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.