Giving back has always been part of how I move through the world, even when I do not have much time or clarity myself. I do not see service as something separate from my everyday life. It shows up in how I listen, how I show up for others, and how I choose to be present when someone needs support. Over time, these small, consistent moments have shaped the way I understand community and responsibility. One of the first places I learned this was through Big Brothers Big Sisters. Being involved in that program taught me how much impact consistency can have. You do not have to have all the answers to support someone. Sometimes just being reliable and listening makes the biggest difference. Volunteering with Special Olympics also played a big role in shaping how I give back. Being in that environment reminded me how important patience, encouragement, and inclusion are, especially for people who are often overlooked or underestimated. More recently, I have been volunteering at Lehigh Valley Hospital Network and St. Luke’s Hospital. Being in hospital settings has shown me what vulnerability really looks like. I have seen patients and families experience fear, stress, and uncertainty all at once. In those moments, even small acts of kindness matter. A calm presence, a few reassuring words, or simply taking the time to listen can make a hard situation feel a little more manageable. As a Black woman, I am also very aware of how important representation and cultural understanding are in healthcare. I have seen situations where patients feel unheard or misunderstood, and I know how isolating that can be. That awareness has shaped my desire to pursue nursing through an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. I want to be someone patients can trust, especially those from marginalized communities who may already feel hesitant navigating healthcare systems. Looking ahead, I plan to continue giving back through my career and beyond it. As a nurse, I want to care for the whole person, not just their symptoms. I hope to support patients emotionally as well as physically and to advocate for those who may not feel comfortable speaking up for themselves. Outside of work, I plan to stay involved in community-based service and mentorship because I believe impact should extend beyond job titles. Service, to me, is about intention and consistency. It is about choosing to care, even when it is inconvenient. I plan to carry that mindset with me as I continue my education and into every space I enter in the future.

Mental health became personal to me long before I ever thought about a career in healthcare. I noticed it in the quiet moments, in the people around me who were struggling but did not always have the language or space to talk about it. As a Black woman, I have seen how mental health is often minimized in our communities, treated as something to push through rather than address. That reality shaped the way I show up for others. One of the first places I learned this was through volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters. Being a consistent presence for someone else taught me that support does not always come from advice but from listening and showing up without judgment. Volunteering with Special Olympics further reinforced that everyone deserves patience, understanding, and dignity, especially those who are often overlooked. More recently, volunteering at Lehigh Valley Hospital Network and St. Luke’s Hospital allowed me to see mental health struggles in real time. I watched patients and families navigate fear, anxiety, and uncertainty, sometimes without seeing providers who looked like them or fully understood their lived experiences. Those moments stayed with me. They reminded me how important representation, cultural awareness, and empathy are in healthcare. At the same time, I have experienced periods of anxiety during major transitions, including balancing academic pressure, career uncertainty, and preparing to enter an accelerated nursing program. Navigating these challenges has deepened my compassion and strengthened my desire to care for others who may feel unseen or unheard. As I prepare to enter an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, I hope to serve Black patients, people of color, and other marginalized groups with intention and care. My goal is to be a nurse who recognizes mental health as essential to healing and who creates space for patients and colleagues to feel safe, respected, and supported. Through my studies and future career, I aim to advocate for mental well-being by leading with empathy, representation, and understanding.

From the moment I learned what it meant to care for others, I have always felt drawn to environments where compassion, patience, and human connection matter. Growing up in a Haitian American household, I watched my family value community, service, and treating people with dignity no matter what they were going through. Those early lessons stayed with me, and over the years, my experiences have helped me see that nursing is more than a profession. It is a calling, one that fits the person I am and the person I want to become. My inspiration to pursue nursing comes from a mix of personal encounters and hands-on community work. For years, I have been naturally drawn to helping roles, whether volunteering with the Red Cross previously or currently now at hospitals, serving meals at soup kitchens or helping out at a food pantry, and supporting different communities through my college organizations I was involved in. Each time I stepped into spaces where people were vulnerable, whether they were seeking food, comfort, safety, or simply kindness, I realized how deeply meaningful it is to show up for others. Nursing encompasses exactly that: showing up wholeheartedly for people when they need it most. As I have grown older, I have understood that health care can change people's lives in ways that extend far beyond treating illness. Nurses especially have the unique opportunity to bridge medical care with emotional support. They witness patients at their lowest, but they also get to participate in moments of hope, healing, and resilience. The impact nurses have is immediate and lasting, and the field is one that requires both strength and empathy, two qualities I have developed through school, work, travel, and service. Another part of my inspiration comes from seeing the current challenges facing health care. The shortage of nurses across the country is real, and it motivates me even more to enter this field. Communities, especially vulnerable and underserved ones, need nurses who are committed, compassionate, and prepared. I want to be one of those people. I want to be a nurse who can support patients, advocate for them, and make them feel seen and cared for, especially as a Black woman in America with a background of being from a Caribbean immigrant family. I want to contribute to a profession that is essential not only to hospitals but to society as a whole. My journey so far, as a student with balancing leadership roles, working multiple jobs, traveling internationally, and giving back through volunteer work, has taught me discipline, adaptability, and empathy. These are all qualities that will guide me in nursing school and beyond. I know the path will be challenging, but I also know it is where I belong. Receiving the Penny Nelk Nursing Scholarship would help me move closer to turning this passion into a career. It would support my educational journey and allow me to focus more on learning how to care for others in the most effective and compassionate way possible. Most importantly, it would honor the legacy of someone who dedicated their life to a field I am deeply committed to joining. I am still growing and learning, but I am ready to take the next steps toward a nursing career and commit myself to the work it requires.

The first time I saw Wicked, I did not expect a Broadway show to feel so personal. Yet as I watched Elphaba’s story unfold, I felt like someone had put my own journey into music. Her struggle to be seen for who she truly is, despite judgment, misunderstanding, and prejudice, mirrored the feelings I have carried as a young Black woman and first-generation college student. Wicked is more than a musical to me—it is a reminder that being different is not something to hide but something to embrace. Elphaba’s anthem, Defying Gravity, has become a guiding force in my own life. Every time she sings about breaking free from limits others place on her, I feel that same determination to rise above the expectations that society and even fear try to impose. For me, “defying gravity” has meant switching majors until I found my purpose in nursing, pushing through moments of self-doubt, and refusing to give up even when the path seemed unclear. It has also meant pursuing leadership opportunities, volunteering in my community, and even studying abroad—all things that required me to believe in myself even when it felt easier to hold back. I also see myself in the friendship between Elphaba and Glinda. Their relationship, though complicated, shows how true friendship means growth, honesty, and love even in the face of differences. It has reminded me to value the people in my life who challenge me to grow and to let go of relationships that only ask me to shrink myself. The song For Good especially moves me, because it reminds me of the lasting impact people can leave on us, even if they are only in our lives for a season. What makes Wicked so special is how universal its themes are. It is a story about identity, resilience, and standing firm in your beliefs even when the world misunderstands you. These themes shape the way I want to live my own life and the kind of career I am pursuing. As a future nurse, I want to bring empathy and courage into every patient interaction, to treat people with compassion no matter their background, and to remind them that they matter. Elphaba’s story is proof that being “different” is powerful—it is what allows us to create change. With the new movie adaptation, I feel even more inspired to see how Wicked’s timeless messages will reach a new generation. Just as the music and characters have encouraged me to dream bigger, I know they will encourage others to embrace their uniqueness and fight for their voice to be heard. I am a fan of Wicked because it is more than just entertainment—it is a story that gave me courage when I doubted myself, strength when I felt invisible, and hope that defying expectations can lead to extraordinary things.

1. I grew up learning what it meant to carry responsibility early. As a second-generation college student and young Black woman, I have always felt the weight of creating opportunities not just for myself but for my family as well. Over time, I realized that my strength comes from service—whether through volunteering, leadership, or lending a listening ear to those around me. Studying abroad in Germany and France showed me how health, culture, and dignity intersect. I observed how communities value wellness in ways that extend beyond the physical, and it broadened my understanding of what true care looks like. Back home, volunteering with organizations like the Red Cross and Pheed Philly reinforced those lessons. Serving a hot meal or offering support to someone in need reminded me that wellness is about being seen and valued as a whole person. My own fitness and wellness journey has also shaped me. Working toward better health taught me discipline, patience, and empathy for others who face personal battles that are not always visible. These experiences built my passion for healthcare and my desire to bring compassion and respect to every patient I will one day serve. 2. Empathy, to me, is the ability to step outside of myself and fully honor another person’s experience. It means recognizing that everyone carries their own struggles, fears, and hopes, even if they are not visible on the surface. Empathy is not just about kindness—it is about listening without judgment, respecting differences, and offering care that validates the humanity of the person in front of you. In nursing, empathy is vital. Patients are often at their most vulnerable when they enter a hospital or clinic. They may be frightened, overwhelmed, or unsure about their future. A nurse’s ability to meet them with empathy can change the entire experience of care. It builds trust, reduces fear, and creates a connection that allows healing to take place beyond just the physical treatment. My understanding of empathy has been shaped by both personal and community experiences. Through volunteering, I have seen how meeting basic needs—like food, warmth, or companionship—can restore dignity. At Face to Face Germantown, I watched guests light up simply because they felt valued. Those moments reminded me that healthcare is not just about solving a problem but about affirming a person’s worth. My own health journey has also given me a deeper appreciation for empathy. As I’ve worked toward weight loss and overall wellness, I have felt what it means to be underestimated or judged. Those experiences make me more determined to be a nurse who creates a safe, supportive environment for patients of all backgrounds. To ensure my work is done through a human-centered lens, I will approach every patient as more than their condition. I will take time to ask questions, listen carefully, and consider cultural and social factors that shape their health. Collaboration with patients and colleagues will also be a priority because true care often requires many perspectives working together. Most importantly, I will strive to meet each patient with respect and compassion, whether they are facing something life-threatening or something small that still matters deeply to them. Empathy transforms healthcare into something more than science—it makes it human. As a nurse, my goal is not only to treat but also to comfort, not only to heal but also to affirm, and not only to care for the body but also to nurture the whole person. That is the kind of healthcare provider I want to be.

I have never had the luxury of moving through life without change. Change has always followed me—sometimes by choice, sometimes by circumstance. At first, I thought that changing my mind meant I was uncertain. I started college as a pharmacy major, then shifted to criminology, business administration, marketing, and management. Each time I switched, I wondered if I was failing by not sticking to one path. But looking back, I realize that each change was a step toward discovering my purpose. I was not lost—I was learning. As a second-generation college student and a young Black woman, my journey has always felt bigger than myself. Education was not only about me; it was about creating a future for my family and proving that all the sacrifices made along the way were worth it. Each classroom I sat in, each assignment I submitted, carried the weight of knowing I was opening doors that had never been opened before in my family. My growth did not happen only in the classroom. I found myself in leadership roles—serving as public relations chair for my club, On the Quad, joining the National Society of Leadership and Success, and becoming a member of Gamma Iota Sigma. I also volunteered with the Red Cross, Special Olympics, and Pheed Philly, where I spent a day at Face to Face Germantown, an organization providing meals and dignity to those who needed it most. Handing a warm plate of food to someone who hadn’t eaten in days reminded me that leadership is not about titles, but about service. Travel also became a part of my story. On a study abroad trip to Germany and Paris, I learned how culture shapes business, leadership, and human connection. Standing in historic cities, I understood what it meant to be a global citizen. My world felt bigger, and so did my dreams. But perhaps my most important journey has been internal. I am on a path to reclaiming my health through fitness, nutrition, and discipline. Losing weight and rebuilding strength has not just been physical—it has taught me patience, resilience, and the importance of showing up for myself even when it is hard. That same resilience fuels my desire to step into the nursing field. Nursing is not just a career choice for me—it is the culmination of everything I have learned about perseverance, compassion, and service. It is a chance to stand beside people in their most vulnerable moments and remind them that they are not alone. This scholarship would mean more than financial support—it would mean affirmation. It would mean that all of my hard work, the sleepless nights, and the constant balancing of classes, internships, leadership, volunteering, and personal battles were worth it. It would mean I could focus fully on my education without the crushing weight of financial stress. My dream is not only to become a nurse but also to be the example I once needed. I want other young Black women and other students with an immigrant background to see my story and believe that their goals are possible, even when the road is messy, uncertain, or full of change. Education has already transformed me, and with your support, I know I can use it to transform the lives of others as well.

I can still remember the night it clicked. It was June 2023, around 2 a.m., and I was wide awake at my cousin’s house—scrolling aimlessly, overthinking, and feeling stuck in the same cycle I’d been in for months. Out of nowhere, I thought, “Why not just sign back up for Planet Fitness?” Ten dollars a month didn’t feel like a big deal, but in that moment, it felt like something I could actually commit to. I told myself that when I got home, I’d give it one solid week. If I could stick with it for just seven days, maybe I could turn it into something real—a habit that would eventually change the way I felt about myself. The first few days were rough. I didn’t know what I was doing, and half the time I wanted to quit. But I kept going, and in between workouts, I spent hours researching. I learned about body recomposition, how to track calories safely on apps like MyFitnessPal, and what workouts were best for my goals. There’s a lot of misinformation online, so I made sure to cross reference everything. Somewhere along the way, something shifted. It wasn’t just about losing weight anymore—I actually started to look forward to my workouts. The gym became my place to clear my head and focus on myself. Over nine months, I lost the weight that had been bothering me for years, but what stuck with me even more was the sense of control I felt. I had done this for myself, on my own terms, with nothing but a $10 membership. Motivation is nice but it was fleeting this took a lot of discipline and determination. Making my health a priority didn’t just change my body—it changed the way I handled everything else. I had more energy, I was less stressed, and I felt more confident in school and life. I realized that taking care of myself wasn’t a luxury; it was something I needed to do if I wanted to keep showing up for everything else. Now, when I think about the future whether it’s my career, further education, or the next personal challenge I know that growth takes patience, consistency, and a willingness to keep going even when it’s hard. That random sleepless night taught me that small decisions can change the way you see yourself, and for me, that made all the difference.

I’ve learned that worth isn’t something you wait to be handed to you, it’s something you create through the choices you make and the actions you take. For me, it’s been about showing up, putting in the work, and trusting that the effort I invest today will shape the opportunities I have tomorrow. As a second-generation Haitian American, I grew up seeing the value of persistence through my parents, both of whom built careers in nursing—my father as an LPN and my mother as a DNP. They didn’t glamorize hard work; they lived it. Watching them taught me that success isn’t about shortcuts or instant results but about staying committed to growth. Their example shaped how I approach my own goals: with focus, adaptability, and a belief that my path is mine to build. I recently earned my bachelor’s degree with a double major in Marketing and Management & Leadership. Along the way, I worked in different roles—retail, internships, and campus involvement—that challenged me to lead, communicate effectively, and juggle competing priorities. These experiences didn’t require extraordinary struggle, but they taught me something equally valuable: how to stay consistent and curious while figuring out what’s next. Right now, I’m exploring a pivot toward healthcare administration—a field that speaks to both my background and my interest in systems that make a tangible impact. I don’t pretend to have all the answers about where I’ll ultimately land, but I’m confident in my ability to adapt, learn, and create a career that aligns with my values. To me, being “worth it” isn’t about already having everything figured out; it’s about being willing to put in the work to discover where I can make the most difference. Volunteerism has been an important thread throughout my journey. Through my work with the Red Cross and other community projects, I’ve seen how even small contributions can ripple outward. Leadership, I’ve learned, isn’t defined by titles or recognition, it’s the decision to step up, offer solutions, and support the people around you. I want my future to reflect that same commitment: to make an impact in the spaces I enter, whether in healthcare, business, or beyond. I believe I’m worth my dreams because I back them up with action. I’m not waiting for someone else to decide my value; I’m defining it by the choices I make every day. My education, experiences, and curiosity have prepared me to keep pushing forward, even when the next step isn’t perfectly clear. I know that the dreams I’m chasing are within reach—not because they’ll be handed to me, but because I’m willing to do the work required to make them real.

A single heartbeat might seem like a small, fleeting moment, yet it holds the key to understanding the complex rhythms that keep us alive. Behind every beat lies a network of electrical signals, pressure changes, and chemical reactions—all processes that can be mapped, predicted, and optimized through calculus. From modeling the flow of blood through our arteries to simulating how medications interact with the body over time, calculus provides the language that makes these invisible processes visible. It translates the chaos of biological systems into patterns we can analyze and use to save lives. Without calculus, we wouldn’t be able to design pacemakers that adapt to the unique rhythm of each heart, create medical imaging that detects problems before they become life-threatening, or even develop treatment plans that maximize a patient’s chances of recovery. Calculus forms the foundation of countless scientific breakthroughs, not just in medicine but across all of STEM. It provides the framework for understanding the relationships between variables that are constantly in motion—velocity and acceleration, energy and efficiency, growth and decay. Every technological advancement that shapes our world, from spacecraft navigation to climate modeling, depends on the principles of calculus. By analyzing rates of change, we can predict outcomes, design more efficient systems, and uncover solutions that might otherwise remain hidden. It’s the tool that allows us to transform raw data into actionable knowledge. Consider the rapid advances in healthcare technology. Calculus makes it possible to model the spread of diseases, helping scientists create vaccines that save millions of lives. It drives innovation in prosthetics, where complex equations allow engineers to design artificial limbs that move naturally with the human body. Even wearable fitness technology, which tracks everything from heart rates to oxygen levels, relies on calculus to process data in real-time and provide meaningful insights. Without these mathematical foundations, many of the devices and treatments we take for granted today would simply not exist. In engineering, calculus is the cornerstone of design and optimization. Civil engineers use it to calculate load distributions in bridges and skyscrapers, ensuring safety and efficiency. Mechanical engineers rely on it to perfect the aerodynamics of vehicles, improving fuel efficiency and reducing environmental impact. Even the software powering our smartphones, from navigation apps to video streaming, depends on algorithms rooted in calculus. Each of these innovations underscores a single truth: calculus empowers us to take the abstract and make it tangible. To me, calculus represents more than just numbers and equations; it is the universal language of problem-solving. It teaches us to approach challenges by breaking them into smaller, manageable parts, finding relationships where none seem to exist, and building solutions that stand on a foundation of logic and precision. This mindset is essential not only in STEM careers but in life itself. Every rate of change, every curve we analyze, represents an opportunity to understand the world more deeply and to make it better. STEM is built on calculus. It’s the key that unlocks innovation, from the smallest heartbeat to the vast complexity of the universe. By embracing its principles, we gain the tools to solve the problems of today and to shape a future filled with discovery, progress, and possibility.

“Co comparison is killing me slowly, I think too much about kids who don’t know me.” That lyric from Olivia Rodrigo’s GUTS album feels like a snapshot of my teenage years. I started comparing myself in sixth grade, the day the school nurse weighed us and then later on in our mail we got a printed sheet of my weight and height. I still have it tucked away somewhere in my room, a weird reminder of when I first started measuring my worth through numbers and other people’s eyes. As a Haitian American raised as a Jehovah’s Witness in a mostly white community, I already felt different, but my biggest worry back then was how I looked and what my peers thought of me. Middle and high school often left me feeling like I was always one step behind when it came to knowing how to navigate friendships and social circles. Puberty only made it harder. I knew I wasn’t unattractive, but it seemed like I was always invisible when it came to crushes or being someone’s “first choice.” At that age, attention from the opposite sex feels like proof that you belong, and without it, I often questioned my place. Rodrigo’s lyrics capture exactly how I felt: drained by the habit of comparing myself to people who barely knew I existed. When I listen to GUTS now as a recent college graduate, I hear more than just teenage heartbreak or angst. I hear an honest reflection of what it feels like to grow up constantly looking sideways at others, wondering if you measure up. That mindset followed me into college, though I learned to hide it behind achievements and busy schedules. Over time, I began to realize that comparison was stealing moments I could have spent building confidence and focusing on my own growth. One of the most valuable lessons I have learned is that comparison rarely shows the full picture. Many of the classmates I once admired were facing their own struggles that I never knew about. Over time, I realized that the things that made me feel out of place, like my cultural background, my faith, and even my body, were not flaws I needed to hide. They became the foundation of my resilience. The lyrics that once felt painful now remind me to focus on my own growth rather than measuring myself against someone else’s version of success. As I look toward a future in healthcare, starting as a CNA on the path to becoming a registered nurse, those lessons feel more relevant than ever. The same insecurities that used to hold me back now drive me to create a sense of belonging for others. I want to be the kind of professional who helps people feel seen, especially in moments when they feel most vulnerable. My own journey taught me how deeply a sense of invisibility can cut, and I carry that awareness into the way I connect with others. I will probably always have moments where I think too much about people who don’t know me, but I do not let it control me anymore. Instead, I choose to measure myself by the person I am becoming, which is someone who has learned to turn old insecurities into empathy and ambition. GUTS gave me words for that transformation, and in doing so, it helped me see the strength in my own story.

"The Heartbreak Challenge" Ever since graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree and a double major in Marketing and Management and Leadership, I have been fascinated by what makes people truly connect. Now, as I work toward becoming a CNA with plans to continue on to an Accelerated BSN and eventually transition into healthcare administration, I have gained a new appreciation for the power of teamwork, communication, and staying calm under pressure. These values inspired my idea for The Heartbeat Challenge on Love Island. In this challenge, couples are fitted with heart rate monitors and must complete a series of cooperative mini games that push their adrenaline to the limit while keeping their heartbeats synchronized. They might have to solve a puzzle blindfolded using only verbal instructions or navigate an obstacle course with one partner leading the other. The twist is that if their combined heart rate rises above the love threshold, they must start over. Only the most in sync couples will make it through to the finish. The Heartbeat Challenge highlights the importance of trust, emotional regulation, and calm communication, qualities essential to long term relationships and critical in healthcare administration where clear headed collaboration can make all the difference. Audiences would be drawn to the tension, laughter, and touching moments as couples test whether their connection runs deeper than surface attraction, creating the kind of memorable, high energy entertainment that makes Love Island unforgettable.

The best piece of financial advice I have ever received is “Young John has to take care of old John.” This year, I will be 20 and no longer be regarded as a teenager. I have my current obligations—working, paying for school, and more—but as I get older, the list steadily increases. On the other hand, I have the chance to invest in myself while I'm still so young. Even just merely taking out $10 a week from my paychecks will help me build my savings and significantly improve my future standard of living. I was a terrible impulsive spender from the time I was fifteen until I was eighteen. At fifteen, I had my first job and had my first taste of having my own money. I would spend my money on things I wanted but didn't truly need. When I was under stress because of school, or I was just bored I would spend my money. With social media as popular as it is now, I felt peer pressure to follow the current trends, whether they were in beauty, skincare, fashion, etc. When I did it, it seemed like a harmless indulgence every now and then, or perhaps my favorite pastime to do when I was bored. However, I soon realized that impulsive purchases can quickly build up and result in debt, missed payments, and even bankruptcy in the future regards. Along with taking a portion of the money I earn and putting it into a high-yield savings account, I have to consistently remind myself to live below my means. It’s crucial to not spend more than I earn every month and to aim to save a portion of my monthly income for the future. By doing this, I’ll be able to keep up a good stand of living without constantly worrying about money. It takes a lot of discipline and willpower to live below your means, but the effort is worthwhile. It enables me to pay off my bills, invest in my education, and save money aside for the future. Additionally, it aids in creating a solid financial base that will enable me to survive during times of economic uncertainty. While I’m investing in myself financially, I am also pouring into myself through education and professional development. I am continuing to develop myself because, in the long run, it can boost my earning potential and open up more career opportunities. Gaining better-paying employment, career advancements, and salary increases are all possible by investing in myself and they can all contribute to me achieving financial security and stability. Moreover, a real-world example of what investing in yourself looks like is when financial experts frequently advise their clients to begin investing early and stick with it over the long term. It implies that you shouldn't put off saving for the future until you are wealthy or too elderly. The longer your money has to grow, and the greater compounding returns you can accumulate over time, the sooner you should start investing. One of the most fundamental financial techniques is diversification. It entails investing in many asset classes, such as equities, bonds, mutual funds, and real estate, rather than placing all of your eggs in one basket. In the event that one investment goes bad, diversification can help to lower your risk of losing money. The power of budgeting and saving cannot be stressed enough. With the use of a budget, you can keep tabs on your spending and income and determine where you might make savings or spending reductions. It can help you set spending priorities and save money for things like retirement, emergencies, or other financial goals. All this is to say that all of what I said above is useless unless you have a clear plan for your financial goals. It’s important to have a clear understanding of your immediate and long-term financial goals, as well as your strategy for achieving them. You can stay focused on your objectives and make wise decisions by establishing a strategy, ensuring that you are constantly making progress toward your financial success. Honestly, the best piece of financial advice is the one that works for you. It depends on your unique circumstances, financial goals, and risk tolerance. However, it’s important to pour into your future yourself by saving, investing, budgeting, and planning with your current self. You can have a better chance of achieving financial success and security in the long run. If you don’t take care of yourself now, then who else will in the future?

I dream of achieving generational wealth for my future self and my family through my small business.

Imagine you share a border with another country, but you are on the less wealthy and more disadvantaged side. For the people who grow up in Haiti including my mom, that is the harsh reality. Haiti is already not a large country and they share a border with the Dominican Republic, which is roughly 160 miles apart. Hearing about the livelihood there from my extended family as well as my own family, particularly my mom, would break my heart as I was growing up. People from Haiti have had a long history of overcoming several obstacles. Although Haiti has made progress, especially in the past with the Haitian Revolution and in most recent years after the catastrophic earthquake in 2010. It remains one of the world’s least developed countries due to its lack of infrastructure, poor political governance, and limited access to basic resources. My mother who was the youngest of her family showed a lot of courage when she finally left Haiti and came to the U.S. at only nine years old in hopes of a better future and escaping the political, social, and environmental insecurity in her home country. My mother would always emphasize doing well in school so you can establish yourself in life and get a good job. She endured over a decade of schooling to achieve her doctorate in nursing. In Haiti, many people are living on less than $2 per day so it is important to have skills and the means to prove you can get a decent-paying job. Education is essential for black people because it has the power to end generational poverty cycles and confront systematic racism. Black people have historically been denied access to education and penalized for making even the slightest attempt. They were thereby trapped in a cycle of poverty that was passed down through the generations. One of the most effective tools black people still have for breaking this pattern and giving themselves possibilities is education. At a personal level, education has been instrumental in giving me the skills and knowledge I need to succeed in any chosen profession. Education opens a world of opportunities, from learning marketable skills to developing cultural competencies to building professional networks. These opportunities can lead to higher incomes, more stable employment, and better overall quality of life. It has also given me the agency to create and shape my own future. Through education, I’ve learned about my history and culture as a Haitian American, be able to understand the roots of systemic racism, and develop a sense of pride and resilience that empowers me to persevere through adversity. Education is important for everyone, but in particular black people because it has the power to end generational poverty cycles and confront systematic racism. Black people historically have had limited access to education and were penalized for trying. Being educated frees me as a black person from being at the mercy of unjust systems and instead challenging these systems, advocating for equity and inclusivity, and creating change within my community. One of the most effective tools black people have today for breaking this pattern and giving themselves possibilities is education.

Entrepreneurship is not an easy journey, and adversity is inevitable. As an entrepreneur, it's essential to be prepared and equipped to confront various challenges that come your way. When faced with difficult situations, there are steps that one can take to push through and continue achieving their business entrepreneurship career aspirations. Two steps I try to remember are to remain positive and optimistic. Adversity can make one feel stuck, frustrated, and overwhelmed. It's easy to get lost in negative emotions and lose sight of your goals. However, by maintaining a positive attitude and focusing on possible solutions, it's easier to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Staying optimistic is easier said than done but is essential to your mindset and your business aspirations. I have made physical and virtual vision boards on Pinterest to help clearly see my goals and help me manifest my future. Another step is to remember why you started. There have been many times where things seem to fall apart and giving up felt like my only option. In such situations, it's vital to remind yourself of your purpose and passion for entrepreneurship. Reflect on the reasons why you decided to take this route and think of the impact you want to make in the world. This will give you the motivation and discipline to keep going, no matter how tough the situation may be. It's also crucial to take care of your physical and mental health. Adversity can be exhausting and draining, but it’s important to prioritize ensuring that you're taking care of yourself. Ensure you're eating healthy meals, getting enough exercise, and resting well. Take time out to do things that relax and rejuvenate you. I personally like to read a few pages out of a current book I’m reading, go outside for a quick walk, or listen to music while getting some chores done. It is key to network and seek support from others. Setbacks can make you feel alone and as though no one knows what you're going through. This is never the case, though. Reaching out to your network of friends, family, and business associates can provide you with a sense of solace and support. They might be able to provide answers or suggestions that you hadn't thought of before. Moreover, networking opportunities and partnerships can be accessed via participating in entrepreneurship forums such as conferences, events, and social media groups. Ultimately, adaptability and flexibility are key. Adversity often requires one to be flexible, adaptable and open to change. Sometimes, it may require one to take a different approach to achieve their goals. In every challenging moment, there is an opportunity for growth and learning. Entrepreneurs who can adapt to change and find creative solutions can come out stronger, more resilient, and more successful. Finally, I would want to say that becoming an entrepreneur is a journey that has great rewards but also some difficulties. When confronted with adversity, it's crucial to remain positive, grounded in your purpose, take care of your health, network, and support others, be flexible, and adaptable. These steps will allow you to navigate any obstacle and emerge stronger, more determined, and more successful than ever before.

In order to combat negative stereotypes, give a more accurate picture of the world, and have a positive influence on how minorities view themselves, it is essential that minorities are accurately represented in the media. It produces powerful and relatable role models and sources of inspiration. The value of having someone you can look up to and relate to as a role model is something that many people seem to take for granted. When I first watched The Princess and the Frog on DVD at home when I was just seven years old, I was in awe. Although princess Tiana deserved better, her film was stunning, full of heart, valuable lessons, and had huge milestones for Disney. The movie finally provided young black girls like me with a princess that looked like them, and it has been shown that this kind of representation is crucial for our growth and self-esteem. In the movie, she is told that wishing on the stars isn’t enough; you have to work for your dreams. To accomplish her ambitions, Tiana works two jobs and avoids hanging out with her friends. She gives it her all and works hard to accomplish her dreams because she knows that it requires effort. The first and only black princess is Tiana. When the film was released, the vast majority of the Disney princesses depicted were white. Although fictional, Tiana is a perfect role model, and someone little girls need in their lives. People typically picture a girl who is saved by a prince when they think of a princess. However, Tiana would turn down advances from boys to dance since she has goals and desires she wants to achieve and doesn't have time for that. In addition to the love between a daughter and her father, The Princess and the Frog also portrayed a woman who worked assiduously to achieve her dreams. When she fell in love, she realized that she could still achieve her goals with prince Naveen and work together to make her dreams come true. My favorite Disney character is Tiana because like all the previous princesses, her marriage wasn't a bed of flowers and butterflies. She didn't wait around for a prince to woo her, and occasionally she felt discouraged. However, she fought hard for her goals and never wavered in the face of adversity.

We can be resilient and bounce back from anything if we take care of our mental health. Anybody can have a bad day, but it does not automatically mean that the rest of their life will be miserable. What matters is how we deal with it and maintain our mental health. You may have experienced a mental health issue in the past few years, whether it was a tiny setback or a major crisis. It can be challenging to prioritize yourself while pursuing educational and professional goals when faced with a seemingly never-ending onslaught of negative news on top of life's typical difficulties. So, the most effective action you can take to enhance your overall quality of life is to place more emphasis on your mental health. Mental health includes all aspects of our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Serious mental health conditions can have an influence on your relationships, profession, education, and long-term goals in addition to your day-to-day life. Our capacity to cope, adapt, and resolve issues is impacted. It also affects how content, effective, and well-adjusted we can be. People are less likely to seek therapy and other forms of treatment because our society regularly stigmatizes people with mental illness. There is, however, nothing to be ashamed of. You cannot change the wiring in your brain. But we act as if it is our own fault and downplay its significance. Addressing your mental health issues as they occur can change or perhaps save your life as rates of mental health challenges climb globally. You can utilize a variety of methods to improve your mental health. Personally, I take care of my physical health by staying active, getting adequate rest, and eating healthy foods. Your mood can be improved through exercise, which also helps you feel less stressed and depressed. Getting enough sleep prevents me from getting easily irritated and angry, which helps me control my mood. Lack of quality sleep makes you more susceptible to experiencing depression. Additionally, I try to interact with people frequently since humans are social beings and it is crucial to building solid, positive relationships with others. Possessing strong social ties may help protect you from the negative effects of stress. Moreover, it is advantageous to have a wide range of relationships. You might discover ways to engage with your town or neighborhood in accordance with staying in touch with your family and friends. For instance, you could participate in a group focused on a hobby you like or volunteer for a local organization. All those things considered it’s necessary for me to try and have a positive outlook on my life no matter the circumstance. Finding a balance between my positive and negative emotions enables me to feel them and cope with challenging situations. As well as trying to hold onto those positive emotions when I have them. I am aware of when I need a break from negative information that I digest daily whether it is on the news or on social media. However, I use social media to interact with others and feel connected but stay vigilant about not getting into petty arguments or making comparisons between my life and those of others. Mental health is not a condition that just develops overnight. Knowing your risk factors allows you to determine whether you are prone to mental health issues. You can take some preventative measures like the ones I mentioned above to stop things from getting worse once you start to detect changes in your mental health status.

Until you face reality, you will never discover yourself. The only thing that stands between you and your dream is the will to try and the belief that it is possible. My life's ambition is to achieve financial freedom and own a small business that will positively impact the earth and others.

I have ADHD. So, I am very hyperactive and enjoy taking on many projects at once, sometimes even when I am unable to complete them all. I genuinely feel as though my brain is running with fifty different tabs open. I enjoy a challenge and attempting new things despite my lack of attention and other setbacks. There is nothing stagnant about being an entrepreneur. There are always new business opportunities to explore, new ideas to consider, and new people to meet. If you love what you do, life as an entrepreneur is a perpetual crazy ride with brand-new experiences to be had every day. The best part about being an entrepreneur is having the opportunity to take an idea and motivate other people around me to contribute to that idea, improve it, and put it into action. When it comes down to it, success is more gratifying when you were the one to be able to say you took the risks to achieve it. My own life and my childhood are truly where I draw much of my inspiration from. I have always had the desire to manage my own business in the back of my mind. I also had other interests that might have led me to a profession in either law or healthcare. Unfortunately, I chose to spend my freshman year of college trying to earn a degree in both pharmacy and law, and I suffered terribly the entire duration. I was completely lost because, despite the fact that I like science and knew it would pay well, I quickly recognized that it was not the road I wanted to take professionally. Regarding a profession in criminology, I was considering a few options, but I was basing my decision on television I had seen when I was younger, which was not a true reflection of that field. The realization that I had wasted not just my time, but also my money pursuing a degree in paths I was not genuinely interested in hit me towards the end of the academic year. I had to delve deeper and reflect on my younger self to see what I excelled the most in. I enjoyed interacting with others and had powerful rhetoric. Two abilities that are crucial to have as an entrepreneur. Whether it was swaying my parents into getting me a toy or bargaining with a seller at a garage sale I would either get my way or get a great deal. Taking the time to recognize my greatest strengths and not feeling pressured into a career path by others would have saved me a lot of headaches earlier. However, I am so glad I made the decision to follow my passion and begin my path to becoming my own boss.