The indelible pain etched into my spirit from witnessing my mother bury her eldest son, my bright and humble brother, remains an enduring presence. At the tender age of 16, he lost his life in a tragic car crash involving the Atlanta Police Department on November 16, 2014. This heart-wrenching experience underscored the pervasive issue of young black men losing their lives to the influences of crime and drugs in our city. In the aftermath of this tragedy, a profound calling emerged within me – a calling to be a catalyst for positive change in Atlanta, particularly in addressing the alarming rise of crime among youth. Despite the city's rich cultural tapestry and abundant opportunities, it is evident that economic disparities and inadequate education create a breeding ground for at-risk youth. The cycle often begins with young individuals turning to the streets for money, comfort, and guidance, perpetuating a pattern that is difficult to break. Recognizing the systemic nature of these challenges, I believe that the crux lies in addressing educational shortcomings from an early age. Academic struggles frequently lead to behavioral issues, pushing many youth into the juvenile justice system. This, in turn, obscures their talents and potential beneath the label of criminality. To contribute meaningfully to this cause, I have devised a multifaceted plan. Following my undergraduate studies, I intend to take a gap year to prepare for the LSAT while concurrently engaging in mentoring programs for elementary and middle school students in metro Atlanta. The aim is to bridge the academic gaps these students face and provide them with a positive trajectory. Looking further into the future, my aspirations extend to becoming a Juvenile Court Judge for Fulton County. In this pivotal role, my mission is to offer guidance, support, and alternatives to detention for at-risk youth. Rather than perpetuating a cycle of criminality, I envision implementing community service initiatives and facilitating exposure to positive role models within our community. Beyond the judiciary, I harbor ambitions of becoming a member of the school board, a Georgia State Senator, and ultimately the Commissioner of Juvenile Justice. Each of these roles is a stepping stone in my commitment to creating systemic change. By providing support, structure, and encouragement to young individuals, my goal is to demonstrate that their worth extends far beyond their mistakes, and early intervention is paramount for positive transformation. While acknowledging the inherent limitations of any individual, I am driven by the belief that supporting even one child can set in motion a ripple effect, creating a brighter and more promising future for the youth in our community.

I will be the first in my family to go to school and the first of my maternal siblings to graduate high school. Being the first to obtain a college degree gives me the courage to become the standard that my parents wanted to set. It gives me pride that I could share my experiences with my children one day to share stories and advice. Being a first generation is problematic because by not having the specific knowledge surrounding a post-secondary education from your family, you essentially are making the transition blind. In addition, particular processes like applying for and filling out financial aid and, most importantly, self-advocacy are complex because of certain things your parents need to be versed in. Obtaining this degree will allow me to start a legacy for generations to understand that college, besides furthering your education, teaches you life lessons and experiences that being in a space different from college wouldn't teach you. In college, I plan on pursuing a Political Science degree with a Law concentration. While pursuing my undergraduate degree, I want to start a nonprofit that serves underprivileged youth in urban communities through mentorships, career and college opportunities, and community. I also plan to promote civic engagement at my university through my current work as an ambassador for The Community Group Impact. Furthermore, serving the school community through the Student Government Association and Societies of Public Policy and Political Science. I then plan to obtain my master's degree while obtaining my bachelor's to ensure I am exhausting all educational opportunities. After undergrad and my master's program, I want to be able to take two years to study for my LSAT while working for the White House. From there, I plan to attend Law School to begin my journey as a lawyer. As for long-term goals, I want to start with practicing Law, but I don't plan on always serving in that way. In the African American community, there is a high need for attorneys who can help individuals who are more likely to enter the system and be incarcerated. From there, I want to focus on juvenile justice and serve as a juvenile court judge to honor the work that the people tried to do to save my brother's life. I then want to serve in public office to ensure that the voices of individuals are being effectively communicated and hopefully create more bipartisan policies that will encourage healthier relationships with new politicians. In my final compacity, I want to do philanthropy and continue to volunteer to find a way for the new generation to do the work they need to do to change their community in whatever way they see fit.

Since I was young, I have always been driven by a deep desire from peers and, more sincerely, the death of my brother to help youth understand that their environment does not have to determine their future. More often than not, my peers need help understanding the need for exposure. I have made it my mission; if I can not take everyone with me, then adopt the ideology of "each one teaches one." Through the various opportunities, I have adopted many skills, in order to advance my knowledge on social issues, but also do the work. Over the years, I have sought out opportunities to gain experience that will help me better aid youth in their encounters with the criminal justice system. One such opportunity was interning with a Superior Court Judge for Fulton County, Georgia. The judicial system has historically incarcerated individuals of color disporportionately. This experience allowed me to witness firsthand the inner workings of the legal system and understand the importance of justice and fairness. Furthermore, it has allowed me to understand the positions and minds of judges and prosecutors. It taught me the value of critical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication. It allowed me to share my findings with at-risk youth in my community to better show them that their future is theirs only until it is in someone else's hands. Another significant milestone in my journey was being selected to serve on the Atlanta Democracy Council. This position gave me a platform to voice the concerns and ideas of young people in my community and provided me with valuable leadership experience. For many, voting and civic engagement is a topic that gets lost in misinformation and political persuasion. With my position on the council, I was able to provide youth the opportunity to learn and participate by registering to vote and become poll workers while enjoying the ideas of civic participation. To continue this work, I am an Ambassador for The Community Group Impact, where we advocate for civic engagement among youth and provide them with college and career access. I have honed my public speaking, networking, and community outreach skills in this role. By organizing workshops on topics such as voter registration and local government involvement, we empower young individuals with knowledge about their rights and responsibilities as active citizens. Through these experiences, I will continue to gain knowledge and valuable information to be able to educate my peers on their rights, but more importantly their responsibilities. More often, We forget that the movement of Civil and Human rights were started by students of high school and college. In addition, I plan to obtain my Juris Doctorate to be able to advocate and alter the criminal justice system from the inside out and change the trajectory of America and the world.

Since I was young, I have always been driven by a deep desire from peers and, more sincerely, the death of my brother to help youth understand that their environment does not have to determine their future. More often than not, my peers need help understanding the need for exposure. I have made it my mission; if I can not take everyone with me, then adopt the ideology of "each one teaches one." Through the various opportunities, I have adopted many skills, such as advocacy and networking, to ensure that those in communities like mine understand the power of exposure and knowledge. I have intentionally sought out opportunities to gain experience that will help me better prepare my peers. One such opportunity was interning with a Superior Court Judge for Fulton County, Georgia. The judicial system has historically incarcerated individuals of color disporportionately. This experience allowed me to witness firsthand the inner workings of the legal system and understand the importance of justice and fairness. Furthermore, it has allowed me to understand the positions and minds of judges and prosecutors. It taught me the value of critical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication. It allowed me to share my findings with at-risk youth in my community to better show them that their future is theirs only until it is in someone else's hands. Another significant milestone in my journey was being selected to serve on the Atlanta Democracy Council. This position gave me a platform to voice the concerns and ideas of young people in my community and provided me with valuable leadership experience. As I previously stated, knowledge is necessary, and many youths need to be informed of their right to vote. Working alongside other passionate individuals, we initiated positive change by organizing events, workshops, and campaigns that addressed issues affecting youth. I am an Ambassador for The Community Group Impact, where we advocate for civic engagement among youth. I have honed my public speaking, networking, and community outreach skills in this role. By organizing workshops on topics such as voter registration and local government involvement, we empower young individuals with knowledge about their rights and responsibilities as active citizens. Through these experiences, I have realized that knowledge is power, but only when shared. No matter who I encounter – whether a fellow student or a member of my community – I make it a point to share the knowledge I have acquired along my journey. By doing so, I hope to inspire others to seek opportunities for growth and understanding.

Upon reflecting on the motivations that have influenced my life, two significant entities stand out. Firstly, the unwavering strength of my faith in God has played a pivotal role. However, equally instrumental in propelling me forward has been observing how those around me respond to adversity. My aspiration in life has always been to resist crumbling under pressure, as I firmly believe that I have a unique purpose to fulfill on this Earth. There was a period in my life when I found it challenging to perceive my own value. I felt insignificant to my family, the world, and everyone else. The moment I came out to my family, their response caught me off guard. Coupled with the struggles of puberty and societal changes, I found myself torn between conflicting emotions and embroiled in inner turmoil. Regrettably, I had limited individuals to confide in, and even those I could talk to were alienated from me by my parents' actions. One day, a song by Smokie Norful, titled "No Greater Love," resounded deeply within me. It sheds light on the power of personal testimony and reveals that what may appear grand from the outside often conceals unimaginable struggles. Moreover, it highlights the grace and love that Jesus bestows upon His followers. Finding solace and purpose in my faith allowed me to muster the courage and strength necessary to continue fighting. It also heightened my awareness of the decisions made by the people surrounding me. I once received advice that success can be achieved by emulating successful individuals. Fortunately, I have been fortunate enough to witness individuals from diverse backgrounds in my life. These individuals either succumbed to their adversity or saw it as an opportunity for growth. Adversity, by definition, encompasses difficulties and misfortune. Sometimes, misfortune is thrust upon us from birth. Neither of my parents pursued higher education, leading to economic instability and the perpetuation of generational trauma inherited from our ancestors. Consequently, I found myself grappling with misfortune that was not a result of any personal wrongdoing. At the time when I stumbled upon the aforementioned song, I realized the necessity of transcending my own limited perspective. As I matured and encountered challenges similar to those faced by my family, I began to examine their decisions. I pondered the impact of their choices, both in the present and in the long run, and questioned whether their sacrifices were worthwhile. This helped me to strive and continue to advance no matter what the circumstances are.

The pain of seeing my mother bury her eldest son is something that will be engraved in my spirit forever. My brother was a bright and humble being whose impact on my family will live forever, but the community in which he has outweighed any love and support that my family could give him. On November 16, 2014, at the age of 16 years old, my brother lost his life in a car crash involving the Atlanta Police Department. This commonality of young black men losing their lives because of the influences of crime and drugs in this city is heart-wrenching. After losing my brother, I felt that god placed a calling on my life to be the change this city needed to alter the way youth grow up in this city. There is no doubt in my mind that I am fortunate enough to live in a profound city enriched by culture, music, representation, and opportunity. Opportunities for those who if they were not here, would not be presented with. I have an undeniable love for this city, but the rise of crime, specifically among youth, needs to be addressed. Many of the youth stories begin the same, either being introduced by someone older in their family or their community. When we add on, economic and household disparities and a lack of adequate education, a recipe for at-risk youth is curated. These issues that these kids face aren't quick fixes. Deep-rooted in economic disparities and lack of adequate education because of the neighborhoods they live in is the reason why we see so many kids turn to the streets for money, comfort, and advice. The pattern that I see starts from an educational standpoint. When kids fall behind in their academics and they aren't on grade level by a certain point, they start to have behavioral issues. There is potential for many of the kids that enter the juvenile justice system. Many times their talents and gifts can be overshadowed by the wrong that they are doing and with the lack of support, their idea of their contribution to the world can only be viewed as another criminal. What I want is for everyone to thrive beyond the limitations they feel their community puts on them. I want all people of color affected by the systemic oppression that America places on urban communities to strive and achieve by providing necessary policies in place to drive them forward. With that being said, after undergrad, I plan to take a gap year to study for the LSAT but do mentoring with metro Atlanta school districts for elementary and middle school students to bridge the academic gap for many of the students of color. In addition to that, I plan to work with juvenile justice work with different agencies and organizations around Atlanta. From a more long-term perspective, I want to become a Juvenile Court Judge for Fulton County. This role is so important to me because I would have a great responsibility to help at-risk youth understand the importance of their decisions. I would also provide guidance and support for those very same kids that I mentioned earlier. I would provide an alternative to sending these kids to detention centers where they learn to be better criminals. Implementing things like community service, and shadowing many of the business owners and leaders of our community. Instead of making them feel like criminals, making them understand what a mistake is and providing second chances. In addition to being a Juvenile Court Judge, I would also want to become a member of the school board, a Senator of the State of Georgia, and hopefully, be appointed as the Commissioner of Juvenile Justice. What my peers need is what I provide to the upcoming generation of youth. They needed to know that someone cared about them. They need structure, love, and simply to know that they are worth more than what they've done and the time to change is early on. The system is known to railroad youth of color and to change the violence and crime, we must invest in the youth. I know that I cannot save everyone, but if I can provide support for one child who can educate their peers who then can educate even more, my job would be fulfilled.

The commonality of young black men losing their lives because of the influences of crime and drugs in Atlanta is heart-wrenching. After losing my brother to crime, I felt that God placed a calling on my life to be the change this city needed to alter the way youth grow up. There is no doubt in my mind that I am fortunate enough to live in a profound city enriched by culture, music, representation, and opportunity. Opportunities for those who if they were not here, would not be presented with. I have an undeniable love for this city, but the rise of crime, specifically among youth, needs to be addressed. Many of the youth stories begin the same, either being introduced by someone older in their family or their community. When we add on, economic and household disparities and a lack of adequate education, a recipe for at-risk youth is curated. These issues that these kids face aren't quick fixes. Deep-rooted in systematic oppression because of the neighborhoods they live in is the reason why we see so many kids turn to the streets for security and money. When kids fall behind in their academics, the likelihood of behavior defiance rises. There is potential for many of the kids that enter the juvenile justice system. Many times their talents and gifts can be overshadowed by the wrong that they are doing and with the lack of support, their idea of their contribution to the world can only be viewed as another criminal. What I want is for everyone to thrive beyond the limitations they feel their community puts on them. I want all people of color affected by the systemic oppression that America places on urban communities to strive and achieve by providing necessary policies in place to drive them forward. With that being said, after undergrad, I plan to take a gap year to study for the LSAT but do mentoring with metro Atlanta school districts for elementary and middle school students to bridge the academic gap for many of the students of color. In addition to that, I plan to work with juvenile justice agencies and organizations around Atlanta. From a more long-term perspective, I want to become a Juvenile Court Judge for Fulton County. This role is so important to me because I would have a great responsibility to help at-risk youth understand the importance of their decisions. I would also provide guidance and support for those very same kids that I mentioned earlier. I would provide an alternative to sending these kids to detention centers where they learn to be career criminals. By implementing things like community service and shadowing leaders of our community, their views on success will look different. These opportunities can help them understand success. In addition to being a Juvenile Court Judge, I would also want to be a member of the school board, a Senator of the State of Georgia, and hopefully, be appointed as the Commissioner of Juvenile Justice. The needs of my peers are what I desire to provide to the upcoming generation of young people. They need structure, love, consistency and simply to know that they are worth more than what they've done. And, essentially the time to change is sooner rather than later. To change the violence and crime, we must invest in the youth. I know that I cannot save everyone, but if I can provide support for one child who can educate their peers who then can educate even more, my job will be worth it.