While I indulge in late-night TikTok sessions, it is my father's alarm that marks the beginning of another demanding workday. Simultaneously, my mother's relentless juggling of career and parenthood inspires me. In our busy lives, television serves as a unifying force for my family, bringing us together after busy days to share a meal and immerse ourselves in captivating shows. This cherished hour fosters laughter, discussions, and a profound sense of togetherness. Film and television possess a remarkable ability to unite people, whether it's through watching with loved ones or forging connections with on-screen characters. This connection sparked my love for movies and their technical aspects. Growing up, I discovered my passion for storytelling through filming and editing video logs, which allowed me to preserve precious memories on YouTube. It brings me joy to know that even years later, my friends revisit these videos, reminiscing. Just as these videos act as personal time capsules, movies, media, and art serve as universal time capsules, enabling future generations to connect with our collective past. The experiences and moments shared with loved ones through media significantly influenced my decision to focus my studies on Media Production and Visual Arts, driven by a desire to contribute to a community united through storytelling. Driven by my love and appreciation for film and video production, I have chosen to pursue a major in Multimedia Journalism and a minor in Visual Arts and Society at Virginia Tech. This educational path will expose me to various mediums, including 2D art, broadcast, film, literature, and public speaking, providing a holistic understanding of how humans share stories. By immersing myself in these disciplines, I aim to gain invaluable knowledge about media perception, societal influence, and technical skills that will enhance my own media productions. While my major covers several forms of storytelling, I am most passionate about the video and film production aspect. One of the primary goals I would like to accomplish while attending university is to embrace diverse perspectives and cultures, enriching my worldview. I aspire to engage with individuals from different backgrounds, cultures, and beliefs, fostering a deeper understanding of the world around me. As I look ahead to my career, I aim to apply the intellectual knowledge and technical skills I acquire to create impactful visual media. Specifically, I am passionate about highlighting the achievements and talents of underrepresented groups, shedding light on minority communities that are often overlooked. The lack of representation and visibility of underrepresented groups in the media industry has been a long-standing issue. As a young African American girl, I experienced the frustration and sense of invisibility that arises from never seeing someone who looks like me on screen or behind the scenes. This realization ignited a passion within me to actively work towards highlighting the achievements and talents of marginalized communities that have historically been overlooked. By leveraging media as a platform, my goal is to amplify the voices and stories of underrepresented groups, ensuring that they receive the recognition and visibility they rightfully deserve. Through my work, I aspire to challenge the prevailing narrative and break down stereotypes perpetuated by mainstream media. I firmly believe in the transformative power of storytelling to foster positive social change. Representation, both on and off-screen, is important and I strive to be an integral part of the movement that brings about meaningful change. By pushing boundaries, challenging social norms, and elevating underrepresented voices, I aim to create media that is truly reflective of the rich diversity and experiences of our world.

Driven by my love and appreciation for film and video production, I have chosen to pursue a major in Multimedia Journalism and a minor in Visual Arts and Society at Virginia Tech. As I look ahead to my career, I aim to apply the intellectual knowledge and technical skills I acquire to create impactful visual media and written articles. Specifically, I am passionate about highlighting the achievements and talents of underrepresented groups, shedding light on minority communities that are often overlooked, specifically African Americans. The lack of representation and visibility of Black people in the media industry has been a long-standing issue. As a young African American girl, I experienced the frustration and sense of invisibility that arises from never seeing someone who looks like me on screen or behind the scenes. This realization ignited a passion within me to actively work towards highlighting the achievements and talents of marginalized communities that have historically been overlooked. This passion led me to serve in leadership roles for my high school’s Black Student Union. My sophomore year of high school was done virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a way to stay connected and involved, I joined several clubs, one of which was the Black Student Union. Biweekly meetings were held over Zoom and we discussed a series of topics such as colorism, Black people in film and television, generational trauma, current events within the Black community, Black entrepreneurs, and more. This was the first time I had found a community within my predominately white school. Often feeling like one of the only Black students in class, I found a group of peers that could relate to me and allowed me to learn about my heritage and culture. The following year I obtained a leadership position as a Public Relations officer and then President my senior year. As a former President and Public Relations officer, I was able to directly tackle this issue within my school and community. Through monthly meetings, events outside of school, and spreading awareness on our social media platforms, we aimed to inform students about Black history and highlight the successes of African Americans that often go unnoticed. The Black Student Union became a community and safe space for students to feel included, accepted, and proud of their heritage. However, my advocacy for the Black community doesn’t stop there. By leveraging media as a platform, my goal is to amplify the voices and stories of underrepresented groups, ensuring that they receive the recognition and visibility they rightfully deserve. Through my work, I aspire to challenge the prevailing narrative and break down stereotypes perpetuated by mainstream media. I firmly believe in the transformative power of storytelling to foster empathy, understanding, and positive social change. In pursuing my career in the media industry, I am wholeheartedly committed to actively contributing to a more inclusive and diverse landscape. I recognize the importance of representation, both on and off-screen, and I strive to be an integral part of the movement that brings about meaningful change. By pushing boundaries, challenging social norms, and elevating underrepresented voices, I aspire to create media that is truly reflective of the rich diversity and experiences of our world.