One of my most profound achievements to date has been the completion and screening of my short film, "I Am Nobody." This project was a culmination of months of dedicated effort, hard work, and conceptualization to production. Creating "I Am Nobody" taught me valuable lessons about perseverance, collaboration, and resilence. As a writer and director, I faced numerous challenges throughout the filmmaking process, from script revisions to logistical hurdles during filming. There were times when I wanted to give up. Everything seemed too overwhelmingly difficult, but I had to tell myself that things are hard before they become easy. Each obstacle became an opportunity to innovate and refine my vision. I learned the importance of effective communication and teamwork. Every member of the cast and crew played a crucial role in bringing the story I wanted to tell to life. Rather than trying to take on everything by myself I leaned on my coworkers and trusted them to do what was needed. More significantly, this experience revealed my capacity for leadership and creative problem-solving. I discovered that I thrive under pressure, finding inspiration in moments of uncertainty. It reaffirmed my passion for storytelling through visual media. I witnessed firsthand the impact of narration and cinematography on an audience's emotions and perspectives. Looking to the future, I aspire to further hone my skills in writing and filmmaking. I aim to explore diverse genres and styles, pushing the boundaries of traditional storytelling while remaining true to my artistic voice. I hope to collaborate with talented individuals who share my vision and passion, contributing to projects that provoke thought, evoke emotions, and inspire change. Ultimately, I envision myself directing feature-length films and television episodes that resonate globally, addressing themes of social relevance and cultural diversity. I aim to create work that not only entertains but also challenges viewers to reflect on the human experience. Through storytelling, I seek to foster empathy and understanding, contributing to a more interconnected world where art serves as a catalyst for positive transformation. My journey in writing and filmmaking has been shaped by the lessons of perseverance, collaboration, and creative expression. I am driven by a relentless pursuit of excellence and a commitment to storytelling that transcends tradition. I seek innovation and originality. As I continue to evolve as an artist, I am excited by the limitless possibilities that lie ahead, eager to make a meaningful impact through my cinematic and writing endeavors.

Art is the thread of beauty that is woven into our everyday lives. The fascinating thing about it is it doesn't find us, we find it. I found the spirit of creating when my soul mourned for something fulfilling. It wailed for purpose and groaned for reason. It was birthed when a chasm remained vivid in my little heart. It called to me as the winds call to the sails in the sea. Writing has been and will always be the most passionate constant in my life. I continue doing it because I do not know who I am without it. My writing allows figments of my imagination to breathe. If it is absent then so am I. This is why I choose to utilize everything that lingers at my disposal. I am driven by the limitless possibilities offered by technological advancements, including artificial intelligence and digital tools. Which I believe enhances the scope and impact of the creative process. The rapid evolution of technology has become revolutionary, enabling artists to transcend traditional boundaries. Platforms like digital art and automatic script-writing tools offer a canvas for me to integrate advanced techniques that enhance the emotional depth of my narratives. Through this fusion of innovation and traditional craftsmanship, I envision my future projects will be strengthened At the heart of my artistic journey lies a commitment to weaving compelling narratives that resonate with audiences on a profound level. Drawing inspiration from seminal works in television, art pieces, and literature, I aspire to embark on a transformative project that encapsulates my vision as an artist. This project will serve as a testament to my dedication to storytelling, exploring themes that provoke thought and evoke powerful emotions. Looking forward, I am eager to increase my education and experiences as a student of the arts to realize my ambitious goals. By embracing technological innovations and nurturing my passion for storytelling, I am certain that I will make meaningful contributions to the visual arts landscape. My journey is not merely about creating art but leaving a lasting impact through narratives that resonate and endure long after I depart from the world.

The arts have been my refuge for as long as memory serves, a sanctuary amidst the turmoil of a childhood stifled by the normalcy that I craved but could never attain. A childhood bound by trauma, abuse, and poverty. I grappled with the weight of responsibilities and expectations, a relentless pursuit of perfection and burdens, that left me feeling bound and suffocated. There was an innate longing to break free, to explore the depths of my existence beyond my circumstances and the riveting confines of familial and societal molds. Still, I found myself tethered to responsibilities, burdened by the need to be the steady anchor for my family. I traversed the world with a heavy heart, relying more on logic than on the whispers of creativity that stirred within that pleaded to leak exploration and expression. It felt like a piece of me was missing, lost amidst the demands of duty and obligation. But within the depths of my soul, a flame flickered, yearning to ignite and illuminate the darkness I had begun to succumb myself to. It was through writing that I found my liberation, the floodgates of expression bursting open like a torrential downpour. Each word spilled onto the page, a testament to the raw authenticity of my being. My pen had become the sword I welded to the world. In the realm of art, I discovered peace and solace--a canvas where imperfections were celebrated, where chaos bred innovation and narratives. Writing became my lifeline, a conduit through which I could connect with others on a deeper level. Vulnerability bled from that pen, forging bonds that transcended mere words on a page. Emotions and rawness ascended as this new home gripped my hand in safety. It was a return to myself amidst a world that often felt distant and unfamiliar. A world I would trek into often to connect to myself. As I got older, the allure of writing beckoned me forward with an irresistible pull. It whispered promises of fulfillment, of purpose discovered through the ebb and flow of ink upon paper. The flame of writing continued to blaze with each passing day. But now I am no longer driven by fury and pain but by one singular purpose--to inspire and create--to breathe life into the world through the power of storytelling. My stories are the signature across the page, the finality of my existence. I plan on portraying the beauty and the madness of the world; the grotesque and ethereal entities that create my life and yours. I want to encapsulate the problems, the solutions, and the unanswered to make a difference. I plan on being a beacon fueled by the belief that dreams are not just within reach, but inevitable--a stream of hope guiding me toward a future of sanity and peace no longer bound by the chains of responsibility and expectations. No matter how desolate reality seems if there is hope you will not falter. That is what I hope to accomplish in my career and this lifetime.

I have been a part of numerous outside organizations such as the Sunrise Movement which is a movement dedicated to making an impact on climate change, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture which highlights black voices and preserves our history, and the Army National Guard which is a part-time job that I have been a part of since 2020. It has taught me leadership qualities alongside teamwork, integrity, respect, and personal courage. These organizations have expanded my thinking, beliefs, goals, and problem-solving skills. I am a part of the Courier club which is dedicated to improving writing, specifically screenwriting which is a passion of mine to be able to do in my field of work. I have also recently joined the Black Student Council for my school in hopes of advocating for those who feel unheard. There needs to be more representation and acknowledgment of the black population. I hope I can create that space and go beyond what has already been done. In addition, I work alongside toddlers as a Team Leader, facilitating sessions between children, the teachers, and my group members. Jumpstart, is an educational organization that focuses on the development of adolescence. Working there has taught me the importance of balance, empathy, and ensuring that everyone's opinion is acknowledged and valued. Inclusivity lingers in the core of who I am, so grasping onto it in my everyday activities is a must. In addition, this year I have taken an interest in volunteering with organizations such as City Relief and Bowery Mission to make an impact. I have always ridden the wave of being the change I want to see in the world and these past couple of years and the years to come I have made it my mission to do exactly that. So, my goal is to continue to get more involved in my community and try to make a difference in society as much as I can. Every extracurricular activity I have committed myself to was something I believed in. I needed to take action because I could no longer be the shy girl who watched in the corners. Despite this being something that existed outside of my comfort zone, I took a chance and decided to be brave and true to myself. I couldn't continue to cower away in the distance. I used to believe that one person couldn't make a difference. Now, I know that one person makes all the difference in the world. One person can spark a revolution, and if one person can inspire another, then all the difference is made. So, I try to be that person, encouraging and standing as a role model for others. I have learned to be bold and go after my goals and what I believe in. Through these things, I have learned to develop my skills and acquire training in the skills I lacked. Being a part of communities of people determined to shift minds has shown me the necessity of chasing your passions. I will continue to help others because it brings me happiness and I truly believe that I will inspire others to be the best that they can be.

I did not choose to pursue art. It seems that art chose me. Over the years I've allowed the ideas that occupied my mind to pour out of me, grasping onto any available medium. The need to create has been my driving force in life. It has allowed me to grow and see the beauty and ugly of the world. With this keen eye, I have been allowed to capture it through my own works. It made me realize that home doesn't have to be a tangible thing. It can be the thing that makes you the most comfortable, the most free. Art is my home and I would not be able to imagine the person I'd be without it. Everything around me inspires me to create. There's a quote that goes something like this, "Art imitates life." This was said by Plato and I believe this philosophy plants a lot of relevance to my own artistic opinion. Art is the result of life. I look at the experiences I go through as well as those around me and try to capture them in my mediums. Every person's story should be seen or heard. Each story has a distinctive voice and it may help someone who has been affected by a similar experience. Perhaps it may even inform them of something they hadn't known. My goal is to tell stories, whether they be fictional or true. Inspiring others is one of the things that inspires me. It feeds my starving soul as much as conjuring an idea does. I breathe art because it sets my heart ablaze. To me, art isn't the root of all things, but rather the fabrications of it. My own artwork is how I have encountered the world. It is how I see it every day, imagine it, or wish to see it. My vision may alter from the artist that resides next to me. That, I think, is the beauty of creation. Art cannot be replicated or perfectly identical. As humans we are constantly changing, going through rebirths, and transformations. We go through different phases of life and learn things at different times. I do think it is possible my perception of the world can change. It is constantly changing and each thing I create is a byproduct of that. I do believe that creating is my calling. It is why I am here. I want to touch the hearts of others. Someone out there is waiting for the story I will someday tell. Someone needs it as much as I do. Someone needs that smile. Because that one smile may change the world.

It was raining outside. Lighting struck and thunder rolled in the sky, shaking the entire city with its wrath. I wasn't afraid of it though. Instead of fear, I saw adventures beyond those windows. I was about nine years old. I wanted to play outside. My mom told me that I couldn't play out in the rain and that I'd catch phenomena. I was tired of playing dolls with my sisters so she told me to use my imagination. Well, a kid's imagination is a powerful thing and at the time my mind dreamed of everything when she gave me a pencil and several sheets of paper. With that pencil and paper, it felt like I could do anything. I folded the paper in half, then another, and then another. I placed the sheets within each other like a book and drew a cover on the front. I wrote my name at the bottom, opened the book, and created a story with words and drawings. The art of storytelling poured out of me like a language I had always known but never spoken. It wasn't perfect, but something about it felt freeing. It made my heart sing and I knew I wanted to do it forever. So, I continued to write small, handcrafted books. I wrote and wrote and wrote through any medium that I could. It was my calling. I still remember the feeling of the blank pages and the way concentration and glee danced on my face. I remember the smile that painted my mom's face when I showed her and my little sisters. I wanted everyone to experience that feeling. I still want people to experience that feeling. My goal is to tell stories, whether they be fictional or true. I want to inspire others. If I keep trying I will touch the hearts of others. Someone out there is waiting for the story that I will someday tell. So I will not stop until my stories are out there because someone needs it. Someone needs that smile because that one smile will change the world.

Anyone can be a leader, but not everyone can be a great one. In order to be a leader you must first learn to follow. A great leader was once a follower. A great leader sees perspectives and knows both viewpoints. They walk in the shoes of both roles and gain experience from doing so. A great leader is a great team player. Someone who makes sacrifices and always puts their best foot forward in any situation. They access the situation and the potential consequences which can arise from each decision. To be a leader is to inspire others. Being a leader is believing in something so passionately that others can’t help but follow, they can’t help but want to be a part of that vision too. The passion bleeds through so desperately that those who follow know and feel that intensity. I have been in a variety of different leadership roles whether it was by choice or force. Each time I fulfilled the role I learned from the experience. I wasn’t perfect and I think when a leader knows that they aren’t perfect and wants to grow individually for the greater good it’s a beautiful thing. It shows the strength of their mindset. It isn’t a fixed mindset, instead, growth resides and that also affects those that follow. In 2020 I went to Basic Training for the Army. I was seventeen, tentative, and afraid of my own shadow. I didn’t like to talk and I stayed to myself, but I always did what I was supposed to do. For me, it was so easy to just follow all the directions and abide silently. Then one hot summer day my drill sergeant called me to the position of attention and told me to lead the platoon. It caught me by surprise that he told me to lead for the next couple of days. Maybe he saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself or maybe his intent was to break me out of my shell. I had to call cadences, lead the platoon in drills and exercises, and demonstrate the necessary skills required to be a leader. Sometimes I’d get it wrong and face the consequences because that would mean leading incorrectly. I understood and learned how to lead properly. A good leader leads with confidence and that I did. I learned that each and every decision would affect me and my team. “In order to be a great leader you must first be a follower,” my drill sergeant had told me the day he ordered me to lead the platoon. I have stood by that since then. My leadership skills were put to the test and strengthened. At first, I didn’t understand what it meant to follow first and then lead nor had I known how to put my leadership skills on display. Now, I do. I am able to be brave, courageous, and implement integrity. I hope in the future that these skills will take me far in my career and inspire others like me.