I can find joy in the little things as well as the big things. My daughters are a big part of my happiness. Just seeing them smile makes me smile. Anything to make them happy honestly makes me happy. Even when we vacation, seeing their faces light up means the world to me. The everyday little things make me happy as well. When I cook dinner with my girls, its an experience I would never want to give up. When we take a walk with our dog or go on a hike, I love it. I look forward to the nights with the fireplace lit and we are cuddled up on the couch watching a movie. Sometimes, you can get so caught up in the hustle of studying. Sometimes, I feel like even when I take a break that is time I could be studying. But taking these breaks and experiencing the little things keeps me going and brings me so much joy.

I hear many people say that they do not feel heard or seen. Actively listening to someone has to be intentional, and a skill that many people still need to acquire. This will help others feel valued and heard. Active listening, to me, is first keeping an open mind and a welcoming heart. When someone speaks, you should stop talking. You don't need to add something to the conversation all of the time. Sometimes, you need to listen. You can't experience everything. Others have experienced things you couldn't possible imagine. Listening to their experiences will help broaden your scope of understanding. Not feeling a need to add something to conversation is important in this. Active listening also has a component of not comparing your situation to someone else's situation to feel included. There are people that have acquired wisdom from experiences that you can never experience. Listening helps you acquire some of this learned wisdom. This is how I actively listen. For example, when my indigenous friends speak, I do not. I listen. I hear them. There is no way I can contribute to some of these meaningful discussions, because I have not lived in their shoes. So, I listen and I learn from them. This is something that is very important to me. Likewise, when a person of color speaks up about their experiences that differ from non persons of color, I feel people can learn far more if they just listened. Active listening is crucial for a more accepting and inclusive world. It is also something that needs to be intentional. It is something that I strive for.

Giving back in any capacity helps others in need or helps others succeed. This is important to me because everyone needs help throughout life. This is a way to pay it forward. I volunteered at my local children's hospital. I worked in child life on an oncology floor. This meant a lot to me because many of these kids had long stays in the hospital. After so long, their parents had to go back to work and couldn't be there all day. That's where I came in. I would play, do arts and crafts, read, and just be a companion with many kids while they were alone. I hoped that this would help boost their morale, because cancer treatment especially as a child is not easy. When I graduate from my master's program, I plan to be a donor for scholarships, hopefully on this website. Finances is a barrier that causes many people to not pursue postsecondary education. There aren't many opportunities for scholarships for graduate students. So I will cater to that demographic. Hopefully, this will help ease the financial burden for some.

Over the years, I have become obsessed with traveling. Growing up, I didn't think I would have a passion for traveling, but here I am. I love to go somewhere new every year. This is important not only for mental health, but also for the cultural education aspect. Even in the United States, you can find different cultures from state to state. I enjoy trying different foods and meeting different people from different walks of life. This is something I instilled in my children as well. There have even been instances when they can learn more from a trip around the world than they can in a classroom. There is something about experiencing the culture versus just reading about it. A few months ago, we took a cruise to the Bahamas. This was our first time there. It was enjoyable to to immerse ourselves into the culture. We have plans to visit as many places as we can in the future.

Too often, I focus on my academic and/or professional goals. Today, I would like to focus on my personal goals. This is something that has a huge influence on my career decision. My family consists of my husband and my two daughters. They have been the most supportive family I could have asked for when I told them I was going to back to school. I expressed that this would be a long journey and sacrifices would need to be made for me to succeed. They were all but pushing me out of the door to go achieve my dreams. Undergrad was filled with full time schooling, a full time job, and a full time mother/wife. It was not easy. Graduate school will be hectic with little time for anything other than studying. My main goal for my personal life is to give my family the same support they gave me during this time. My goal is to be as patient as my husband has been. My mission is to give my children opportunities for education and meaningful experiences outside of the classroom without the stressors of a lack of finances. This is something I did not have. In short, my goal for my personal life is to give my family the life that they deserve.

There have been key people in my life that have struggled with mental health. My father went through his divorce from my mother. During this time, he became very depressed and suicidal. This was hard to hear, that my father didn't want to be here anymore. I had multiple conversations pleading with him to stay a little while longer. Those conversations will never leave my memory bank. My husband has struggled with depression as well as intrusive and suicidal thoughts since long before I met him. This is another extremely difficult thing to even be typing right now. There were many times I wasn't sure if he would make it home from work. He still struggles but is now in active therapy and is coping much better than ever. My niece who is eleven just recently admitted she has had thoughts of taking her life due to feeling unwanted, unloved, and bullying. These are just a few of the experiences I have been a part of. All three of these people mean so much to me. It has caused me to open my eyes to the world around me. I have realized every single person has their own struggles. Every single person is dealing with something. Many times, these people you claim to know the best are suffering in silence. Growing up in the black community, this was not talked about. And if it was talked about there was a huge stigma surrounding mental health. I heard "they must have something wrong with them", or "they are weak". This is obviously not true. Education is elevation. The people in my community were not educated on this topic. Since then, I have taken the time to research the topic and began listening to professionals about mental health. It has caused me to be more empathetic and really cherish the relationships I have. For example, I try to make it a safe space for my niece in my home anytime she may need it. This has shaped my professional goals as well. I am going to school to become a physician assistant. I will be free to choose a specialty that I am passionate about. One that I am seriously contemplating is psychiatry. In this role, I will be able to provide mental health services in an outpatient and/or inpatient setting. No matter which specialty I find myself in, I will be able to be a safe space for those struggling with mental health as well as be someone who helps continue the conversation of mental health. Talking about it will help destigmatize mental health.

Relaxing and taking care of your mental health is something many students neglect. Mental health is one topic not nearly talked about enough. When I need to relax and unwind not only from my studies but also from other stressors in my life, I like to have a massage. Getting in touch with the many benefits of getting a massage is something I am happy to discuss. The obvious benefit is reducing stress and increasing relaxation. It also reduces pain, muscle soreness and tension. It has been known to improve circulation, energy and alertness. Massage can lower heart rate and lower blood pressure. It can also improve immune function. Getting a massage is something I try to do as often as I can. Treating myself to a massage every four to six weeks is the ideal time frame for myself. This clears my mind and relaxes my body and soul to continue to take on the world.

I have chosen to pursue the physician assistant profession. I chose this profession for a variety of reasons. I wanted to be able to diagnose and come up with a treatment plan for patients. I wanted to be to work autonomously but also work as part of a team to better serve our patients. I will enjoy the freedom to choose and switch specialties that will fit what I am passionate for as they might change. I also chose this profession to be able to help provide more affordable but also quality healthcare to underserved communities. Only 5% of physicians are black in the United States. I remember growing up never seeing a medical provider that looked like me. Even as an adult, I have only ever met one black physician. I have seen black patients not been taken as seriously as their white counterparts in their journey for treatment of medical conditions. This is my story. I will be someone that black boys and girls can not only feel comfortable with me as their medical provider but also look up to. Representation matters and I am here to break the racial disparities in health care. Also, my name is not a traditional one. Breaking down ethnic name biases in something not talked about enough, and I would like to break that barrier down as much as possible. The graduate program I am accepted into does not allow for the students to maintain a job while in the program. This is due to the intensity of the program. I am having to take out large loan amounts to pay for not only tuition but also cost of living. I am trying to reduce student loan debt as much as possible. Reducing the stress of repayment of massive loans is not only good for mental health, but also it helps with focusing on your studies. Within the next ten years, I plan on graduating with my masters degree. I will get licensed and certified and begin my career. I plan on becoming a leader in my field. More importantly, I plan on advocating for marginalized communities. I want to give those a voice when they are fearful they will not be heard. What that entails, I am not quite sure yet, but I am positive I will find the most impactful way to do this. I also want to eventually be able to mentor other BIPOC students to achieve their dreams.

When I think of an inspirational female leader, I think of the Honorable Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson. She is the 18th president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, which is the oldest technological research university in the United States. She is the first African American woman to receive a doctorate from MIT — in any field — and has been a trailblazer throughout her career, including as the first African-American woman to lead a top-ranked research university. A theoretical physicist, Dr. Jackson has had a distinguished career that includes senior leadership positions in academia, government, industry, and research. She holds an S.B. in Physics, and a Ph.D. in Theoretical Elementary Particle Physics — both from MIT. Her invention of the technology responsible for Caller ID and Call Waiting stems from days at AT&T Bell Labs where she conducted research in theoretical physics, solid state and quantum physics, and optical physics. Also, Dr. Jackson has been awarded 55 honorary doctoral degrees. She was awarded the National Medal of Science, the nation’s highest honor for contributions in science and engineering by President Obama in 2015. These are just some of her achievements. She is well decorated and a leader in STEM every woman should know. I too plan on becoming a pioneer in my career. I am about to embark on the next part of my journey, which is obtaining my master's degree in physician assistant studies. Only 5% of physicians are black in the United States. I remember growing up never seeing a medical provider that looked like me. Even as an adult, I have only ever met one black physician. I have seen black patients not been taken as seriously as their white counterparts in their journey for treatment of medical conditions. This is my story. I will be someone that black boys and girls can not only feel comfortable with me as their medical provider but also look up to. I have been an advocate for all marginalized communities. Representation matters and I am here to break the racial and gender disparities in health care. Being both a woman and a woman that is part of the BIPOC community, I hope to help change the course of healthcare into a more inclusive field. Hopefully, this will help better the health of America as well as encourage other woman of color to join this growing field in hopes that representation for our community grows with it.

After many years and a dead end career after high school, I decided I was finally in a place where I could go back to school and pursue my dreams. At the ripe age of 27, I took the leap and started undergraduate school. I received my bachelors degree in health science, all with the intention to pursue a career in medicine. Physician assistant is my calling. I have been accepted into a university to receive my masters degree in physician assistant studies. This path is expensive but well worth it. Only 5% of physicians are black in the United States. I remember growing up never seeing a medical provider that looked like me. Even as an adult, I have only ever met one black physician. I have seen black patients not been taken as seriously as their white counterparts in their journey for treatment of medical conditions. This is my story. I will be someone that black boys and girls can not only feel comfortable with me as their medical provider but also look up to. I have been an advocate for all marginalized communities. Representation matters and I am here to break the racial disparities in health care. My motivation to continue schooling stems from this exceptional need in health care as well as providing a better life for my children. Be able to give them opportunities that would otherwise not be able to have, as well as, being able to provide financially for them is what keeps me going.

My path has not been traditional by any means, however I am determined to win. I will start my story off with my senior year of high school. I received an offer to attend a university in Southern California. I wanted to make something of myself and set my future up financially. This all got derailed when I got into an abusive relationship with someone slightly older than me. The summer after I graduated high school, I found out I was pregnant. I then had to make the choice whether to keep the baby or not. I chose to keep and raise her. Because of this decision, I had to put higher education on the back burner. After struggling for a few years not only financially but also with domestic abuse, I got out of that relationship and decided to be the woman my daughter could look up to! This leads me to the next part of my story. Many years and a dead end career later, I decided I was finally in a place where I could go back to school and pursue my dreams. At the ripe age of 27, I took the leap and started undergraduate school. I received my bachelors degree in health science, all with the intention to pursue a career in medicine. Physician assistant is my calling. I have been accepted into a university to receive my masters degree in physician assistant studies. This path is expensive but well worth it. The starting salary for a physician assistant will drastically change the dynamic of our family for the better. This, along with financial planning, will allow us to be financially independent. This will also allow for more opportunities for my two girls. Taking the financial stress off of me will allow for better quality of life and mental health.

My goal has been to receive a higher education and make a difference in the lives of marginalized communities. At the ripe age of 27, I took the leap and started undergraduate school. While going to school full time, I also worked full time gaining patient care experience which I needed to apply to graduate school. Everything I do is with intention to maximize my time on this planet. Being a non-traditional student, it is important to me that I do not waste time and everything I do must be with intent. To do this I established a game plan to get my four year degree in three years. I succeeded and received my bachelors degree in health science, all with the intention to pursue a career in medicine. Physician assistant is my calling. I had to be meticulous with my time. I had three years to complete all prerequisites for the program as well as obtain meaningful volunteer opportunities and make sure I shadowed as many PAs as I could. It paid off. I have been accepted into a university to receive my masters degree in physician assistant studies. This path is expensive but well worth it. Here is why. Only 5% of physicians are black in the United States. I remember growing up never seeing a medical provider that looked like me. Even as an adult, I have only ever met one black physician. I have seen black patients not been taken as seriously as their white counterparts in their journey for treatment of medical conditions. This is my story. I will be someone that black boys and girls can not only feel comfortable with me as their medical provider but also look up to. I have been an advocate for all marginalized communities. Representation matters and I am here to break the racial disparities in health care. I hope that I will be able to break down some of the glass ceilings that are perceived today. This will only positively affect our nations future. My vision is that hopefully by me becoming one of the few medical providers that look like me, I will be able to reach more BIPOC and other marginalized communities. I will be able to provide quality healthcare at an affordable cost. I also hope that many will be able to look to me as a reference to start their own journey to break down barriers in our communities.

When I think of a better future, I think of a society where diverse populations and people from different walks of life can coexist without fear of judgment or persecution. I think of a place where people can be who they truly are without others discriminating against them or trying to suppress their very existence. When I look at the next generation that will be entering adulthood, I feel a sense of hope for our future. Across the nation, certain legislation has been introduced that could potentially be harmful to certain marginalized communities. As a millennial, when I look at generation Z stand up for what they believe is right, it gives me hope. I have witnessed school walkouts in hopes that their efforts will not go unnoticed. I see these children fighting for their classmates to have the right to be their true selves. I admire the courage some of these students have to stand up against lawmakers in hopes that these marginalized communities have a voice. I know this answer might be somewhat controversial, but it shouldn't be. I hope that our future entails justice for all. I hope that people can accept others that may be different from them. I hope one day we live in a society where acceptance of each others differences is not only accepted but also highlighted and celebrated. The one thing that gives me hope that our future will be better is not a thing at all. Instead it is the children. They are the future. They will grow up and have their own children and teach them about acceptance. This will carry on through generations. I have hope that my children and my grandchildren will live in a more unified world where everyone is accepted and loved for being who they are. Only time will tell.

My path has not been traditional by any means, however I am determined to win. I will start my story off with my senior year of high school. I received an offer to attend a university in Southern California. I wanted to make something of myself and set my future up financially. This all got derailed when I got into an abusive relationship with someone slightly older than me. The summer after I graduated high school, I found out I was pregnant. I then had to make the choice whether to keep the baby or not. I chose to keep and raise her. Because of this decision, I had to put higher education on the back burner. After struggling for a few years not only financially but also with domestic abuse, I got out of that relationship and decided to be the woman my daughter could look up to! This leads me to the next part of my story. Many years and a dead end career later, I decided I was finally in a place where I could go back to school and pursue my dreams. At the ripe age of 27, I took the leap and started undergraduate school. I received my bachelors degree in health science, all with the intention to pursue a career in medicine. Physician assistant is my calling. I have been accepted into a university to receive my masters degree in physician assistant studies. This path is expensive but well worth it. Only 5% of physicians are black in the United States. I remember growing up never seeing a medical provider that looked like me. Even as an adult, I have only ever met one black physician. I have seen black patients not been taken as seriously as their white counterparts in their journey for treatment of medical conditions. This is my story. I will be someone that black boys and girls can not only feel comfortable with me as their medical provider but also look up to. I have been an advocate for all marginalized communities. Representation matters and I am here to break the racial disparities in health care.

Although I enjoy learning traditionally in a classroom, I also enjoy exploring other facets of life. I have two children and I have taught them to also consider what they enjoy to do outside of the classroom. We enjoy the outdoors. We also love to travel. When we are outside in nature, we like to go on hikes. There are many trails near our home that we like to embark on. There is one trail in particular that leads to a small waterfall which is breathtaking. We enjoy these moments because they give us a sense of adventure, not to mention the disconnect from any electronics is vital. We also love to travel as often as we can. We used to take an annual trip to Walt Disney World. We recently took a cruise to the Bahamas. We also like to take mini road trips to visit new cities. This brings our family together and gives us quality time. It is also nice to be able to "get outside of our bubble" and experience other cultures and diverse populations. Sometimes, you can actually learn more experiencing a culture rather than learning about it in a book. Overall, I love to have new experiences and unlock core memories by myself and with my family. It means more to me than any present someone could give me. I have tried to remain a well rounded individual and not just have my head stuck in a book. For this reason, when I am asked what my hobbies are, I always answer the same way. I love to get outside and enjoy our beautiful Earth as well as travel the globe to see new sights and experience new peoples. I also try to remind my children that school is important but so is "living" and hobbies provide that opportunity.

Although choosing my favorite scientific discovery is difficult, I believe the discovery of anesthesia is monumental to medical science. The discovery of anesthesia and then the advancement to modern anesthesia has helped progressed medical treatments. The discovery of anesthesia originated in dental practice, which allowed patients to have dental procedures free from pain. Prior to modern anesthesia, surgical procedures would often be avoided as much as possible and/or doctors would have to endure the screams of patients. Due to this invention, surgeons and physicians are not able to perform more complex procedures and therefore saving more lives. Imagine being cut open with a scalpel or even having a limb removed without such a discovery. Furthermore, pregnant women also have the option to have an epidural, which is a type of anesthesia. I have had two children, one without any painkillers or an epidural, and one with an epidural. From experience, it is life changing and makes countless procedures possible.