4th grade, sitting in class during a break, I listened to my friend complain about their problems, offering them a listening ear and a safe space. That listening ear and space I provided never left. 4th grade turned to daily friend advice in middle school, constant stress and anxiety advice in high school, and support in college. I joined countless organizations as a peer mentor to help students around me. I have a passion and I’m drawn to helping others and ensuring that they have someone in their corner that listens and helps, even when I do not relate. This passion has spanned my whole life and has helped me shape my future. When I applied to college, I had one thought in my head. I wanted to help. I wanted to change the outlook for others through my work and create a community of support and freedom. I remember the day I discovered art therapy. I wanted a career that allowed me to continue my passion, while also helping others. Sitting in my career prep class, I listed out what I wanted to do with my life: working with youth, teaching them something that would open doors, offering them support, and changing their perspective. I landed on Art Therapy, a recreational form of therapy that works with artistic expression to open doors that were once closed. This checked all my boxes. The more I read, the more I fell in love with the field. I decided I wanted to place a focus on providing care to nonverbal individuals and those dealing with anxiety and depression. Art offers such an interesting insight on the working of the brain. It offers interpretations that words cannot describe. Every class, I take the information I learn and use it to think about how the brain would react and how it would be expressed through art. In my hard times, I used art to get out the emotions I couldn’t explain. Sometimes, it was spending hours trying to paint what I felt was “happiness” or it was as simple as painting a canvas until I felt calm. I’m able to identify how I’m feeling when I paint by the colors I use, the textures I pick, and the theme of my art. I want the people I help to walk into every session ready to release their emotions and talk about how to handle their struggles. That girl in 4th grade, listening to her friends, will one day sit in an office helping countless children and adults change the way they view their lives.

This scholarship will allow me the opportunity of higher education that will allow me to pursue a career in Art therapy. I have seen the effects of bad mental health throughout my life and I know that one way to help the problem is by ending the stigmatization of attending therapy. Having alternative options for therapy will change this. Getting an education in social work and art will bring me one step closer to making a change. Specifically in the black community, therapy is seen as “unnecessary” and invasive. I want to use my career to show people that there are more options than stereotypical therapy. While recreational therapy is not well known, it is a beneficial therapy for people with anxiety, depression, and phobias. Even as someone who sees the beauty of therapy, I understand the fear of attending therapy but the freedom of recreational therapy allows for self-expression without limits. Having alternative options for therapy can help open someone to the option of therapy and allow for them to get a more intimate form of treatment. For example, art therapy is a beneficial form of therapy for non-verbal people since art is universal and can be used as a form of language. Analyzing someone's art can allow deeper interpretations. In the black community, we see a lot of built-up and repressed anger from past traumas. It is hard for our community to feel comfortable expressing that anger without being seen as threatening. Art therapy is extremely beneficial to creating an outlet to release that emotion healthily. Recreational therapies are useful for taking away the fear of therapy and making room for self-expression. With my career, I want to show Alabama the benefits of recreational therapies. Since middle school, I have had a passion for psychology and learning about mental health. Because of my passion for therapy, I joined a peer helping club in middle school and high school where I was trained to counsel students, and I learned how to correctly handle and report mental health-related situations. Because of my time in this club, I want to do more work in the future to spread awareness about mental health and normalizing therapy. As for my passion for art, I have been an artist since childhood and I have been taking art classes at my high school for a year. When choosing a career, I had a hard time choosing between my two passions, and when I found art therapy; I knew I found my perfect career choice. Art therapy combines therapy and art to create a form of therapy to help the client find relief and improve their cognitive abilities. On top of it including my two passions, I also get to work with children which has always been a goal of mine. I have truly found my calling and every day I am getting closer to achieving it.

In college, I plan to major in Social Work and Art. I want to use my degrees to begin a career in recreational therapy, more specifically art therapy. While recreational therapy is not well known, it is a beneficial therapy for people with anxiety, depression, and phobias. Even as someone who sees the beauty of therapy, I understand the fear of attending therapy but the freedom of recreational therapy allows for self-expression without limits. Having alternative options for therapy can help open someone to the option of therapy and allow for them to get a more intimate form of treatment. For example, art therapy is a beneficial form of therapy for non-verbal people since art is universal and can be used as a form of language. Analyzing someone's art can allow deeper interpretations. Recreational therapies are useful for taking away the fear of therapy and making room for self-expression. With my career, I want to show Alabama the benefits of recreational therapies. Since middle school, I have had a passion for psychology and learning about mental health. Because of my passion for therapy, I joined a peer helping club in middle school and high school where I was trained to counsel students, and I learned how to correctly handle and report mental health-related situations. Because of my time in this club, I want to do more work in the future to spread awareness about mental health and normalizing therapy. As for my passion for art, I have been an artist since childhood and I have been taking art classes at my high school for a year. When choosing a career, I had a hard time choosing between my two passions, and when I found art therapy; I knew I found my perfect career choice. Art therapy combines therapy and art to create a form of therapy to help the client find relief and improve their cognitive abilities. On top of it including my two passions, I also get to work with children which has always been a goal of mine. I have truly found my calling and every day I am getting closer to achieving it.

The first time I was proud of something I created, I ran to show my mom. She supported me tremendously, buying me art sets every birthday and Christmas. I am pursuing art not only because it is my passion, but the memories it holds. To use something I'm so passionate about to help others have the same memories I had is so beautiful. When I begin as an art therapy, after my sessions, I want the children I work with to be proud of their progress and drive. I hope that I can give them the same outlet I had as a child. It gave me something to be proud of, that my hands could make something so beautiful. I am inspired by the artists before me, such as Annie Lee and Pink Lomein. I created art that shows the flaws and beauty of the things around me. When I first heard of Annie Lee, I was moved to tears by her story. Like me, her love for the art of New Orleans and drive to succeed. She used her art to pull her out of hard times, losing her son and 2 husbands in previous years. The depiction of black women in both Annie Lee and Pink Lomein's art is something I hold close in the art I create as well. I try to focus my art on primarily drawing and painting people of color. It is truly beautiful seeing yourself represented in art. Without art, I do not know where I would be today. Art has given me an outlet I could only dream of. I want to use my artwork to help others. I want to show people that art comes from within and it can show more about a person’s inner thoughts than words ever could. Through my art, I can pinpoint times where I have felt sad or hurt and times where I was the happiest. I also want to use my art to end the stigma behind therapy and open those weary of therapy to the thought of trying it. My passion for art stems back to my childhood and even though I have only been taking art classes at my high school for a year, I knew I wanted to do this for life. When choosing a career, I had a hard time choosing between my two passions, and when I found art therapy; I knew I found my perfect career choice. Art therapy combines clinical therapy and art to create a form of recreational therapy to help the client find relief and improve their cognitive abilities. On top of it including my two passions, I also get to work with children which has always been a goal of mine. I have truly found my calling and every day I am getting closer to achieving it.

I plan to study at the University of Alabama and majoring in Social work/Art for a career in Art therapy, a recreational and alternate form of therapy. My plan for the future is to bring more alternative options for therapy to Alabama. I have seen the effects of bad mental health throughout my life and I know that one way to help the problem is by ending the stigmatization of attending therapy. Having alternative options for therapy will change this. Getting an education in social work will bring me one step closer to making a change. Specifically in the black community, therapy is seen as “unnecessary” and invasive. I want to use my career to show people that there are more options than stereotypical therapy. While recreational therapy is not well known, it is a beneficial therapy for people with anxiety, depression, and phobias. Even as someone who sees the beauty of therapy, I understand the fear of attending therapy but the freedom of recreational therapy allows for self-expression without limits. Having alternative options for therapy can help open someone to the option of therapy and allow for them to get a more intimate form of treatment. For example, art therapy is a beneficial form of therapy for non-verbal people since art is universal and can be used as a form of language. Analyzing someone's art can allow deeper interpretations. Recreational therapies are useful for taking away the fear of therapy and making room for self-expression. With my career, I want to show Alabama the benefits of recreational therapies. Since middle school, I have had a passion for psychology and learning about mental health. Because of my passion for therapy, I joined a peer helping club in middle school and high school where I was trained to counsel students, and I learned how to correctly handle and report mental health-related situations. Because of my time in this club, I want to do more work in the future to spread awareness about mental health and normalizing therapy. As for my passion for art, I have been an artist since childhood and I have been taking art classes at my high school for a year. When choosing a career, I had a hard time choosing between my two passions, and when I found art therapy; I knew I found my perfect career choice. Art therapy combines therapy and art to create a form of therapy to help the client find relief and improve their cognitive abilities. On top of it including my two passions, I also get to work with children which has always been a goal of mine. I have truly found my calling and every day I am getting closer to achieving it.

Substance abuse is still a pressing issue throughout the world, and the Black community is disproportionately affected by its devastating consequences. The combination of social, economic, and historical factors has contributed to higher rates of substance abuse among Black people, worsening existing disparities in health and well-being. As a member of the Black community, I am deeply committed to addressing these challenges and am convinced that integrating art therapy with faith-based principles can offer a path to healing and recovery. Within the Black community, there exists a significant stigma surrounding mental health and therapy. Historical traumas, systemic racism, and cultural norms have fostered a reluctance to seek professional help for mental health issues, including substance abuse. This stigma can act as a separation to treatment, preventing people from accessing the support and resources they desperately need. By incorporating art therapy into our approach, we can provide a culturally responsive and accessible form of healing that resonates with the lived experiences of Black people. Therapy can be hard to talk about, but with recreational forms of therapy we can make that talk easier. Art therapy offers a powerful avenue for self-expression and healing, transcending the limitations of traditional talk therapy. Through creative expression, people can explore and process their emotions, trauma, and addiction-related struggles in a safe and supportive environment. The non-verbal nature of art allows people to bypass the stigma associated with verbal disclosure, making it an ideal therapeutic modality for those who may feel uncomfortable or hesitant to engage in traditional forms of therapy. Furthermore, integrating faith into the healing process can provide a source of strength and resilience for people grappling with substance abuse. The Black community has a rich tradition of faith and spirituality, which can serve as a guiding light on the journey to recovery. By incorporating faith-based principles into art therapy sessions, people can draw upon their spiritual resources to find solace, hope, and purpose amidst their struggles. In my efforts to combat substance abuse and stigma in the Black community, I envision establishing culturally competent art therapy programs that embrace the unique cultural and spiritual identities of participants. These programs will prioritize accessibility, affordability, and inclusivity, ensuring that all people have access to the healing power of art therapy, regardless of their socioeconomic background. By partnering with local churches, community organizations, and mental health professionals, we can reach people where they are, providing them with the support and resources they need to overcome substance abuse and reclaim their lives. I have heard the stigma surrounding therapy and I want to work to destigmatize therapy within the Black community and to promote mental health awareness. Through education, advocacy, and storytelling, we can challenge misconceptions and stereotypes surrounding mental health and therapy, encouraging people to seek help without shame or fear. By fostering a culture of openness, acceptance, and support, we can break down barriers to treatment and create a community where healing and recovery are possible for all.

Art has been an integral part of my life since childhood, shaping not only my passion but also my identity and aspirations. The first time I felt a sense of pride in something I created, I couldn't contain my excitement; I rushed to show my mother, who has been my unwavering supporter throughout my artistic journey. Her encouragement was evident in the art sets she gifted me every birthday and Christmas, fueling my creative spirit and reinforcing my belief in the power of artistic expression. For me, art is not just a medium for self-expression; it is a vessel for preserving cherished memories and emotions. The memories of sharing my creations with my mother are deeply ingrained in my mind, and they serve as a driving force behind my pursuit of art therapy. I am driven by the desire to use my passion for art to help others discover their own creative potential and find solace and pride in their accomplishments, just as I did in my formative years. As I embark on my journey to become an art therapist, my ultimate goal is to empower the children I work with to embrace their unique talents and abilities. I envision a future where each session leaves them feeling a sense of progress and purpose, where they can take pride in their artistic endeavors and recognize the transformative power of creativity. I am committed to providing them with the same outlet that brought me so much joy and fulfillment, knowing firsthand the profound impact it can have on one's sense of self-worth and well-being. My artistic inspiration stems from a diverse array of sources, including renowned artists like Annie Lee and Pink Lomein, whose work resonates deeply with me on both a personal and cultural level. Annie Lee's poignant story of resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity mirrors my own journey, serving as a source of inspiration and motivation. Like her, I am drawn to the vibrant culture of New Orleans and its rich artistic heritage, finding solace and inspiration in its dynamic energy and eclectic charm. The representation of black women in the art of Annie Lee and Pink Lomein is particularly impactful for me, as it speaks to the importance of diversity and inclusion in the art world. Inspired by their example, I strive to use my art as a platform for celebrating and amplifying marginalized voices, with a focus on depicting people of color in all their complexity and beauty. There is a profound sense of validation and empowerment that comes from seeing oneself represented in art, and I am committed to ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to see themselves reflected in the world around them. In essence, art has been my guiding light and constant companion, guiding me through life's challenges and triumphs with grace and resilience. It has given me a sense of purpose and belonging, allowing me to channel my emotions and experiences into something meaningful and enduring. As I embark on the next chapter of my journey as an art therapist, I carry with me the lessons and insights gleaned from a lifetime of creative exploration, knowing that art has the power to heal, inspire, and transform lives in ways that words alone cannot express.