It is important to have diverse representation in STEM careers because it can serve as an inspiration for younger minorities to explore those careers and have more diverse research given to different communities. Ever since I was a kid, I always wanted to become a pharmacologist, so that I could create medicine of my own that can cure people who have deadly diseases with the least amount of fatal side effects. Since my goal is to become a pharmacologist, I hope to research more about different medical aids that can be more accessible for the Black community. In my research, I hope to help decrease the alarming health disparities for the Black community and other groups who may not have access to the resources needed for a healthier lifestyle. Since there is only 1.8% of Black women in STEM, it is crucial that there is proper representation of Black people in these fields for a chance to decrease misdiagnosis or misinformation given to Black patients. For example, I had to find a different doctor to properly diagnose my eczema because my previous doctor had never seen eczema on dark skin before. It was only until I had a Black doctor to diagnose me that I was given the right medication for my skin. Because of the many inequities in health care disproportionately against Black and Brown people in this country, I want to make a difference in my community. These statistics also support the lack of role models provided for young Black girls that may not be supported in their interests. When I was a part of the presidential conference hosted by Delta G.E.M.S, we had to find Black women involved in careers that were not commonly represented in the media. I had Iman Blow, a Black female olympian fencer, to speak on her passions of fencing. A lot of the Black girls commenting on her story did not even know about fencing or of any Black persons, male or female, competing in the sport. It is important not to limit a new generation of Black children from different passions or opportunities they could be interested in learning in the future. Whenever Black people see the accomplishments of other Black people such as Kizzmekia Corbett being the lead scientist in the development of the Covid-19 Vaccine or even a Black person in STEM that speaks about their passions in a classroom, it becomes impactful for black youth who want to expand their ambitions to help the world. I am grateful to have been raised in a household that supported my varied interests of golf, fencing, STEM and other interests that may have not been entertained.

I impacted my community by being a part of social action. In my high school, I noticed the lack of proper education on racial history in my school’s curriculum and the uncorrected racism at my school towards students of color. I decided to inform my school’s superintendent about the rampant racism against students of color and disrespect towards non Christian students from my peers and staff. In our conversation, we were able to come up with solutions to correct discriminatory behavior from students and staff immediately and prioritize effective teaching for them to grow out of their ignorant mindsets. After the discussion with the superintendent, this inspired me to create a club called The Racial and Religious Relations club. As a leader, I am the founder and president of the Racial and Religious Relations club at my high school. I have been managing meetings to create a space to show respect and solidarity for the underrepresented racial and religious minorities at my high school. My club was created to combat the uncorrected discriminatory behavior towards racial and religious minorities in my school. I have been active in this club for the past 3 years creating informational meetings based on learning how to make certain cultural foods and partake in cultural traditions (such as Lunar New Year, Kwanzaa, Diwali, and more). This proved to be an outlet for student advocacy and a space for students to take pride in their culture and identity. My club has also recently held a voter’s registration drive in response to the overturning of Roe v. Wade. We managed to get 18 people registered to vote. I have also been active in organizations such as Delta G.E.M.S (Growing and Empowering Myself Successfully, Associated with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated ) and NCNW (National Council of Negro Women). Within Delta G.E.M.S, I have participated in sending letters of gratitude to under valued workers during the pandemic. I have also helped with community clean up days by cleaning a local State Street bridge and sorting any hazardous items away from other communities and the environment such as bottles, wrappers, plastic, syringes, and more. I have also brought in Iman Blow, a Black female olympic fencer, to be a speaker for our Delta G.E.M.S Presidential Conference as representation in career fields not commonly represented in the media. As a charter member of the Harrisburg Section of the National Council of Negro Women, I promoted voting registration and canvassed neighborhoods in vote campaigns. I also assisted in creating an informational webinar for the effects of Covid-19 on students from kindergarten through twelfth grade. Through the annual MLK Day of Service, I have made no-sew blankets for homeless veterans, hygiene kits for the homeless, decorated holiday bags for the Meals on wheels program and made encouragement cards for pediatric cancer patients. I am also active in the National Honors Society at my high school. I have volunteered in car wash fundraisers for the Humane Society as well as assisted in bake sales to support veterans in our local communities. I have further impacted my community by collecting household items for newly released persons from prison for the Jubilee ministry as an Ambassador Girl Scout. As a Girl Scout I have also maintained a community garden and planted trees during Earth Day. Community service is something that I truly enjoy and will continue throughout my lifetime. Helping others gives me a sense of purpose and comfort in knowing that there is always something I can do to make a difference for others in the world who need it.

Ever since I was 6 years old, I have always had a golf club in my hand ready to swing and to play on the green. Since my dad is a golfer, he taught my brother, my sister and I the basics in golf including how to hold a golf club and what the swing should look and feel like. I played golf in organizations such as LPGA Girls Golf recreationally and later played on my high school’s junior varsity girls team. I definitely appreciate my dad exposing me to a whole different world of golf outside of just watching on television. My sister and I were even flag girls for a local LPGA tournament in Pennsylvania in 2015. Although I always endured off-handed comments from white adults on the course that thought it unusual for a black girl to play golf, assumed that I went to a school for underprivileged youth, and questioned why I must use a different hat for my hair, it only influenced me to keep proving that anybody can excel in any sport. During my time in both organizations, it has taught me a great level of patience and discipline. While I first practiced to play 9 holes whether with my team or my friends in the LPGA Girls Golf Organization, I was definitely not unfamiliar to bogey shots or shots that clearly told me that my club face was too open. Even now! I remember always being furious about how those issues were so constant in a game, but eventually I had to learn patience so I could stay focused. Golf was probably the first sport that made me realize how much your mentality affects the game and anything that you are passionate about. Therefore, I made a schedule to try and take time to practice and fix those swings. While I practiced, I started to teach myself to keep my spirits high even when I messed up. Since I am a perfectionist, I had to accept the fact that practice will take time to get my desired results in golf. If there is one thing I can take away from golf, it is that patience and practice are necessary to win and to grow from my mistakes. While I am currently not playing golf competitively, I plan to continue playing recreationally at home and at college since it is a lifetime sport. I think one life lesson taken from golf is that steady progression with focus and determination is critical to improvement. Life is a host of little tweeks coupled with many setbacks that can be corrected or a distraction that leads to not succeeding. Focus is critical to winning and practice is irreplaceable.

This scholarship will help my career goals by funding my education in my passion to become a pharmacologist. After completing my study of chemistry and earning my Bachelor in Science, I plan to attend Pharmacy School to earn my PharmD. I plan to earn my pharmacy degree to become a pharmacologist and work in a lab of a pharmaceutical corporation. I hope to research more about different medical aids that can be more accessible for the black community. In my research, I want to help decrease the alarming health disparities for the black community and other groups who may not have access to the resources needed for a healthier lifestyle. Since there is only 1.8% of Black women in STEM, it is crucial that there is proper representation of Black people in these fields for a chance to decrease misdiagnosis and misinformation given to Black patients. For example, I had to find a different doctor to properly diagnose my eczema because my previous doctor had never seen eczema on dark skin before. Once I earn my PharmD, I also would like to research more into medicines that affect the brain and its impact on human behavior. Since my grandparents have Alzheimer’s and suffer from the symptoms of dementia, I have always wondered how the medicine actually treats the brain since these medicines do not help them get better or cure them of this fatal disease. This was one of my main influences for my goal to become a pharmacologist. Although there is medicine to improve their cognitive abilities and emotional behavior to reduce aggression, I want to research more into a cure or at the very least even more medicine to make the dementia symptom not as severe. Even in a modern age of research for medicine, I am surprised there is not a cure for the common disease of Alzheimer’s. In my future research of medicine, I want to study and develop medicine with more rapid and efficient results for life threatening diseases. I also would like to develop medicine that has significantly fewer life threatening side effects that negatively impact the body. In my journey to become a pharmacologist, I would like to become part of the science team in the development of medication in the cure for Alzheimer’s so that people will not be forgotten by their parents and grandparents. After watching my grandparents forget my name and just about everyone else around them, I am extremely passionate about making a difference in the world for a cure for Alzheimer's and dementia.