The first time I understood that service could be a matter of life and death was not in a classroom, but at my family’s dinner table. After the deaths of Tamir Rice, Trayvon Martin, and George Floyd, conversations in my household shifted from ordinary childhood questions about the future to sobering discussions about survival. I remember realizing that some communities are forced to think about safety before opportunity. In that moment, I began to understand that service is a responsibility to confront injustice even when the cost is high. That understanding was deepened by my grandfather, Robert Scott, who served in the 82nd Airborne Division during desegregation. He always tells me that courage is not always loud sometimes it looks like standing still while the world around you is angry, watching, and waiting for you to fail. While stationed at Fort Bragg in 1962, he was sent to Mississippi during the integration of the University of Mississippi. Though he wore the same uniform as his fellow soldiers, he was reminded that equality within the ranks did not always translate to equality in treatment. Yet he stood his post anyway. From him, I learned that true service is rooted not in recognition, but in responsibility in doing one’s duty even when the nation does not fully return the favor. The legacy of Sgt. Ware, who also served in the 82nd Airborne and ultimately gave his life in service to his country, reflects those same values of sacrifice, courage, and commitment to something greater than oneself. While my path differs from military service, the principles that defined both his life and my grandfather’s have shaped my own journey. Service, to me, means using my education and God given voice to strengthen communities that have historically been marginalized. Sacrifice means choosing long-term impact over personal comfort. Bravery means confronting systems of inequality even when change feels slow or uncertain. These values have guided my academic and community engagement. As a Youth Activist with the Deeply Rooted Fellowship, I worked alongside city planners to ensure marginalized communities had meaningful input in long-term development policies. I conducted outreach, facilitated discussions, and helped amplify voices often excluded from policy conversations. That experience taught me that bravery sometimes looks like knocking on doors, listening deeply, and advocating for residents in rooms where they are not present. Service is not always dramatic, it can be consistent, patient, and rooted in community trust. As a student at Alabama State University, I have come to see policy as one of the most powerful tools available to address the challenges facing the African diaspora in the United States. The diaspora continues to confront systemic inequities in housing, education, healthcare, environmental conditions, and economic opportunity. These challenges are interconnected. Environmental injustice disproportionately exposes Black communities to pollution and climate risk. Economic barriers limit generational wealth-building. Disparities in public safety and criminal justice undermine trust in institutions. Addressing these issues requires both structural reform and community empowerment. One of the most critical policy reforms I believe is necessary is equitable economic development that prioritizes historically excluded communities. This includes investing in workforce development, expanding access to clean energy jobs, supporting Black-owned businesses, and strengthening labor protections. Economic security creates the foundation for stability, mobility, and civic engagement. Without it, other reforms struggle to take root. In addition, environmental justice must remain central to reform efforts. Communities shaped by historic redlining and discriminatory zoning practices are often located near highways, industrial zones, and flood-prone areas. Policies that invest in resilient infrastructure, clean energy access, and environmental remediation are not simply environmental initiatives,they are civil rights initiatives. Clean air, safe water, and climate resilience are essential to long-term community health and prosperity. However, policy alone cannot drive change, stakeholders must work collaboratively and local governments must implement equitable zoning and development policies. State and federal agencies must provide funding and regulatory support. Community-based organizations play a critical role in outreach and accountability. Educational institutions must prepare students from the African diaspora to lead in policy, STEM, and public service fields. Private sector partners, particularly in energy and infrastructure industries, must commit to inclusive hiring and community reinvestment. Sustainable reform requires alignment across public, private, and grassroots sectors. My goal is to work at the intersection of public policy and community advocacy to help build systems that do not merely respond to crisis but proactively expand opportunity. I want to contribute to policy design that centers those most impacted by inequality, ensuring that reforms are shaped in partnership with communities rather than imposed upon them. Sgt. Ware’s legacy reminds me that service requires courage and conviction. While his sacrifice was made on a battlefield, his legacy service continues in classrooms, community centers, city halls, and neighborhoods across the country. Grounded in the quiet courage of my grandfather and inspired by the sacrifice of Sgt. Ware, I am committed to carrying forward a legacy of service one rooted not in titles, but in responsibility. Thank you.

Many challenges in life stem from unresolved issues, and if you're fortunate enough, you may be able to uncover the root cause of these struggles and begin to heal. For me in highschool, these challenges came in the form of seizures, depression, and isolation. They shaped my life in ways I never expected. The fear of not being “normal,” combined with poverty and bullying, pushed me further away from my peers. My world shrank to my bedroom, and my future felt uncertain. In those moments, I realized I wasn’t alone. My struggles were part of something bigger, a reflection of the challenges faced by marginalized communities everywhere. The stories of Trayvon Martin and George Floyd were not just headlines; they carried the same fear and despair that my community lived with daily. At home, conversations shifted from dreams to survival. It was in those conversations that I decided life was larger than myself. I could not just fight to survive; I had to work to change the conditions that made survival so difficult in the first place. That decision gave me purpose. I began to love myself, and with that came a voice I used for leadership and advocacy. In high school, I became an Inclusivity Leader, creating workshops and spaces where students of color felt seen and heard. Later, I joined my City’s Planning Department as a Youth Fellow, helping ensure that policies around public safety and environmental justice reflected the needs of the community. I also interned with the East Bay Municipal Utility District, where I designed a curriculum on water treatment and environmental justice for underserved youth. That experience showed me how environmental racism, health disparities, and neglect were connected, and it strengthened my resolve to fight for change. Now, as a political science major at Alabama State University, my commitment to advocacy has only deepened. I believe education is a powerful tool for social change, which is why I want to push for comprehensive sex education and HIV/AIDS awareness to reduce stigma and empower young people. My vision also reaches beyond the U.S. When I visited South Africa at twelve years old, I saw the devastating impact of the HIV/AIDS crisis. That experience inspired me to pursue international work in humanitarian health and diplomacy, addressing inequalities that cross borders. The challenges I faced did not break me; they transformed me. They taught me that change is possible when you show up, stay consistent, and fight for more than yourself. My ultimate goal is to create a world where no one has to carry their struggles alone, and where everyone has the chance not only to survive but to thrive.

Leadership isn’t a skill that everyone has the chance to develop. It comes with immense responsibility. My journey has been defined by resilience, mentorship, and a commitment to making a difference, qualities shaped by my upbringing as the third of seven siblings and as a dependable figure in my family, community, and school. Growing up in a large family, I quickly learned the value of responsibility and looking out for others. Helping guide my younger siblings taught me how to lead with compassion, patience, and strength. These lessons extended into my school and community, where I became a peer mentor, youth activist, and advocate for underserved voices. My career aspirations lie in public service, law, and politics, fueled by a passion for equity, justice, and giving a voice to the unheard. This drive was first sparked in high school social studies classes, where I began to understand how public policy often fails to reflect the needs of those most impacted. I want to be part of changing that. I deepened this commitment through internships and activism. One of my earliest opportunities was with a regional water utility, where I developed a children’s book concept to educate young readers on responsible water usage. That moment, presenting my idea to a board of trustees, gave me my first real experience with civic engagement and problem-solving. I also spent two years working with the City of Oakland’s Planning Department through the Deeply Rooted Fellowship, helping gather feedback from historically silenced communities. That input shaped the city’s general plan, which will guide Oakland’s development for the next two decades. Currently, I serve as a workforce development teacher at That’s My Child, a nonprofit in Montgomery, Alabama. I help teens from low-income neighborhoods prepare for their first jobs, teaching resume writing, interview techniques, and how to present themselves with confidence. Many of my students remind me of my younger self, full of potential but often overlooked. While I juggle the demands of college, I also purchase supplies and teaching materials with my own money. I do it because I believe deeply in investing in others, even when resources are limited. The relationships I’ve built, with my family, my students, my mentors, and the foster youth I’ve supported, are the foundation of my identity. My goal is to become an international corporate lawyer and use that platform to challenge inequality, create access, and build systems that serve people, not just profits. This scholarship represents more than financial support. It represents belief in my story, my purpose, and my future. It would ease my current burdens and help me continue living out the very values Thomas embodied: compassion, kindness, and impact. I don’t just want to survive. I want to thrive, so I can help others do the same.

My name is Samahdi Scott, and I am a freshman at Alabama State University pursuing a degree in Political Science and International Affairs. When envisioning my future professional aspirations, my heart beats to the rhythm of societal well-being, a path shaped by public policy, international relations, and economic development. I see the intersection of business and politics not merely as a platform for power, but as a set of tools for transformative change. I’ve seen firsthand the real-life impact of political decisions on my community, both the harms and the hope. I want to be part of the solution by helping design policies that address the multifaceted challenges we face, especially the economic, social, and environmental injustices that disproportionately affect marginalized communities. My career goal is to become a foreign diplomat who works to strengthen relationships between Black Americans and Africans across the diaspora. I want to cultivate political empowerment, encourage cultural exchange, and help transform the socio-economic conditions of African people globally. I believe policy and diplomacy, when rooted in empathy and foresight, can be powerful tools for global change. My commitment to social justice and economic empowerment has been central to my identity since adolescence. In high school, I served as an Inclusive Community Leader, leading discussions and workshops that amplified student voices and highlighted overlooked historical figures. I was also a Youth Activist with the Deeply Rooted Fellowship in Oakland, working with the City Planning Department to ensure marginalized communities were represented in the city’s General Plan. Through that fellowship, I conducted surveys, organized youth gatherings, and shared feedback on public safety and environmental policies. These experiences showed me the impact of youth-led activism in reshaping communities and advocating for equity. I interned with East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD), where I helped create a curriculum on water treatment and environmental justice for underserved youth. Later, as an intern with Marin Clean Energy, I advocated for access to clean energy in under-resourced neighborhoods further reinforcing my passion for sustainability and environmental equity. Understanding that education is key to empowerment, I’ve committed myself to grassroots support as well. For the past six years, I’ve served as a tutor and peer mentor with the Parents of African American Achievement Collaborative Team (PAAACT) and CHINUP, helping students in math and science and encouraging them to pursue higher education. These roles helped me see not just the needs of my community but my ability to be part of the solution. Since arriving at Alabama State University, my interest in public service has only deepened. I currently serve as a Work Development Teacher at That’s My Child in Montgomery, a nonprofit focused on youth development. This role has allowed me to witness how education, economics, and policy intersect and influence access to opportunity. It has reaffirmed my belief that higher education is critical to building the skills and knowledge necessary to lead change. ASU has provided a foundation to expand my worldview, engage in meaningful learning, and connect with professors and peers who challenge me to think critically. These experiences are shaping me into a leader who is committed to public service and community transformation. I plan to use my degree to advocate for policies that dismantle systemic barriers, promote equity, and uplift underserved communities. As I continue my journey, I remain committed to building generational wealth, inspiring those around me, including my younger siblings, and fighting for social and economic justice. I step into the world of politics and diplomacy not only with dreams, but with the determination to turn those dreams into real, measurable change, one policy at a time.