Growing up on the south side of Chicago has had a significant impact on my life. Hearing and seeing crimes in my neighborhood used to devastate me; making me scared to go outside for fear of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. From a young age, I aspired to be a police officer. Every “All About Me” assignment from pre-k until we stopped doing them, becoming a law enforcement officer was always my goal. Witnessing people abuse the law and those who were supposed to protect us doing the opposite fueled my desire to make a change. Realty quickly set in that other black people frowned upon working for the police. It was considered one of the worst professions due to the corruption and mistreatment of our community by law enforcement. What made it even more disheartening was that it wasn’t just white officers, but also officers of the same race exhibiting betraying behaviors. I couldn’t comprehend how those meant to serve and protect were exploiting their positions. I knew I wanted to be a trailblazer, to be one of “the good ones”. Despite the general disapproval of the law within our community, I have received positive feedback from loved ones regarding my career aspirations. I believe that I can set a new standard in my district, paving the way for future generations to feel accepted and valued in their decision to protect and serve members of society. This past summer I had the opportunity to participate in the DePaul University Summer Connect program. I enrolled in the course titled “Punishment, Criminalization, and Justice: From Retribution to Restoration” which was an incredible experience. Studying various cases, I learned about the use of law and punishment to criminalize and racialize populations, as well as methods and technologies of punishment, and incarceration. One of the most impactful moments was meeting and discussing with one of Jon Burge’s victims, shedding light on the devastating effects of his actions on the community. This experience solidified my desire to make a positive impact on our community and improve the relationship between law enforcement and the people they serve. I have also begun exploring other areas of law enforcement considering a career in the FBI, particularly in the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU). I am thrilled to be a part of the Criminal Justice program at Illinois State University. I aim to demonstrate what can be achieved with hard work, dedication, and sacrifice. I am committed to excelling at Illinois State University and representing the institution with excellence.

Growing up on the south side of Chicago has had a significant impact on my life. Hearing and seeing crimes in my neighborhood used to devastate me; making me scared to go outside for fear of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. From a young age, I aspired to be a police officer. Every “All About Me” assignment from pre-k until we stopped doing them, becoming a law enforcement officer was always my goal. Witnessing people abuse the law and those who were supposed to protect us doing the opposite fueled my desire to make a change. Realty quickly set in that other black people frowned upon working for the police. It was considered one of the worst professions due to the corruption and mistreatment of our community by law enforcement. What made it even more disheartening was that it wasn’t just white officers, but also officers of the same race exhibiting betraying behaviors. I couldn’t comprehend how those meant to serve and protect were exploiting their positions. I knew I wanted to be a trailblazer, to be one of “the good ones”. Despite the general disapproval of the law within our community, I have received positive feedback from loved ones regarding my career aspirations. I believe that I can set a new standard in my district, paving the way for future generations to feel accepted and valued in their decision to protect and serve members of society. This past summer I had the opportunity to participate in the DePaul University Summer Connect program. I enrolled in the course titled “Punishment, Criminalization, and Justice: From Retribution to Restoration” which was an incredible experience. Studying various cases, I learned about the use of law and punishment to criminalize and racialize populations, as well as methods and technologies of punishment, and incarceration. One of the most impactful moments was meeting and discussing with one of Jon Burge’s victims, shedding light on the devastating effects of his actions on the community. This experience solidified my desire to make a positive impact on our community and improve the relationship between law enforcement and the people they serve. I have also begun exploring other areas of law enforcement considering a career in the FBI, particularly in the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU). I am thrilled to be a part of the Criminal Justice program at Illinois State University. I aim to demonstrate what can be achieved with hard work, dedication, and sacrifice. I am committed to excelling at Illinois State University and representing the institution with excellence.