potential. While moving the conversation from theory to action, I realized that women and girls in the Morningside Middle School community would miss up to 5 weeks of work or school due to a lack of access to menstrual products that harmed them socially, economically, and academically. To address these demoralizing and often embarrassing issues, I used pragmatism, skills, and resources to collect period products to be housed in a portable building on the school grounds. In partnership with the local community college, social service organizations, and local government officials, over 20,000 period products have been collected. Though the immediate need has been met, I am determined to seek a permanent legal solution to what is deemed a luxury. The Pink Tax is a luxury tax on female products, like women's razors, pads, tampons, and other sanitary items. As an academic, entrepreneur, and pragmatic prodigy, I am committed to using critical thinking skills and intellectual prowess to serve my community and, ultimately, the nation as a Supreme Court Justice. Using my voice to share my experience has garnered me being named the inaugural winner of the Michelle Obama Award for Memoir. Around 3% of all attorneys in the US are black women. I want to continue to use my voice by creating and interpreting laws that help with the liberation of marginalized groups.

My great-grandmother often tells me the Orki of a boy born into slavery in the "land of cotton" on the Gulf of Mississippi. Affectionately coined "The Professor," he was born into chattel slavery, where literacy was a death sentence. Desiring liberation, secretly, The Professor learned to read, write, and do mathematics. His commitment to experiencing full humanity in the Delta inspired him to teach hundreds of newly freed children as their parents continued to work in the cotton fields. The Professor was Mr. Joe Miller, my fourth great-grandfather, educator, and a community activist during Reconstruction. Building excellence in leadership begins with a strong foundation rooted in knowledge of self through history, acknowledgment of purpose, and like-minded partnerships. As an International Baccalaureate scholar, understanding interpersonal relationships with the world was paramount. Many of my assignments revolved around global humanitarianism and making an impact. Research for a class project led me to advocate for Kenyan women and girls in period poverty. This project sparked my desire to become my sister's keeper by helping brown and black girls, an attribute that runs deep in my DNA. When the world stopped in 2020, I launched a podcast discussing issues concerning mental health, politics, and my academic experiences as a thirteen-year-old college student. This sparked my desire to become my sister's keeper by helping brown and black students, an attribute that runs deep in my DNA. It grew exponentially as other girls saw themselves, leading the podcast to gain a broad global audience. This was the catalyst for creating my non-profit organization, The Pragmatic Prodigies. While moving the conversation from theory to action, I began mentoring and encouraging participation in early college courses to the young ladies at Morningside Middle School. This zip code has the lowest life expectancy in Texas due to historical disenfranchisement. I learned that many girls would miss school because they did not have enough period products to last during their monthly menstrual cycle. To address these demoralizing and often embarrassing issues, I used pragmatism, skills, and resources to collect period products to be housed in a portable building on the school grounds. In partnership with the local community college, social service organizations, and local government officials, over 20,000-period products were collected in 60 days. This effort to raise awareness and combat period poverty has expanded to serving students in neighboring states, communities, school districts, and countries across the diaspora. Through the immediate need to provide girls with period protection, I am dedicated to a permanent answer by eliminating the Pink Tax, feminine products marketed as more expensive than male products. Through advocacy in action, Pragmatic Prodigies' mission is to help educate black and brown girls while building agency to address systemic inequities. As an academic, entrepreneur, and Pragmatic Prodigy, I am committed to working on my Iwa by using critical thinking skills, intellectual prowess, and resources to serve my community. As the leader of Pragmatic Prodigies, I must know about the community's needs and be disciplined and purposeful when inspiring others to pursue the mission. I am a role model and lead with honesty and integrity when mentoring. Character pushes me to continue breaking boundaries with my mentees across DFW, and through my podcast, across the globe. When analyzing society's present shape and reiterating a generation's societal values, it is imperative for leaders to that has a global understanding and mission to make this world better than how they received it.

My great-grandmother often tells me the Orki of a boy born into slavery in the "land of cotton" on the Gulf of Mississippi. Affectionately coined "The Professor," he was born into chattel slavery, where literacy was a death sentence. Desiring liberation, secretly, The Professor learned to read, write, and do mathematics. His commitment to experiencing full humanity in the Delta inspired him to teach hundreds of newly freed children as their parents continued to work in the cotton fields. The Professor was Mr. Joe Miller, my fourth great-grandfather, educator, and a community activist during Reconstruction. Building excellence in leadership begins with a strong foundation rooted in knowledge of self through history, acknowledgment of purpose, and like-minded partnerships. As an International Baccalaureate scholar, understanding interpersonal relationships with the world was paramount. Many of my assignments revolved around global humanitarianism and making an impact. Research for a class project led me to advocate for Kenyan women and girls in period poverty. This project sparked my desire to become my sister's keeper by helping brown and black girls, an attribute that runs deep in my DNA. When the world stopped in 2020, I launched a podcast discussing issues concerning mental health, politics, and my academic experiences as a thirteen-year-old college student. This sparked my desire to become my sister's keeper by helping brown and black students, an attribute that runs deep in my DNA. It grew exponentially as other girls saw themselves, leading the podcast to gain a broad global audience. This was the catalyst for creating my non-profit organization, The Pragmatic Prodigies. While moving the conversation from theory to action, I began mentoring and encouraging participation in early college courses to the young ladies at Morningside Middle School. This zip code has the lowest life expectancy in Texas due to historical disenfranchisement. I learned that many girls would miss school because they did not have enough period products to last during their monthly menstrual cycle. To address these demoralizing and often embarrassing issues, I used pragmatism, skills, and resources to collect period products to be housed in a portable building on the school grounds. In partnership with the local community college, social service organizations, and local government officials, over 20,000-period products were collected in 60 days. This effort to raise awareness and combat period poverty has expanded to serving students in neighboring states, communities, school districts, and countries across the diaspora. Through the immediate need to provide girls with period protection, I am dedicated to a permanent answer by eliminating the Pink Tax, feminine products marketed as more expensive than male products. Through advocacy in action, Pragmatic Prodigies' mission is to help educate black and brown girls while building agency to address systemic inequities. As an academic, entrepreneur, and Pragmatic Prodigy, I am committed to working on my Iwa by using critical thinking skills, intellectual prowess, and resources to serve my community. As the leader of Pragmatic Prodigies, I must know about the community's needs and be disciplined and purposeful when inspiring others to pursue the mission. I am a role model and lead with honesty and integrity when mentoring. Character pushes me to continue breaking boundaries with my mentees across DFW, and through my podcast, across the globe. When analyzing society's present shape and reiterating a generation's societal values, it is imperative for leaders to that has a global understanding and mission to make this world better than how they received it.

My favorite summertime traditions are BBQ cook-offs and visiting Mudd Island during the Memphis in May festival with my family. I looked forward to our time walking on Beale Street and visiting Shelby Farm until I saw the video excursion of Tyre Nichols. The video of the slaying of Tyre Nichols by the police reminded me of the stories my great-grandmother shared about growing up in the deep south. Deeply disturbed by watching the family of another murdered young black man seek "justice" from a system that has internalized anti-blackness, I question its definition, interpretation, and implementation. What is justice? "Justice," a derivative from the French and Latin word meaning to judge or punish, implies that someone can Be made "whole" or complete. Justice enacted would be the return of life to Tyre Nichols, which can not be done physically. Therefore justice is an elusive concept, and a narrow sense of punishment is sought after through man-made laws. The master narrative of criminal justice consists of five elements of the legal system. In the case of the execution of black bodies in this county, a black person is murdered, evidence is presented, a trial is held, punishment is given, sentencing is rendered, and the narrative in the media is that justice was served. The foundation for change is the review, analysis, and comprehension of the history and role of Patrollers and state-sanctioned violence in an oppressive system. A justice system birthed out of the protection of property (Slave Patrols) where organized groups of armed men monitored and enforced discipline on those they viewed as defiant. The overcriminalization and brutal policing of black bodies feed the problem of mass incarceration and death. Black people are arrested at a rate more than three times that of white people. Black people are twice as likely as white people to be killed during a police encounter. The fundamental, root mental roadmap to an improved justice system begins with humanity. By respecting all human life, race no longer becomes a proxy for values. A humane criminal justice system holds those who commit offenses accountable equitably. Progressive prosecutors prioritize violent crime over lower-level cases, freeing up local, state, and national resources. Citizens would be automatically registered to vote at the age of 18, thus making them eligible to serve on a jury. Police would not have immunity and could be personally sued for misconduct for failure to intervene and US Justice Department would have a national database for the "pass the trash"law identifying officers for misconduct. Communities take control of the process through elected government positions to decide how to define and enact justice through reimagining community policing. Using local and state budgets to invest in training, social services, and community advisory boards promote accountability. Training and education around cultural norms, mental health issues, and building relationships are required to effectively protect, serve, and provide a remedy in the justice system. For justice to be blind, it must be designed to see the people.

My great-grandmother often tells me the Orki of a boy born into slavery in the "land of cotton" on the Gulf of Mississippi. Affectionately coined "The Professor," he was born into chattel slavery, where literacy was a death sentence. Desiring liberation, secretly, The Professor learned to read, write, and do mathematics. His commitment to experiencing full humanity in the Delta inspired him to teach hundreds of newly freed children as their parents continued to work in the cotton fields. The Professor was Mr. Joe Miller, my fourth great-grandfather, an educator, and community activist during the Reconstruction Era. When the world stopped in 2020, I launched a podcast discussing issues concerning mental health, politics, and my academic experiences as a thirteen-year-old college student. The podcast grew exponentially as other girls saw themselves in the topics I discussed, leading the podcast to gain a global audience. This was the catalyst for creating my non-profit organization, Pragmatic Prodigies. Education is an entrance to a global conversation and a thorough understanding of the world. Access to quality education can be difficult or even nonexistent in marginalized communities. While moving the conversation from theory to action, I began mentoring and encouraging participation in early college courses to the young ladies at Morningside Middle School located in a community that has the lowest life expectancy in Texas due to historical disenfranchisement. I learned that many girls would miss school because they did not have enough period products to last during their monthly menstrual cycle. I was deeply concerned about how the lack of access to these necessities affected them academically. Building excellence in leadership begins with a strong foundation rooted in knowledge of self through history, acknowledgment of purpose, and like-minded partnerships. To address these demoralizing and often embarrassing issues, I used pragmatism, skills, and resources to collect period products to be housed in a portable building on the school grounds. In partnership with the local community college, social service organizations, and local government officials, over 20,000 period products were collected in 60 days. This effort to raise awareness and combat period poverty has expanded to serving students in neighboring states, communities, school districts, and countries across the diaspora. Though the immediate need to provide girls with period protection, I am dedicated to a permanent answer by eliminating the Pink tax, feminine products marketed as more expensive than male products. This summer, Pragmatic Prodigies hosted our inaugural Teen Summit, where local and state elected officials conducted workshops on increasing public awareness and creating a bill to address the Pink Tax. Through advocacy in action, Pragmatic Prodigies' mission is to help educate black and brown girls while building agency to address systemic inequities. I am committed to mentoring and partnering with organizations to find pragmatic solutions to issues that plague humanity. Continuing my education will further develop my skills and allow me to advance my mission and vision of identifying obstacles that impede those in disenfranchised and marginalized communities from reaching their highest potential. An incoming Freshman at Spelman College, double majoring in English and Political Science, I will use my education to serve in the court and board rooms. Around 3% of all attorneys in the US are black women. Service is an attribute that runs deep in my DNA; it is my passion and life's calling as I seek to continue my family's legacy of making an impact through education, academic excellence, and humanitarianism. My education is not just for me; it's for my family, community, and mentees as they realize their dreams.