Charity dressed me for school. It fed me when our kitchen cabinets were empty. It ensured that Christmas morning still felt magical, even when my mother's precious smile hid exhaustion and worry. No grand gestures, no cameras, and no drawn-out speeches. Just a box of food, a warm coat, a wrapped toy that made me feel seen when we felt invisible. Charity is personal to me, it's all I've ever known, it provided small bursts of joy during a season of struggle. It's the reason my family didn't have to go without. The reminder that we mattered. I aim to be part of the five percent of African American pediatricians. Not to check off a box on my resume, but because I know what it feels like to be a child in need of comfort, care, and someone who looks like them in a room full of strangers. I want to be the doctor who understands health is not just about prescriptions, but about equity, access, and whether or not you went to bed hungry the night before. I'll give back by showing up in schools, shelters, and clinics. I'll organize drives, mentor, and advocate. I'll be the person who whispers to another Black child, "Yes, you can." Because someone did that for me, through a bag of groceries, a winter coat, and a wrapped gift. Charity gave me more than things, it gave me motivation, which I now plan use to turn my dreams into reality.

I'm a first-generation college student and proud overachieving Black woman from a low-income family, who has witnessed both the inequalities and the beauty of the healthcare system. I saw firsthand how illness, could subtly but quickly turn a family's lives upside down, especially in underserved and underrepresented communities where access, trust, and empathy feel like privileges rather than rights. These experiences are what piqued my interest in healthcare, where I can make a difference in the lives of those who face similar struggles. Although I do not yet wear a stethoscope, I see the pain, the breath of hope, and what healing is destined to be. I've found my path, a future I'm eager to begin. It's more than treating illness; it's about seeing every child for who they are. It's about being the one who listens closely, the one who fights for their patients and leaves a mark on every wall that once said "Not you," on every locked door that keeps them out. I'm determined to turn every "no" into more; more access, more opportunity, and more compassion. Equity in healthcare is not just hope for me, it's a mission. Health equity eliminates the barriers that may be limiting access to care, addresses the social aspects of health, and creates inclusive and universally accessible systems. Public health is about serving the entire population, not just those who fit a certain race, background, or income criteria. I want to be a part of a healthcare system that listens better, treats fairly, and heals deeper, putting our most at risk first. Equity is how medications, vaccinations, education, and preventative care remain accessible in underrepresented communities. I have been and plan to continue to advocate for others as a doctor. I am committed to making the healthcare environment more inclusive and patient-centered. As they continue to say "I should know my place" or "She'll never make it." I'll continue to wear my white coat, I'll learn the names, and I'll hold each tiny face. I'll be the one who shows up when it seems as though the world has turned their backs on them, and when they ask what brought me here, through the sleepless nights, I'll say; a dream, a prayer, and a promise that I was born to keep. Black excellence in medicine is showing up for our communities with cultural understanding and lived experiences. Allowing young people to see themselves reflected in positions of care and leadership. Education equips me with the skills to heal, the confidence to lead, and the voice to advocate for systemic change. With this education, I will turn my lived experiences into lifelong impact. I will be equipped with the skills to heal, the confidence to lead, and the voice to advocate for systemic change. With this education I will do more than care for children physically, I’ll pour into them emotionally showing them that their goals are always within reach, no matter what the world says. My journey isn’t just mine, it’s for every child who’s ever felt underestimated or misunderstood, for every black family who’s faced barriers within healthcare, and for every young person who needs to see that success is not just possible but inevitable when you keep going. Through my continued education, I’m working to become the doctor I wish I had when I was younger and the one our youth deserves today. I will achieve black excellence by healing, empowering, and reminding the next generation that they are seen, valued, and can do anything they put their minds to.

I’m pursuing a career in pediatrics because I believe Black excellence starts with our youth and continues when we invest in their health, their dreams, and their future. Growing up, I always felt anxious going to the doctor's office and not seeing any doctors who looked like me, despite living in a predominantly Black neighborhood. Only 6.2% of pediatricians are Black or African American. I want to be the face for Black and brown children all over the U.S. I want them to know that regardless of the stigma set against them, they can do anything they put their minds to even if they have to work a little harder than most to get there. The fear of being judged before they even get the chance to prove themselves due to the color of their skin should not stop them from trying to achieve their dreams and life goals. I chose a pediatrician opposed to any other doctor or healthcare worker because I have a good rapport with children, I believe I work particularly well with children, and I truly believe that we need to pour into our children because they are the future. I don't want to just be another doctor; I want to be a role model and mentor to my patients. All my life children have felt comfortable opening up to me, even those whom I don't know personally. This is essential to become a pediatrician because sometimes children are afraid to say what they actually mean in fear of punishment. If I can make the doctor's office a safe space, then I will be able to diagnose them much quicker. Children find it easy to have casual conversation with me. I am able to understand them, and they can understand me. I can make a not so fun situation fun for the children, so they don't get bored. I want the healthcare environment to be an inclusive environment for everyone. I want to be the reason black and brown children strive to reach their goals. I want to prove that you can do anything you want if you try hard enough, no matter your skin color or what type of background you come from. The average debt, including undergraduate studies and medical school, is $264,000. I come from a low-income single-parent household so this amount of debt will have a tremendous impact on my family and I, as this is double what my household makes in an entire year. This scholarship will help relieve some of the financial burden and allow me to focus on my studies to become the best doctor I can be without worrying about where the money to fund it will come from. This scholarship will bring me one step closer to becoming a pediatrician who not only heals but also inspires and uplifts the youth. Through your support, I will achieve black excellence by healing, empowering, and reminding the next generation that they are seen, valued, and can do anything they put their minds to, despite the obstacles they may face along the way.