I am a Black woman in America and when I was growing up I didn’t see many people in leadership roles that looked like me. I was unaware just how much that would impact my future. I subconsciously would shy away from opportunities because I didn’t think that I felt the “mold.” However, in the past year I realized that “molds” vary. When it’s Christmas Eve and you are making cookies for Santa, there are a variety of cookie cutters for a reason. There are reindeer and trees and mittens and snowman. When those fresh cookies come out of the oven and you decorate each one to lay them out on a plate, it is easy to see that there is beauty in versatility. Each cookie mold providing a unique experience that ultimately come together to create a masterpiece. In the past year, I have grown instrumentally. I have learned that though I may not have seen as much representation as I believed I needed in my youth, I have the opportunity to be my own unique mold. I learned that when an opportunity presents itself, I should never determine the outcome before giving it a chance. I learned that I did not need to be enslaved to imposter syndrome. This, in the previous year I decided to take advantage of any opportunity that I assumed I would not achieve. This allowed me to apply for a position with the Supreme Court of Rhode Island. I am currently a graduate student studying sociology and I have always been fascinated with the law, but lacked any experience working for a government entity. I thought that this would make me under qualified for this position. However, I reminded myself that while there may be many people that work at the Judiciary who have government experience, my other experiences would add value to the environment. It was time to be a new mold on the Judiciary plate. I applied for the position and to my surprise I received an interview and ultimately got selected for the job. This is why I realized that growth can be as simple as realizing that we all harbor our own individual strengths and that sometimes it’s human nature to accept defeat before going into battle. I learned that it is never too late to capitalize on the skills and lessons from my individual journey. This has been a remarkable self discovery and I am excited to keep reminding myself that if I never take chances, I will never have opportunities. Yes, I still question if I am good enough sometimes, but I remember that there will always be someone who will select me as their mold of choice. I just have to be in the right community, on the right plate. I am a Black woman in America, and I am honored to represent all those who have felt the way I have too.

I was nominated for this scholarship but unfortunately I am from Rhode Island. Only my mom is from Philadelphia.

As I was growing up I learned that education is the catalyst for overcoming adversity. In times where society is being driven by issues surrounding Black Lives Matter, defunding of police, human trafficking awareness, and wavering economic stability, the need for educational experts is more vital than ever. Graduate school is my gateway to conduct research that I can utilize to continue educating future leaders and make the world more just. With further education, it is my goal to make others aware of privilege and systemic oppression to help empower them to create their own tools to deconstruct the injustices that have enveloped our world. I hope to publish articles and books that challenge antiquated ideologies and expand the scope of ones that I feel are oversimplified, such as the ideal of the American Dream and systemic oppression. I hope to lead workshops and conferences that empower low-income students to take their future into their hands and I hope to make the world a more equitable place. I have found that my purpose is creating more opportunities for good so that inevitably there will be less bad in the world. Helping underrepresent students is personal to me as I grew up in a low-income town and had to navigate life being black and a woman. I noticed when I was 15 years old that the minute black youth enter the world, we are taught to limit our own potential by internalizing society driven ideologies that become self-fulfilling prophecies. I also remember understanding that the world is not fair and that people will judge you if you look different. I remember seeing my older brother get expelled from school for skipping an assembly when all his rich white friends faced little to no consequences even though they skipped with him. I remember seeing the hurt on my mother’s face because she did not have the resources to fight the decision or the energy. I remember the epiphany that I had that the world is too broken to try to change anything. I remembered being helpless, but then I realized I had the power to make a difference with education. There is a gap in education and financial literacy for people of color and I want to change that. People of color should not have to steal things to survive. They should not have to sell drugs to afford rent. They should not have to worry about finances because they never were given the tools to be successful. I am determined to help others obtain advanced degrees and develop a purpose. I plan to obtain my master’s degree in higher education so that I can create more programs to help underrepresented students have access to higher education and feel supported when they are there. My programs will help level the playing field and get low-income youth off the street, inevitably making the world a more equitable place.

The biggest examples of miscarriages of justice reside in low income communities and that is because there is a lack of access to education, jobs, and support. I want to obtain an advanced degree in education because I feel an inherent desire to continue calling the next generation into action. In times where society is being driven by issues surrounding Black Lives Matter, defunding of police, human trafficking awareness, and wavering economic stability, the need for educational experts is more vital than ever. Graduate school is my gateway to conduct research that I can utilize to educate future leaders, help change public policy and make the world more just. With further education, it is my goal to make others aware of privilege and systemic oppression to help empower them to create their own tools to deconstruct the injustices that have enveloped our world. I hope to publish articles and books that challenge antiquated ideologies and expand the scope of ones that I feel are oversimplified, such as the ideal of the American Dream and systemic oppression. I hope to lead workshops and conferences that empower low income students to take their future in their hands and I hope to make the world a more equitable place. I have found that my purpose is creating more opportunities for good so that inevitably their will be less bad in the world. One project that I am the proudest of is the Leadership, Education And Development (LEAD) program that I mentor every Wednesday for two hours. The program is funded through the Coalition of 100 Black Women RI branch, but is all volunteer based. This is a program that I attended when I was in high school as it is targeted for African American females grades 6-12. It made such an impact on me that I came back to be a lead mentor after graduating with my bachelor’s degree from Bryant University. Each week I spend hours carefully crafting a lesson plan that will empower the girls to make tangible change in their lives, improve their leadership skills and let their voices be heard. I volunteer to do this because I understand that the black community needs support to overcome adversity. Our justice system fails the black community, and it is essential to provide black youth support as early as possible. I believe that by mentoring I am helping one less person of color fall victim to the prison system, one less person of color becoming a teen parent and one less person of color becoming a high school dropout. This program interrupts the cycle of poverty and the cycle of crime by giving these girls a positive and safe space away from their communities. Helping underrepresented students is personal to me as I grew up in a low-income town and had to navigate life being black and a woman. I noticed when I was 15 years old that the minute black youth enter the world, we are taught to limit our own potential by internalizing society driven ideologies that become self-fulfilling prophecies. I also remember understanding that the world is not fair, and that people will judge you if you look different. I remember seeing my older brother get expelled from school for skipping an assembly when all his rich white friends faced little to no consequences even though they skipped with him. I remember seeing the hurt on my mother’s face because she did not have the resources to fight the decision or the energy. I remember the epiphany that I had that the world is too broken to try to change anything. I remembered being helpless. For years there were times in the past where I avoided applying to certain jobs because I felt like it was hopeless due to my lack of fitting the unspoken yet implicit corporate culture. My skin was enough to make me feel less than my capabilities but being a part of that LEAD program helped me overcome that hesitancy. It changed my life and got me off the path I was going down. It allowed me to get into college and succeed so that I could become a college adviser and help more low-income students navigate the college application process. The greatest injustice in our world is treating people of color like statistics and not as capable individuals and being a college adviser has allowed me to change that narrative. My life is centered around helping low income youth through my volunteer work and through my college advising job with AmeriCorps. There is a gap in education and financial literacy for people of color and I want to change that. People of color should not have to steal things to survive. They should not have to sell drugs to afford rent. They should not have to worry about finances because they never were given the tools to be successful. I am determined to help others obtain advanced degrees and develop a purpose. I plan to obtain my master’s degree in higher education so that I can create more programs to help underrepresented students have access to higher education and feel supported when they are there. My programs will help level the playing field and get low income youth off the street. Too many people of color have succumbed to societal barriers when they have the potential to be outstanding. I know that I have the drive to continue making a great change in our current education system and then as a city council woman. The United States is indeed a cultural melting pot that has segregated its ingredients for centuries. I am prepared to help mix the ingredients in hopes that synergy will be the outcome. Underserved students are capable, are talented, and are bright and I am determined to let the world see that. I want to stand up for underserved students and help end police brutality, racism, and systematic oppression because that is what fuels miscarriages of justice in the world.

The biggest examples of miscarriages of justice reside in low income communities and that is because there is a lack of access to education, jobs, and support. I want to obtain an advanced degree in education because I feel an inherent desire to continue calling the next generation into action. In times where society is being driven by issues surrounding Black Lives Matter, defunding of police, human trafficking awareness, and wavering economic stability, the need for educational experts is more vital than ever. Graduate school is my gateway to conduct research that I can utilize to educate future leaders and make the world more just. With further education, it is my goal to make others aware of privilege and systemic oppression to help empower them to create their own tools to deconstruct the injustices that have enveloped our world. I hope to publish articles and books that challenge antiquated ideologies and expand the scope of ones that I feel are oversimplified, such as the ideal of the American Dream and systemic oppression. I hope to lead workshops and conferences that empower low income students to take their future in their hands and I hope to make the world a more equitable place. I have found that my purpose is creating more opportunities for good so that inevitably their will be less bad in the world. One project that I am the proudest of is the Leadership, Education And Development (LEAD) program that I mentor every Wednesday for two hours. The program is funded through the Coalition of 100 Black Women RI branch, but is all volunteer based. This is a program that I attended when I was in high school as it is targeted for African American females grades 6-12. It made such an impact on me that I came back to be a lead mentor after graduating with my bachelor’s degree from Bryant University. Each week I spend hours carefully crafting a lesson plan that will empower the girls to make tangible change in their lives, improve their leadership skills and let their voices be heard. I volunteer to do this because I understand that the black community needs support to overcome adversity. Our justice system fails the black community, and it is essential to provide black youth support as early as possible. I believe that by mentoring I am helping one less person of color fall victim to the prison system, one less person of color becoming a teen parent and one less person of color becoming a high school dropout. This program interrupts the cycle of poverty and the cycle of crime by giving these girls a positive and safe space away from their communities. Helping underrepresented students is personal to me as I grew up in a low-income town and had to navigate life being black and a woman. I noticed when I was 15 years old that the minute black youth enter the world, we are taught to limit our own potential by internalizing society driven ideologies that become self-fulfilling prophecies. I also remember understanding that the world is not fair, and that people will judge you if you look different. I remember seeing my older brother get expelled from school for skipping an assembly when all his rich white friends faced little to no consequences even though they skipped with him. I remember seeing the hurt on my mother’s face because she did not have the resources to fight the decision or the energy. I remember the epiphany that I had that the world is too broken to try to change anything. I remembered being helpless. For years there were times in the past where I avoided applying to certain jobs because I felt like it was hopeless due to my lack of fitting the unspoken yet implicit corporate culture. My skin was enough to make me feel less than my capabilities but being a part of that LEAD program helped me overcome that hesitancy. It changed my life and got me off the path I was going down. It allowed me to get into college and succeed so that I could become a college adviser and help more low-income students navigate the college application process. The greatest injustice in our world is treating people of color like statistics and not as capable individuals and being a college adviser has allowed me to change that narrative. My life is centered around helping low income youth through my volunteer work and through my college advising job with AmeriCorps. There is a gap in education and financial literacy for people of color and I want to change that. People of color should not have to steal things to survive. They should not have to sell drugs to afford rent. They should not have to worry about finances because they never were given the tools to be successful. I am determined to help others obtain advanced degrees and develop a purpose. I plan to obtain my master’s degree in higher education so that I can create more programs to help underrepresented students have access to higher education and feel supported when they are there. My programs will help level the playing field and get low income youth off the street. Too many people of color have succumbed to societal barriers when they have the potential to be outstanding. I know that I have the drive to continue making a great change in our current education system. The United States is indeed a cultural melting pot that has segregated its ingredients for centuries. I am prepared to help mix the ingredients in hopes that synergy will be the outcome. Underserved students are capable, are talented, and are bright and I am determined to let the world see that. I want to stand up for underserved students and help end police brutality, racism, and systematic oppression because that is what fuels miscarriages of justice in the world.

The biggest examples of miscarriages of justice reside in low income communities and that is because there is a lack of access to education, jobs, and support. I want to obtain an advanced degree in education because I feel an inherent desire to continue calling the next generation into action. In times where society is being driven by issues surrounding Black Lives Matter, defunding of police, human trafficking awareness, and wavering economic stability, the need for educational experts is more vital than ever. Graduate school is my gateway to conduct research that I can utilize to educate future leaders and make the world more just. With further education, it is my goal to make others aware of privilege and systemic oppression to help empower them to create their own tools to deconstruct the injustices that have enveloped our world. I hope to publish articles and books that challenge antiquated ideologies and expand the scope of ones that I feel are oversimplified, such as the ideal of the American Dream and systemic oppression. I hope to lead workshops and conferences that empower low income students to take their future in their hands and I hope to make the world a more equitable place. I have found that my purpose is creating more opportunities for good so that inevitably their will be less bad in the world. One project that I am the proudest of is the Leadership, Education And Development (LEAD) program that I mentor every Wednesday for two hours. The program is funded through the Coalition of 100 Black Women RI branch, but is all volunteer based. This is a program that I attended when I was in high school as it is targeted for African American females grades 6-12. It made such an impact on me that I came back to be a lead mentor after graduating with my bachelor’s degree from Bryant University. Each week I spend hours carefully crafting a lesson plan that will empower the girls to make tangible change in their lives, improve their leadership skills and let their voices be heard. I volunteer to do this because I understand that the black community needs support to overcome adversity. Our justice system fails the black community, and it is essential to provide black youth support as early as possible. I believe that by mentoring I am helping one less person of color fall victim to the prison system, one less person of color becoming a teen parent and one less person of color becoming a high school dropout. This program interrupts the cycle of poverty and the cycle of crime by giving these girls a positive and safe space away from their communities. Helping underrepresented students is personal to me as I grew up in a low-income town and had to navigate life being black and a woman. I noticed when I was 15 years old that the minute black youth enter the world, we are taught to limit our own potential by internalizing society driven ideologies that become self-fulfilling prophecies. I also remember understanding that the world is not fair, and that people will judge you if you look different. I remember seeing my older brother get expelled from school for skipping an assembly when all his rich white friends faced little to no consequences even though they skipped with him. I remember seeing the hurt on my mother’s face because she did not have the resources to fight the decision or the energy. I remember the epiphany that I had that the world is too broken to try to change anything. I remembered being helpless. For years there were times in the past where I avoided applying to certain jobs because I felt like it was hopeless due to my lack of fitting the unspoken yet implicit corporate culture. My skin was enough to make me feel less than my capabilities but being a part of that LEAD program helped me overcome that hesitancy. It changed my life and got me off the path I was going down. It allowed me to get into college and succeed so that I could become a college adviser and help more low-income students navigate the college application process. The greatest injustice in our world is treating people of color like statistics and not as capable individuals and being a college adviser has allowed me to change that narrative. My life is centered around helping low income youth through my volunteer work and through my college advising job with AmeriCorps. There is a gap in education and financial literacy for people of color and I want to change that. People of color should not have to steal things to survive. They should not have to sell drugs to afford rent. They should not have to worry about finances because they never were given the tools to be successful. I am determined to help others obtain advanced degrees and develop a purpose. I plan to obtain my master’s degree in higher education so that I can create more programs to help underrepresented students have access to higher education and feel supported when they are there. My programs will help level the playing field and get low income youth off the street. Too many people of color have succumbed to societal barriers when they have the potential to be outstanding. I know that I have the drive to continue making a great change in our current education system. The United States is indeed a cultural melting pot that has segregated its ingredients for centuries. I am prepared to help mix the ingredients in hopes that synergy will be the outcome. Underserved students are capable, are talented, and are bright and I am determined to let the world see that. I want to stand up for underserved students and help end police brutality, racism, and systematic oppression because that is what fuels miscarriages of justice in the world.

I've always believed that not everyone learns the same way so how can we make a difference in the world if we keep teaching everyone like they are the same? I currently am working as a college adviser in an underserved community and I have realized that my students need information portrayed to them in different shapes and sizes. This is why I am going to get my masters degree of higher education so I can continue creating innovative ways to expand access to education in low income communities. I plan to write books for students to help them understand systematic oppression as well as come up with a YouTube channel and website called LEGITARCY. (Legit and Literacy Combined). Our world can be a better place and art can help paint that picture.

When I think of shopping I think of giving back to the community. I believe in intentional shopping. I support businesses that align with my values, give back to the community and have exceptional products. My three favorite places to shop online are impact everything, troop and amazon. I like shopping at impact everything in providence because I like their mission and their commitment to fair trade. I like shopping at troop (restaurant) because it is a people of color owned business and I like to support them. Lastly- I LOVE AMAZON and that is because it is fast and an efficient and allows me to get products to the people I care about and love.

“I can’t breath.” I remember saying these words just 20 minutes after my parents had dropped me off at my aunts house in 2001. My parents didn’t realize that my aunts cats would trigger an asthma attack for five year old me. They didn’t even think to pack my inhaler. I struggled to take each breath and eventually was taken to the hospital for a round of albuterol. I was scared, sick and alone. COVID-19 has reminded me of this moment each and every day. The thought of millions of people dying due to constricted airways, heart failure and thousands of other complications saddens me. It is not fair! It is tragic. I think back to being alone in the hospital fighting to breathe, tears streaming down my face as I missed my parents. I remember wishing that this would never happen again to me and now we are in a global pandemic where far too many people are feeling just what I felt that day. It hurts me. It frightens me. And I hope the world can unite and fight this tragedy.

I went to the pound And guess what I saw The cutest little creature With the littlest paw Those beady eyes The whiskers on his face His tail eagerly wagging Desperate to find his place Abandoned and helpless Scared of other pups Paco was hopeful Waiting to get picked up He looked at me I looked at him And that moment he knew His life was about to begin I took him home Tears filled his eyes He was so thankful It made me cry He licked up my tears and let out a bark He became my light That shined in the dark My little Paco So tender and sweet The nicest little dog deserving of all treats He’s one of a kind He even sings You let out a note And he always chimes in My Pekingese, Chihuahua My little ball of fluff A slight attitude Because he loves to act tough I love when he greets me At the door with his toy And I bend down and say “Hello my sweet boy” He runs to and fro With alacrity And always gives me love When he’s mad at me He’s my best friend And he stole my heart I don’t know what I’d do If we were apart My beautiful dog So genuine to see I rescued him But he really rescued me