Being a young Black girl in a world that is always out to get you instead of building you up has always been my biggest struggle when it came to wanting to reach my goals in life. Too often, I have felt as if the hard work that I put in is not worth it which has made it hard for me to exist comfortably. Fortunately, these struggles that I have faced have shaped me into the person that I am now and has allowed me to want to make a change for the better. Not having someone be able to advocate for you during your toughest time can be disheartening and can make you feel like giving up. My goals of becoming both an anesthesiologist working in public health and international law allows me to be there for people in and out of the hospital. I want to be present in the operating room, providing care during people's most vulnerable moments-but also standing in courtrooms and policy spaces, fighting for healthcare justice on a global scale because health isn't just about what happens inside a hospital, it's also about laws, access, and equity. As president of the Doctor of Tomorrow Program, I am granted the opportunity of being able to see first hand what it is like as med students at the top school in Michigan. Being a part of this program, I participate in symposiums, practice learning different medical tools, shadow doctors, and get to have one on one mentorship with med students. I'm also actively involved in service organizations like Big Brother, Big Sister, Sewa Lead Detroit, and Jesus kids Clubhouse at my church, which has earned me over 250 hours of community service. These experiences have shown me how powerful it is to pour into others, especially those who have been made to feel like they do not belong. Over the years that I will be studying to obtain a biology degree with a minor in political science, I plan to continue advocating for voiceless people not only in my community, but around the world. I plan to study abroad, join model UN, NAACP, and other organizations that relate to my goals. My goal to merge science and justice is not just about wanting to save people, but it is about healing people‘s bodies while also helping rewrite the system that failed me as well as others in the first place. Being a black girl in this world was never meant to be easy, but it has taught me how to be more resilient, thoughtful, and driven. I have learned to turn my biggest setbacks into leadership, advocacy, and purpose. My story isn’t just about overcoming, but it is about rising up and overcoming these challenges. Whether I am wearing a white coat or standing behind a podium, I will continue to fight for those who deserve to be seen, heard and cared for.

In times that I truly felt my life was a joke and often felt invisible and misunderstood even in my own home. Or feeling as if I was “the other girl,” the one who never got picked, never had stable relationships, and who constantly questioned her worth; I tried to be everything for everybody. I hoped someone would finally see the beauty in me that I couldn’t yet see in myself. My relationship with loved ones around me was strained. I desperately wanted them to accept me as I was, not who they wished I’d be. I struggled with guilt for not being there for a friend in crisis, while carrying the silent trauma of being physically attacked. These experiences pushed me into a dark space. But it was in that darkness that my character began to take shape. I found the courage to do the right thing and be better for myself rather than someone else. I reached out for counseling, started opening up to family, and began to rediscover myself. I found purpose in psychology and politics, fascinated by the way the mind and the world works. Dancing was also helpful and eventually became a lifeline. Through movement, I expressed what words couldn’t. In learning to admit and grow from my mistakes, I found peace. I set boundaries, left toxic relationships, and rebuilt trust with my family. I no longer allow others to walk over me. I stopped being a people-pleaser and learned to stand in my truth. This shift in character began to reflect in my life. I earned Honor Roll, choreographed dances that won me awards, and received Letters of Recognition from the Mayor of Detroit and Governor of Michigan. I’m now President of the Doctors of Tomorrow program, leading peers in hands-on medical experiences at the University of Michigan. I’m also a committed member of Medical Careers Club, Delta Gems, Pretty Brown Girls, and the Trio Program at Wayne State, where I strengthen my academic and emotional skills weekly. With these goals I found my calling and learned that my true aspirations in life was to become an anesthesiologist that is also working in public health and international law in order to fight for my people. Now, I see myself as a work in progress; someone who chooses growth every day. I know that change doesn’t happen overnight, but I also know that pain and struggle aren’t the end of the story. They’re part of the process. My life is no longer a joke but rather a journey that I am exploring daily, and I’m proud of the woman I’m becoming.

Death is inevitable. And although grief is not, that doesn't put a pause in reality. I have always had a special bond with the people my mom called her sisters and shared a specific bond with one particular aunt. In the year of 2020, the world was hit with the pandemic of Covid-19, and it was the early month of march. She had died. I felt hopeless, like there was nothing for me to do. Like I was falling from a never ending sky. As though my left felt over, I noticed how the doctors' lives continued as so. Granted, they have emotions and are in whatever position to feel how they feel but their sadness is not going to undo what's already been done. I have been faced with depression. My aunt and I shared the dreams of becoming doctors as she was a travel nurse and I was an aspiring surgeon, we bonded over what seemed to be the dumbest things at times. After my aunt's long shifts, she would always share what she has learned and the types of people she has met, and constantly, illnesses are the most deadly ones so it felt as a slap in the face when the obvious reaches you and I wish I could have done more. This is primarily what changed my lifestyle and desire to know more. I furthered my dreams of becoming a doctor. I didn't want to become just a doctor that can only do as much as he thinks and not as much as he knows.This has impacted my decision of wanting to double major in biology and neuroscience and minor in business management and attend medical school to become a double board certified surgeon in neurology and anesthesiology all while opening up my own clinics to help with the healthcare disaster in poor areas. Optimism added extra layers to me and made me wonder if I was giving myself enough time to grieve, or to pour into myself, or connect with my emotions. I was so used to seeing the front that others put on to cover up the fact that it was okay to be sad because with sadness comes the opportunity to grow. I eventually furthered my studies of knowing what it is like to become this type of surgeon. Where the possibilities of death are more likely but how it is important to let your emotions show. Receiving this scholarship, I am given the chance to attend my dream university and medical school without the burden of dying and not fulfilling my dreams. These experiences that I have had and heard about sparked my interest in wanting to bring joy to my community in ways I hadn’t expected. My business wouldn’t help with just the physical appearance of people but also with their mental state. This ties along with my career goal of being a neurosurgeon The combination of my passion for dance, my love for beauty, and my desire to help my community has led me to want to achieve my biggest life goals. While these activities may seem unrelated on the surface, they have all helped shape the person I am today and the vision I have for my future. Through dance, I’ve learned the importance of teamwork, discipline, and focus and through doing hair, I’ve discovered a love for entrepreneurship and a desire to create spaces that empower people. Together, these experiences have given me the tools I need to pursue my dreams of becoming a neurosurgeon and running a business that makes a meaningful difference in the world.

My career goal is to become a neurosurgeon because it will allow me to combine my passion for science with the ability to improve the lives of others, especially those who come from backgrounds similar to my own. I’ve always been inspired to help people and always had an interest in the medical field. Growing up, I have been fascinated by the human brain and how it controls our emotions, thoughts, and mobile skills and was interested in understanding how the brain looks with people that have different mental issues and behaviors. The idea that I could be a part of someone’s healing journey felt as if I was fulfilling a personal void that I felt, and becoming a neurosurgeon is the best way to do that. I plan to pursue a degree in neuroscience or biology at a university and then go to medical school. While my passion for medicine and neuroscience is my main focus, I also plan on opening up clinics. I am deeply committed to giving back to my community, which is why I intend to open no profit clinics to benefit those who are in need. Seeing one on one the effects of not being able to afford to fill simple prescriptions or even get a cut checked out sparked my passion of wanting to do more for those around me. Although I am deeply passionate about my aspirations, being a young African American woman pursuing one of the most competitive fields in medicine can often be discouraging. Neuroscience is an extremely difficult field to go into and is dominated by individuals from privileged backgrounds which can be seen as a negative aspect for Black people, and the fact that this field of study is primarily represented by white individuals and is mostly associated with Ivy League Schools only only makes it harder especially for someone that wants to attend an HBCU. Even in today's society, Black people are not always granted the same opportunities as white people and that can be very discouraging knowing that I am put in a world that is set up to only see me fail. Alongside the discouragement, money also plays a significant role when it comes to paying for college and medical school. Applying for scholarships and grants can be long and is a very tedious process and you are not always guaranteed the money nor the same scholarship opportunities as white people. Despite these challenges, I am more determined than ever. While the road to achieving my goals may be fraught with challenges, I am committed to achieving anything that life throws my way, staying focused on my education, and using my passions to make a lasting impact on both the medical field and my community, and through these goals, I want to be able to not only give back to my community but help them in ways that are also helping me.

Growing up, I have always had dreams of going into the medical field in some way whether it be becoming a veterinarian, a nurse, or an anesthesiologist. More recently, my career goal is to become a neurosurgeon because it will allow me to combine my passion for science with the ability to improve the lives of others, especially those who come from backgrounds similar to my own. Growing up, I have always been fascinated by the human brain and how it controls our emotions, thoughts, and mobile skills and was always interested in understanding how the brain looks with people that have different mental issues and behaviors. The idea that I could be a part of someone’s healing journey felt as if I was fulfilling a personal void that I felt of never being enough for the people around me. I have always been motivated by the idea of making an impact on people, and becoming a neurosurgeon seems the best way to do that. I plan to pursue a degree in neuroscience or biology at a university. I intend to attend Johns Hopkins University for medical school because of the programs and groundbreaking research opportunities they have to offer. While my passion for medicine and neuroscience is my main focus, I also plan on opening up my own beauty business and clinics with the help of a business management degree. I am deeply committed to giving back to my community, which is why I intend to create a platform that supports Black beauty professionals, such as hair stylists, lash technicians, makeup artists, and nail technicians. Being in a predominantly white neighborhood, I understood how it felt to be left out and not look like the kids around me and having such a big transition from middle school to high school also impacted my mental health and lowered my self esteem. I want to be able to create a place that everyone can feel welcomed and not judged and come out looking and feeling their best which is what gave me the idea to create a business like this. Opening up non profit clinics help give access to people who might not be able to afford basic health care or fill prescription's they might need. Giving back to my community to help benefit their health is very important to me because I have seen what it is like to not be able to afford basic health care and end up dying as a result. By combining my medical career with a business career, I hope to provide tools that can help people mentally, physically, and emotionally. Through these goals, I want to be able to not only give back to my community but help them in ways that are also helping me.

In times where people struggle with something daily whether it be financially, mentally, or even physically, the act of volunteering is about making a difference that can change lives and is essential when it comes to strengthening a community. Engaging in acts of volunteerism is about more than just doing the act for hours; it is about creating positive effects in someone else's life that can touch them and uplift them through what they might be going through. One of the most profound ways I actively participate in volunteerism in my community is through the SEWA Detroit Lead program, a community service group dedicated to leadership development and a strong sense of inspiration and motivation through the world. As a member of this group, I am involved in its activities that include blood drives, fundraisers, food service, and toy and school supply drives. Living in the Detroit area, the community is faced with many problems such as poverty, lack of health care, educational and environmental inequalities, and much more. Participating in this program gave me the tools to not only help lift the community back up but also gave me inspiration and a pathway to helping in my own ways. As someone with aspirations of becoming both a businesswoman and a surgeon, insight of being a part of this nonprofit organization fostered my idea of opening nonprofit clinics dedicated to providing affordable and quality health care to those in need. Lack of basic health care in Detroit is one of the main problems this city faces, creating clinics can help out the community by taking off the stress of financial issues and health issues all in one. In addition to healthcare, I also plan to open a one stop beauty shop that provides services such as hairstylists, makeup artists, and nail and lash extensions. Self care often comes as a luxury to one and discourages people from taking care of themselves because they simply can not afford it. This can have a drastic effect on their mental health and self esteem. Offering an affordable and welcoming space where people can feel good about themselves and not feel as if they are wasting money will help the community gain confidence and a sense of well-being. By offering these services at accessible prices or even for free in certain cases, I hope to help individuals from all walks of life improve their self-esteem and feel empowered. Volunteering is a powerful agent for change that can affect anyone's entire communities as well as their lives. My participation with the SEWA Detroit Lead program has given me insight to the effectiveness of doing such acts and with this knowledge I am inspired to give back to the Detroit community in my own ways that will help mentally and physically.

Death is inevitable. And although grief is not, that doesn't put a pause in reality. I have always had a special bond with the people my mom called her sisters and shared a specific bond with one particular aunt. In the year of 2020, the world was hit with the pandemic of Covid-19, and it was the early month of march. She had died. I felt hopeless, like there was nothing for me to do. Like I was falling from a never ending sky. As though my left felt over, I noticed how the doctors' lives continued as so. Granted, they have emotions and are in whatever position to feel how they feel but their sadness is not going to undo what's already been done. I have been faced with the mental illness of Alexithymia. My aunt and I shared the dreams of becoming doctors as she was a travel nurse and I was an aspiring surgeon, we bonded over what seemed to be the dumbest things at times. After my aunt's long shifts, she would always share what she has learned and the different types of people she has met, and constantly, illnesses are the most deadly ones so it felt as a slap in the face when the obvious reaches you and I wish I could have done more. This is primarily what changed my lifestyle and desire to know more. I furthered my dreams of becoming a doctor. I didn't want to become just a doctor that can only do as much as he thinks and not as much as he knows.This has impacted my decision of wanting to double major in biology and neuroscience and minor in business management and attend medical school to become a double board certified surgeon in neurology and anesthesiology all while opening up my own clinics to help with the healthcare disaster in poor areas. Optimism added extra layers to me and made me wonder if I was giving myself enough time to grieve, or to pour into myself, or connect with my emotions. I was so used to seeing the front that others put on to cover up the fact that it was okay to be sad because with sadness comes the opportunity to grow. I eventually furthered my studies of knowing what it is like to become this type of surgeon. Where the possibilities of death are more likely but how it is important to let your emotions show. Receiving this scholarship, I am given the chance to attend my dream university and medical school without the burden of dying and not fulfilling my dreams.

My career goal is to become a neurosurgeon because it will allow me to combine my passion for science with the ability to improve the lives of others, especially those who come from backgrounds similar to my own. I’ve always been inspired to help people and always had an interest in the medical field whether it be becoming a veterinarian, a nurse, an anesthesiologist, and more recently a neurosurgeon. Growing up, I have been fascinated by the human brain and how it controls our emotions, thoughts, and mobile skills and was interested in understanding how the brain looks from different mental health aspects. The idea that I could be a part of someone’s healing journey felt as if I was fulfilling a personal void that I felt of never being enough for the people around me. I have been motivated by the idea of making an impact on people, and becoming a neurosurgeon is the best way to do that. I plan to pursue a degree in neuroscience or biology at a university and attend medical school after. While my passion for medicine and neuroscience is my main focus, I also plan on opening up my own beauty business. I am deeply committed to giving back to my community, which is why I intend to create a platform that supports Black beauty professionals, such as hair stylists, lash technicians, makeup artists, and nail technicians. I want to be able to create a place that everyone can feel welcomed and not judged and come out looking and feeling their best which is what gave me the idea to create a business like this. By combining my medical career with a business career, I hope to provide tools that can help people mentally, physically, and emotionally. Although I am passionate about my aspirations, being a young African American woman pursuing one of the most competitive fields in medicine can often be discouraging. The medical field is an extremely difficult field to go into and is dominated by individuals from privileged backgrounds which can be seen as a negative aspect for Black people. Even in today's society, Black people are not always granted the same opportunities as white people and that can be very discouraging knowing that I am put in a world that is set up to only see me fail. Alongside the discouragement, money also plays a significant role when it comes to paying for college and medical school. Applying for scholarships and grants can be long and is a very tedious process and you are not always guaranteed the money nor the same scholarship opportunities as white people. This can make it hard to even want to fully succeed because I don't want to end up in a bad place financially in the future. Despite these challenges, I am more determined than ever. While the road to achieving my goals may be fraught with challenges, I am committed to achieving anything that life throws my way, staying focused on my education, and using my passions to make a lasting impact on both the medical field and my community, and through these goals, I want to be able to not only give back to my community but help them in ways that are also helping me.

In times where people struggle with something daily whether it be financially, mentally, or even physically, the act of volunteering is about making a difference that can change lives and is essential when it comes to strengthening a community. Engaging in acts of volunteerism is about more than just doing the act for hours; it is about creating positive effects in someone else's life that can touch them and uplift them through what they might be going through. One of the most profound ways I actively participate in volunteerism in my community is through the SEWA Detroit Lead program, a community service group dedicated to leadership development and a strong sense of inspiration and motivation through the world. As a member of this group, I am involved in its activities that include blood drives, fundraisers, food service, and toy and school supply drives. Living in the Detroit area, the community is faced with many problems such as poverty, lack of health care, educational and environmental inequalities, and much more. Participating in this program gave me the tools to not only help lift the community back up but also gave me inspiration and a pathway to helping in my own ways. As someone with aspirations of becoming both a businesswoman and a surgeon, insight of being a part of this nonprofit organization fostered my idea of opening nonprofit clinics dedicated to providing affordable and quality health care to those in need. Lack of basic health care in Detroit is one of the main problems this city faces, creating clinics can help out the community by taking off the stress of financial issues and health issues all in one. In addition to healthcare, I also plan to open a one stop beauty shop that provides services such as hairstylists, makeup artists, and nail and lash extensions. Self care often comes as a luxury to one and discourages people from taking care of themselves because they simply can not afford it. This can have a drastic effect on their mental health and self esteem. Offering an affordable and welcoming space where people can feel good about themselves and not feel as if they are wasting money will help the community gain confidence and a sense of well-being. By offering these services at accessible prices or even for free in certain cases, I hope to help individuals from all walks of life improve their self-esteem and feel empowered. Volunteering is a powerful agent for change that can affect anyone's entire communities as well as their lives. My participation with the SEWA Detroit Lead program has given me insight to the effectiveness of doing such acts and with this knowledge I am inspired to give back to the Detroit community in my own ways that will help mentally and physically.

Growing up, faith was an important aspect in my family's life as both my mom and my grandad were pastors. Sunday service and bible study were common events that took place in my household and while I have always done my best to attend, it didn't stop me from questioning my faith for a while. I often found myself questioning God’s presence in my own life. It wasn’t that I doubted his existence entirely; rather, I struggled to see his hand in the challenges I faced and wondered why all of these bad things were happening to me and not the people who have done me wrong. My faith felt like a faint spark just hanging on, but my family seemed to continue to prosper even through their own challenges. Although l attended church on Sundays and said prayers before every meal, my heart never seemed to be in the right place. The hardships that I went through only made it worse and I struggled academically, mentally, and personally. I frequently questioned why God would allow such suffering. My turning point in my growth of faith happened in my sophomore year of high school. I faced what felt like an unbearable obstacle. Not only did I lose an important family member, I also felt as if I was losing myself. I tried to hide my feelings and keep myself busy instead of facing reality. It wasn't until I came across what is now my favorite verse, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” from Philippians 4:13. This verse struck inspiration into me and is the reason why I am the person I am today. As I leaned into my faith, I realized that God had been with me all along, even when I doubted Him. The lessons my mom and grandfather had taught me began to reveal through the challenges I had faced and I learned how to navigate my way without hurting myself through the process. I reflect gratefully on the difficult seasons I lived through. It was a time of development and growth but led to my discovery of the importance of trusting God even when I was struggling in the moment because I know he has bigger and better plans for me in the future. My journey to faith was far from easy and came with many doubts and building blocks along the way. Through this journey I learned the true meaning of faith and in the end, was blessed to create a bond with God that I never imagined to have which is something that I will forever be grateful for.

Death is inevitable. And although grief is not, that doesn't put a pause in reality. I have always had a special bond with the people my mom called her sisters and shared a specific bond with one particular aunt. In the year of 2020, the world was hit with the pandemic of Covid-19, and it was the early month of march. She had died. I felt hopeless, like there was nothing for me to do. Like I was falling from a never ending sky. As though my left felt over, I noticed how the doctors' lives continued as so. Granted, they have emotions and are in whatever position to feel how they feel but their sadness is not going to undo what's already been done. I have been faced with the mental illness of Alexithymia. My aunt and I shared the dreams of becoming doctors as she was a travel nurse and I was an aspiring surgeon, we bonded over what seemed to be the dumbest things at times. After my aunt's long shifts, she would always share what she has learned and the different types of people she has met, and constantly, illnesses are the most deadly ones so it felt as a slap in the face when the obvious reaches you and I wish I could have done more. This is primarily what changed my lifestyle and desire to know more. I furthered my dreams of becoming a doctor. I didn't want to become just a doctor that can only do as much as he thinks and not as much as he knows.This has impacted my decision of wanting to double major in biology and neuroscience and minor in business management and attend medical school to become a double board certified surgeon in neurology and anesthesiology all while opening up my own clinics to help with the healthcare disaster in poor areas. Optimism added extra layers to me and made me wonder if I was giving myself enough time to grieve, or to pour into myself, or connect with my emotions. I was so used to seeing the front that others put on to cover up the fact that it was okay to be sad because with sadness comes the opportunity to grow. I eventually furthered my studies of knowing what it is like to become this type of surgeon. Where the possibilities of death are more likely but how it is important to let your emotions show. Receiving this scholarship, I am given the chance to attend my dream university and medical school without the burden of dying and not fulfilling my dreams.

Death is inevitable. And although grief is not, that doesn't put a pause in reality. I have always had a special bond with the people my mom called her sisters and shared a specific bond with one particular aunt. In the year of 2020, the world was hit with the pandemic of Covid-19, and it was the early month of march. She had died. I felt hopeless, like there was nothing for me to do. Like I was falling from a never ending sky. As though my left felt over, I noticed how the doctors' lives continued as so. Granted, they have emotions and are in whatever position to feel how they feel but their sadness is not going to undo what's already been done. My aunt and I shared the dreams of becoming doctors as she was a travel nurse and I was an aspiring surgeon, we bonded over what seemed to be the dumbest things at times. After my aunt's long shifts, she would always share what she has learned and the different types of people she has met, and constantly, illnesses are the most deadly ones so it felt as a slap in the face when the obvious reaches you and I wish I could have done more. This is primarily what changed my lifestyle and desire to know more. I furthered my dreams of becoming a doctor. I didn't want to become just a doctor that can only do as much as he thinks and not as much as he knows.This has impacted my decision of wanting to double major in biology and neuroscience and minor in business management and attend medical school to become a double board certified surgeon in neurology and anesthesiology all while opening up my own clinics to help with the healthcare disaster in poor areas. Optimism added extra layers to me and made me wonder if I was giving myself enough time to grieve, or to pour into myself, or connect with my emotions. I was so used to seeing the front that others put on to cover up the fact that it was okay to be sad because with sadness comes the opportunity to grow. I eventually furthered my studies of knowing what it is like to become this type of surgeon. Where the possibilities of death are more likely but how it is important to let your emotions show. Receiving this scholarship, I am given the chance to attend my dream university and medical school without the burden of dying and not fulfilling my dreams.

Money. The key to success, but also what is seen to be the root of all evil. Success can mean so many things and look different to everyone as it is a concept that has been distorted by a world that often seems to measure worth and achievement through financial wealth. The act of resilience, which has more depth and significance than any currency sign could convey, is what I consider to be success, beyond a bank account or material belonging. A better way to think of resilience is as mind over matter, where "mind" is the success and "matter" is the money. In a world where everyone strives for success—whether it’s winning a game, passing a class, or looking their best—the reality is that we will inevitably fail along the way but that is the number one tool to mastering resilience. Consider a child learning to walk. Although every fall is a failure, they are also a crucial step in the process. The child gains endurance, balance, and coordination during those failing moments. These minor losses eventually develop into resilience, which pave the way for bigger successes like walking, running, and ultimately reaching more difficult objectives. This is the teacher's power as well as the power of failure. You will always fail more often than you will succeed in life. Everyone would have success if it were simple, and we wouldn’t be able to keep improving. Failure makes us uncomfortable enough to try new things, adjust, and keep going because it keeps us humble and pushes us to reach new heights. This discomfort is what drives growth, creativity, and innovation—all of which are essential ingredients for meaningful success. Every time you fail, you gain new insights: you learn what doesn’t work, what you can do differently next time, and how to adapt to new circumstances. This process of trial and error is necessary for true achievement. Failure teaches you about your limits and capabilities, and it prepares you for the next challenge with greater confidence and knowledge. Often, when faced with a roadblock, it’s easy to feel like you’ll never succeed. This is what guards people from becoming successful because they lack the knowledge that comes along with knowing you are the prize regardless of how you got here. Even when you feel like you want to give up the most, it is crucial to understand the biggest amount worth of something comes from yourself because you are priceless. With the opportunity of resilience, success is not achieved. This points to an importance in the availability of circumstances, obstacles, and negativity in your environment. The journey is forever going to be difficult, no matter how high you want to achieve and that is why it is important to stay strong even if it is the little things. If you need to clean up because you are having people over but then they cancel on you, you still need to clean up. Do not let the failure of the hangout discourage you from doing something that needed to have been done either way.