My name is Samya Richardson, and I am currently a Senior at one of the Historically Black High Schools in Charlotte, North Carolina named West Charlotte High School. Since attending West Charlotte my commitment to community service has grown stronger. The school is located in an area where a strong need for caring for one another is needed. The community is surrounded by many who are struggling with homelessness, addictions and mental health. As well as being shaken by a number of tragedies. What has motivated me throughout my journey of attending a school well-known for their dedication and commitment to serving the community, is seeing how strong of a relationship that has been built with the surrounding neighborhoods and businesses that have come together and provided acts of care no matter how big or small making a huge impact on those that are in need. Whether it be volunteering to feed the homeless, running a station at one of the many free clinics or health fairs or even just taking the time to lend a hand wherever help is needed. Though it may not solve 100% of their problems but just taking the time to make those in need feel seen can help change their outlook on life and give some sense of hope. In my past service to the community, I have discovered that my gift of giving back was by volunteering to be hands on. One event in particular where I volunteered as a booth attendant for 5 consecutive years was for an Annual Back to School Community Health Fair sponsored by a Health Clinic known as C.W Williams Community Health. This facility is a pillar in their community as they are servants for under resourced families. Volunteering for this event yearly played a huge role in me choosing my career path. It gave me a deeper perspective on the barriers that families face when it comes to providing the necessities needed for school as well as their well-being. Seeing the smiles, and brightened faces of the children and Parents as they received school supplies, toys and toiletries that they thought they would not be able to afford was truly unforgettable. This event inspired me to pursue my studies in Children and Family Psychology. As I continue to further my education at Winston Salem State University and as a perspective recipient of the Della Fleetwood-Sherrod Humanitarian Scholarship I will represent what Della stood for and her passion by committing to continuing to serve not only the underserved but all communities that will create a more inclusive impact for everyone.

At an early age, I had developed signs of early depression. Though I did not know what the term depression meant until now I am grateful for Mom detecting it. With everything that had transpired in my life she saw signs in me that were leading me down that road. From dealing with seeing the trauma surrounding my biological Dad, coping with my Mom entering a new relationship and my favorite Uncle leaving to enter the Air Force took a toll on my mental health. I begin going to therapy when I was in Elementary School. Once I developed and was comfortable utilizing the tools to cope with everything, I expressed to my Mom that it was okay to discontinue the sessions. I believe it was my 8th grade year in Middle School that I felt myself slipping away and I expressed to my Mom that I needed to start the sessions back up again. She wasted no time in getting me an appointment. To this day when I feel myself getting overwhelmed with life, I use the methods that I learned from not only my therapist Moving forward as I work towards obtaining my degree in Psychology, I plan to advocate for mental health awareness by speaking out and letting others know my story. Mental Health is often downplayed due to others worried about being judged or being labeled as "crazy" for seeking help. I want to be that voice that changes that label. I want change being labeled as crazy to being strong. Talking to someone is helpful but as much as we love to have therapist on demand at our fingertips there are other mechanisms that people can take to deal with stress or working towards fighting depression. Attending gatherings, working out, gardening etc. As I am using my voice to advocate, I want to create spaces where people are made aware of those different options. I was once a girl who just wanted lay in bed with my sun blocker curtains drawn while shutting everyone out. I realized that did not help me at all. It only made things worse. My Mom forced me to get out and try different things with her whether it be shopping (which I hated), going to the gym to just walk on the treadmill, or even joining different organizations at school. I appreciated that because that as well brought me out of my funk. I want to that for others by hosting different activities on my college campus if I am able. To conclude though fighting mental health starts with the person dealing with it but it takes a village to help them fight through it. Those that are dealing with depression feel alone and it's up to us to help them through and that is why with or without the help that this scholarship brings me closer to my goal of being that voice I will continue to fight for my mental health and others as well.

My name is Samya Richardson and I am currently in my Senior year of high school. Post graduation I plan to major in Psychology with a minor in Sociology. I plan and will obtain not only my Bachelor's degree but Ph.D. as well in hopes of one day opening my own Private Practice. I aim big so I plan to expand my practice where I will be able create different avenues for Women who would like to seek therapy but can't. While growing up I have seen how mental health plays a major roll in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. I have also how often it is overlooked due to multiple factors such as busy schedules, affordability or the judgement received from Family and Friends. I often hear that it's the men who avoid therapy but what I've come to realize is that shockingly it's Mom's who are avoiding therapy. Let's take my Mom for example. She was a single a Mom trying to juggle it all. School, providing for me without the help of my Dad all while putting on a brave face to hide her stress. Till this day even as a married Woman I can still tell that my Mom is holding on to things that she has not healed from in her past and present affecting her. I know that she is avoiding therapy to fully be present as a Wife and Mother especially now that I am in my Senior year. As a future Psychologist my goal is to give make different forms of therapy well known. Sitting or laying on someone's couch is the old way and super time consuming especially for busy Mom's/ Women. I want to offer different methods to where they will not only accomplish completing errands but receiving therapy all at the same time! Implementing this will cut down on the excuses given to avoid therapy and will let's be honest make a lot more Women happier. Women look up to other Women for motivation and this opportunity will provide them with the tools to encourage others. Not necessarily to promote receiving therapy but to branch out and give their Friends and Family the resources and tools they have learned to help them out as well. The saying is that "It takes a Village to Raise A Child" but it takes a Village to make this world a better place and that starts with you taking care of yourself first.

When I was little (Elementary age) I had been with faced quite a few situations that I did not realize until later in life. My Dad was an alcoholic. My Mom did a really good job of hiding and keeping me from him whenever she knew he was drinking by either coming to pick me up suddenly with no warning after being told I was spending the day or night with him or simply just telling me no when I asked to visit him. I was always confused as to why this was happening. December of 2013 is when I had a clue as to why. My Dad had been in an accident with him vs. a train with him being under the influence of alcohol. As close as I was with my Dad my Mother already knew that this was going to affect me even though I showed no signs of depression or sadness. Two years later I started showing signs that my Mom addressed as the beginning stages of depression. She signed me up for therapy. Even though I was young I enjoyed the sessions and felt they really helped not only me but others as well. Throughout the years I found my Friends were coming to talk to me about problems that they were having either at school or home quite often. I always felt a sense of purpose after our conversations. Even when I did not have the advice to give, I could tell that all they needed was a listening ear because after our conversations they were in a much better mood. My Grandma always told me I was mature for my age which is why people would adapt to me so well to where they felt comfortable to vent to me. I would joke and say "That's because I am a Therapist." Little did I know that was what I was aiming to be in the future. Post graduation I plan to pursue my studies majoring in Pschycology with future plans to become a Child and Family Therapist. It is my hope and dream to help as many families as I can. There are many who are afraid to seek therapy due to being judged or being labeled as "crazy". I want to change that perspective by utilizing my services and my voice to convince people that therapy heals. I will do this by not only speaking with my Patients but advocating out in the community about it. One study that I have found is that Families in the lower income communities would like to seek therapy but will not initiate the steps due to cost and/or transportation issues. I plan to open an office that will provide transportation services for those in need to come to the office. I know that while pursing my studies and working towards my goal will be a task. Helping people as my Mom helped me is a passion of mine so with that I will work as hard as possible to accomplish this. With this scholarship it will give a head start in helping me complete my studies.