Essay Draft – Life Journey & Education My life journey has been one of growth, transformation, and perseverance. I am a proud Black woman, mother, holistic healer, and advocate who has navigated the challenges of raising children on my own while working and serving my community. For years, I put my dreams on hold to focus on caring for my family and supporting others. Yet deep down, I always knew I wanted to finish my education and use it as a tool to create change. Returning to school at this stage in my life is not just about earning a degree, it is about reclaiming my voice, living in alignment with my purpose, and showing my children that it is never too late to start again. These experiences have deeply shaped my personal values. I have learned the importance of perseverance, compassion, and courage in the face of hardship. Balancing caregiving, work, and school has taught me time management, discipline, and grace under pressure. These lessons have also shaped my career aspirations: I am committed to combining my skills as a holistic healer and community organizer with formal education to design programs that support mental health, family wellness, and empowerment. My goal is to complete my AA in History, transfer to a CSU, and earn a BA and MA in Africana Studies or Multicultural/Women’s Studies. I plan to use this education to influence policy, create culturally rooted healing programs, and expand opportunities for underserved families, particularly Black mothers and children. I envision hosting workshops, writing books, and building safe spaces for collective healing and learning so that others can access the tools they need to thrive. One of the most meaningful outcomes of this journey has been inspiring my children and community by my example. My youngest son often sits beside me as I do homework, and seeing his curiosity reminds me why this path matters. Education is a legacy, and I want to pass down a legacy of resilience, knowledge, and hope. Receiving this scholarship would significantly lighten the financial load of returning to school, giving me more room to focus on my studies and community work. It would affirm that the path I am walking matters — not only for me, but for those who will benefit from the programs, advocacy, and healing work I will create. With this support, I can continue turning challenges into steppingstones and build a future where my family and community can thrive.

My journey as a single mother has been one of resilience, sacrifice, and determination. I have raised adult children on my own and am now raising my youngest son and my autistic son while balancing work, caregiving, and returning to school. There have been many moments when my own dreams had to wait so that my children’s needs could come first. But deep down, I always knew that I wanted to return to school and finish what I started not just for myself, but as an example to my children and my community that it is never too late to rise and keep going. The challenges have been many. Financial struggles have often made it hard to cover tuition, books, and living expenses all at once. Finding childcare and managing school schedules alongside therapies, doctor’s appointments, and full-time parenting sometimes feels like a balancing act that never ends. There are late nights when I stay up after putting my kids to bed, working on assignments despite exhaustion, reminding myself that every paper I write is a step toward building a better future. This journey has shaped my goals and values in powerful ways. I have learned to persevere, to prioritize what truly matters, and to model strength and determination for my children. It has made me passionate about helping other families who face similar obstacles. My goal is to complete my AA in History, transfer to a CSU, and earn my BA and MA in Africana Studies or Multicultural/Women’s Studies. I plan to use my education to work in policy, advocacy, and community wellness; creating programs that support single mothers, caregivers, and underserved communities with the resources they need to thrive. One of the most rewarding parts of this journey has been watching how my children respond to seeing me in school. My youngest son often sits beside me while I do homework, sometimes asking if he can have “homework” too. These moments remind me that I am not just earning a degree, I am showing my children what commitment looks like. They are learning that education is valuable, that it is never too late to try again, and that even when life is hard, you can keep moving forward. This motivates me to work even harder, knowing that my example is planting seeds of perseverance and hope for the next generation. Receiving this scholarship would be a tremendous blessing. It would ease the financial stress that comes with returning to school, allowing me to focus more on my coursework and less on how to make ends meet. It would also affirm that my efforts as a student and mother are recognized and supported.

Returning to school at this stage in my life has been one of the most courageous decisions I have ever made. I am a proud Black woman, a mother of adult children, and a caregiver to my youngest son and my autistic son. For years, I put my family and my community first, often putting my own academic goals on hold. But deep down, I always knew I wanted to finish my education not just for myself, but as an example to my children and the people I serve in my community. What inspired me to return to school was a combination of personal healing and purpose. After experiencing challenges that could have stopped my financial struggles, health concerns, and the weight of balancing family life, I chose to keep going. Like Geneva Mabry, I believe in perseverance. Her story of returning to school after two strokes deeply resonates with me. I, too, am proving that it is never too late to create a new path, no matter how many setbacks you face. Her determination reminds me that education is not just about earning a degree, but about reclaiming your future and walking with faith in your own resilience. Books and education have always been a lifeline for me. The first book that shaped me was Go Ask Alice, which I read in eighth grade. Her anonymous testimony gave me a raw look into another young girl’s life that was far harsher than mine and reminded me of my own courage and desire to rise above the temptations of drugs, alcohol, and self-destruction. This book became a warning and a guidepost, keeping me grounded when I was tempted to give up. Later, the Flowers in the Attic series taught me that books could be immersive worlds, sparking my passion for reading and teaching me to hold on through dark and difficult chapters, knowing that hope could still exist on the next page. My goal is to complete my AA in History and transfer to a CSU to earn my BA and MA in Africana Studies or Multicultural/Women’s Studies. I plan to use my education to create policy change, expand community wellness programs, and teach others about cultural healing and history. This scholarship would help me focus more on my studies, reduce financial stress, and carry forward Geneva’s legacy of determination and courage. Returning to school has not just been about earning a degree, it has been about reclaiming my dreams, showing my children the power of persistence, and giving my community a living example of what it means to rise again and keep going.