Being the first in my family to earn a college degree means everything to me. It symbolizes freedom, resilience, and the chance to build a better future—not just for myself, but for those coming after me. Growing up in a household filled with physical and emotional abuse, I often felt like I was walking on eggshells. My home was not a safe space. I looked to my mother for protection, but she had her own battles. By the time I graduated high school, I was desperate to leave that environment behind. Stepping onto my college campus, I felt like I could finally breathe. For once, I wasn’t “the girl with the troubled home”—I was just Kia, a young woman ready to chase her dreams. But being a first-generation student hasn’t been easy. I started college on a payment plan, working three jobs just to cover tuition, food, and basic needs. There were nights I went hungry, days I felt defeated, and moments where I questioned if I could keep going. But I relied on my faith in God, my perseverance, and a deep inner knowing that I was meant for more. I chose to major in Psychology because I want to become the person I didn’t have growing up. I struggled with mental health as a child—there were days I didn’t want to live, and I often felt misunderstood and alone. When I finally began therapy, everything changed. It gave me a space to be heard, validated, and supported. That experience saved my life—and inspired my purpose. I want to be that same lifeline for children, especially Black children, who are often overlooked or told that they’re “too young to be stressed.” In the Black community, stigma surrounding mental health is still very strong. I’ve heard things like, “Just pray about it,” or “You’re too young to be depressed.” These attitudes keep people suffering in silence. I want to help break that stigma by creating a culturally sensitive, affordable, and empowering space for children and families to receive therapy. My goal is to serve underserved communities by offering sliding-scale services and partnering with schools and community centers to reach those who need help the most. I am currently working as a substitute teacher with both general education and exceptional children. I also volunteer at the Elizabeth and Tab Williams Adult Day Center, an adult day program for elders with dementia and Alzheimer's. This experience has been incredibly valuable in developing my patience and empathy. I am currently a senior at my HBCU. After graduation, I plan to earn my master’s in social work and become a licensed therapist. Long-term, I hope to open my own private practice focused on child mental health and trauma. I also want to create a scholarship fund for BIPOC students pursuing careers in human services—psychology, social work, sociology, and related fields—because representation matters. I want to mentor young Black girls and show them that they belong in these spaces—that their voices matter and that their dreams are valid. My vision is to turn my pain into purpose, and my education into action. Despite living with depression and anxiety, I have not let those diagnoses define me. Instead, they’ve taught me strength, empathy, and resilience. This scholarship would help me continue my education without being weighed down by financial stress. As a senior in college, reaching this point has taken perseverance, resilience, and faith, and I am determined to cross the finish line.

I want to become a Child Mental Health Therapist because I want to be the person I didn’t have growing up. Having battled severe depression and anxiety, I know how life-changing it can be to have someone simply listen and care. Therapy saved me, giving me hope and the tools to heal. My past doesn’t define me; it motivates me. I will combat childhood trauma, make mental health care more accessible, and ensure no child feels as helpless as I once did. The mental health stigma in the Black community is still heavy. Too often, we are told to “just pray about it” or “toughen up.” But children experience real stress, and without support, these struggles can harden into lifelong wounds. I want to create a safe space for them, open an affordable practice focused on underserved communities, and start a mentorship organization for young Black girls. To me, being Black is about being tied to a long history of resilience and strength. It's a wisdom my mom taught me. that our community is a source of healing and that we have to lean on each other to make it. I chose to attend Winston-Salem State University because I wanted to be around people who looked like me and had probably been through similar experiences. Stepping onto campus, it immediately felt like home. The joy in the halls and the Black culture around me is a tangible feeling of belonging.

Being the first in my family to earn a college degree means everything to me. It symbolizes freedom, resilience, and the chance to build a better future—not just for myself, but for those coming after me. Growing up in a household filled with physical and emotional abuse, I often felt like I was walking on eggshells. My home was not a safe space. I looked to my mother for protection, but she had her own battles. By the time I graduated high school, I was desperate to leave that environment behind. Stepping onto my college campus, I felt like I could finally breathe. For once, I wasn’t “the girl with the troubled home”—I was just Kia, a young woman ready to chase her dreams. But being a first-generation student hasn’t been easy. I started college on a payment plan, working three jobs just to cover tuition, food, and basic needs. There were nights I went hungry, days I felt defeated, and moments where I questioned if I could keep going. But I relied on my faith in God, my perseverance, and a deep inner knowing that I was meant for more. I chose to major in Psychology because I want to become the person I didn’t have growing up. I struggled with mental health as a child—there were days I didn’t want to live, and I often felt misunderstood and alone. When I finally began therapy, everything changed. It gave me a space to be heard, validated, and supported. That experience saved my life—and inspired my purpose. I want to be that same lifeline for children, especially Black children, who are often overlooked or told that they’re “too young to be stressed.” In the Black community, stigma surrounding mental health is still very strong. I’ve heard things like, “Just pray about it,” or “You’re too young to be depressed.” These attitudes keep people suffering in silence. I want to help break that stigma by creating a culturally sensitive, affordable, and empowering space for children and families to receive therapy. My goal is to serve underserved communities by offering sliding-scale services and partnering with schools and community centers to reach those who need help the most. I am currently working as a substitute teacher with both general education and exceptional children, and I am about to enter my senior year at my HBCU. After graduation, I plan to earn my master’s in social work and become a licensed therapist. Long-term, I hope to open my own private practice focused on child mental health and trauma. I also want to create a scholarship fund for BIPOC students pursuing careers in human services—psychology, social work, sociology, and related fields—because representation matters. According to the American Psychological Association, only about 4% of psychologists in the U.S. are Black. That needs to change. I want to mentor young Black girls and show them that they belong in these spaces—that their voices matter and that their dreams are valid. My vision is to turn my pain into purpose, and my education into action. Despite living with depression and anxiety, I have not let those diagnoses define me. Instead, they’ve taught me strength, empathy, and resilience. This scholarship would help me continue my education without being weighed down by financial stress. As a senior in college, reaching this point has taken perseverance, resilience, and faith, and I am determined to cross the finish line. With this support, I will be one step closer to becoming the therapist, advocate, and changemaker I aspire to be.

Being the first in my family to earn a college degree means everything to me. It symbolizes freedom, resilience, and the chance to build a better future—not just for myself, but for those who come before me. I grew up in a household filled with physical and emotional abuse, and my home was never a safe space. Graduating from high school felt like my only way out. Stepping onto my college campus, I could finally breathe. I wasn't "the girl with the troubled home"; I was just Kia, a young woman ready to chase her dreams. But being a first-generation student has presented its own set of challenges. I started college on a payment plan, working three jobs just to cover tuition, food, and basic needs. There were nights I went hungry, days I felt defeated, and moments where I questioned if I could keep going. But I relied on my faith, perseverance, and a deep inner knowing that I was meant for more. I chose to major in Psychology because I want to become the person I didn’t have growing up. As a child, I struggled with my mental health and often felt misunderstood and alone. When I finally began therapy, everything changed. That experience saved my life and inspired my purpose: to be a lifeline for children, especially Black children, who are often overlooked or told they’re “too young to be stressed.” In the Black community, the stigma surrounding mental health is still strong. I’ve heard things like, “Just pray about it,” or “You’re too young to be depressed.” These attitudes keep people suffering in silence. I want to help break that cycle by creating a culturally sensitive, affordable, and empowering space for children and families to receive therapy. My goal is to serve underserved communities by offering affordable services and partnering with schools and community centers to reach those who need help the most. I am currently a senior at my HBCU, where I work as a substitute teacher for both general education and exceptional children. After graduation, I plan to earn my master’s in social work and become a licensed therapist. Long-term, I hope to open my own private practice focused on child mental health and trauma. I also want to create a scholarship fund for BIPOC students pursuing careers in human services because representation matters. I want to mentor young Black girls and show them that they belong in these spaces—that their voices matter and that their dreams are valid. My vision is to turn my pain into purpose, and my education into action. Despite living with depression and anxiety, I have not let those diagnoses define me. Instead, they’ve taught me strength, empathy, and resilience. This scholarship would help me continue my education without being weighed down by financial stress. Reaching this point has taken immense perseverance and faith, and I am determined to cross the finish line.

Being the first in my family to earn a college degree means everything to me. It symbolizes freedom, resilience, and the chance to build a better future—not just for myself, but for those coming after me. Growing up in a household filled with physical and emotional abuse, I often felt like I was walking on eggshells. My home was not a safe space. I looked to my mother for protection, but she had her own battles. By the time I graduated high school, I was desperate to leave that environment behind. Stepping onto my college campus, I felt like I could finally breathe. For once, I wasn’t “the girl with the troubled home”—I was just Kia, a young woman ready to chase her dreams. But being a first-generation student hasn’t been easy. I started college on a payment plan, working three jobs just to cover tuition, food, and basic needs. There were nights I went hungry, days I felt defeated, and moments where I questioned if I could keep going. But I relied on my faith in God, my perseverance, and a deep inner knowing that I was meant for more. I chose to major in Psychology because I want to become the person I didn’t have growing up. I struggled with mental health as a child—there were days I didn’t want to live, and I often felt misunderstood and alone. When I finally began therapy, everything changed. It gave me a space to be heard, validated, and supported. That experience saved my life—and inspired my purpose. I want to be that same lifeline for children, especially Black children, who are often overlooked or told that they’re “too young to be stressed.” In the Black community, stigma surrounding mental health is still very strong. I’ve heard things like, “Just pray about it,” or “You’re too young to be depressed.” These attitudes keep people suffering in silence. I want to help break that stigma by creating a culturally sensitive, affordable, and empowering space for children and families to receive therapy. My goal is to serve underserved communities by offering sliding-scale services and partnering with schools and community centers to reach those who need help the most. I am currently working as a substitute teacher with both general education and exceptional children, and I am about to enter my senior year at my HBCU. After graduation, I plan to earn my master’s in social work and become a licensed therapist. Long-term, I hope to open my own private practice focused on child mental health and trauma. I also want to create a scholarship fund for BIPOC students pursuing careers in human services—psychology, social work, sociology, and related fields—because representation matters. According to the American Psychological Association, only about 4% of psychologists in the U.S. are Black. That needs to change. I want to mentor young Black girls and show them that they belong in these spaces—that their voices matter and that their dreams are valid. My vision is to turn my pain into purpose, and my education into action. Despite living with depression and anxiety, I have not let those diagnoses define me. Instead, they’ve taught me strength, empathy, and resilience. This scholarship would help me continue my education without being weighed down by financial stress. As a senior in college, reaching this point has taken perseverance, resilience, and faith, and I am determined to cross the finish line. With this support, I will be one step closer to becoming the therapist, advocate, and changemaker I aspire to be.

People often expect children to stay strong through challenges that would break most adults. Childhood trauma, however, leaves lasting consequences it can disrupt emotional regulation, create chronic anxiety, hinder trust in relationships, and even affect academic performance. Studies show that children exposed to abuse or instability are at higher risk for depression, post-traumatic stress, and difficulties forming healthy attachments later in life. I know this not only through research, but through lived experience. Growing up, I lived in a household filled with emotional and physical abuse. From the age of eight, I witnessed my mother being mistreated by her partners, screamed at, pushed, and punched while my siblings and I were told to hide in our room. But sometimes, we saw everything. My twin and I often felt like outsiders in our own home, especially compared to our younger sister, who was treated differently by her father. The favoritism, the constant arguments, and the fear made me feel like I was living in a nightmare I couldn’t wake up from. At times, staying at my grandparents’ or godparents’ homes felt like entering another world—a place where love was present, and I didn’t have to walk on eggshells. But returning home meant going back to fear, anxiety, and silence. Eventually, my mother left her abusive partner and remarried. I hoped things would improve, but the cycle repeated itself—mental abuse and instability took center stage again. That’s when I knew I had to build a different life. I’m now a psychology major at Winston-Salem State University and a substitute teacher, working with both general education and exceptional children. I’ve also volunteered at the Elizabeth and Tab Williams Adult Day Center, caring for elders with dementia and Alzheimer’s. These experiences have strengthened my desire to help others, especially children, navigate life’s emotional challenges. I want to become a Child Mental Health Therapist—not only because of what I’ve been through, but because I want to be the person I didn’t have growing up. I know what it feels like to be unheard, dismissed, and alone. I’ve battled severe depression and anxiety, and I understand how life-changing it can be to have someone simply listen and care. Therapy saved me. It gave me hope, tools to heal, and the reminder that I deserve to be here. Mental health is still heavily stigmatized in the Black community. Too often, we’re told to “just pray about it” or to “toughen up,” especially as children. But kids experience real stress, whether it’s bullying, family instability, or caretaking responsibilities. Without support, these struggles can harden into lifelong wounds. I want to create a safe space for them. I also plan to open an affordable private practice, focusing on underserved communities, and start a mentorship organization for young Black girls, teaching them about self-care, mental health, and life skills. Representation matters. According to the National Science Foundation, only 2% of the STEM workforce is made up of Black women. We are underrepresented, overlooked, and often unheard. I want to break that cycle. I want to show others like me that it’s possible to rise, to heal, and to lead. My past doesn’t define me, it motivates me. By becoming a child mental health therapist, I plan to combat the consequences of childhood trauma by offering support, resources, and hope. I’m determined to use my education and experiences to make mental health care more accessible and to ensure that no child feels as helpless or invisible as I once did. I got through it, and I want others to know they can too.

Being the first in my family to earn a college degree means everything to me. It symbolizes freedom, resilience, and the chance to build a better future—not just for myself, but for those coming after me. Growing up in a household filled with physical and emotional abuse, I often felt like I was walking on eggshells. My home was not a safe space. I looked to my mother for protection, but she had her own battles. By the time I graduated high school, I was desperate to leave that environment behind. Stepping onto my college campus, I felt like I could finally breathe. For once, I wasn’t “the girl with the troubled home”—I was just Kia, a young woman ready to chase her dreams. But being a first-generation student hasn’t been easy. I started college on a payment plan, working three jobs just to cover tuition, food, and basic needs. There were nights I went hungry, days I felt defeated, and moments where I questioned if I could keep going. But I relied on my faith in God, my perseverance, and a deep inner knowing that I was meant for more. I chose to major in Psychology because I want to become the person I didn’t have growing up. I struggled with mental health as a child—there were days I didn’t want to live, and I often felt misunderstood and alone. When I finally began therapy, everything changed. It gave me a space to be heard, validated, and supported. That experience saved my life—and inspired my purpose. I want to be that same lifeline for children, especially Black children, who are often overlooked or told that they’re “too young to be stressed.” In the Black community, stigma surrounding mental health is still very strong. I’ve heard things like, “Just pray about it,” or “You’re too young to be depressed.” These attitudes keep people suffering in silence. I want to help break that stigma by creating a culturally sensitive, affordable, and empowering space for children and families to receive therapy. My goal is to serve underserved communities by offering sliding-scale services and partnering with schools and community centers to reach those who need help the most. I am currently working as a substitute teacher with both general education and exceptional children, and I am about to enter my senior year at my HBCU. After graduation, I plan to earn my master’s in social work and become a licensed therapist. Long-term, I hope to open my own private practice focused on child mental health and trauma. I also want to create a scholarship fund for BIPOC students pursuing careers in human services—psychology, social work, sociology, and related fields—because representation matters. According to the American Psychological Association, only about 4% of psychologists in the U.S. are Black. That needs to change. I want to mentor young Black girls and show them that they belong in these spaces—that their voices matter and that their dreams are valid. My vision is to turn my pain into purpose, and my education into action. Despite living with depression and anxiety, I have not let those diagnoses define me. Instead, they’ve taught me strength, empathy, and resilience. This scholarship would help me continue my education without being weighed down by financial stress. It would bring me one step closer to becoming the therapist, advocate, and changemaker I aspire to be. I’m not just pursuing a career—I’m building a future where every child feels seen, heard, and loved. That is my mission. That is my dream.

My ultimate goal is to become a Child Mental Health Therapist, specifically serving children within the Black community. This isn’t just a career choice—it’s a calling rooted deeply in my own life experiences. I want to be the person I didn’t have growing up—the person who listens without judgment, offers guidance without bias, and helps children feel seen, heard, and validated. As a child, I struggled with my mental health. There were days when I didn’t want to live to see another day. I felt isolated, misunderstood, and invisible. When I finally enrolled in therapy, it changed everything. Therapy became my outlet—a safe space where I was supported, encouraged, and most importantly, believed. My therapist helped me understand that I wasn't alone, that what I felt was valid, and that healing was possible. That support was life-saving. It’s why I now strive to offer that same lifeline to other children—especially those who, like me, grew up without the tools or resources to process their emotions in a healthy way. Childhood experiences shape who we become as adults. The trauma, stress, and emotional burdens we carry from a young age can have long-lasting effects. Many children, particularly in underserved communities, are forced to carry adult responsibilities or endure painful experiences in silence. Whether it’s bullying, abuse, grief, or the stress of caring for a family member with mental illness, children often lack the resources or support systems they need to cope. Just because someone is young doesn’t mean they aren’t struggling. Age does not make anyone immune to pain. In the Black community, the stigma around mental health is especially pervasive. For many families, mental illness is either dismissed entirely or attributed to a lack of faith. I’ve heard phrases like “Just pray about it” or “You’re too young to be stressed” more times than I can count. But mental health challenges don’t discriminate. They don’t care how old you are, where you come from, or how much faith you have. And brushing them under the rug only perpetuates harm. I believe this harmful stigma needs to be dismantled—and I want to be part of that change. Through my career as a therapist, I hope to help destroy the stigma surrounding mental health in the Black community. I want people—especially children—to know that they are powerful, loved, and deserving of help. No one should ever feel ashamed for seeking support. Therapy can transform lives. It teaches coping strategies, improves communication skills, reduces stress, and builds resilience. My goal is to create a therapeutic space that is culturally aware, empathetic, and accessible to those who need it most. Representation is also incredibly important to me. According to the National Science Foundation, Black women make up about 6.5% of the U.S. population, yet only 2% of the STEM workforce. This underrepresentation is disheartening and highlights the barriers many Black women face in entering and thriving in professional fields—including mental health. I want to break those barriers, not only for myself but for the next generation of young Black girls who dream of careers in psychology, therapy, and other helping professions. I want them to see someone who looks like them and know that it’s possible. To ensure equitable access to mental health care, I am committed to making my services affordable and attainable. Financial status should never prevent someone from receiving the support they need. Getting help shouldn’t be a luxury—it should be a right. I want to open a practice that offers sliding scale services and collaborates with schools and community centers to reach children where they are. My vision is to create a system of care that centers compassion, equity, and cultural sensitivity. Academically, I’m deeply invested in studying psychology. Understanding human behavior, emotional development, and mental processes fascinates me. Psychology is such a diverse field, with many paths to explore—clinical, developmental, forensic, occupational, and more. The more I learn, the more inspired I become. Yes, pursuing this career takes years of education and training, but I welcome that challenge. I am determined to complete my studies, earn my degree, and use the knowledge I gain to better the world. This scholarship would be instrumental in helping me reach those goals. It would alleviate the financial burden of tuition, books, and other expenses, allowing me to focus more fully on my coursework and clinical training. It would give me the freedom to participate in internships and volunteer opportunities that enrich my education and give back to my community. Most importantly, it would affirm that my dreams matter—that my vision for a better, more compassionate world is worth investing in. This is my senior year at my HBCU, and I am determined to make it the best year! Despite living with severe depression and anxiety, I refuse to let these diagnoses define or limit me. I take things one day at a time, use my coping skills, and continue therapy. My struggles have given me empathy, insight, and purpose. They’ve also made me more resilient. I know what it’s like to feel hopeless—and I know what it’s like to heal. That lived experience is something I bring into everything I do, and I believe it will make me a better, more compassionate therapist. Ultimately, I hope to graduate college and pursue a master’s degree in social work, eventually earning licensure as a therapist. My long-term dream is to open a private practice that serves children and families, particularly those from marginalized and low-income backgrounds. I also hope to mentor young women of color entering the mental health field, encouraging them to break barriers and advocate for their communities. The world needs more empathy, more care, and more people willing to fight for others. That’s the kind of professional I strive to be. With the support of this scholarship, I will be one step closer to turning my pain into purpose, my education into action, and my dreams into reality. I am excited to see where this journey takes me—and even more excited for the children whose lives I will one day help change.

The world needs more caring and empathetic people. I want to become a Child Mental Health Therapist and specifically help kids in the black community. I want to be the person I didn’t have when I was younger for other people. I deal with my own mental health challenges. I am diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety. But I haven’t let it stop me, I take it one day at a time, talk to a therapist, and use my coping skills. Our childhood experiences shape our behaviors and beliefs as we enter adulthood. If I can talk to and give a child resources and solutions to help lessen the effect of challenging experiences in their life. I want to do that. I don’t ever want a child to go through what I went through and feel alone and helpless. There were days as a kid when I didn’t want to live to see another day. Seeing others happy and not limiting themselves and their lives because of their mental health makes me happy. There is a huge stigma around mental health that shouldn’t be there. It makes people stray away from getting the help they need. Through me becoming a therapist, I want everyone to know that they are powerful, loved, and deserve to be here. Therapy can make a huge impact on your life, it can help you manage your stress, help improve your communication skills, give you coping skills to improve your quality of life, etc. If my family brushed me off and just told me” To go to church” or that “since I’m a child, I can’t be stressed” I probably wouldn’t be on this earth. Therapy saved me. Sometimes you need that extra person in your life who won’t judge you or have preconceptions about you. A person who has an educational background and who you have a couple of shared experiences with. No one should ever be ashamed of getting help. Being a child doesn’t mean you don’t have problems or stressors. Some children have to take care of their family member with schizophrenia or they’re getting bullied. You never truly know what someone else is going through. Growing up, I witnessed my mother be in abusive relationships, whether it was physical or mental, it was always there. From the outside, I appeared to be a quite eight-year-old who loved to dance. But inside, I was carrying the weight of trauma, feeling unwanted, hurt, and betrayed. According to the National Science Foundation, black women make up about 6.5% of the U.S., population. But only 2% of the STEM workforce is very disappointing. We are very underrepresented. I hope to break barriers in this field and help other women do the same thing. I will make sure my services are affordable and attainable. Your financial status shouldn’t matter or prevent you from getting the help that you need. Getting help shouldn’t be a luxury. Your mental health affects your entire life. Psychology is also very interesting, getting to understand people’s behaviors, mental processes, minds, etc. There are many branches of psychology such as Clinical, Developmental, Occupational Forensic, etc. There are so many career possibilities, yes it takes many years of schooling, but you will get a very fulfilling career. I am determined to finish my schooling and help the world. I am so excited to see where this journey takes me.

People often expect children to stay strong through challenges that would break most adults. Growing up, I lived in a household filled with emotional and physical abuse. From the age of eight, I witnessed my mother being mistreated by her partners—screamed at, pushed, and punched—while my siblings and I were told to hide in our room. But sometimes, we saw everything. My twin and I often felt like outsiders in our own home, especially compared to our younger sister, who was treated differently by her father. The favoritism, the constant arguments, and the fear made me feel like I was living in a nightmare I couldn’t wake up from. At times, staying at my grandparents’ or godparents’ homes felt like entering another world—a place where love was present, and I didn’t have to walk on eggshells. But returning home meant going back to fear, anxiety, and silence. Eventually, my mother left her abusive partner and remarried. I hoped things would improve, but the cycle repeated itself—mental abuse and instability took center stage again. That’s when I knew I had to build a different life. I’m now a psychology major at Winston-Salem State University and a substitute teacher, working with both general education and exceptional children. I’ve also volunteered at the Elizabeth and Tab Williams Adult Day Center, caring for elders with dementia and Alzheimer’s. These experiences have strengthened my desire to help others, especially children, navigate life’s emotional challenges. I want to become a Child Mental Health Therapist—not only because of what I’ve been through, but because I want to be the person I didn’t have growing up. I know what it feels like to be unheard, dismissed, and alone. I’ve battled severe depression and anxiety, and I understand how life-changing it can be to have someone simply listen and care. Therapy saved me. It gave me hope, tools to heal, and the reminder that I deserve to be here. Mental health is still heavily stigmatized in the Black community. Too often, we’re told to “just pray about it” or to “toughen up,” especially as children. But kids experience real stress—whether it’s bullying, family instability, or caretaking responsibilities. I want to create a safe space for them. I also plan to open an affordable private practice, focusing on underserved communities, and start a mentorship organization for young Black girls, teaching them about self-care, mental health, and life skills. Representation matters. According to the National Science Foundation, only 2% of the STEM workforce is made up of Black women. We are underrepresented, overlooked, and often unheard. I want to break that cycle. I want to show others like me that it’s possible to rise, to heal, and to lead. My past doesn’t define me—it motivates me. I’m determined to use my education and experiences to make mental health care more accessible and to ensure that no child feels as helpless or invisible as I once did. I got through it, and I want others to know they can too.

Charity, to me, means being there for others when they need it the most. As an African American woman raised by a single mother, I understand how much a little support can mean, and how often it's needed but not provided. Giving back is more than simply important to me; it is a responsibility that I take on with pride and purpose. Once I become a Child Mental Health Therapist, I plan to start a private practice that provides cheap treatment to minorities, particularly the Black community. My goal is to make mental health services more accessible and culturally relevant. I also want to start an organization that mentors young Black girls, teaching them about mental health, cleanliness, self-care, and life skills while providing a safe and empowering environment where they can grow. In addition, I want to create scholarships for students pursuing careers in mental health and social work, especially those who, like me, are first-generation college students navigating their path with little to no support. By the grace of God, I’m now a rising senior in college, first-generation, and making it through without help from my family. I know how hard this journey can be. I want to help make that road easier for others who come after me.

The world needs more caring and empathetic people. I want to become a Child Mental Health Therapist and specifically help kids in the black community. I want to be the person I didn’t have when I was younger for other people. I deal with my own mental health challenges. I am diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety. But I haven’t let it stop me, I take it one day at a time, talk to a therapist, and use my coping skills. Our childhood experiences shape our behaviors and beliefs as we enter adulthood. If I can talk to and give a child resources and solutions to help lessen the effect of challenging experiences in their life. I want to do that. I don’t ever want a child to go through what I went through and feel alone and helpless. There were days as a kid when I didn’t want to live to see another day. Seeing others happy and not limiting themselves and their lives because of their mental health makes me happy. There is a huge stigma around mental health that shouldn’t be there. It makes people stray away from getting the help they need. Through me becoming a therapist, I want everyone to know that they are powerful, loved, and deserve to be here. Therapy can make a huge impact on your life, it can help you manage your stress, help improve your communication skills, give you coping skills to improve your quality of life, etc. If my family brushed me off and just told me” To go to church” or that “since I’m a child, I can’t be stressed” I probably wouldn’t be on this earth. Therapy saved me. Sometimes you need that extra person in your life who won’t judge you or have preconceptions about you. A person who has an educational background and who you have a couple of shared experiences with. No one should ever be ashamed of getting help. Being a child doesn’t mean you don’t have problems or stressors. Some children have to take care of their family member with schizophrenia or they’re getting bullied. You never truly know what someone else is going through. Growing up, I witnessed my mother be in abusive relationships, whether it was physical or mental, it was always there. From the outside, I appeared to be a quite eight-year-old who loved to dance. But inside, I was carrying the weight of trauma, feeling unwanted, hurt, and betrayed. According to the National Science Foundation, black women make up about 6.5% of the U.S., population. But only 2% of the STEM workforce is very disappointing. We are very underrepresented. I hope to break barriers in this field and help other women do the same thing. I will make sure my services are affordable and attainable. Your financial status shouldn’t matter or prevent you from getting the help that you need. Getting help shouldn’t be a luxury. Your mental health affects your entire life. Psychology is also very interesting, getting to understand people’s behaviors, mental processes, minds, etc. There are many branches of psychology such as Clinical, Developmental, Occupational Forensic, etc. There are so many career possibilities, yes it takes many years of schooling, but you will get a very fulfilling career. I am determined to finish my schooling and help the world. I am so excited to see where this journey takes me.

I want to become a Child Mental Health Therapist and specifically help kids in the black community. I want to be the person I didn’t have when I was younger for other people. Our childhood experiences shape our behaviors and beliefs as we enter adulthood. If I can talk to and give a child resources and solutions to help lessen the effect of whatever negative thing is happening in their life. I want to do that. I don’t ever want a child to go through what I went through and feel alone and helpless. There were days as a kid when I didn’t want to live to see another day. I eventually enrolled in therapy which helped a lot. It was my outlet, a person that was there to listen and help me. A person that wanted to see me succeed and wasn’t biased. Seeing others happy and not limiting themselves and their lives because of their mental health makes me happy. There is a huge stigma around mental health that shouldn’t be there. It makes people stray away from getting the help they need. Through me becoming a therapist I want everyone to know that they are powerful, loved, and deserve to be here. Therapy can make a huge impact on your life, it can help you manage your stress, help improve your communication skills, give you coping skills to improve your quality of life, etc. If my family brushed me off and just told me” to go to church” or that “since I’m a child, I can’t be stressed” I probably wouldn’t be on this earth. Therapy saved me. Sometimes you need that extra person in your life that won’t judge you or have preconceptions about you. A person that has the education background and who you have a couple of shared experiences with. No one should ever be ashamed of getting help. Being a child doesn’t mean you don’t have problems or stressors. Maybe that child has to care of their family member with schizophrenia or they’re getting bullied. You never know what someone else is going through. Kids can also deal with getting bullied, abused, etc. Age doesn’t matter. According to the National Science Foundation, black women make up about 6.5% of the U.S, population. But only 2% of the STEM workforce is very disappointing. We are very underrepresented. I hope to break barriers in this field and help other women do the same thing. I will make sure my services are affordable and attainable. Your financial status shouldn’t matter or defer you from getting the help that you need. Getting help shouldn’t be a luxury. Your mental health affects your entire life. Psychology is also very interesting, getting to understand people’s behaviors, mental processes, minds, etc. There are many branches of psychology such as Clinical, Developmental, Occupational Forensic, etc. There are so many career possibilities, yes it takes many years of schooling but you will get a very fulfilling career and be getting paid well. I am determined to finish my schooling and help the world. I am a first-generation college student who is entering my senior year, I am so excited to see where this journey takes me.

I want to become a Child Mental Health Therapist and specifically help kids in the black community. I want to be the person I didn’t have when I was younger for other people. Our childhood experiences shape our behaviors and beliefs as we enter adulthood. If I can talk to and give a child resources and solutions to help lessen the effect of whatever negative thing is happening in their life. I want to do that. I don’t ever want a child to go through what I went through and feel alone and helpless. There were days as a kid when I didn’t want to live to see another day. I eventually enrolled in therapy which helped a lot. It was my outlet, a person that was there to listen and help me. A person that wanted to see me succeed and wasn’t biased. Seeing others happy and not limiting themselves and their lives because of their mental health makes me happy. There is a huge stigma around mental health that shouldn’t be there. It makes people stray away from getting the help they need. Through me becoming a therapist I want everyone to know that they are powerful, loved, and deserve to be here. Therapy can make a huge impact on your life, it can help you manage your stress, help improve your communication skills, give you coping skills to improve your quality of life, etc. There is a huge stigma around mental health in the black community that needs to be destroyed. If my family brushed me off and just told me” to go to church” or that “since I’m a child, I can’t be stressed” I probably wouldn’t be on this earth. Therapy saved me. Sometimes you need that extra person in your life that won’t judge you or have preconceptions about you. A person that has the education background and who you have a couple of shared experiences with. No one should ever be ashamed of getting help. Being a child doesn’t mean you don’t have problems or stressors. Maybe that child has to care of their family member with schizophrenia or they’re getting bullied. You never know what someone else is going through. Kids can also deal with getting bullied, abused, etc. Age doesn’t matter. According to the National Science Foundation, black women make up about 6.5% of the U.S, population. But only 2% of the STEM workforce is very disappointing. We are very underrepresented. I hope to break barriers in this field and help other women do the same thing. I will make sure my services are affordable and attainable. Your financial status shouldn’t matter or defer you from getting the help that you need. Getting help shouldn’t be a luxury. Your mental health affects your entire life. Psychology is also very interesting, getting to understand people’s behaviors, mental processes, minds, etc. There are many branches of psychology such as Clinical, Developmental, Occupational Forensic, etc. There are so many career possibilities, yes it takes many years of schooling, but you will get a very fulfilling career and be getting paid well. I am determined to finish my schooling and help the world. I am so excited to see where this journey takes me.

I want to become a Child Mental Health Therapist, specifically helping children in the Black community. I want to be the person I didn’t have when I was younger for others. Childhood experiences shape our behaviors and beliefs as we enter adulthood, and if I can offer a child the resources and solutions to help lessen the negative impact of whatever challenges they face, I want to do that. I don’t ever want a child to feel alone and helpless the way I did. Growing up, I struggled with depression and anxiety, which often felt like an insurmountable weight. There were days as a child when I didn’t want to live to see another day. In high school, I turned to alcohol as a coping mechanism, trying to numb the pain. But eventually, I realized I couldn’t keep running from my problems. I sought help, and after spending time in a mental hospital, I began attending therapy, which was truly life-changing. Therapy became my outlet—a space where someone was there to listen, guide me, and genuinely wanted to see me succeed, without judgment. Over the years, therapy has helped me cope with life and manage my mental health in a healthy way. There is a significant stigma around mental health that should not exist, especially in the Black community, where seeking help is often discouraged. This stigma can prevent people from getting the support they need, and it’s something I’m committed to changing. Therapy saved me, and I want to be the one to help others in the same way. Through my work as a therapist, I want everyone to know they are powerful, loved, and deserve to be here. Therapy can have a profound impact on one’s life—it can help manage stress, improve communication skills, provide coping strategies, and ultimately enhance the quality of life. As a first-generation college student, managing multiple jobs while being a full-time student has been stressful, but I haven’t let my struggles define me. In addition to being a full-time college student, I work as a substitute teacher, mainly with exceptional children (EC), and I also work at a warehouse. Balancing these jobs with my coursework has been challenging, but it has taught me time management, resilience, and the importance of self-care. Despite the stress, I continue to push forward with my goal of becoming a Child Mental Health Therapist. With one more year until I graduate, I know I am close to reaching my goal, and I’m determined to finish my education and use it to help others. I don’t want children in my community to feel alone like I did. Age doesn’t matter when it comes to mental health. Kids can deal with stressors like taking care of a family member with schizophrenia, being bullied, or facing abuse, and they need support just like adults do. That’s why I want to be there for children who need guidance, support, and coping strategies. Working with exceptional children has further reinforced my belief that early intervention and emotional support are critical to helping children thrive. According to the National Science Foundation, Black women make up about 6.5% of the U.S. population, but only 2% of the STEM workforce. This underrepresentation is discouraging, but it’s a challenge I’m ready to take on. As a future therapist, I will ensure that my services are affordable and accessible. Financial status should never prevent anyone from getting the help they need. Mental health is not a luxury—it’s a necessity that affects every aspect of life. Psychology itself is fascinating. Understanding human behavior, mental processes, and how the mind works is incredibly intriguing. The field offers a variety of specializations, from Clinical and Developmental to Occupational and Forensic Psychology. The possibilities are endless, and while it does take years of schooling to become established, the rewards are fulfilling both personally and financially. I am determined to complete my education, pursue my passion for mental health, and contribute to the well-being of others. I am excited to see where this journey takes me. My personal experiences with mental health, my commitment to breaking the stigma around mental health in the Black community, and my passion for supporting children’s mental health drive me forward. I look forward to being part of a movement that makes mental health care accessible to everyone and ensures no one feels alone or misunderstood. With the right resources and support, I know I can help make a difference.

The mind and why people act the way they do is complex and deserve to be understood. I want to become a Child Mental Health Therapist and specifically help kids in the black community. I want to be the person I didn’t have when I was younger for other people. Our childhood experiences shape our behaviors and beliefs as we enter adulthood. If I can talk to and give a child resources and solutions to help lessen the effect of whatever negative thing is happening in their life. I want to do that. I don’t ever want a child to go through what I went through and feel alone and helpless. There were days as a kid when I didn’t want to live to see another day. I eventually enrolled in therapy which helped a lot. It was my outlet, someone there to listen and help me. A person who wanted to see me succeed and wasn’t biased. Seeing others happy and not limiting themselves and their lives because of their mental health makes me happy. There is a huge stigma around mental health that shouldn’t be there. It makes people stray away from getting the help they need. Through me becoming a therapist I want everyone to know that they are powerful, loved, and deserve to be here. Therapy can make a huge impact on your life, it can help you manage your stress, help improve your communication skills, give you coping skills to improve your quality of life, etc. There is a huge stigma around mental health in the black community that needs to be destroyed. If my family brushed me off and just told me” to go to church” or that “since I’m a child, I can’t be stressed” I probably wouldn’t be on this earth. Therapy saved me. Sometimes you need that extra person in your life who won’t judge you or have preconceptions about you. A person who has the educational background and whom you have a couple of shared experiences with. No one should ever be ashamed of getting help. Being a child doesn’t mean you don’t have problems or stressors. Maybe that child has to care of their family member with schizophrenia or they’re getting bullied. You never know what someone else is going through. Kids can also deal with getting bullied, abused, etc. Age doesn’t matter. According to the National Science Foundation, black women make up about 6.5% of the U.S., population. But only 2% of the STEM workforce is very disappointing. We are significantly underrepresented. I hope to break barriers in this field and help other women do the same thing. I will make sure my services are affordable and attainable. Your financial status shouldn’t matter or prevent you from getting the help that you need. Getting help shouldn’t be a luxury. Your mental health affects your entire life. Psychology is also very interesting, getting to understand people’s behaviors, cognitive processes, minds, etc. There are many branches of psychology such as Clinical, Developmental, Occupational Forensic, etc. There are so many career possibilities, yes it takes many years of schooling but you will get a very fulfilling career. I am determined to finish my schooling and help the world. I am so excited to see where this journey takes me.

The world needs more caring and empathetic people. I want to become a Child Mental Health Therapist and specifically help kids in the black community. I want to be the person I didn’t have when I was younger for other people. I deal with my mental health challenges. I am diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety. I haven’t let it stop me, I take it one day at a time, talk to a therapist, and use my coping skills. Our childhood experiences shape our behaviors and beliefs as we enter adulthood. If I can talk to and give a child resources and solutions to help lessen the effect of challenging experiences in their life. I want to do that. I don’t ever want a child to go through what I went through and feel alone and helpless. There were days as a kid when I didn’t want to live to see another day. Seeing others happy and not limiting themselves and their lives because of their mental health makes me happy. There is a huge stigma around mental health that shouldn’t be there. It makes people stray away from getting the help they need. Through me becoming a therapist I want everyone to know that they are powerful, loved, and deserve to be here. Therapy can make a huge impact on your life, it can help you manage your stress, help improve your communication skills, give you coping skills to improve your quality of life, etc. There is a huge stigma around mental health in the black community that needs to be destroyed. If my family brushed me off and just told me” to go to church” or that “since I’m a child, I can’t be stressed” I probably wouldn’t be on this earth. Therapy saved me. Sometimes you need that extra person in your life who won’t judge you or have preconceptions about you. A person who has an educational background and who you have a couple of shared experiences with. No one should ever be ashamed of getting help. Being a child doesn’t mean you don’t have problems or stressors. Maybe that child has to care of their family member with schizophrenia or they’re getting bullied. You never know what someone else is going through. Kids can also deal with getting bullied, abused, etc. Age doesn’t matter. According to the National Science Foundation, black women make up about 6.5% of the U.S., population. But only 2% of the STEM workforce is very disappointing. We are very underrepresented. I hope to break barriers in this field and help other women do the same thing. I will make sure my services are affordable and attainable. Your financial status shouldn’t matter or prevent you from getting the help that you need. Getting help shouldn’t be a luxury. Your mental health affects your entire life. Psychology is also very interesting, getting to understand people’s behaviors, mental processes, minds, etc. There are many branches of psychology such as Clinical, Developmental, Occupational Forensic, etc. There are so many career possibilities, yes it takes many years of schooling but you will get a very fulfilling career and be getting paid well. I am determined to finish my schooling and help the world. I am so excited to see where this journey takes me.

Nothing worth having comes easy I graduated high school in 2021 and was lost about what I wanted to do with my life after. I wanted to go to University, Dental School, become a Cardiac Sonographer, etc. I had so many ideas and knew I didn’t want to waste money. I decided to enroll in Community College for a year to give me some extra time to make up my mind. During that year I took a Psychology class and fell in love so I decided to transfer to Winston-Salem State University to get my Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. After I want to go to Graduate School to obtain my Master's Degree and become a Child Mental Health therapist. Since the decision was made on a whim I didn’t have that much money saved to go. I put all of my money towards the down payment for school and my mother had to take out thousands of dollars from her retirement fund to help me enroll. I was overjoyed and grateful but in the back of my mind, I knew it wasn’t going to be a breeze. It wasn’t enough to cover the whole semester. When I moved on campus I was working 2 jobs, at Dunkin Donuts and Popeyes trying to pull money together. I had to support myself along with paying for college. On most nights instead of being on campus chilling with my friends, I would be out until 2 am door dashing. Instead of going to football games, I had to clock into work. I was breaking my back trying to live the “regular college life” while working full-time. I was jealous, exhausted, and burnt out. I didn’t understand why life was so hard. Most of my friend's parents took out loans and barely had to work meanwhile I couldn’t do that. I was trying my best to accomplish my goals no matter what. I am a first-generation college student trying to pave the way for my family and trying to make an impact in the STEM field. There needs to be more black therapists and representation. I want to be the person I didn’t have when I was younger for other people. If I can talk to and give a child resources and solutions to help lessen the effect of challenging experiences in their life, I want to do that. According to the National Science Foundation, black women make up about 6.5% of the U.S., population. But only 2% of the STEM workforce which is very disappointing. We are significantly underrepresented. I hope to break barriers in this field and help other women do the same thing. I always kept faith in God and his plan for me, me going through these trials and tribulations will pay off in the long run.

The world needs more caring and empathetic people. I want to become a Child Mental Health Therapist and specifically help kids in the black community. I want to be the person I didn’t have when I was younger for other people. I deal with my mental health challenges. I am diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety. I haven’t let it stop me, I take it one day at a time, talk to a therapist and use my coping skills. Our childhood experiences shape our behaviors and beliefs as we enter adulthood. If I can talk to and give a child resources and solutions to help lessen the effect of challenging experiences in their life. I want to do that. I don’t ever want a child to go through what I went through and feel alone and helpless. There were days as a kid when I didn’t want to live to see another day. Seeing others happy and not limiting themselves and their lives because of their mental health makes me happy. There is a huge stigma around mental health that shouldn’t be there. It makes people stray away from getting the help they need. Through me becoming a therapist I want everyone to know that they are powerful, loved, and deserve to be here. Therapy can make a huge impact on your life, it can help you manage your stress, help improve your communication skills, give you coping skills to improve your quality of life, etc. There is a huge stigma around mental health in the black community that needs to be destroyed. If my family brushed me off and just told me” to go to church” or that “since I’m a child, I can’t be stressed” I probably wouldn’t be on this earth. Therapy saved me. Sometimes you need that extra person in your life that won’t judge you or have preconceptions about you. A person that has the education background and who you have a couple of shared experiences with. No one should ever be ashamed of getting help. Being a child doesn’t mean you don’t have problems or stressors. Maybe that child has to care of their family member with schizophrenia or they’re getting bullied. You never know what someone else is going through. Kids can also deal with getting bullied, abused, etc. Age doesn’t matter. According to the National Science Foundation, black women make up about 6.5% of the U.S., population. But only 2% of the STEM workforce is very disappointing. We are very underrepresented. I hope to break barriers in this field and help other women do the same thing. I will make sure my services are affordable and attainable. Your financial status shouldn’t matter or defer you from getting the help that you need. Getting help shouldn’t be a luxury. Your mental health affects your entire life. Psychology is also very interesting, getting to understand people’s behaviors, mental processes, minds, etc. There are many branches of psychology such as Clinical, Developmental, Occupational Forensic, etc. There are so many career possibilities, yes it takes many years of schooling but you will get a very fulfilling career and be getting paid well. I am determined to finish my schooling and help the world. I am so excited to see where this journey takes me.

The world needs more caring and empathetic people. I plan on becoming a Child Mental Health Therapist, making sure no child around me goes unheard. I want to help minority children specifically, I want to be a role model. I want to show them that even if the odds are against you, you can still prevail. There aren't many black women in this field which is disappointing, I am working to change that and to open more doors for women that look like me. It’s a proven fact that your experiences in childhood affect how you act, your personality, etc in adulthood. If I can come into a child’s life and have a positive impact, I want to do that. Our childhood experiences shape our behaviors and beliefs as we enter adulthood. If I can talk to and give a child resources and solutions to help lessen the effect of whatever negative thing is happening in their life. I want to do that. I don’t ever want a child to go through what I went through and feel alone and helpless. There were days as a kid when I didn’t want to live to see another day. I eventually enrolled in therapy which helped a lot. It was my outlet, a person that was there to listen and help me. A person that wanted to see me succeed and wasn’t biased. I deal with my mental health challenges. I am diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety. I haven’t let it stop me, I take it one day at a time, talk to a therapist and use my coping skills. Without having a therapist and a mother that advocated for me life would be so different. I am currently in school to get a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and eventually go to graduate school. I know there is a big stigma around mental health in the black community that needs to be destroyed. If my family brushed me off and just told me” to go to church” or that “since I’m a child, I can’t be stressed” I probably wouldn’t be on this earth. Therapy saved me. Being a child doesn’t mean you don’t have problems or stressors. Maybe that child has to care of their family member with schizophrenia or they’re getting bullied. You never know what someone else is going through. Sometimes you need that extra person who won’t judge you or have pre-conceptions about you. A person that has the education background and who you have a couple of shared experiences with. No one should ever be ashamed of getting help. Through my becoming a therapist I want everyone to know that they are powerful, loved, and deserve to be here. Therapy can make a huge impact n your life, it can help you manage your stress, help improve your communication skills, give you coping skills to improve your quality of life, etc. I will make sure my services are affordable and attainable. Your financial status shouldn’t matter or defer you from getting the help that you need. I am so excited to see where this journey takes me.

I have watched my mother be in abusive relationships for the majority of my life, whether it was physical or mental, it was always there. From the age of around eight until now. When I was younger it was just me, my twin sister, and my younger sister. My younger sister was the daughter of my mom’s boyfriend and that played a big part in what was happening. Every day there was constant arguing and bickering in the house, most of the time when my mom and her boyfriend started to argue my mom would tell me and my siblings to go into the room. But other times we would see everything. I would see my mom get punched, screamed at, and pushed around. When he would be coming at me and my twin she would try to intervene but it would just create more backlash for her. I felt trapped, I didn’t want to tell my family members because I didn’t want anything bad to happen. But even as a little kid, I knew things weren’t right. When I would stay at my grandparent's or godparents' house it wasn’t the same as being at home. The dynamic was different; there was more love over there and I was seen. I didn’t have to walk on pins and needles and be scared that something would pop off at any moment. But at home, I worried every day. At first, my mother was the only person being abused but then it seemed like her boyfriend turned on me and my twin sister. I felt like I was Cinderella and my younger sister was Cinderella’s sister. I felt like I was below my younger sister, she would get everything she wanted from her dad and I would be ignored. When we were arguing and she was clearly in the wrong I would get my head bashed in and she would come out on top. It made me not want to speak up anymore and just do what I was told. Now 10 years later some of the same things are still happening. My mother ended up leaving her ex-boyfriend and getting married. I thought after they broke up life would get better. It did for a couple of years until things took a turn for the worse. My stepdad has a lot of the same traits that my mom’s ex has, he mentally abuses everyone in the household and pushes my mom around and it seems like he does those things and gets away with it. That’s why I plan on getting my education and moving out. I am currently a freshman at Winston-Salem State University majoring in Psychology. I want to be a Child Mental Health Therapist or a therapist in general. I want to cater to the black community and be a reliable resource. I want more black women to be heard, not just women going through domestic violence but anyone with mental health problems. There is a stigma around mental health, especially in the black community. This makes people not want to reach out or think you are just a “crazy person” and not trying to find the core of the problem. I don’t ever want a person specifically children to go through what I went through and have no one to talk to. I want everyone to know there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I got through it and so can you.

A healthy and wealthy black therapist helping my community be heard and understood.

The mind and why people act the way they do is complex and deserve to be understood. I want to become a Child Mental Health Therapist and specifically help kids in the black community. I want to be the person I didn’t have when I was younger for other people. Our childhood experiences shape our behaviors and beliefs as we enter adulthood. If I can talk to and give a child resources and solutions to help lessen the effect of whatever negative thing is happening in their life. I want to do that. I don’t ever want a child to go through what I went through and feel alone and helpless. There were days as a kid when I didn’t want to live to see another day. I eventually enrolled in therapy which helped a lot. It was my outlet, someone there to listen and help me. A person that wanted to see me succeed and wasn’t biased. Seeing others happy and not limiting themselves and their lives because of their mental health makes me happy. There is a huge stigma around mental health that shouldn’t be there. It makes people stray away from getting the help they need. Through me becoming a therapist I want everyone to know that they are powerful, loved, and deserve to be here. Therapy can make a huge impact on your life, it can help you manage your stress, help improve your communication skills, give you coping skills to improve your quality of life, etc. There is a huge stigma around mental health in the black community that needs to be destroyed. If my family brushed me off and just told me” to go to church” or that “since I’m a child, I can’t be stressed” I probably wouldn’t be on this earth. Therapy saved me. Sometimes you need that extra person in your life that won’t judge you or have preconceptions about you. A person that has the education background and who you have a couple of shared experiences with. No one should ever be ashamed of getting help. Being a child doesn’t mean you don’t have problems or stressors. Maybe that child has to care of their family member with schizophrenia or they’re getting bullied. You never know what someone else is going through. Kids can also deal with getting bullied, abused, etc. Age doesn’t matter. According to the National Science Foundation, black women make up about 6.5% of the U.S, population. But only 2% of the STEM workforce is very disappointing. We are significantly underrepresented. I hope to break barriers in this field and help other women do the same thing. I will make sure my services are affordable and attainable. Your financial status shouldn’t matter or defer you from getting the help that you need. Getting help shouldn’t be a luxury. Your mental health affects your entire life. Psychology is also very interesting, getting to understand people’s behaviors, cognitive processes, minds, etc. There are many branches of psychology such as Clinical, Developmental, Occupational Forensic, etc. There are so many career possibilities, yes it takes many years of schooling but you will get a very fulfilling career and be getting paid well. I am determined to finish my schooling and help the world. I am so excited to see where this journey takes me.

I want to become a Child Mental Health Therapist and specifically help kids in the black community. I want to be the person I didn’t have when I was younger for other people. Our childhood experiences shape our behaviors and beliefs as we enter adulthood. If I can talk to and give a child resources and solutions to help lessen the effect of whatever negative thing is happening in their life. I want to do that. I don’t ever want a child to go through what I went through and feel alone and helpless. There were days as a kid when I didn’t want to live to see another day. I eventually enrolled in therapy which helped a lot. It was my outlet, a person that was there to listen and help me. A person that wanted to see me succeed and wasn’t biased. Seeing others happy and not limiting themselves and their lives because of their mental health makes me happy. There is a huge stigma around mental health that shouldn’t be there. It makes people stray away from getting the help they need. Through me becoming a therapist I want everyone to know that they are powerful, loved, and deserve to be here. Therapy can make a huge impact on your life, it can help you manage your stress, help improve your communication skills, give you coping skills to improve your quality of life, etc. There is a huge stigma around mental health in the black community that needs to be destroyed. If my family brushed me off and just told me” to go to church” or that “since I’m a child, I can’t be stressed” I probably wouldn’t be on this earth. Therapy saved me. Sometimes you need that extra person in your life that won’t judge you or have preconceptions about you. A person that has the education background and who you have a couple of shared experiences with. No one should ever be ashamed of getting help. Being a child doesn’t mean you don’t have problems or stressors. Maybe that child has to care of their family member with schizophrenia or they’re getting bullied. You never know what someone else is going through. Kids can also deal with getting bullied, abused, etc. Age doesn’t matter. According to the National Science Foundation, black women make up about 6.5% of the U.S, population. But only 2% of the STEM workforce is very disappointing. We are very underrepresented. I hope to break barriers in this field and help other women do the same thing. I will make sure my services are affordable and attainable. Your financial status shouldn’t matter or defer you from getting the help that you need. Getting help shouldn’t be a luxury. Your mental health affects your entire life. Psychology is also very interesting, getting to understand people’s behaviors, mental processes, minds, etc. There are many branches of psychology such as Clinical, Developmental, Occupational Forensic, etc. There are so many career possibilities, yes it takes many years of schooling but you will get a very fulfilling career and be getting paid well. I am determined to finish my schooling and help the world. I am so excited to see where this journey takes me.

I want to become a Child Mental Health Therapist and specifically help kids in the black community. I want to be the person I didn’t have when I was younger for other people. Our childhood experiences shape our behaviors and beliefs as we enter adulthood. If I can talk to and give a child resources and solutions to help lessen the effect of whatever negative thing is happening in their life. I want to do that. I don’t ever want a child to go through what I went through and feel alone and helpless. I was diagnosed with Anxiety and Depression as a teen, which stemmed from the things that occurred in my childhood and being overwhelmed. I didn’t know how to cope. Everyone around me thought that I was okay, meanwhile, I was struggling. I eventually got therapy and it changed my life. Seeing others happy and not limiting themselves and their lives because of their mental health makes me happy. There is a huge stigma around mental health that shouldn’t be there. It makes people stray away from getting the help they need. Getting a secondary education will open many doors for me, I plan on not only taking courses in school but also networking. Sometimes knowing a friend of a friend can get you far. I would love to start getting internships next summer and maybe shadowing someone already in the field. I am a first-generation college student and getting my education will show others in my family and the community that they can do it too and beat the odds. I am paying for everything myself, I have a part-time job while balancing full-time school. It can be very overwhelming and lonely at times. Being away from my family, having a lot on my plate, and just trying to figure out my way in life is stressful. Through me becoming a therapist I want everyone to know that they are powerful, loved, and deserve to be here. Therapy can make a huge impact on your life, it can help you manage your stress, help improve your communication skills, give you coping skills to improve your quality of life, etc. There is a huge stigma around mental health in the black community that needs to be destroyed. If my family brushed me off and just told me” to go to church” or that “since I’m a child, I can’t be stressed” I probably wouldn’t be on this earth. Therapy saved me. According to the National Science Foundation, black women make up about 6.5% of the U.S, population. But only 2% of the STEM workforce is very disappointing. We are very underrepresented. I hope to break barriers in this field and help other women do the same thing. I am so excited to see where this journey takes me.

Higher education can open more doors and give you more resources. There are specific jobs you can't get without a degree. Also, the college experience is very intriguing to me, whether you're going to a college in-state or out of state there are so many new people to talk to and build connections with. People from different backgrounds, ethnicities, family dynamics, etc. Personally, I am working on getting my Bachelor's in Psychology, I want to become a Child Mental Health Therapist and specifically work with minority children. Without higher education, I wouldn't be able to get my dream job. Going to college can increase your earnings and set you and your family up for life. Even an Associate's Degree looks better to a job than a High School Diploma. It shows that you took the next step and applied yourself. That you are qualified for the position or at least have some background knowledge. When I graduated high school I was so lost, I wanted to be a Dental Assistant, Sonographer, Beautician, Clothing Designer, etc. I took some time to listen and learn about myself. I thought about my life and what challenges I have faced and the things that I love. Then mental health and counseling came along, I decided to take a couple of Psychology classes at Community College and I was sold! I transferred to my dream school which is the illustrious Winston-Salem State University. I am a first-generation college student so going to college is a big step for my family and me. No one else has done what I am doing, I am taking a leap of faith and seeing where it takes me. Of course, I have a Plan A, B, and C, you have to try to be prepared for everything. College also gives you a taste of the real world, no one will make you go to class or turn in assignments. In high school, they were very hard on you and pushed you to be successful, now everything is up to you. You have to manage your time well and network. I manage being a full-time college student, working a part-time job, running a business, and being in organizations on campus. I am determined to get the most out of college. College isn't always peaches and cream, there are days you feel unmotivated and don't want to go to class. Days where you are very homesick and lonely. But you just have to remember this is a new journey and you have to go through the process. Everything you are doing right now will pay off in the long run.

Mental health affects a person indefinitely. Your thoughts and feelings are important and you deserved to feel wanted and be heard. Our mental health affects how we feel, think and act. It matters just as much as when you are a child to becoming a adult. When your mental health is good you feel more positive, enjoy life more and just feel good. Happy thoughts are what gets us through the day. You should think highly of yourself. I know when I am struggling with my mental health I seclude myself, stop eating as much, listen to sad music, start procrastinating etc. I'm not my best self. Whenever I'm not feeling good I eat/ drink my comfort sweets which are coffee and mint chocolate ice cream. I either vent to someone or type out my feelings in my notes which makes the weight of whatever situation feel lighter. Most importantly I cry, which is normal. I used to try to hold in my emotions and just move on like nothing happened but that is not healthy. One day those bottled up emotions will explode and you will be left with a bigger mess than before. That anger from past situations will just move on to something else so you might think one small thing is the end of the world. When I suffered a devastating loss it made me hate the world, I was mad at everyone, God included. My mental health was at a all time low. My heart felt so heavy, I felt hate, envy, aggression, etc. I wasn't myself and everyone around me recognized that. For a while it made me "hard" in order not to deal with what happened and I shut everyone out. Looking back doing that was only hurting me. It's okay to feel your feelings. I started therapy and reminded myself of all the good times we had. I started to recognize who the loss was making me become. I didn't like that person. I started to understand that life goes on, being stuck on this situation is blocking my blessings. I deserved to smile again and be genuinely happy. Life is too short to walk around mad all of the time. It was time to be grateful and get back on the right track. I kept reminding myself of who I am, my goals, and what I will hopefully accomplish in my life. You have to choose you everytime. Life is worth living, someone out there loves you and wants to see you succeed. Everyone on this earth has a purpose.

I am a hardworking teenager who's dedicated to removing the stigma around mental health and helping people in need. I am one of five children and am the second oldest, I go to college, work part-time, have my own business, and am involved in clubs around campus. I want to become a Child Mental Health Therapist and specifically help kids in the black community. I know becoming a therapist takes a lot of hard work and dedication but I am committed. I want to be the person I didn’t have when I was younger for other people. Our childhood experiences shape our behaviors and beliefs as we enter adulthood. If I can talk to and give a child resources and solutions to help lessen the effect of whatever negative thing is happening in their life. I want to do that. I thought about my life and what challenges I have faced and the things that I loved. Then mental health and counseling came along, I decided to take a couple of Psychology classes at community college and I was sold! Getting a secondary education will open many doors for me, I plan on not only taking courses in school but also networking. Sometimes knowing a friend of a friend can get you far. I would love to start getting internships next summer and maybe shadowing someone already in the field. According to the National Science Foundation, black women make up about 6.5% of the U.S, population. But only 2% of the STEM workforce is very disappointing. We are very underrepresented. I hope to break barriers in this field and help other women do the same thing. I have struggled with Anxiety and Depression all of my life. At a point, I didn’t want to be on this earth. So getting my degree means so much to me. I have wanted to throw in the towel many times but stuck it out, I know I have a purpose to fulfill. Going to mental hospitals and taking medication when I was at my lowest has taught me that life is worth living and that I can conquer anything. If I would have committed suicide I never would have graduated high school, never would have been able to attend my dream school, or got the chance to help raise my nephew. There is always a light at the end of the tunnel. With my profession I intend on helping the world, I never want a child to feel the way I did.

The world needs more caring and empathetic people. I plan on becoming a Child Mental Health Therapist, making sure no child around me goes unheard. I want to specifically help minority children, I want to be a role model. I want to show them that even if the odds are against you, you can still prevail. There aren't many black women in this field which is disappointing, I am working to change that and to open more doors for women that look like me. It’s a proven fact that your experiences in childhood affect how you act, your personality, etc in your adulthood. If I can come into a child’s life and have a positive impact, I want to do that. I deal with my own mental health challenges. I am diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety. I haven’t let it stop me, I take it one day at a time, talk to a therapist and use my coping skills. Without having a therapist and a mother that advocated for me life would be so different. I am currently in school to get a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and eventually go to graduate school. I know there is a big stigma around mental health in that black community that needs to be destroyed. If my family brushed me off and just told me” to go to church” or that “since I’m a child, I can’t be stressed” I probably wouldn’t be on this earth. Therapy saved me. Being a child doesn’t mean you don’t have problems or stressors. Maybe that child has to care for their family member with schizophrenia or they’re getting bullied. You never know what someone else is going through. Sometimes you need that extra person in your life that won’t judge you or have pr-conceptions about you. A person that has an educational background and who you have a couple of shared experiences with. No one should ever be ashamed of getting help. Through me becoming a therapist I want everyone to know that they are powerful, loved, and deserve to be here. Therapy can make a huge impact on your life, it can help you manage your stress, help improve your communication skills, give you coping skills to improve your quality of life, etc. I will make sure my services are affordable and attainable. Your financial status shouldn’t matter or defer you from getting the help that you need. I am so excited to see where this journey takes me.

I just want to genuinely happy and be a light in everyone's lives around me. I want to become a Child Mental Health Therapist and a High School Counselor. Everyone deserves to be heard and feel like they belong on this earth.

I chose Psychology because I want to become a Child Mental Health Therapist and specifically help kids in the black community. I know becoming a therapist takes a lot of hard work and dedication but I am committed. I want to be the person I didn’t have when I was younger for other people. Our childhood experiences shape our behaviors and beliefs as we enter adulthood. If I can talk to and give a child resources and solutions to help lessen the effect of whatever negative thing is happening in their life. I want to do that. But when I graduated high school I was so lost, I wanted to be a Dental Assistant, Sonographer, Beautician, etc. I took some time to listen and learn about myself. I thought about my life and what challenges I have faced and the things that I loved. Then mental health and counseling came along, I decided to take a couple of Psychology classes at community college and I was sold! Seeing others happy and not limiting themselves and their lives because of their mental health makes me happy. There is a huge stigma around mental health that shouldn’t be there. It makes people stray away from getting the help they need. Getting a secondary education will open many doors for me, I plan on not only taking courses in school but also networking. Sometimes knowing a friend of a friend can get you far. I would love to start getting internships next summer and maybe shadowing someone already in the field. I am a first-generation college student and getting my education will show others in my family and the community that they can do it too and beat the odds. I am paying for everything myself and will most likely have a part-time job in school while being a full-time student. I will have to sacrifice a lot but nothing worth having comes easy. According to the National Science Foundation, black women make up about 6.5% of the U.S, population. But only 2% of the STEM workforce is very disappointing. We are very underrepresented. I hope to break barriers in this field and help other women do the same thing

I am striving to get a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. I am a first-generation college student and would love to make myself and my family proud. I want to become a Child Mental Health Therapist and specifically help kids in the black community. I know becoming a therapist takes a lot of hard work and dedication but I am committed. I want to be the person I didn’t have when I was younger for other people. Our childhood experiences shape our behaviors and beliefs as we enter adulthood. If I can talk to and give a child resources and solutions to help lessen the effect of whatever negative thing is happening in their life. I want to do that. But when I graduated high school I was so lost, I wanted to be a Dental Assistant, Sonographer, beautician, etc. I took some time to listen and learn about myself. I thought about my life and what challenges I have faced and the things that I loved. Then mental health and counseling came along, I decided to take a couple of Psychology classes at community college and I was sold! Seeing others happy and not limiting themselves and their lives because of their mental health makes me happy. There is a huge stigma around mental health that shouldn’t be there. It makes people stray away from getting the help they need. Getting a secondary education will open many doors for me, I plan on not only taking courses in school but also networking. Sometimes knowing a friend of a friend can get you far. I would love to start getting internships next summer and maybe shadowing someone already in the field. My education will show my family that I really “made it” and pushed through everything that’s happened. I have struggled with Anxiety and Depression all of my life. At a point, I didn’t want to be on this earth. So getting my degree means so much. I always wanted to throw in the towel but stuck it out. I know I have a purpose to fulfill. I am a first-generation college student and getting my education will show others in my family and the community that they can do it too and beat the odds. I am paying for everything myself and will most likely have a part-time job in school while being a full-time student. I will have to sacrifice a lot but nothing worth having comes easy. According to the National Science Foundation, black women make up about 6.5% of the U.S, population. But only 2% of the STEM workforce is very disappointing. We are very underrepresented. I hope to break barriers in this field and help other women do the same thing. Minority children need a role model and someone there to listen to them. A person who can relate to some of the things they have experienced as being black in America. Diversity in the workplace is very important, no one wants to feel like an outsider. Having people from different backgrounds and countries brings spice to the company. It makes the company more creative and the employees can learn from each other. Whenever I see another black girl, I am more comfortable and know I’m not alone.

I want to become a Child Mental Health Therapist and specifically help kids in the black community. I know becoming a therapist takes a lot of hard work and dedication but I am committed. I want to be the person I didn’t have when I was younger for other people. Our childhood experiences shape our behaviors and beliefs as we enter adulthood. If I can talk to and give a child resources and solutions to help lessen the effect of whatever negative thing is happening in their life. I want to do that. But when I graduated high school I was so lost, I wanted to be a Dental Assistant, Sonographer, beautician, etc. I took some time to listen and learn about myself. I thought about my life and what challenges I have faced and the things that I loved. Then mental health and counseling came along, I decided to take a couple of Psychology classes at community college and I was sold! Seeing others happy and not limiting themselves and their lives because of their mental health makes me happy. There is a huge stigma around mental health that shouldn’t be there. It makes people stray away from getting the help they need. Getting a secondary education will open many doors for me, I plan on not only taking courses in school but also networking. Sometimes knowing a friend of a friend can get you far. I would love to start getting internships next summer and maybe shadowing someone already in the field. My education will show my family that I really “made it” and pushed through everything that’s happened. I have struggled with Anxiety and Depression all of my life. At a point, I didn’t want to be on this earth. So getting my degree means so much. I have wanted to throw in the towel many times but stuck it out. I know I have a purpose to fulfill. I am a first-generation college student and getting my education will show others in my family and the community that they can do it too and beat the odds. I am paying for everything myself and will most likely have a part-time job in school while being a full-time student. I will have to sacrifice a lot but nothing worth having comes easy. According to the National Science Foundation, black women make up about 6.5% of the U.S, population. But only 2% of the STEM workforce is very disappointing. We are very underrepresented. I hope to break barriers in this field and help other women do the same thing.

1. I deserve this scholarship because I am rich and famous and just want more cash in my pocket to travel the world and never help anyone else with their financial problems. 2. I want to graduate college and never use my degree, just sit in front of the television and watch horror movies all day. 3. I don't have problems/ obstacles in my life, the world spins on its axis because of me. I can snap my fingers and whatever I want presents itself in front of me. I love it!

“The influence of a mother in the lives of her children is beyond calculation.” —James E. Faust My mother, is a resilient and powerful lady, a woman who makes things happen, a woman who has gone through many hardships and still walks with her head held high. My mother is the strongest woman that I know, she has shaped me to be a successful and caring young lady. I strive to have her drive, her carelessness, and her tough skin. She has loved me unconditionally despite my attitude, mental health problems, and hard headiness. it's like she can pull things out of mid-air, all the odds will be against her and she will still prevail. I have such a high drive to succeed because of her, if I want something I will go and get it, whether it's me having to work four, twelve hours shifts to buy it or it's me speaking up for myself. Even with 5 kids, she tries to make sure everyone feels loved and knows that they have a special place in her heart. She has taught me the importance of loving yourself and learning about yourself. Without her, I wouldn't be me.

My name is Nykiaya, and I am a 19-year-old businesswoman. One of my favorite hobbies is running a jewelry business called JewelrybyGoldenK. Where I sell Bangles, Safety Keychains, Airpod Cases, Custom Clothing, etc. I started the business at 16 years old, the idea fell into my lap. I was on a road trip with my family and was scrolling on Instagram, I saw a lady selling bangles, I showed my mom and she was instantly on board. She bought the materials we thought we needed and we went from there. This wasn’t my first business, I had a Custom Clothing/ Merchandise business before this called GoldenKDesigns. So I was already used to being a creator and selling a product(s). But Jewelry was out of my league, yes I always wore jewelry but I didn't know where to find vendors, what materials were good and bad. Where to get cheap but quality charms, how to attach a charm to a bracelet, etc. I knew me launching this jewelry business everything wasn’t going to be perfect but it was worth a try. Three years later I am still doing it and I am in love, even though running a business is stressful, I wouldn't trade it for the world. I am working day in and day out, taking quality pictures, packing orders, updating inventory, marketing my products on Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, etc. While living my life as a regular teenager, working full-time and balancing school. I am transferring to Winston-Salem State University in the fall and I plan on running my business out of my dorm. I love what I do, I go to vendor events and sell my products across North and South Carolina. Doing this gets me out of my comfort zone. I am a very quiet and introverted person but I know as soon as I step foot at an event I put my business hat on and it's time to get this money and network. Having this business has changed me for the better and expanded my mind. I am making my family proud and doing something I enjoy everyday. This business it my baby and there has been many ups and downs but I am dedicated to stick with it and see where it takes me.

​​​​ My name is Nykiaya Williams-Brown and I am nineteen. I currently am a freshman at Rowan Cabarrus Community College who in the Fall will be transferring to Winston-Salem State Universality to major in Psychology. I am a first generation college student which I am very proud of. With that degree I aspire to be a Child Mental Health Therapist, I feel pulled to the mental health field because I want to be the person I didn’t have growing up to others. I don’t ever want any child to not feel seen or wanted. Everyone has a purpose on this earth. I am one of the two owners of a Jewelry & Accessorize business called JewelrybyGoldenK. I started the business when I was 16 and it has opened so many doors for myself and pushed me out of my comfort zone. My slogan is “ Let Me Accessories Your Life” , I want everyone to feel cute whether they are wearing a charm bracelet or a sneaker keychain. People deserve to look nice and have it be affordable. I love School, Working and running my business but it hasn’t always been smooth sailing. I have Depression and Anxiety so sometimes little tasks don’t seem so little, just going up to someone to sell something or just make a new friend is exhausting and scary. Sometimes I just want to lay in my bed all day or crawl into a ball but I know that isn’t the way to go. To cope with everything I do counselling every two weeks, and music is a very big help. Whenever I am not feeling okay I tend to turn on music and let the beat take me away. But if I’m not at home I tell myself over and over in my head that “it will be okay”, “I am not alone”. If I don’t feel like expressing my troubles to anyone I simply go on the Notes app on my phone and express my feelings there. Sometimes these things help, sometimes they don’t. Some days are better than others, I just have to remember to take it slow. Coping with your mental illness isn’t a one day job, it is a lifelong journey. Whenever I am really going through it I remind myself of what I am looking forward to. That might be looking forward to payday, looking forward to in two weeks getting my hair done. Or thinking about myself in 10 years, how different life will be. How all my handwork will pay off, one day I will be financially stable, one day I will be able to do what I want at my own leisure. One day my troubles won’t hurt as much.