Growing up I was always very passionate about sports and how I connected with it emotionally and intimately. I’ve played sports throughout my whole life until the end of my 12th-grade year, and when I realized that I wasn’t going to play in college I still wanted to be surrounded by sports because it saved my life, and I will always be grateful for that. 2020 was a tough time for me, and I wasn't sure I would make it during that period. As you may know, Covid-19 was a widespread disease that cut off the entire world. I was struck with many obstacles during this time when I found out that my Father was paralyzed from the waist down for a long period after a failed surgery to save his life. I was my father's caretaker as an 11th grader, which took a toll on my mind seeing him in a helpless state at his most vulnerable. Caring for my father allowed me to appreciate the position I am in, and become more mature and realize the situation I am in. I began to gain weight in sadness, I was very fit before COVID started, but not being able to go outside and be in the house forced me to rely on food. I began to gain weight rapidly, with the most being 235 lbs. I began to notice my weight when my family members would make fun of it occasionally. They would call me names such as "Fatboy" and "chubby boy" and it would hurt my feelings but I never showed it. I decided not to blame my loved ones for my weight, because it was me who began eating like this so I am responsible for how I look. I took this type of mindset with me into the summer of 2021, and I began to do fitness regularly, I would run every day during the summer and lift weights to lose weight. I eventually lost about 35 lbs in 6 months, and I began to become obsessed with staying fit, mentally healthy, and motivated. I look back at that experience as humbling, motivational, and inspiring because of how dedicated I was to becoming physically fit not understanding what it did for my mental and thought processes. Playing sports always helped me with my mental health and I never understood why, but I realized that it wasn't only the sport itself. It was the fitness, passion, and intensity of the entire sport that allowed me to be myself. Despite not continuing my athletic career, during my senior year I knew I wanted to attend an HBCU to obtain my degree. I knew that surrounding myself with people who know the struggle and may have been in similar situations to me would help me grow. I could see and appreciate who I am because the community at an HBCU is unparalleled and unmatched and allows you to be true to yourself, while also gaining an education. My ultimate career goal is to become better at my craft every single day and allow myself to grow and use my education to educate others in my community and see them prosper. I want to show people younger than me that you can do what you love despite what people may say and how you are perceived. Receiving this scholarship will allow me further to develop my skills and knowledge within my field, allowing me to become more devoted to crafting my work and improving myself as an individual.

Growing up I was always very passionate about sports and how I connected with it emotionally and intimately. I’ve played sports throughout my whole life until the end of my 12th-grade year, and when I realized that I wasn’t going to play in college I still wanted to be surrounded by sports because it saved my life, and I will always be grateful for that. Despite not continuing my athletic career, my new plan is to become a TV Sports Personality and talk about sports using the passion I used when I played throughout my adolescent years. I want to be able to change the way that sports are talked about positively and have the younger generation become interested in the career field that I am in. My goal is to reach my maximum level of potential and go beyond that because there is always more that I can improve on in the future. I've experienced mental health issues and during that time of seeing my father in that state, I began to gain weight at a rapid pace. I went from 160 lbs to 235 lbs in 9 months. People started to take notice of my weight, and my family members would make fun of my weight, calling me names such as " Fat Boy" and " Chubby Boy". I would never tell them how it made me feel because I was not taught to express how I felt. Although my family members saw it as a joke, deep down inside it was tearing me apart. My mind felt as if it was in a cage and the cage was slowly closing in on you from all 4 ways. I became very adamant about being the best version of myself from that point forward, so I began to take care of myself and embrace the embodiment of fitness. I decided not to blame my loved ones for my weight, because it was me who began eating like this so I am responsible for how I look. I took this type of mindset with me into the summer of 2021, and I began to do fitness regularly, I would run every day during the summer and lift weights to lose weight. I eventually lost about 35 lbs in 6 months, and I began to become obsessed with staying fit, mentally healthy, and motivated. I look back at that experience as humbling, motivational, and inspiring because of how dedicated I was to becoming physically fit not understanding what it did for my mental and thought processes. Since knowing that I wanted to become a TV Sports Personality, I have become very involved in my career field. As a freshman at Clark Atlanta University, I have joined CAU-TV, a station led by the station's manager and accompanied by students. I joined the Sports Show that the station aired called Run Up the Score. During this show, I was very active, being the sole camera operator for the show along with the host. We have recorded and edited multiple packages, to air on the CAU-TV Channel. We have recorded multiple football, basketball, and volleyball games for Women’s and Men’s Teams. In March of this school year, we were awarded the opportunity to head to Savannah, Georgia to record the 2023-24 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Men’s and Women’s Basketball tournament. Although I was only there to record Clark Atlanta University and Morehouse College games, I was ecstatic to see how much each team competed to the very end. We were there for two days recording the one game that Morehouse College played and the two games that Clark Atlanta played. Along with being a part of the Sports Show, I have also been an interviewer for our homecoming pep rally, interviewing current students and alumni. Being a part of CAU-TV I have learned very valuable skills ranging from operating different types of cameras to editing efficiently on Adobe Premiere Pro. My ultimate career goal is to become better at my craft every single day and allow myself to grow and become the best at what I do. The most passionate thing that excites me about this career field is the passion itself. The energy, intensity, and overall essence of this field are enough to bring people together and celebrate a sport that they love. Sports allow people to break away from their realities and enter a new one. I want to show people younger than me that you can do what you love despite what people may say and how you are perceived. Receiving this scholarship will allow me further to develop my skills and knowledge within my field, allowing me to become more devoted to crafting my work and improving myself as an individual. I will be very fortunate and grateful to receive this scholarship, it will help me financially in paying for college and furthering my education in the pursuit of earning my degree and making my parents proud of me

Mental Health wasn't talked about until my late teenage years. Growing up my parents never sat me down and talked to me about mental health. I never blamed my parents for not teaching me about mental health because how can you teach someone something you know nothing about? As I started to grow up, I realized that my mental health issues weren't a result of my parents not loving me. My mental health issues were a result of a continuous cycle of mental health not being taught at all. 2021 was the year when I truly wanted to know more about mental health because of my dad. In the year 2020, my dad needed to have surgery to get rid of a cancerous cell that was tearing his aorta. Unexpectedly the surgery left my dad paralyzed from the waist done, and I became his caretaker whenever I got out of school. For the first time in my life, I saw my father helpless, and I didn't want to believe it because I never had anything this significant happen to me in my life. During my dad's recovery process, I would come downstairs late at night and I would witness my father crying because he was helpless and I started crying because I couldn't help him. I could vividly see how not being able to function how you used to can take a toll on your mind. I could not imagine being in that state for multiple months. I've experienced mental health issues also, and during that time of seeing my father in that state, I began to gain weight at a rapid pace. I went from 160 lbs to 235 lbs in 9 months. People started to take notice of my weight, and my family members would make fun of my weight, calling me names such as " Fat Boy" and " Chubby Boy". I would never tell them how it made me feel because I was not taught to express how I felt. Although my family members saw it as a joke, deep down inside it was tearing me apart. My mind felt as if it was in a cage and the cage was slowly closing in on you from all 4 ways. I became very adamant about being the best version of myself from that point forward, so I began to take care of myself and embrace the embodiment of fitness. My mental health drastically improved, and I began to see a change in my vision and ambition. I became more passionate about everything that provide me with guidance and things I am still passionate about. Understanding mental health helped me realize the importance of self-love and self-motivation. I began to realize that I used to hurt people in the relationships I was in because I was trying to understand who they were without realizing that I didn't know who I was. Mental health has allowed me to be more patient with myself and others because we are constantly learning and growing every day. It gave me the ability to express myself through my work and provide other people with the same possibilities. I have been fortunate to learn and improve every day because I have been able to understand why mental health is so important to me.

Mental Health wasn't talked about until my late teenage years. Growing up my parents never sat me down and talked to me about mental health. I never blamed my parents for not teaching me about mental health because how can you teach someone something you know nothing about? As I started to grow up, I realized that my mental health issues weren't a result of my parents not loving me. My mental health issues were a result of a continuous cycle of mental health not being taught at all. 2021 was the year when I truly wanted to know more about mental health because of my dad. In the year 2020, my dad needed to have surgery to get rid of a cancerous cell that was tearing his aorta. Unexpectedly the surgery left my dad paralyzed from the waist done, and I became his caretaker whenever I got out of school. For the first time in my life, I saw my father helpless, and I didn't want to believe it because I never had anything this significant happen to me in my life. During my dad's recovery process, I would come downstairs late at night and I would witness my father crying because he was helpless and I started crying because I couldn't help him. I could vividly see how not being able to function how you used to can take a toll on your mind. I could not imagine being in that state for multiple months. I've experienced mental health issues also, and during that time of seeing my father in that state, I began to gain weight at a rapid pace. I went from 160 lbs to 235 lbs in 9 months. People started to take notice of my weight, and my family members would make fun of my weight, calling me names such as " Fat Boy" and " Chubby Boy". I would never tell them how it made me feel because I was not taught to express how I felt. Although my family members saw it as a joke, deep down inside it was tearing me apart. My mind felt as if it was in a cage and the cage was slowly closing in on you from all 4 ways. I became very adamant about being the best version of myself from that point forward, so I began to take care of myself and embrace the embodiment of fitness. My mental health drastically improved, and I began to see a change in my vision and ambition. I became more passionate about everything that provide me with guidance and things I am still passionate about. Understanding mental health helped me realize the importance of self-love and self-motivation. I began to realize that I used to hurt people in the relationships I was in because I was trying to understand who they were without realizing that I didn't know who I was. Mental health has allowed me to be more patient with myself and others because we are constantly learning and growing every day. It gave me the ability to express myself through my work and provide other people with the same possibilities. I have been fortunate to learn and improve every day because I have been able to understand why mental health is so important to me.

Our universe, an enigmatic and boundless expanse, holds within it secrets that have captivated the human mind for millennia. From the dawn of civilization, we have yearned to unravel its mysteries, driven by an insatiable thirst for knowledge and a desire to comprehend our place within its vast cosmic fabric. Today, as we stand on the cusp of a new era of scientific exploration, it is more imperative than ever that we continue our pursuit of understanding the nature of our universe. The benefits of such an endeavor are multifaceted and profound. It satisfies our innate human curiosity to explore and unravel the unknown. The search for knowledge is an integral part of our species' journey, and it is through the exploration of the universe that we push the boundaries of our understanding and expand upon our collective wisdom. Each discovery enriches our comprehension of reality and inspires wonder and awe within us. Understanding our universe is essential for the advancement of science and technology. The laws of physics and the interactions of matter and energy that govern our universe form the foundation upon which countless technological advancements are built. By unraveling the mysteries of the cosmos, we unlock the potential for discoveries and innovations that can transform our lives. From space exploration to medical advancements, the benefits of scientific knowledge are undeniable and ever-expanding. the pursuit of knowledge about our universe fosters collaboration and cooperation among nations and research institutions. Scientists from around the world work together, sharing ideas and data, and pooling their expertise to tackle the most complex questions facing humanity. Through these collaborations, we not only advance our understanding of the universe but also promote global harmony and understanding. To effectively pursue a deeper comprehension of our universe, it is crucial to employ a multifaceted approach that draws upon a range of ideas and concepts. The scientific method remains the cornerstone of our efforts. Through careful observation, experimentation, and analysis, we can uncover the fundamental principles that govern the universe. Advanced technologies such as telescopes, particle accelerators, and supercomputers provide us with unprecedented tools to observe, probe, and understand the cosmos. Theoretical frameworks offer a roadmap for understanding the vastness and complexity of our universe. From the Big Bang theory to quantum mechanics, theoretical models help us to interpret the vast array of data collected through scientific observation and experimentation. By refining and expanding these theories, we gain new insights into the nature of reality and the interconnectedness of all things. Collaboration and the sharing of knowledge are vital to the advancement of our understanding. Scientific conferences, research seminars, and international collaborations foster the exchange of ideas and encourage the cross-fertilization of knowledge. By combining diverse perspectives and leveraging collective expertise, we can accelerate our progress and uncover hidden connections that would remain inaccessible to individual researchers working in isolation. Outreach and education are crucial for engaging the broader public in the pursuit of understanding our universe. By communicating the wonders and discoveries of science to people of all ages and backgrounds, we inspire a sense of wonder and curiosity in the next generation of explorers and innovators. Through educational programs, public lectures, and interactive exhibits, we can foster a scientifically literate society that is equipped to grapple with the challenges and opportunities facing our planet in the 21st century. The pursuit of a deeper understanding of our universe is an endeavor of profound significance that offers numerous benefits for humanity. It satisfies our innate curiosity, drives scientific progress, fosters collaboration and harmony, and empowers us with the knowledge we need to navigate the complexities of our world. By employing a multifaceted approach that draws upon the scientific method, theoretical frameworks, collaboration, and outreach, we can continue to unravel the mysteries of the cosmos and enrich our understanding of our place within its vast embrace. As we explore the boundless depths of our universe, we not only expand the frontiers of our knowledge but also reaffirm our interconnectedness with all that exists, from the smallest atom to the grandest galaxy.

Growing up I was always very passionate about sports and how I connected with it emotionally and intimately. I’ve played sports throughout my whole life until the end of my 12th-grade year, and when I realized that I wasn’t going to play in college I still wanted to be surrounded by sports because it saved my life, and I will always be grateful for that. 2020 was a very difficult time for me, and I wasn't sure I was going to make it during that period. As you may know, Covid-19 was a widespread disease that cut off the entire world. I was struck with many obstacles during this time when I found out that my Father was paralyzed from the waist done for a long period after a failed surgery to save his life. I was my father's caretaker as an 11th grader, which took a toll on my mind seeing him in a helpless state at his most vulnerable. Caring for my father allowed me to appreciate the position I am in, and become more mature and realize the situation I am in. I began to gain weight in sadness, I was very fit before COVID started, but not being able to go outside and be in the house forced me to rely on food. I began to gain weight rapidly, with the most being 235 lbs. I began to notice my weight when my family members would make fun of it occasionally. They would call me names such as "Fatboy" and "chubby boy" and it would hurt my feelings but I never showed it. I decided not to blame my loved ones for my weight, because it was me who began eating like this so I am responsible for how I look. I took this type of mindset with me into the summer of 2021, and I began to do fitness regularly, I would run every day during the summer and lift weights to lose weight. I eventually lost about 35 lbs in 6 months, and I began to become obsessed with staying fit, mentally healthy, and motivated. I look back at that experience as humbling, motivational, and inspiring because of how dedicated I was to becoming physically fit not understanding what it did for my mental and thought processes. Playing sports always helped me with my mental health and I never understood why, but I realized that it wasn't only the sport itself. It was the fitness, passion, and intensity of the entire sport that allowed me to be myself. Despite not continuing my athletic career, during my senior year I knew I wanted to attend an HBCU to obtain my degree. I knew that surrounding myself with people who know the struggle and may have been in similar situations to me would help me grow. I could see and appreciate who I am because the community at an HBCU is unparalleled and unmatched and allows you to be true to yourself, while also gaining an education. My ultimate career goal is to become better at my craft every single day and allow myself to grow and use my education to educate others in my community and see them prosper. I want to show people younger than me that you can do what you love despite what people may say and how you are perceived. Receiving this scholarship will allow me further to develop my skills and knowledge within my field, allowing me to become more devoted to crafting my work and improving myself as an individual.

Growing up I was always very passionate about sports and how I connected with it emotionally and intimately. I’ve played sports throughout my whole life until the end of my 12th-grade year, and when I realized that I wasn’t going to play in college I still wanted to be surrounded by sports because it saved my life, and I will always be grateful for that. 2020 was a very difficult time for me, and I wasn't sure I was going to make it during that period. As you may know, Covid-19 was a widespread disease that cut off the entire world. I was struck with many obstacles during this time when I found out that my Father was paralyzed from the waist done for a long period after a failed surgery to save his life. I was my father's caretaker as an 11th grader, which took a toll on my mind seeing him in a helpless state at his most vulnerable. Caring for my father allowed me to appreciate the position I am in, and become more mature and realize the situation I am in. I began to gain weight in sadness, I was very fit before COVID started, but not being able to go outside and be in the house forced me to rely on food. I began to gain weight rapidly, with the most being 235 lbs. I began to notice my weight when my family members would make fun of it occasionally. They would call me names such as "Fatboy" and "chubby boy" and it would hurt my feelings but I never showed it. I decided not to blame my loved ones for my weight, because it was me who began eating like this so I am responsible for how I look. I took this type of mindset with me into the summer of 2021, and I began to do fitness regularly, I would run every day during the summer and lift weights to lose weight. I eventually lost about 35 lbs in 6 months, and I began to become obsessed with staying fit, mentally healthy, and motivated. I look back at that experience as humbling, motivational, and inspiring because of how dedicated I was to becoming physically fit not understanding what it did for my mental and thought processes. Playing sports always helped me with my mental health and I never understood why, but I realized that it wasn't only the sport itself. It was the fitness, passion, and intensity of the entire sport that allowed me to be myself. Despite not continuing my athletic career, during my senior year I knew I wanted to attend an HBCU to obtain my degree. I knew that surrounding myself with people who know the struggle and may have been in similar situations to me would help me grow. I could see and appreciate who I am because the community at an HBCU is unparalleled and unmatched and allows you to be true to yourself, while also gaining an education. My ultimate career goal is to become better at my craft every single day and allow myself to grow and use my education to educate others in my community and see them prosper. I want to show people younger than me that you can do what you love despite what people may say and how you are perceived. Receiving this scholarship will allow me further to develop my skills and knowledge within my field, allowing me to become more devoted to crafting my work and improving myself as an individual.

Growing up I was always very passionate about sports and how I connected with it emotionally and intimately. I’ve played sports throughout my whole life until the end of my 12th-grade year, and when I realized that I wasn’t going to play in college I still wanted to be surrounded by sports because it saved my life, and I will always be grateful for that. 2020 was a very difficult time for me, and I wasn't sure I was going to make it during that period. As you may know, Covid-19 was a widespread disease that cut off the entire world. I was struck with many obstacles during this time when I found out that my Father was paralyzed from the waist done for a long period after a failed surgery to save his life. I was my father's caretaker as an 11th grader, which took a toll on my mind seeing him in a helpless state at his most vulnerable. Caring for my father allowed me to appreciate the position I am in, and become more mature and realize the situation I am in. I began to gain weight in sadness, I was very fit before COVID started, but not being able to go outside and be in the house forced me to rely on food. I began to gain weight rapidly, with the most being 235 lbs. I began to notice my weight when my family members would make fun of it occasionally. They would call me names such as "Fatboy" and "chubby boy" and it would hurt my feelings but I never showed it. I decided not to blame my loved ones for my weight, because it was me who began eating like this so I am responsible for how I look. I took this type of mindset with me into the summer of 2021, and I began to do fitness regularly, I would run every day during the summer and lift weights to lose weight. I eventually lost about 35 lbs in 6 months, and I began to become obsessed with staying fit, mentally healthy, and motivated. I look back at that experience as humbling, motivational, and inspiring because of how dedicated I was to becoming physically fit not understanding what it did for my mental and thought processes. Playing sports always helped me with my mental health and I never understood why, but I realized that it wasn't only the sport itself. It was the fitness, passion, and intensity of the entire sport that allowed me to be myself. Despite not continuing my athletic career, during my senior year I knew I wanted to attend an HBCU. I knew that surrounding myself with people who know the struggle and may have been in similar situations to me would help me grow. I could see and appreciate who I am because the community at an HBCU is unparalleled and unmatched and allows you to be true to yourself. My ultimate career goal is to become better at my craft every single day and allow myself to grow and become the best at what I do. I want to show people younger than me that you can do what you love despite what people may say and how you are perceived. Receiving this scholarship will allow me further to develop my skills and knowledge within my field, allowing me to become more devoted to crafting my work and improving myself as an individual.

Growing up I was always very passionate about sports and how I connected with it emotionally and intimately. I’ve played sports throughout my whole life until the end of my 12th-grade year, and when I realized that I wasn’t going to play in college I still wanted to be surrounded by sports because it saved my life, and I will always be grateful for that. Despite not continuing my athletic career, my new plan is to become a TV Sports Personality and talk about sports using the passion I used when I played throughout my adolescent years. I want to be able to change the way that sports are talked about positively and have the younger generation become interested in the career field that I am in. My goal is to reach my maximum level of potential and go beyond that because there is always more that I can improve on in the future. Since knowing that I wanted to become a TV Sports Personality, I have become very involved in my career field. As a freshman at Clark Atlanta University, I have joined CAU-TV, a station led by the station's manager and accompanied by students. I joined the Sports Show that the station aired called Run Up the Score. During this show, I was very active, being the sole camera operator for the show along with the host. We have recorded and edited multiple packages, to air on the CAU-TV Channel. We have recorded multiple football, basketball, and volleyball games for Women’s and Men’s Teams. In March of this school year, we were awarded the opportunity to head to Savannah, Georgia to record the 2023-24 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Men’s and Women’s Basketball tournament. Although I was only there to record Clark Atlanta University and Morehouse College games, I was ecstatic to see how much each team competed to the very end. We were there for two days recording the one game that Morehouse College played and the two games that Clark Atlanta played. Along with being a part of the Sports Show, I have also been an interviewer for our homecoming pep rally, interviewing current students and alumni. Being a part of CAU-TV I have learned very valuable skills ranging from operating different types of cameras to editing efficiently on Adobe Premiere Pro. My ultimate career goal is to become better at my craft every single day and allow myself to grow and become the best at what I do. I want to show people younger than me that you can do what you love despite what people may say and how you are perceived. Receiving this scholarship will allow me further to develop my skills and knowledge within my field, allowing me to become more devoted to crafting my work and improving myself as an individual. I will be very fortunate and grateful to receive this scholarship, it will help me financially in paying for college and furthering my education in the pursuit of earning my degree and making my parents proud of me.

Growing up I was always very passionate about sports and how I connected with it emotionally and intimately. I’ve played sports throughout my whole life until the end of my 12th-grade year, and when I realized that I wasn’t going to play in college I still wanted to be surrounded by sports because it saved my life, and I will always be grateful for that. Despite not continuing my athletic career, my new plan is to become a TV Sports Personality and talk about sports using the passion I used when I played throughout my adolescent years. I want to be able to change the way that sports are talked about positively and have the younger generation become interested in the career field that I am in. My goal is to reach my maximum level of potential and go beyond that because there is always more that I can improve on in the future. Since knowing that I wanted to become a TV Sports Personality, I have become very involved in my career field. As a freshman at Clark Atlanta University, I have joined CAU-TV, a station led by the station's manager and accompanied by students. I joined the Sports Show that the station aired called Run Up the Score. During this show, I was very active, being the sole camera operator for the show along with the host. We have recorded and edited multiple packages, to air on the CAU-TV Channel. We have recorded multiple football, basketball, and volleyball games for Women’s and Men’s Teams. In March of this school year, we were awarded the opportunity to head to Savannah, Georgia to record the 2023-24 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Men’s and Women’s Basketball tournament. Although I was only there to record Clark Atlanta University and Morehouse College games, I was ecstatic to see how much each team competed to the very end. We were there for two days recording the one game that Morehouse College played and the two games that Clark Atlanta played. Along with being a part of the Sports Show, I have also been an interviewer for our homecoming pep rally, interviewing current students and alumni. Being a part of CAU-TV I have learned very valuable skills ranging from operating different types of cameras to editing efficiently on Adobe Premiere Pro. My ultimate career goal is to become better at my craft every single day and allow myself to grow and become the best at what I do. The most passionate thing that excites me about this career field is the passion itself. The energy, intensity, and overall essence of this field are enough to bring people together and celebrate a sport that they love. Sports allow people to break away from their realities and enter a new one. I want to show people younger than me that you can do what you love despite what people may say and how you are perceived. Receiving this scholarship will allow me further to develop my skills and knowledge within my field, allowing me to become more devoted to crafting my work and improving myself as an individual. I will be very fortunate and grateful to receive this scholarship, it will help me financially in paying for college and furthering my education in the pursuit of earning my degree and making my parents proud of me.

I’ve played sports throughout my whole life until the end of my 12th-grade year, and when I realized that I wasn’t going to play in college I still wanted to be surrounded by sports because it saved my life, and I will always be grateful for that. Despite not continuing my athletic career, my new plan is to become a TV Sports Personality and talk about sports using the passion I used when I played throughout my adolescent years. Since knowing that I wanted to become a TV Sports Personality, I have become very involved in my career field. As a freshman at Clark Atlanta University, I have joined CAU-TV, a station led by the station's manager and accompanied by students. I joined the Sports Show that the station aired called Run Up the Score. I was very active, being the sole camera operator for the show along with the host. We have recorded and edited multiple packages, to air on the CAU-TV Channel. We have recorded multiple football, basketball, and volleyball games for Women’s and Men’s Teams. Being a Black man in America is already a struggle, but I want to give young people the notion that black is beautiful and your skin color shouldn’t define who you are as a person. Your skin color is your culture and heritage, and being able to represent African American heritage allows me to express who I am and what my culture has instilled in me to help me succeed in life.