For much of my life, I believed that my existence was something to be corrected. From an early age, I experienced racism and bullying that taught me to associate visibility with danger. I was ridiculed for my appearance, my voice, and especially my natural hair, which became a symbol others used to single me out. Over time, this constant scrutiny manifested as severe anxiety. I experienced panic attacks so intense that the thought of leaving my home would make me physically ill. Going outside felt like walking into a world already prepared to reject me. The bullying was not an isolated experience, it followed me throughout my childhood and adolescence. I internalized the belief that I was a failure, a mistake, someone who needed to make herself smaller to survive. I learned how to disappear in plain sight and to endure rather than live. At my lowest points, my anxiety consumed me entirely and distorted my sense of self-worth. I did not yet have the language to describe what I was experiencing, only the feeling that something was deeply wrong with me. Healing did not happen all at once. It began when I realized that the pain I carried was not a personal failure, but a response to me batting up my emotions. Writing became my lifeline. Through words, I was able to process what I was too afraid to speak aloud. That process eventually led me to write and publish my poetry book titled Remember, it focused on mental health, healing and a reminder that you are so much more than your worst thoughts and mistakes. What began as a personal act of survival grew into something far larger. The book has sold over 200 copies and reached readers who saw themselves reflected in my experiences. Many shared that my words helped them feel understood, less alone, and less ashamed of their struggles. In telling my truth, I learned that vulnerability can be a form of service. This transformation reshaped professional goals. I am currently a student at Howard University, where I am pursuing a path toward becoming a news anchor. Representation matters deeply to me because I know firsthand the damage caused when stories like mine are ignored or dismissed. I want to create space for narratives that are often silenced, especially those rooted in mental health, racial injustice, and resilience. My lived experience has given me empathy, discernment, and a deep respect for the power of storytelling. I do not want anyone to believe that their suffering must exist quietly or invisibly. Managing my mental health is an ongoing commitment, not a finished chapter. I have learned to prioritize self-awareness and proactive care. I use writing as a grounding tool and remain intentional about setting boundaries that protect my well-being. I have also learned to recognize early signs of anxiety and respond with compassion rather than self-criticism. Recovery, for me, means choosing to care for myself even when old fears resurface, and trusting that asking for support is a strength, not a weakness. Today, I no longer view my past as something to escape, but as something that fuels my future. I am proof that pain can be transformed into impact, and that healing does not erase struggle, it gives it meaning. Through education, storytelling, and continued self-care, I plan to use my voice to affirm others, challenge silence, and remind those who are hurting that they are not a mistake, and they are not alone.

When I think about my future, I don’t just see myself in a courtroom. I see myself standing beside people who feel powerless, giving voice to those who’ve been ignored. My ultimate goal is to become an advocate. Whether as an attorney, judge, or news anchor; and to help create a justice system that serves everyone fairly. To do that, my financial goal is clear: I want to finish college with minimal debt so that I can dedicate my career to service. Growing up, I learned what resilience looks like by watching my parents. They immigrated from Gambia, earned their degrees in clinical psychology and computer science, and built a career that heals others all while raising four children. Their story taught me that education opens doors, but it also showed me the sacrifices required when student debt becomes a long-term burden. I don’t want the cost of my education to limit the communities I can serve or the paths I can take. I’ve committed to doing my part. I continuously apply for scholarships, and budget with care by tracking every dollar and setting aside savings for future expenses like law school. Each small act of discipline is part of a larger vision: a future where I can say “yes” to unpaid internships in public interest law, to working with nonprofits, or to testifying for policy changes, instead of chasing the highest-paying job to manage debt. Advocacy is my passion because I’ve seen the power of one voice to spark change. Through speech and debate, where I became a top four speaker in the nation, I strengthened my research, critical thinking, and communication skills while addressing issues such as wrongful convictions and the death penalty. During my summer interning at the State Attorney’s office, I spent weeks shadowing State Attorney Harold F. Pryor, gaining insight on courtroom proceedings, and a real-life example of how this profession makes life-altering decisions every day. These experiences required discipline and reflection, teaching me that success is built through consistent evaluation and support. I have also mentored incarcerated and at-risk youth, listening to stories that reveal how early intervention and access to the right resources can dramatically alter a person’s future. I’ve learned that change requires both knowledge and courage. But it also requires freedom. The freedom to choose purpose over paycheck. This scholarship would bring me closer to that freedom. My purpose in life is not just about the degrees I will earn, it’s about what I will do with them. I want to stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves. I want to operate under the belief that justice should never be measured by punishment alone, but by how fiercely we protect the humanity of those most easily forgotten. Financial support today will allow me to build that tomorrow.

When I think about my future, I don’t just see myself in a courtroom. I see myself standing beside people who feel powerless, giving voice to those who’ve been ignored. My ultimate goal is to become an advocate. Whether as an attorney, judge, or news anchor; and to help create a justice system that serves everyone fairly. To do that, my financial goal is clear: I want to finish college with minimal debt so that I can dedicate my career to service. Growing up, I learned what resilience looks like by watching my parents. They immigrated from Gambia, earned their degrees in clinical psychology and computer science, and built a career that heals others all while raising four children. Their story taught me that education opens doors, but it also showed me the sacrifices required when student debt becomes a long-term burden. I don’t want the cost of my education to limit the communities I can serve or the paths I can take. I’ve committed to doing my part. I continuously apply for scholarships, and budget with care by tracking every dollar and setting aside savings for future expenses like law school. Each small act of discipline is part of a larger vision: a future where I can say “yes” to unpaid internships in public interest law, to working with nonprofits, or to testifying for policy changes, instead of chasing the highest-paying job to manage debt. Advocacy is my passion because I’ve seen the power of one voice to spark change. Through speech and debate, where I became a top four speaker in the nation, I strengthened my research, critical thinking, and communication skills while addressing issues such as wrongful convictions and the death penalty. During my summer interning at the State Attorney’s office, I spent weeks shadowing State Attorney Harold F. Pryor, gaining insight on courtroom proceedings, and a real-life example of how this profession makes life-altering decisions every day. These experiences required discipline and reflection, teaching me that success is built through consistent evaluation and support. I have also mentored incarcerated and at-risk youth, listening to stories that reveal how early intervention and access to the right resources can dramatically alter a person’s future. I’ve learned that change requires both knowledge and courage. But it also requires freedom. The freedom to choose purpose over paycheck. This scholarship would bring me closer to that freedom. My purpose in life is not just about the degrees I will earn, it’s about what I will do with them. I want to stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves. I want to operate under the belief that justice should never be measured by punishment alone, but by how fiercely we protect the humanity of those most easily forgotten. Financial support today will allow me to build that tomorrow.

I did not choose law because I love rules. I chose it because I have spent my life watching who the rules protect, and who they tend to leave behind. Growing up, the legal systems flaws became apparent to me. Often it is not experienced equally. If it falls into the wrong hands, it has the power to disproportionately target marginalized voices. That inequity challenges every notion of what true justice should be. I aspire to become a lawyer working in criminal justice reform and public-interest advocacy, using the law as a tool for change. I am currently a pre-law psychology major, legal communications minor at Howard University, where I am intentionally building the foundation necessary for ethical and effective legal practice. Studying psychology has taught me how behavior, bias, and power operate beneath the surface, and how essential self-awareness and preparation are to navigating a profession as demanding as law. Beyond academics, I have sought guidance through experiences that push me to grow. Through speech and debate, where I became a top four speaker in the nation, I strengthened my research, critical thinking, and communication skills while addressing issues such as wrongful convictions and the death penalty. During my summer interning at the State Attorney’s office, I spent weeks shadowing State Attorney Harold F. Pryor, gaining insight on courtroom proceedings, and a real-life example of how this profession makes life-altering decisions every day. These experiences required discipline and reflection, teaching me that success is built through consistent evaluation and support. Serving as Political Action Co-Chair of SISTUHS Incorporated has allowed me to produce over 20 programming events centered around voting rights and mass incarceration. I have also mentored incarcerated and at-risk youth, listening to stories that reveal how early intervention and access to the right resources can dramatically alter a person’s future. As I move forward, I plan to continue pursuing legal internships, preparing for the LSAT, and seeking mentorship that will allow me to enter law school with confidence and clarity. I understand that a career in law requires more than ambition, it requires strategy, resilience, tenacity, and informed decision-making. I envision positively impacting the legal profession by combining strong preparation with deep empathy. I will use my voice to challenge inequitable systems and ensure that justice is never overpowered by systemic inequalities. Ultimately, I hope to reflect a belief that has greatly shaped my journey: that justice should never be measured by punishment alone, but by how fiercely we protect the humanity of those most easily forgotten.