“I’m rooting for everybody Black” Issa Rae (2017 Emmy Awards) At the 2017 Emmys Awards, Issa Rae, best known for creating HBO’s “Insecure” stunned the red carpet in her beautiful red dress with the most amazing brown skin imaginable. With an impressive smile, when asked who she was rooting for, she simply replied “I’m rooting for everybody Black.” This moment went viral, and it was at this time I knew this was the environment I hungered for and absolutely knew I would thrive in. In my twelve-year-old mind, thinking about my future, it became apparent that an HBCU is a place for me. Who does not yearn for an environment where your uniqueness and your culture are celebrated instead of tolerated? You do not have to apologize for type 4C hair, full lips, and curvaceous hips. HBCUs were founded to educate African Americans who had no chance of survival at any other institution. We were just as knowledgeable as our white counterparts; we just needed a place that would give us a fair chance at education and advancement opportunities. HBCUs represent unity and togetherness. I desire to be surrounded by people who look like me, understand my story and are rooting for me to succeed. This environment is where I belong! Looking back at my family’s rich history, attending an HBCU is my destination! My great-grandmother attended Spelman College, great- grandfather attended Johnson C. Smith, my grandfather attended Tuskegee University, my grandmother attended Fisk University, my father attended Morris Brown College, my uncle attended Morehouse and Howard University, my mother and brother attended Albany State University and now it is my turn! I introduce to you the future Dr. Madison Yolanda Duval who will attend the prestigious Clark Atlanta University in the Fall of 2023.

Greetings, I am Madison Yolanda Duval, an intelligent, determined high school senior attending Luella High School in Locust Grove, GA. Over the last 12 months, I have served and demonstrated my compassion for helping others in both personal and educational settings. I currently serve as Vice President for the Future Farmers of America. FFA is a student-led leadership development organization for students of agricultural education. Taking on a leadership role ignited my passion for leadership, creating personal goals, and defining a career path for me. I am also a member of both HOSA which stands for Health Occupations Students of America and BSU. HOSA helps me strengthen my healthcare skills through competitive events. I started this journey when I was in the seventh grade by joining HOSA. My future was not really at the top of my mind as a middle school student. I started getting serious about my future when I was given the opportunity to attend the State Leadership Conference and asked to speak by my advisors. Although I did not win, I gained so much experience and knowledge and that has prepared me better than any award I could have ever received at that time. While attending this conference, I started to think about my future and who I wanted to be. HOSA sparked my interest in STEM field of Biology. My desire is to complete a bachelor's degree in Biology and pursue an advanced doctorate degree in Radiology. I will be known as Dr. Madison Yolanda Duval, the amazing Radiologist who will try to heal wounds to the best of my ability. I plan to remain fluid and never stop learning. I plan to be the light always encouraging my friends and family to keep smiling, keep trying, and always remain positive. I want to always be a blessing to people that need my help the most and to help all I can, whenever and wherever I can. As I close, let me define my purpose and how I will positively impact the world in three statements. First is to work harder, second is always strive farther, and last but certainly not least important is to have meaning, a purpose. I want to make a positive mark on this world and know that I influenced countless lives so that the next generation will desire to follow me. Change is not something that happens overnight, it takes time. One of my ultimate goals after college is to eventually start my own charity and one day be able to award scholarships of this magnitude to deserving students to fund their education. With God's help and through numerous opportunities such as this scholarship, I have no doubt I can be successful! Thank you for your time and consideration. Madison Duval