I recently graduated from Salem High School in Canton Michigan. I enjoy being active in my community and I also love to learn and gain knowledge. Obtaining a BS degree in Food Science & Technology from Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University would allow me to contribute to my community by addressing food and health disparities in urban areas. I want to promote and protect the public by ensuring food products are safe and wholesome, with a focus on underserved communities. #2 As a little girl, I remember my grandfather being very intense and jumpy. He would yell and get upset over the smallest things. As I grew older, I understood that he suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and never got treatment all these years. My Pappa fought in the Vietnam War, and while I won't get into the politics of war. I wondered how I could help and support others just like my Pappa with mental health issues. I have worked to bring awareness to mental health for Veterans. First, I had to address my family, I spoke to him about how there is no stigma for mental health anymore, which has been taboo in the African American Community for years. I encouraged my Pappa to seek counseling. And as an elderly black male, he was not excited. However, I prevailed and he went to therapy. At first, he was extremely uncomfortable, but now it is easier. I now have a Pappa who has the tools to deal with the trauma he has experienced. He is still working towards a healthier life but he is definitely on the right path. And I enjoy spending time with him more. As I have seen a positive result, I wanted to do more. I volunteered with an organization called NAMI, the National Alliance of Mental Health to bring awareness to the community by participating in a walk and raising money. I made signs and walked with signs to advocate for mental health in Detroit. In addition, I am certified through an organization called Active Minds to promote mental health. I believe we have to provide Mental health awareness and education to remove the stigma of mental illness. I was recently diagnosed with severe SAD (Social Anxiety Disorder). Over the past year, I have been through exposure therapy with the University of Michigan to make sure I have the tools to embark on a new college journey 16 hours from my hometown. For many, this is a normal next step, but for me and my mental health, it is a mountain that I am determined to climb. I share my experiences, and my grandfather is sharing with me, which gives me the strength to educate others and continue to help others get the help they need with no stigma attached. Overall, I am hopeful that Veterans take advantage of the tools provided for them, but sometimes they need a push and to remember they served our country now it is our turn to be of service. As the “each one, teach one model”, it is very important and practical way to reach others. I have encouraged my pappa to talk to other veterans he knows and share his experience. He has done this, I sit around and listen to him on the phone laugh and talk to other veterans so they can enjoy life more, and I smile on the inside which helps me with my mental health journey.

Are we as a Country really woke?” Do we want to be woke and aware? It seems to me we would rather forget, erase, and sweep under the rug how we even got here by way of slavery. Where are my reparations? This is the very least our country can do for minorities is to provide space and opportunity in the educational system. I have decided to go where I am celebrated and not tolerated. I chose to attend Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University, a historically black college. Here is why, I felt out of place when I walked into class on the first day of school, attending a predominantly white high school. I wondered "Why doesn't anyone look like me?" Year after year, this question still remained. As I grew, so did my awareness of race, the lack of representation, and the disparities in the educational system. I believe education is the great equalizer and provides that path to right many wrongs. As an African American attending a nondiverse high school, there were significant challenges that I faced. In my experience, one challenge was that the school community has not always been invested in my academic and personal success. Too often, my voice and my academic accomplishments were dismissed by the larger community.; frequently, I was made to feel inferior. For example, in class, when volunteering to answer questions, if chosen, I am often picked last. The disregard does not stop at the academic level; it is disheartening to say we have also had several hate crimes such as racial slurs directed toward African American students. Because of this, I chose to participate in walk outs to raise awareness and build community. My experiences since childhood have opened my eyes to marginalization. I have been asked to represent an entire population of people because our skin color is similar as if we are not all multidimensional. The macroaggressions and microaggressions are prevalent in dialogue that is supposed to foster critical thought and enlightenment. This experience has had its fair share of disappointments. The disregard does not stop at the academic level but is infused with stories of beauty and elegance that we are consistently omitted from. Over the years, I have been privy to the conversations about the HBCU experience, and I have seen how it has helped shape so many successful Black people I know. I am confident that an HBCU education would provide me with the academic tools, community partnerships, and support needed for a successful future. I aspire to become a Food Scientist to promote more representation in the STEM field and to eliminate health disparities in the underserved community. I want to create an environment that will be inclusive, where all feel welcome. I would ask the United States of America to truly WAKE UP, and not pretend to be WOKE!

“Why should there be hunger and deprivation in any land, in any city, at any table, when man has the resources and the scientific know-how…There is no deficit in human resources. The deficit is in human will.” - Dr Martin Luther King Jr. Obtaining a BS degree in Food Science & Technology from Florida A&M University would allow me to contribute to my community by addressing food and health disparities. I am passionate about the topic of Food Insecurity in the urban community. I plan to dedicate my career and education to solving this issue. I have hopes of one day working in public service at the US Department of Agriculture. This will allow me to be a change agent in the Food Industry. When I think of American grub, I imagine sizzling hot dogs doused in ketchup and mustard, burgers and fries dancing in salt. Unsurprisingly, health risks are climbing uphill for U.S. citizens, while vitality rates are plummeting downhill. Our country is the land of the free and home to overly processed foods. These inexpensive foods may appear as a good bargain; however, the risk is at the consumer’s discretion and comes with dire consequences. I have worked to reduce food deserts in poverty-stricken areas. In an effort to promote better nutrition and access, I planted vegetables including fresh tomatoes, carrots, and herbs in the urban center while partnering with the nonprofit organization The Greening of Detroit. When the vegetables are ready to harvest, they will go to local soup kitchens to prepare fresh meals for those in need. I have also volunteered with Focus Hope packing boxes of canned goods, fruits, vegetables, and beans. Working alongside team members, we packed food for each box quickly to be ready for delivery to various shelters and homes for senior citizens in the community. Participating in these projects was fulfilling because not only do I have empathy for those struggling with food hardships, but I also want to be a resource. My father was raised in a food desert on the east side of Detroit. Growing up in a densely populated area with little access to fresh produce or healthy foods for affordable prices undoubtedly influenced the foods he bought as an adult for my family. It was about survival, not about maintaining homeostasis in the heart and body. Similarly, many struggling American families who live paycheck-to-paycheck or without a steady income often must make this sacrifice: choosing affordability over health. This habitual choice is problematic and reduces the longevity of our communities. This scholarship is crucial to me, my family, and my journey. It would mean less student loan debt and the ability to remain focused on excelling in my academics. I am in a position where I was not provided with a substantial scholarship and I would have to take out several student loans. My goal is to graduate with zero debt, I am finding this to be a difficult challenge. However, I will continue to push to achieve this goal. I trust that God will make a way, he saw that I was accepted to Florida A&M University for a reason. This scholarship would not only support my education, but it will greatly impact millions of people in underserved communities by improving food health and safety and providing access where it does not exist today. I strive to solve food insecurities for future generations. I would also like to mentor incoming scholars and support them in their academic growth and career development.

“Why should there be hunger and deprivation in any land, in any city, at any table, when man has the resources and the scientific know-how…There is no deficit in human resources. The deficit is in human will.” - Dr Martin Luther King Jr. Obtaining a BS degree in Food Science & Technology from Florida A&M University would allow me to contribute to my community by addressing food and health disparities. I am passionate about the topic of Food Insecurity in the urban community. I plan to dedicate my career and education to solving this issue. I have hopes of one day working in public service at the US Department of Agriculture. This will allow me to be a change agent in the Food Industry. When I think of American grub, I imagine sizzling hot dogs doused in ketchup and mustard, burgers and fries dancing in salt. Unsurprisingly, health risks are climbing uphill for U.S. citizens, while vitality rates are plummeting downhill. Our country is the land of the free and home to overly processed foods. These inexpensive foods may appear as a good bargain; however, the risk is at the consumer’s discretion and comes with dire consequences. I have worked to reduce food deserts in poverty-stricken areas. In an effort to promote better nutrition and access, I planted vegetables including fresh tomatoes, carrots, and herbs in the urban center while partnering with the nonprofit organization The Greening of Detroit. When the vegetables are ready to harvest, they will go to local soup kitchens to prepare fresh meals for those in need. I have also volunteered with Focus Hope packing boxes of canned goods, fruits, vegetables, and beans. Working alongside team members, we packed food for each box quickly to be ready for delivery to various shelters and homes for senior citizens in the community. Participating in these projects was fulfilling because not only do I have empathy for those struggling with food hardships, but I also want to be a resource. My father was raised in a food desert on the east side of Detroit. Growing up in a densely populated area with little access to fresh produce or healthy foods for affordable prices undoubtedly influenced the foods he bought as an adult for my family. It was about survival, not about maintaining homeostasis in the heart and body. Similarly, many struggling American families who live paycheck-to-paycheck or without a steady income often must make this sacrifice: choosing affordability over health. This habitual choice is problematic and reduces the longevity of our communities. This scholarship is crucial to me, my family, and my journey. It would mean less student loan debt and the ability to remain focused on excelling in my academics. I am in a position where I was not provided with a substantial scholarship and I would have to take out several student loans. My goal is to graduate with zero debt, I am finding this to be a difficult challenge. However, I will continue to push to achieve this goal. I trust that God will make a way, he saw that I was accepted to Florida A&M University for a reason. This scholarship would not only support my education, but it will greatly impact millions of people in underserved communities by improving food health and safety and providing access where it does not exist today. I strive to solve food insecurities for future generations. I would also like to mentor incoming scholars and support them in their academic growth and career development.

“Why should there be hunger and deprivation in any land, in any city, at any table, when man has the resources and the scientific know-how…There is no deficit in human resources. The deficit is in human will.” - Dr Martin Luther King Jr. Obtaining a BS degree in Food Science & Technology from Florida A&M University would allow me to contribute to my community by addressing food and health disparities through STEAM. I am passionate about the topic of Food Insecurity in the urban community. I plan to dedicate my career and education to solving this issue. I have hopes of one day working in public service at the US Department of Agriculture. This will allow me to be a change agent in the Food Industry. When I think of American grub, I imagine sizzling hot dogs doused in ketchup and mustard, burgers and fries dancing in salt. Unsurprisingly, health risks are climbing uphill for U.S. citizens, while vitality rates are plummeting downhill. Our country is the land of the free and home to overly processed foods. These inexpensive foods may appear as a good bargain; however, the risk is at the consumer’s discretion and comes with dire consequences. I have worked to reduce food deserts in poverty-stricken areas. In an effort to promote better nutrition and access, I planted vegetables including fresh tomatoes, carrots, and herbs in the urban center while partnering with the nonprofit organization The Greening of Detroit. When the vegetables are ready to harvest, they will go to local soup kitchens to prepare fresh meals for those in need. I have also volunteered with Focus Hope packing boxes of canned goods, fruits, vegetables, and beans. Working alongside team members, we packed food for each box for delivery to various shelters and homes for senior citizens in the community. Participating in these projects was fulfilling because not only do I have empathy for those struggling with food hardships, but I also want to be a resource. My father was raised in a food desert on the east side of Detroit. Growing up in a densely populated area with little access to fresh produce or healthy foods for affordable prices undoubtedly influenced the foods he bought as an adult for my family. It was about survival, not about maintaining homeostasis in the heart and body. Similarly, many struggling American families who live paycheck-to-paycheck or without a steady income often must make this sacrifice: choosing affordability over health. This habitual choice is problematic and reduces the longevity of our communities. This scholarship is crucial to me, my family, and my journey. It would mean less student loan debt and the ability to remain focused on excelling in my academics. I am in a position where I was not provided with a substantial scholarship, and I would have to take out several student loans. My goal is to graduate with zero debt, I am finding this to be a difficult challenge. However, I will continue to push to achieve this goal. I trust that God will make a way, he saw that I was accepted to Florida A&M University for a reason. This scholarship would not only support my education, but it will greatly impact millions of people in underserved communities by improving food health and safety and providing access where it does not exist today. I strive to solve food insecurities for future generations. I would also like to mentor incoming scholars and support them in their academic growth and career development as I work to accomplish the goal of being a change agent in the Food industry.