For the longest time, my mother thought I'd be a teacher. A teacher. That's what I wanted to be as a child. Inspiring children and educating them in a room full of color, light, and resources. As a child, I'd play with my dolls and imagined myself taking attendance and quickly getting into the lessons. If only it could be that simple. Eventually, I grew out of my teaching phase and turned to film and media as a career path. There was something about art that drew me in. With teaching out of my mind, I enrolled in film school at Temple University. I enjoyed my time at Temple being surrounded by young artists. They became mentors to me as I navigated through undergrad. I became known as I ventured into the BFA Directing Concentration, taking my skills to the highest once I started assisting in directing small films and other graphic design projects. Here I felt a sense of community. They supported the making of my junior and senior thesis. Art became a way for me to showcase unknown stories and be the voice for those who may have lost theirs. I did everything from documentaries to narrative stories. Investing in Black stories was something I loved doing. You'd be amazed at how many people want to be in front of the camera sharing their experiences or reading lines from a script. However, after spending time in a predominately white institute, I noticed that the art that surrounded me did not represent who I was or where I came from. Even my art was not being received by my peers. I felt lost in my world. I like to say everything comes back full circle, my current role is Lead Media Instructor. I'm living my childhood dream of teaching while still being able to curate art. Media education is more than just me teaching middle schoolers how to use Adobe or Canva. It's about allowing them creative freedom to express themselves and make art based on themselves and their communities. Now as I enter my first two months working as a media instructor, I believe that the arts education field needs to be expanded. This is why I want to pursue my graduate degree in my hometown of Baltimore. This will allow me to continue to teach but also gain more resources and knowledge regarding media education. After all, I am doing what I said I'd be doing at a young age. Teaching. Inspiring. Curating. The Black and Brown students that I have are so talented and intelligent. They spend their time in class looking forward the making something that represents them. So, as a artist turned teacher, I'm glad I made the pivot to follow the dreams I always had as a child.

Become the example you want to be. That is what this scholarship will help me pursue. I have always known I would be a storyteller since I was a little girl. I’ve always had a passion for being a creative artist. Since I could read I would read books to expand my knowledge. I realized that reading has helped me explore my own imagination. And so I began writing my own stories. I would have so many journals with ideas and bullet points. As I got older and completed internships in high school, I noticed that I had a niche for film and media. It became the first thing I thought about when I woke up and the last thing I thought about at night. I am excited that I put my passion first and applied for film school. I believe that pursuing a creative degree will help make a positive impact on the world because I plan to change the narrative of Black stories in film. As I became immersed in the world of film almost overnight, I saw the injustices Hollywood has done to people of color. Films' casting choices are rooted in colorism which leaves no room for actors, especially of darker skin tones, to pursue their dreams. There is often an erasure of Black and other minority cultures and replaced by white savior complexes. White writers and directors take over stories that do not belong to them and completely whitewash the stories. People of color in the film industry are paid less than their white counterparts. The recognition people of color receive for their work is less. I could list so many more issues, but seeing people of color in the film industry plays a major part in representation for future generations. It is important to diversify life in Hollywood to represent other’s realities accurately. As a Black woman, it is my duty and responsibility to use my platform to advocate for people of color. I want to be a voice for those who feel as if they have lost theirs. I want to create films that accurately represent minority experiences. As a creative, I want to hire and work with others who look like me. Growing up the representation I saw was scarce and I want to change that. The world is made up of so many different people and Hollywood needs to represent real life. Continuing to pursue a creative degree will allow me to expand my knowledge about film and the industry. I have seen so many other minorities in my major drop out or change because they feel incapable or unworthy. It has allowed me to see the world in a new light. It makes me want to create my own production company that will help people of color manifest their own films and dreams. Applying pressure to the film industry will change the world and make it a more acceptable place for people of color. Creating more safe spaces for others is needed and making our own round tables in the industry will be a major game-changer. With this scholarship, I can become a great example for the next generation of artists especially after I graduate with my bachelor's degree.

Ace of Spades is known for its power and authority. Well that symbol comes in the book, Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé. Everyone should read this book because it is a wake-up call to the millions of problems in elite schools across America. Although this book is fiction, I believe there is some truth to the level of madness that students of color face in all-white schools. This young adult thriller encompasses two students, Devon and Chiamaka who are the only two Black students at their prestigious white high school. They find out that there is dark stuff going on once they begin to experience cyberbullying and a whole lot of blackmail. The two friends work together to figure out who is behind the cyberbully account only to realize that they were targeted because of their skin color. I originally thought that this novel was just a young adult thriller with a diverse cast but I was soon proved wrong. This book goes left and then keeps going left. But, we are left with a satisfying ending and epilogue as the two Black students come out on top. As a work of fiction, this book takes all of our fears and throws them at the wall until we realize that it's there. It's a crazy story but I do think everyone should read it. It's not some biography or historical fiction but works of fiction can often take fact. Those two characters shared some of my experiences in white spaces as a Black girl who was frequently in white spaces growing up. This book tests the limits of who has power. It makes you ask all the right questions. If you think you have authority does that really trump power? Does what we look like affect how much power we have? Who determines how much power and authority we have? Even if you don't read the book because of what I said, you should read it because overall it's a great read.

I never thought I was an artist. Being an artist meant I had to be painting or singing or something equivalent. But no, I am an artist, even if it took me years to realize. My journey in filmmaking has been hectic but it has given me the strength to continue in this industry. At first, I wanted to be a journalist. I was in tenth grade when I interned at WMAR news station. It stifled my creativity and I realized this wasn't something I wanted to do. I was lost in the world of storytelling. I knew that there was something more I could do with my time. It wasn't until I saw the film Black Panther (2018) when I was in high school that I knew what I wanted to do. This film was the epiphany I needed. It was the first time I saw someone like myself in front of the camera and behind the camera. After seeing the film, I decided to apply to college for film. I got into Temple University's film program and knew that this was meant to be. Even though COVID was at its height I was still able to make my first documentary film with certain health restrictions. I found joy in documentary filmmaking. Around my sophomore year of college, I applied for the directing concentration. I knew that this would take my career to a whole new level. I was accepted after hundreds of other film students applied. I am now one of nine directors who work in a masterclass to create films. As a Black woman in film and one of the only Black women in my concentration, my junior thesis film had a majority Black cast and I had a diverse crew. Many of my heads of departments were women or people of color. I truly enjoyed creating a film that surrounded Black voices and having a diverse crew helped my visions come to life. Now, in my senior year of film school, I am currently working on my senior thesis film. Even in the stages of pre-production, I can tell that this film is going to be so different. I can't wait to continue my journey and blazing a path for others. In the future, I hope to continue to make films that are authentic to my own reality and the communities I've lived in. I hope to inspire other people as films have done for me. I want people to leave the theater, screening, or festival feeling invincible after watching my films. No matter where my talent leads me, I can't wait to teach others about the world of film. I can imagine myself taking someone under my wing as the ones before me have done.

The left brain is associated with logic, analytical thinking, and language processing, while the right brain is linked with creativity, intuition, and holistic thinking according to a simple Google search. In my freshman year of college, I owed my university 12,000 dollars. I did not have the money. I was worried, anxious, and scared. My left brain was telling me to just run from my problems, that I didn't need to go to college. I could start my life over and go to community college for something more "normal". But I had my mother who fortunately was using her right brain and found the money I needed for my first semester of college. I didn't think her sacrificing her credit cards and savings in honor of my dreams of going to film school was right. However, she told me that it was worth it. That I was worth chasing my dreams no matter what the cost was. Filmmaking is my everything. I wake up in the morning thinking about film and I go to sleep thinking about film. I guess you could say I am always thinking with the right side of my brain when it comes to filmmaking. For me film is not something I watch, it is essentially a well-crafted piece of art. I have a passion for telling authentic stories with diverse faces. As a Black woman, I never saw myself on television. The first time I saw myself was when I watched the film Black Panther. It gave me the epiphany I needed. It made me realize who I am, what I can become, and what I can do. I want to be able to inspire others through my films the same way Black Panther did for me. As I said before filmmaking is a form of art. It's like a well-oiled machine. There are so many moving parts and most of that is collaborative. I was able to move forward with my junior thesis film, Blink Twice. I was so happy to have financial help because without it the film would never exist. I enjoyed everything about the creative process. There's something special about seeing your film go from script to screen. A lot of my financial struggles come from being an out-of-state student. Not many colleges have film as a major. I have had to work hard during the summer to help provide for myself during the school year. My father had to pick up a part-time job to help me financially. I've taken out loans to make payments much smoother. My passion runs deep. Currently, I am working on my senior thesis film titled Don't Miss Your Exit. With this scholarship, I can continue to inspire others through my art. Despite how large the world of filmmaking is it allows me to place myself in an environment and become the example I always wanted to see. I cannot wait to make films for the rest of my life.

I was once a lost teenage girl looking for my place in the world. It wasn't until I saw Black Panther (2018) that my life changed. My ultimate goal for my future in filmmaking is to tell stories of those who look like me. As a Black woman in film, I've noticed that our stories may not resonate with others and are often overlooked. As an upcoming senior, I've done so many things. I got into my school's competitive directing concentration as one of twelve students in the cohort. I wrote and directed my first short film Blink Twice. This past April, I had my first showcase screening for Blink Twice, and over 200 people watched my film. After showcasing my work as a directing student I was asked to assistant direct two other thesis films and workshop with other students like me. I am currently working on my senior thesis film which will be out next year. It's not just about the praise and fame for me. It's all about showing stories of people of color navigating the world just like other stories do. It's about heavy representation. I was so happy to be able to create a crew with majority women, people of color, and the queer community. It's so important to have diverse talent in front and behind the camera. I love being able to guide a crew and bring creative ideas to life! There is this great euphoric feeling when your idea goes from script to screen in just months. All your hard work is in this tiny codec ready for people to play. With this scholarship, I'll be able to showcase my work further and complete my final year of college. I am ready to take on the world, no matter where it takes me.

Generational wealth has been a part of the American dream for decades. Everyone wants to be able to pass down property and other means of finance to the generations after them. It's all about the white picket fence. Unfortunately, that is not the case for all Americans, specifically Black Americans. As money continues to run the world, Black families are least likely to achieve generational wealth. That is the case for my family and I'm next in line to try to make it happen. I never heard about generational wealth until school. I always thought that we were upper middle class and living the American dream. We had our own home (it was a rowhome) and were taking nice trips. But what I didn't know was that my parents made less than 100,000 dollars a year and we were actually struggling financially. As a young Black woman, I want to be able to achieve some level of generational wealth. To me, this means investing my money into a 401k, owning land, and finding multiple ways to invest money. I personally think being financially free and aware is generational wealth to me and my family. Many of my family members don't even have health insurance or money in their savings accounts. For me, the first step is being financially literate. I have my own credit card and bank accounts. As a college student, I don't have multiple streams of income but I am working towards having multiple accounts as I continue to stack my funds. I plan to achieve this freedom in the future by obtaining my fine arts degree. A lot of people are scared to follow their dreams in college and take a different path. However, I love arts and filmmaking. After college, I plan to work at a creative company and then create my films on the side. It's all about the energy and work you put into the world. With resources all over social media, I can learn how to invest my money and own my own land. I will be able to pass this knowledge on to future generations in my family and they can continue to achieve this idea of generational wealth. I want to be financially stable. I don't want to have to worry about where my next paycheck is coming from. I don't want to have to file for bankruptcy. I want to be able to take trips and travel the world. It's all doable. With some knowledge and practice that generational wealth will come. I will eventually achieve it even if it takes me 20 years. I'll get there by any means necessary and I won't let systematic oppression stop me.

My family has always described me to be the "chosen one". The one who is going to change the dynamics of the family, follow my dreams, and do everything in my power to give back. I consider myself a phoenix. According to the dictionary, a phoenix is a unique bird that lived for five or six centuries in the Arabian desert, after this time burning itself on a funeral pyre and rising from the ashes with renewed youth to live through another cycle. Every day I am shedding old skin and coming into new skin. I always ask others "what's your phoenix?" With my attributes (and passionate drive) I am unique when it comes to my wants for my future. I've been a game changer since the day I was born. Lots of my family members struggled and they always wanted me to do better. This is why I'm attending college for film and media arts. I've always known that I would be a storyteller. I want to do this by showcasing Black stories in film. Growing up as a Black girl I did not see many similar faces on television. I was constantly trying to insert myself into those stories despite not being seen. One film changed my life forever. Seeing a Black-led film production titled Black Panther opened my eyes to the horizons of being a filmmaker. I always knew that I wanted to be in the film industry but seeing something as simple as a fictional story changed my life. It gave me the epiphany that I needed. It made me realize who I am, what I can become, and what I can do. I want to be able to inspire others and change lives the same way Black Panther did for me. This film made me realize that as a minority filmmaker, I can create authentic stories about my community. Despite the industry being white-dominated at times, being in the FMA program so far has allowed me to share sensitive and cultural works and not feel judged. I am interested in directing because I have a vision once I am on set or working on a new project. I can take a broad idea and make it into something good. I have the potential to create art to share with others. I am often a perfectionist and want things done the right way. I am so passionate about being a director that film is something I think about every day, all day, before I go to bed and when I wake up. I want to be able to work with other people who are passionate about their craft as much as I am. I want people to walk out of the theater after seeing my work, along with the team who helped me, feeling invincible. I want to be able to show the stories of others who feel like they have lost their voice, especially since a lot of minority stories are often erased from mainstream media. One of my biggest attributes is risk-taking. Wanting to be a part of something huge like filmmaking allows me to place myself in an environment and become the example I always wanted to see. My form of giving back to my community is showcasing true and authentic stories for everyone. One day a little girl will look at my film and transform just like I did, and that right there is the greatest gift I could give to my community.

Being a late bloomer sucks. I’ve always been a little late to the party, last minute, or just overlooked. My quietness and yearning comfortability allowed me to stay within the same place…my own bubble. But working on my junior thesis film made me realize that something needed to change. Wanting to be in the film industry isn’t for the weak. You need to be able to network and speak up. You have to ‘stand ten toes down’ for your project. I was shocked when my professors told me that we'd be shooting our passion projects after developing them for the first five months of the semester. Butterflies coated my stomach. How was someone like me supposed to achieve such a huge goal placed upon me? I was shy, introverted, and didn't feel like my story mattered. Being a Black woman in the film industry is hard. I was worried that many would take a look at my project and toss my vision to the side. Realizing that I can’t continue to be a wallflower, I made the executive decision to blossom. I used my voice to create my own crew and cast. I was nervous but I had my production book. My elevator pitch was everything. I had to truly believe in my project for others to see it. I started making the connections right after winter break. I've never cold-called, texted, and emailed so many people in my life. I was amazed when I received so many positive ‘YES’ from others who were also as passionate about my project as I was. My first passion project has given me all the tools to shed my old skin and jump into a better version of myself. On top of that, many of my classmates saw my worth as well. I've been asked to support them on their thesis films as well. For two of them I'll be an assistant director! I was surprised when they asked me to be a part of their projects. Of course, I said yes! I was tired of being a 'no' person. Becoming a 'yes' person was the best thing I ever did. This process of working on my junior thesis has allowed me to see that I am a great artists. With a little confidence, my stories can go a long way. I realized that being a late-bloomer or a shy person wasn’t bad either. It was a journey of self-discovery for me. I realized that I just needed my moment to shine. And I did. I’m no longer a late bloomer. I’m now a more fierce version of myself. I didn’t know it existed but my film has changed the way I view life…for the positive of course. So cheer’s to being a late-bloomer.

The funniest thing that has ever happened to me would have to be my wisdom teeth experience. Not everyone gets this procedure done but when you do...it could either go right or completely left. I had just finished the procedure. I can remember not wanting to wake up as the anesthesia made me sleepy. The nurses were shaking me to wake me up. They walked me from the surgery room to the recovery room. On the journey there, a Michael Jackson song was playing on the overhead. One thing about me is that I love music. I began singing the song (to this day I can't remember what song it was) and the nurses had to calm me down before I pulled the stitches in my mouth. I made it to the recovery room and saw my mom. I began this funny dialogue with my parents as they entered the room. "The time, what's the time?" My mom looked at me, "Why are you worried about the time? You got somewhere to go?" I turned to my dad as he helped me sit up in the chair. He asked me if was I feeling well. I nodded my head to say yes. "I was listening to Michael Jackson. It was good!" I told him high as a kite. He laughed, "Oh yeah. When was this?" I looked at him like he should know what I was talking about. "He was on the radio!" At this point, I had begun mumbling under my breath like a child. Another nurse came in and began talking to my parents about some recovery dos and don'ts. I sat there looking at the nurse as she told me I couldn't talk for the rest of the day. "When can I start talking?" I seriously questioned her with a swollen mouth. "In a few hours, I promise." She replied but I cut her off. "I'll be quiet. I'll be quiet. Y'all are gonna have to leave me alone because I can't talk." I said to everyone in the room. They laughed of course while the nurses shushed me. I pulled a finger to my lips making a sign that I couldn't talk. My lips were sealed! I still can't remember much but I know that the external and internal dialogue was what made this moment funny.

I have always known I would be a storyteller since I was a little girl. I’ve always had a passion for being a creative artist. Since I could read I would read books to expand my knowledge. I realized that reading has helped me explore my own imagination. And so I began writing my own stories. I would have so many journals with ideas and bullet points. As I got older and completed internships in high school, I noticed that I had a niche for film and media. It became the first thing I thought about when I woke up and the last thing I thought about at night. I am excited that I put my passion first and applied for film school. I believe that pursuing a creative degree will help make a positive impact on the world because I plan to change the narrative of Black stories in film. I will have two major opportunities to direct and write my junior and senior thesis. Being a Black woman in a high-power position gives me the opportunity to share Black stories. As I became immersed in the world of film almost overnight, I saw the injustices Hollywood has done to people of color. Films casting choices are rooted in colorism which leaves no room for actors, especially those of darker skin tones, to pursue their dreams. There is often an erasure of Black and other minority cultures and replaced by white savior complexes. White writers and directors take over stories that do not belong to them and completely whitewash the stories. People of color in the film industry are paid less than their white counterparts. The recognition people of color receive for their work is less. There are so many more issues I could list but seeing people of color in the film industry plays a major part in representation for future generations. It is important to diversify life in Hollywood to accurately represent others’ realities. As a Black woman, it is my duty and responsibility to use my platform to advocate for people of color. I want to be a voice for those who feel as if they have lost theirs. I want to create films that accurately represent minority experiences. As a creative, I want to hire and work with others who look like me. Growing up the representation I saw was scarce and I want to change that. The world is made up of so many different people and Hollywood needs to represent real life. Continuing to pursue a creative degree will allow me to expand my knowledge about film and the industry. I have seen so many other minorities in my major drop out or change because they feel incapable or unworthy. It has allowed me to see the world in a new light. It makes me want to create my own production company that will help people of color manifest their own films and dreams. Applying pressure to the film industry is going to change the world and make it a more acceptable place for people of color. Creating more safe spaces for others is needed and making our own round tables in the industry will be a major game-changer.

Pretty Girls Who's the girl with those pretty brown eyes? Thick thighs but she always smiles when you pass by. Pass by so shy you almost made her cry. Ignore her until your immortal. Who's the girl with her nose in those books? You don’t know because you’d rather be off the hook. By someone who doesn’t even see your worth. But she does. She values your mind just like those guys in her chapters. Who's the pretty girl that just made cheer captain? You know her because she demands the attention of every room she walks into. Constantly surrounding herself with popularity. Even though it won’t matter in an alternative reality. She works hard for her spot. But her hands never caress the pot, Of food sitting at the dining room table. She says it doesn’t matter anyway because it keeps her stable. So many pretty girls. You’ve been with every type. Dimming her light. But one day you’ll take too much of a bite. And get one of those pretty girls tight. She’ll fight you back. And finally, get her world on the map. So please value those pretty girls. Because the more and more you deplore, Those pretty girls will sure take a detour. And finally, find what they’ve been exploring for.

College is an experiment, an illusion. It's what you make it and the way you perceive your college experience. Because college is what you make it, it can be hard to manage a healthy mind, body, and soul. Many people who haven't experienced college can only tell you what it's like based on what you see on television. But college is hard. You have constant assignments, studying, projects, and exams along with time to sleep, socialize, etc. The one thing that excites me the most about college is creating an experience of my own. Being a college junior I've learned some of the ins and outs of college. But every year, every semester I am thrilled to experience creativity through my passion. I go to school for film and media arts. Every day I am speaking through my passion, personality, and peers. I've learned how to network, expand my friendship, and balance school with my social life. But the most important thing is to maintain a healthy mind, body, and soul despite all the craziness and excitement around. One major thing I do is take at least one day off during the week. This day I do absolutely nothing. I lounge around, sleep in and feed my body. I think taking a mental break is important especially since college students use their energy every day. Next, I take small breaks during the day. College students often forget to feed themselves and I am one of them. So I always take an hour or more to ensure that I am eating a good breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Food powers the brain. Without it, I feel sluggish. Making sure I nourish my mind and body has helped me with schooling. Listening to music and getting my "zen" on is important to maintaining a healthy body and soul. Throughout the week I'll make sure to play my favorite tunes. This gives me time to space out. And finally, I do creative outlets. This could be drawing, writing, or thinking through creative ideas. This is the time when I really pour my energy into other productive things that may have been put on the backburner since returning to college. One last thing I do is exercise! Sitting in front of my laptop all day isn't good. So a couple of times a week I make sure to take a nice walk. Or go to the local gym to put in some work. This allows me to destress and have a physical outlet for it. It also allows me to hold myself accountable when it comes to my physical health. Having all of these key elements increases my chances for success in the future. They all work together and without them, I don't know how my college experience would be.

The most helpful piece of financial advice I have ever received is that budgeting will help you become financially free. Not everyone is financially literate. I truly believe that this leads us to freedom with our finances. My mom would constantly show me her templates each month. This template showed all of her bills, incoming funds, savings, and extra expenses. Before each due date, she would pay the bill and check it off. It was a budget tracker. Being organized helps keep everything in check. Bills can get messy and sometimes we splurge on something we don't need. My mom also told me that it is important to have money of your own and to always pay your rent or mortgage on time. My mom grew up close to the poverty line and didn't really have a lot during her childhood. By the time she had me she had become financially literate. She was able to give me and my brother the life she never had. We went on so many trips out of the country. She showed us the world and all the places we could go. With budgeting and not living above your means, you can do a lot with your money. Financial freedom is all about being at peace with what you have and your money. Money can take over your life if you let it. But with organization and a little budgeting, it truly goes a long way. It was possible with my mom and its possible for me to be financially free.

Generosity means giving something, no matter how big or small. It doesn't matter the magnitude, it's all about taking a small chance to make someone's day. I do this every day at my job. A child who has autism came in to jump. Sometimes children with disabilities have a hard time at sky zone because the gym can be overwhelming. I was determined to show him that he was capable of having a good time. The small child pointed to the sky tower. His older sister guided him over to the tower. His sister was enthusiastic about this station. She even went to the top and jumped to show him that it was okay. The minute he made his way to the top he began to cry. His sister brought him back down. She began to guide him outside of the court. I was surprised when the child held onto my leg as if he wanted to stay. The sister came over and was worried that I would freak out. She said, "I'm so sorry." I replied, "It's okay. Take your time. Come back later when there are fewer kids, please do." She smiled and took her brother to calm down and try something else. I didn't think they would come back. Later they came back and watched him jump from the tower. He had overcome the tower. His sister thanked me on their way out. It touched my heart when his parents approached me as I got ready to end my shift. They thanked me. They said that my patience meant a lot to them and their son. I was able to make him happy. A little generosity goes a long way, this is what it means.

1. I deserve this scholarship because I do nothing. My GPA is probably a 1.0 and I sleep during class. Sometimes I don't even go to class. Instead of looking for someone with drive and passion look for someone like me. Someone who doesn't care and just wants free money. 2. In the future I plan to sit on my mother's couch forever. Maybe not even have a job. I think I'll drop out of school as well. So much for academic and career goals! There's nothing really specific about it nor do I want to explain further in detail. 3. The time I overcame an obstacle is...I can't even remember. Obstacles don't really exist unless you let them.

My talent is filmmaking. As a storyteller, I take pride in practicing my skills by furthering my education. At my university, I get to work with the best of the best in and out of the classroom. I get to use state-of-the-art equipment to use for my short films. I've invested my dreams into my schooling. I've created my own website and social media accounts to keep everyone updated on my films coming out and where to watch them. No one is perfect but when you practice you get to better your skills. I knew I was meant to be a filmmaker when I took my first film class in high school. I had stepped away from my toxic internship as a journalist. I no longer wanted to be a reporter. This film class showed me the other side of artistic storytelling. I want to be a rebirth of my culture in the film industry. Our stories are also seen as negative trauma pushed stories. When I watch films about my community they are often written by non-black people. This happens to create untruths and pushes stereotypes about my community. I feel a strong need to just make stories and films where black people just exist. As a community, we are often seen as strong, being the backbones for every revolution, struggling or facing death in every story. It’s time for us to just exist. I plan to use my talent to connect to my people by creating simple stories that involve them. My dream is to become a motion picture director. It is important to me as a Black woman to accurately and positively represent my people and my culture. I want to create a safe space and use my connections to help broaden the horizons of others.

My mother is one of the most important people in my life. She never asks for gifts or special requests. My mother always says "just continue to make me proud". So I know that I have to give back to her in some way because she is always looking out for me. Every Mother's Day, I take my mom to Home Depot where she gets to pick out her own flowers and plants. She loves nature and I take pride in helping her shop for the spring season. It always makes me feel good by showing my love for her in this way. Another way I show love to my family is by using my film skills to show that I love them. My family loves to be involved in my short films or interview sessions. It gives them a look into my life. It also shows me who my family truly is. I think it's the little things that I do for my family that show them that I love them. My family is always so eager to see my next projects. Or even participate. They love hearing about the process and behind the scenes.

I was always told that being a woman was hard but being a Black woman is harder. I would face adversity as I applied for my first internship. I was the youngest intern at the news station. Being the youngest intern made me feel like I was valuable and more teachable. I was so excited to be a part of Teen Perspective News, but I saw that there were only three Black people in the room. It felt weird to be in a room where no one looked like me. At school, I was always surrounded by my people. I knew I had to be poised and intellectual for the other kids to accept me. I had to constantly code-switch and explain my blackness all the time. I felt like I couldn’t express myself as I did outside of this internship. It was hard to not feel accepted but I learned about workplace differences in white-dominated spaces. I realized that the people I was surrounded by never respected my culture. It was even harder for me to pitch positive African American teen success stories to my supervisors because they would always be rejected. This made me feel like I wasn’t good enough to be in the news industry. I noticed that African Americans in the media and film industry were limited and the push for Black stories was not enough. My people and I weren’t represented accurately. Instead of quitting the internship, I pledged to finish what I started. I’ll know how to stay strong and prevent racial bias in media and film. I will continue to push for diversity, equity, and inclusion in film and this has led me to choose my career path because all voices and stories need to be heard. From this experience, I know that it has prepared me to be the best advocate for the inclusion of minorities. I had overcome the challenge of workplace discrimination while fighting to amplify Black voices. I was so traumatized that I lost interest in the career path of journalism. I decided that I would always be a storyteller but I had to find a new way to express myself. I kept pushing to find something that would suit me best. It wasn’t until I took a film class in high school that I realized what I wanted to do. Instead of choosing journalism, I moved my focus to film and media arts. This experience made me stronger as a person and I was exposed to a new world. It has made me want to create my own space for Black voices to be heard. I want to become a film director and producer. I also want to build recreation centers that focus on exposing Black youth to the film industry. I even want to create a scholarship specifically for Black students who want to go to college for film or media. Along with creating a film program at multiple HBCU's to help students attended Black colleges and earn a degree in film. I am going to change the narrative for the Black community in the film industry.

I am trying to make a positive impact on the world through film. As a storyteller, it is my duty to tell true authentic stories. While also becoming a voice for those who have lost theirs. I feel like through film, particularly, movies I can send messages to others. I want to be the example I never grew up seeing. As a Black woman, it's hard being in a white-dominated field. I never saw that many Black women or people for that matter being represented on television. My dream is to become a motion picture director and producer. This way I'll be able to do something I'm passionate about while also supporting younger generations to dream bigger than ever. I want to tell regular stories. A lot of the time Black stories are often erased or whitewashed in order to do great at the box office. It's time to change the film industry forever. With my passion, I want to be able to have a diverse and inclusive crew and production team, behind and on screen. The world can change from a simple story. They can inspire others to do better. Or simply make their day. I want my audiences to walk out of the movie theater feeling invincible. I want them to know that there are people like them all over the world. There's nothing that can stop your dreams and I think my films will create a positive change in society. It doesn't have to be about race, social status, class or anything else that can be a barrier in society. We should all be able to coexists together.

As an artistic storyteller, I can be a voice for those that feel like they have lost theirs. By the time I could read I was always reading books bigger than my hand. Being an artist means that I can embody my creative powers. I’ve seen so much erasure of Black culture and creativity in history. I want to be a rebirth of my culture in the film industry. Black people have it so much harder in Hollywood because it is such a white-dominated space. Our stories are also seen as negative trauma pushed stories. This pushes stereotypes about my community. I want to be able to create authentic stories about my people. I also feel a strong need to just make stories and films where black people just exist. It’s time for us to just exist like everyone else. I plan to use my art to connect to my people by creating simple stories that involve them. My dream is to become a motion picture director. After college I want to move to Los Angeles, the hub of the film industry to pursue my dreams. I want to create films that showcase the Black community. It is important to me as a Black woman to accurately and positively represent my people and my culture. I want to create a safe space and use my connections to help broaden the horizons for others. I will create change for future generations by having safe spaces and using my connections to help broaden the horizons for others. It's time for spaces to become more inclusive. I want to have a scholarship fund for minority students that want to pursue higher education in the field of film or media. Staying true to my goals will also impact others and create change. This is why I am so passionate about my desired career field. Being a storyteller I was always a bookworm. I was reading before I could walk. As I grew older I saw that not many books have Black leads or topics. I would envision Black girls as main characters if there weren't any. I learned to love books by Ibi Zoboi, Tiffany D. Jackson, and Toni Morrison. As a teenager in high school, I began going to the library to search for more Black books. To my surprise, I was met with so many new books and authors I had never heard about. I've learned that it's okay to dream big. My goals can be achievable. It's okay to be a Black woman. These books told me to dream as big as I want. Many of the Black leads I have read about are detectives, dancers, singers, chefs, and more. We can do it all. Seeing these messages have made me more determined to go for what I want. I pushed myself to apply to college and scholarships. I'm currently in my second year of college pursuing a degree in film and media arts. I always keep those messages from the books I've read in the back of my mind. Because at any time I can recall those words and smile because I know what I can do and what I can become.

All of my life I've craved stability. This leads me to dream of what I've always wanted. My dream life encompasses stability, financial freedom, and love. I would be a motion picture director. I dream of winning a few Oscars. They'll be stacked on a shelf in my living room. I dream of owning an estate because leaving wealth and a legacy behind is important. My dream home is on the west coast where the weather is always sunny. I'll have a few cars but nothing too fancy. The house has about six bedrooms, a pool, a pool house (where my mother lives rent-free), and of course a library and theatre. I've always wanted to have many rooms for space and for my family to come and visit. The bathroom will be huge. Growing up I had to share our small bathroom with four other people. My brother would hog the sink as we brushed our teeth which often led us to fight. The kitchen will be perfect for the day chef to come and cook five-star meals. My dream life includes material things I never had and a little bit more money for my future children. Overall, my dream life includes creating a mass scholarship fund for students of color who want to pursue film and television. I also want to create a film program at HBCUs in my hometown. A lot of HBCUs do not have a film program but I want to be able to help fund the future. I would've gone to a historically Black college but they did not have film as a major. I had to choose another path to pursue my dreams. In my dream life, I am happy. I am supporting myself, my family and helping others pursue their college dreams.

One personal finance lesson I find important is budgeting your money. Oftentimes when people think about paychecks they think about how to spend their money. Growing up I was taught that budgeting your money will help you in the long run. I saw this first hand when I turned 16. My high school held a financial literacy seminar. Bankers and other people who worked in finance spoke about ways to improve ourselves financially. I remembered how my dad never had the funds to do anything. That's because he had high credit card bills and way too many shopping cards. He was always paying for things for his material gain. On the other hand, my mother budgeted her money really well. She showed me her budget book. Each month had its own section. She'd label all the bills and other financial responsibilities and the costs for those months. I also saw her put extra money into her savings accounts. Watching the sheer difference between my parents made me realize that I do not want to live my life paycheck to paycheck. Now as a grown adult, I take my financial literacy into my own hands. When I budget I always know how much money I have, what I want to save, and what I have to pay. I have also gotten my first credit card. After paying off my card each month on time I now have a credit score of 723. So budgeting your money will save you a lot of time and stress when it comes to getting things you want and your financial responsibilities. That is why I think budgeting is important.

My favorite piece of art is the film, Black Panther. This film changed my life. It was the first time that I was a minority-led production in a predominantly white industry. There was something special about this film. I knew that I was a storyteller from an early age and that I would enjoy this film. But I walked out of the theater feeling invincible. It gave me the epiphany that I needed. It made me realize who I am, what I can do, and who I can become. I want to be able to inspire others and change lives the same way Black Panther did for me. One simple story changed the trajectory of my entire life. At this moment I realized that I wanted to pursue filmmaking and become a motion picture director. Filmmaking is a form of visual art. It tells stories of people's lives or imaginations. I love the film Black Panther because it is not a trauma-baiting story surrounding Black people. It is a simple story that showcases the beautiful cultures in Africa. It also represents one of the first Black superheroes. And who doesn't love a good Marvel movie? I cannot wait to make stories like Black Panther.

Determination is a quality I value most in myself because oftentimes I am disappointed, rejected, or pushed further from my dreams. My first internship was the first time that I had to use my determination to make it through. After I was accepted into the internship, I was a minority in the world of film. I overcame stereotypes by working hard and being friendly to all. I was so excited to be a part of this, but I saw that there were only three people of color in the room. It felt weird to be in a room where no one looked like me. I was always surrounded by my people and I never had to act a certain way. Sitting at the round table I knew I had to be poised and intellectual for the other kids to accept me. I had to constantly code-switch and explain my blackness all the time. I noticed that pieces of my culture would be made fun of frequently. I felt like I couldn’t express myself as I did outside of this internship. It was hard to not feel accepted but I learned about workplace differences in white-dominated spaces. The people I was surrounded by never respected me and my culture. This would be a challenge to my credibility as an intern and the seriousness of my stories. It was even harder for me to pitch positive Black teen success stories to my supervisors because they would always be rejected. I remember finally putting together my very own news package and when it was time to go live the other kids would giggle and comment on my story. I felt like I wasn’t good enough to be in the news industry. I noticed that Black people in media were limited. Instead of quitting the internship, I made a vow to finish what I started and to never let anyone make me feel inferior. This vow would stay with me for the rest of my life. I’ll know how to stay strong and prevent racial bias in media and film. I will continue to push for diversity, equity, and inclusion in media and film and this has led me to choose my career path because all voices and stories need to be heard. From this experience, I know that it has prepared me to be the best advocate and to work even harder for the inclusion of minorities. My quality of determination has guided me through some of the toughest times of my life. Determination has opened my eyes to other possibilities of life. I decided that I would always be a storyteller but I had to find a new way to express myself. I kept pushing to find something that would suit me best. It wasn’t until I took a film class in high school that I realized what I wanted to do. Instead of choosing journalism, I moved my focus to film and media arts. This experience made me stronger as a person and I was exposed to a new world. It has made me want to create my own space for Black voices to be heard. I want to become a film director and producer. While pushing money into recreation centers that focus on exposing Black youth to the film industry. I even want to create a scholarship specifically for Black students who want to go to college for film or media. I am going to change the narrative for the Black community in the film industry.

Being an artist means that I get to be a true storyteller. As an artistic storyteller, I can be a voice for those that feel like they have lost theirs. I was born to be a storyteller. By the time I could read I was always writing stories and reading books bigger than my hand. Being an artist means that I can embody my creative powers and use them for good. I knew I was meant to be a filmmaker when I took my first film class in high school. I had recently stepped away from my toxic internship as a journalist. I had no longer wanted to be a reporter or writer. I knew that I wanted to tell stories but I didn't know-how. This film class showed me the other side of artistic storytelling. Art is so important to society because there is value in seeing something different. It is so important to be exposed to other cultures and stories that we may have not heard of. I’ve seen so much erasure of Black culture and creativity in history. Our passions have been cultivated and diminished into nothing. I want to be a rebirth of my culture in the film industry. Black people have it so much harder in Hollywood because it is such a white-dominated space. Our stories are also seen as negative trauma pushed stories. When I watch films about my community they are often written by non-black people. This happens to create untruths and pushes stereotypes about my community. I want to be able to create authentic stories about my people. I also feel a strong need to just make stories and films where black people just exist. As a community, we are often seen as strong, being the backbones for every revolution, struggling or facing death in every story. It’s time for us to just exist like everyone else. I plan to use my art to connect to my people by creating simple stories that involve them. My dream is to become a motion picture director. After college I want to move to Los Angeles, the hub of the film industry to pursue my dreams. I want to create films that showcase the Black community. It is important to me as a Black woman to accurately and positively represent my people and my culture. I want to create a safe space and use my connections to help broaden the horizons for others. Art is for everyone no matter the form. Art can change people's lives and inspire new dreams. Whether it's through film, painting, sculpting, music, or dance. Art is meant to be freeform and creative. Art has gotten us through so many tough times. That is why art is so important.

My favorite book is American Street by Ibi Zoboi. It is my favorite book because it was one of the first books I read in high school that was centered around Black people and was written by someone Black. All my life as a Black woman I've had to read stories about white people, the Holocaust, historical figures but had never read a book about a Black girl that wasn't centered around Black traumas such as slavery. I had to read American Street during the summer before my senior year of high school. I read this book in one week. It was a page-turner and I couldn't seem to put the book down. I read every line and every page with a pen in my hand. I highlighted what I could. I was in my own little world. This book was not only a page-turner but it also included some Black culture as the main character was Haitian. I also think that I related so much to the main character. I was coming of age at the time but so was she. I felt like I was reading about myself at some points. This book made me feel hope. That life was so much more than my past or the future. But living within the present moment and realizing that we have to embrace who we are is something I'll never forget. This book was so good that I passed it on to someone else who may need to read it. I remember coming across a mini library bookcase down the block from my house. You'd leave or take a book. I placed American Street inside smiling as I closed the glass door. I knew how much that book meant to me and I know that it will impact others.

My goal is to finish college with a bachelor's degree in film and media arts. I want to move to Los Angeles to pursue my dream of becoming a motion picture director. It took me a lot to get to where I am now. I decided that I wanted to apply for a journalism internship after realizing I had a niche for writing and storytelling. After I was accepted into the program, I was a minority in the world of media and film. But I overcame stereotypes by working hard and being friendly to all. I was the youngest intern at the news station. Being the youngest intern made me feel like I was valuable and more teachable. I was so excited to be a part of Teen Perspective News, but I saw that there were only three people of color in the room. It felt weird to be in a room where no one looked like me. At school, I was always surrounded by my people and I never had to act a certain way. Sitting at the round table I knew I had to be poised and intellectual for the other kids to accept me. I had to constantly code-switch and explain my blackness all the time. I felt like I couldn’t express myself as I did outside of this internship. It was hard to not feel accepted but I learned about workplace differences in white-dominated spaces. It was even harder for me to pitch positive African American teen success stories to my supervisors because they would always be rejected. I remember finally putting together my very own news package and when it was time to go live the other white kids would giggle and comment on my story. This made me feel like I wasn’t good enough to be in the news industry. I noticed that African Americans in the media and film industry were limited and the push for Black stories was not enough. My people and I weren’t represented accurately. I had a problem with that. Instead of quitting the internship, I made a vow and pledged to finish what I started and to never let anyone make me feel inferior. I’ll know how to stay strong and prevent racial bias in media and film. I will continue to push for diversity, equity, and inclusion in media and film. All voices need to be heard. I know that this experience has prepared me to be the best advocate for minorities. This experience has affected me in various ways. I had overcome the challenge of workplace discrimination while fighting to amplify Black voices. I decided that I would always be a storyteller but I had to find a new way to express myself. I kept pushing to find something that would suit me best. It wasn’t until I took a film class in high school that I realized what I wanted to do. Instead of choosing journalism, I moved my focus to film and media arts. This experience made me stronger as a person and I was exposed to a new world. It has made me want to create my own space for Black voices to be heard. I want to become a film director and producer. While pushing money into recreation centers that focus on exposing Black youth to the film industry. I even want to create a scholarship specifically for Black students who want to go to college for film or media. I am going to change the narrative for the Black community in film by setting a new standard and believing in myself.

I admire Madam C.J Walker. She was the first Black woman millionaire in America. Growing up she never felt like she was good enough. She worked hard and seemed to never get the results she hoped for. Until she took matters into her own hands and created her own beauty line geared towards Black women. She made many generations feel beautiful inside and out. I remember doing a history project on her once. My mother showed me the hot comb that my Grandmother used on her and how Madam C.J Walker made it for Black women. I admire her because she went out of her way to reach out to Black women. We are often pushed to the side and erased from certain parts of culture. She made a lucrative business doing what she loved while also giving the community something they could use. I also learned so much about her when watching a limited series on Netflix. It gave me so much information about how Madam C.J Walker became a millionaire. She fought for better products and accommodation for her clients when greedy store owners and companies would try to ransack her inventions. I admire her because she showed me that Black women can do anything they put their minds to. We live in a world where Black women are swept under the rug and not given opportunities to be great. Madam C.J. Walker took her chances on faith and was able to make something of herself while setting up an empire for future generations to come. I know that by watching the women in history I will be successful. All I need is passion and drive. I've learned that those two things can take you anywhere.

I apply creativity in my life by listening to music. All genres of music have a history behind them. Music was created by rhythms and beats. Music helps lift me up in troubling times. I can express myself through the type of music I am listening to. I find joy, inspiration, and connection with the lyrics and melodies that help ignite a passion in my soul. When I'm listening to music I close my eyes and vision starts pouring through my brain. The music speaks to me and gives me ideas. I can remember when I was trying to figure out what to do for an experimental film project. I had no clue what to do. I decided to listen to some music. A song by Kendrick Lamar began to play and I knew what I wanted to do. The next time I went to class I pitched my idea and everyone seemed to like it. I was worried that it wouldn't get approved but it did! I was so excited that I started working on the project right away. I got an A on it! Music is truly an inspiration. It can help with anything if you let it. As a filmmaker, I'm always trying to come up with my next project. Music is just one way I apply creativity to my daily life.

Have you ever looked at the television or read a book and envisioned someone like yourself? Many of you will say yes but for me, no. Time and time again the industry has failed at accurately representing minorities. As a little girl, I would read books bigger than my hand. But all I ever saw was white stories. And when I did see myself in media and literature the odds were always against me. I'd see us portrayed in a negative light or a trauma-filled state of mind. Sometimes I'd just want to read or watch something where the people who look like me are simply existing. This is why I aspire to be a motion picture director. Being a motion picture director will allow me to tell stories about those who have lost theirs. We are often erased in the media and our stories are told by white people. There comes a time when people who look like me get o to navigate their stories. Being a storyteller means everything to me. The moment I took my first film class in my junior year of high school I knew what I wanted to do. The film industry was all I could think about. I often daydream of what it's like to produce or direct your movie or television show. I know that me becoming a motion picture director will open many doors for me. I want to create safe spaces for minorities in the industry. I want to do this by having my own production company. This will allow me to produce and pick the films I want to showcase under my company. Being able to help others financially and mentally is how I will make a positive impact on the world. Having more minority filmmakers showcase their work means that others who look like them get to see it. Representation is very important. Being able to see yourself in films and other works of art allows the younger generations to have bigger dreams and goals. If all someone sees is trauma and violence on screen then what can they possibly do with that image? Showcasing other viewpoints and perspectives is making a positive change. On top of that, I want to have a scholarship fund one day. This scholarship will be dedicated to minority students who want to work in the industry of film and media arts. Financially college can be really expensive. Being able to help, even if it is just a little bit, means a lot to people who want to further their education. I aspire to change people's lives through art. I want to leave a pathway for future generations of artists and storytellers who look like me. Giving others a little glimpse of hope is how I plan to make a positive impact in the world. Who knows, a film can change your life one day.

My vision is to have my own production company and create films that revolve around minorities, especially the Black community. I want others who look like me to come out of the movie theater feeling invincible. I want to change people's lives with just one simple story just like it did with me. I want to become a motion picture director. As a storyteller, it is my duty to showcase true stories for marginalized communities who have naturally been erased from the film industry. The film Black Panther changed the trajectory of my life. I knew I was a storyteller but when I walked out of the theater feeling like nothing mattered in the world. Originally, I wanted to be a journalist. I decided that I wanted to do an internship at WMAR News Station. However, during my time there I noticed that no one wanted to see Black stories on television. I had pitched multiple stories about minorities in my community that were newsworthy but others felt as if it wasn't "what people needed to see". I became so discouraged from being a journalist that I never wanted to step foot into a news station again. What changed my vision was when I took a film class in my junior year of high school. I was attracted to the theories behind montages, lighting setups, and cinematography. But what really inspired me was learning the role of a director. I liked learning about film but it wasn't until I saw Black Panther that I finally knew. It gave me the epiphany I needed. The film made me realize who I am, what I can do, and who I can become. I want to be able to inspire others and change their lives the same way Black Panther did for me.

As an artistic storyteller, I can be a voice for those that feel like they have lost theirs. By the time I could read I was always reading books bigger than my hand. Being an artist means that I can embody my creative powers. I’ve seen so much erasure of Black culture and creativity in history. I want to be a rebirth of my culture in the film industry. Black people have it so much harder in Hollywood because it is such a white-dominated space. Our stories are also seen as negative trauma pushed stories. This pushes stereotypes about my community. I want to be able to create authentic stories about my people. I also feel a strong need to just make stories and films where black people just exist. It’s time for us to just exist like everyone else. I plan to use my art to connect to my people by creating simple stories that involve them. My dream is to become a motion picture director. After college I want to move to Los Angeles, the hub of the film industry to pursue my dreams. I want to create films that showcase the Black community. It is important to me as a Black woman to accurately and positively represent my people and my culture. I want to create a safe space and use my connections to help broaden the horizons for others. I will create change for future generations by having safe spaces and using my connections to help broaden the horizons for others. It's time for spaces to become more inclusive. I want to have a scholarship fund for minority students that want to pursue higher education in the field of film or media. Staying true to my goals will also impact others and create change.

My experience as the daughter of a veteran has shaped me to look at life in a different way. My father taught me that life is about what you make it. And you have to go for what you want no matter what, it will pay off in the long run. My dad grew up poor. He never knew where his next meal would come from. So he joined the military to better himself and create more opportunities. He worked his way up the ranks. He got to travel the world all while helping others. Unfortunately, while he was on duty he was shot and medically discharged from service. But he stayed connected to his past. He knows helps veterans achieve their benefits and get the most from their service. He taught me that you can always find a way through whatever. I want to be a motion picture director. I want to tell stories of those who have lost their voice to tell their own. I want to create a safe space for minorities to create narrative and explore the industry even though it is predominately white. I think I was blessed with helping others just like my father! Being able to go out and find a story is in my nature. I have always been a storyteller. Film allows me to change people's lives through sight and hearing. The visuals dance across the screen and in my head. I think about the film every morning and every night. I think I got this determination from my father. He had lost his job that he was passionate about and sought out another way to gain that passion back. I want others to cry or feel invincible when they see my work. It is important to give my father credit. Veterans have this determination and endurance about them. They fly to unknown places, put their lives on the line, protect and serve. It is only done by special people. I think this applies to me. Not everyone can be a filmmaker. Not everyone can create inspiring stories. I am the type of person that creates stories people watch over and over again. My father taught me a lot of things. To be a hard worker, watch out for me, be truthful, and help others when needed. He did this unapologetically. All of these values have pushed me towards helping others through storytelling. I wouldn't be like this if it wasn't for my veteran father.

My goals for the future include my passion for filmmaking. Being a filmmaker means everything to me. I want to be able to inspire others and change their lives the same way films changed mine. One simple story can change the trajectory of my entire life. I want to graduate from college with a degree in film and media arts. I want to have a concentration in directing. I also want to create short films. Documentary work is one of my strengths and I want to continue to do documentaries on people in my communities. After college, I want to move to Los Angeles, the hub for film and media. I aspire to become a motion picture director. I want to make stories about my community. As the Black community is often marginalized and oppressed within many realms of the film industry. I want to be able to tell authentic stories. I want to be a voice for those who feel like they have lost theirs. I want to direct films and win Oscars. It is important for me to be recognized for my work. I want to reach millions of people! As I continued to achieve success I want to have my own production company. At this company, I will provide financial assistance to minority filmmakers who want to create films. With the lack of minorities in film, it is important for me to help create a safe space for everyone. I also want to create a scholarship that will support students with a full ride to college! If they major in film and are minority students then they can apply. It is harder for oppressed communities to have the opportunity to go to college. I want to curate safe spaces and expose people to other communities and stories.

A happy memory of mine was when I made my first ever short film. I knew what I would do. I had known my beautician for about ten years. I knew that her business had been impacted by COVID-19. I was determined to give her the exposure and platform she deserved. I made it to the salon and pulled out my equipment. She was ready with a client of hers. I interviewed her and filmed her doing hair for the day. It gave me joy to be able to put a smile on her face. I will always remember it.

My mother always taught me to treat others the way I wanted to be treated. I grew up with an older brother with an intellectual disability. He lights up a room with his joy and smile. From a very young age, I learned how to embody his joy and effortlessly show that to others. I was hired at Skyzone Trampoline Park. I was working on a crowded Friday afternoon. A group came in with an autistic child. They were wearing Autism Awareness shirts and I instantly knew that their child had a disability. Some disabilities are not physical and cannot be seen. I was determined to show him and his group that he was capable of having a good time no matter what. When he came to the station that I was watching I watched as they asked him what he wanted to do. The small child pointed to the sky tower. This was the most fun station at our Skyzone. A four-foot tower leads to a drop-off into the foam zone. All our guests loved this. His parents were nervous at first. His older sister guided him over to the tower. Other children were waiting patiently in line. I monitored the other lanes and made sure everyone was safe. The child hesitated. His sister was enthusiastic about this station. She even went to the top and jumped to show him that it was okay. The minute he made his way to the top he began to wine and self-stimulate. The sister brought him back down in disappointment. She asked if he wanted to go someplace else and he said no. She began to guide him outside of the court. I was surprised when the child held onto my leg as if he wanted to stay. The sister came over and was worried that I would freak out. But I didn't. Living with an older brother with a disability, I knew how to navigate these situations when others become overwhelmed. She said, "Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry." I replied, "It's okay. Please take your time. I'm here until 7 pm. If you want to come back later when there are fewer kids, please do." She smiled and took her brother to calm down and try something else. I didn't think they would come back. They were in their last few minutes of jump time. His entire group came to watch him be a big boy. It was just us at my station. I asked him if he wanted to do the tower. I allowed him to go up. He was nervous to jump without his older sister. She asked me if it was okay for her to jump with him. I agreed even if my supervisor wouldn't like it. It was the only way he could experience this moment that no one could take away. I watched as they jumped with joy. He had overcome the tower. His sister thanked me on their way out. It touched my heart when his parents approached me as I got ready to end my shift. They thanked me. They said that my patience meant a lot to them and their son. This has impacted me greatly. Simply having patience and being there for others allows them to flourish in tough situations. With my experience, I was able to make him happy. I will always strive to make others happy. Not because they have a disability but because they are human. This day I saw what humanity can do for others. I will continue to be an advocate for individuals with disabilities.

Growing up I was always told that being a woman was hard but being a Black woman is harder. Racial challenges would face me everywhere I went but I would have to learn to roll with the punches and face adversity. I would soon face adversity as I applied for my first internship. I decided that I wanted to apply for a journalism internship after realizing I had a niche for writing and storytelling. I was a minority in the world of media and film. But I overcame stereotypes by working hard and being friendly to all. Sitting at the round table I knew I had to be poised and intellectual for the other kids to accept me. I had to constantly code-switch and explain my blackness all the time. I noticed that pieces of my culture would be made fun of frequently. I felt like I couldn’t express myself as I did outside of this internship. I remember finally putting together my very own news package and when it was time to go live the other white kids would giggle and comment on my story. I noticed that African Americans in the media and film industry were limited and the push for Black stories was not enough. My people and I weren’t represented accurately. Instead of quitting the internship, I made a vow to finish what I started. I had overcome the challenge of workplace discrimination while fighting to amplify Black voices. I decided that I would always be a storyteller but I had to find a new way to express myself. It wasn’t until I took a film class that I realized instead of choosing journalism, I moved my focus to film. I am glad that I stayed and faced my problems. It only made me stronger.

Mental illness and awareness run in my family but I never thought it would happen to me. I vividly remember my parents teaching me the stigma of mental illness within the Black community. A community where we don't know about therapy, medicine, or even where to get help. It's a conscious cycle that always puts questions in my mind. I saw mental illness firsthand with my cousin TT. Growing up she was in and out of foster homes and developed mental traumas. I saw her go through many mental hospitals and rehabilitation centers. It scared me to have to go through something like that. I had seen her go off her medicines and get triggered by the smallest things. But unfortunately, something similar happened to me. I vividly remember when it was the summer before I went off to my freshman year of college. I had thought that I would be getting a full ride to my number one college. But two days before I thought I was moving into college I found out that I would have to pay over 12,000 dollars for my education. It was a bombshell. I found out at about 9 pm that night. I had stayed up all night going through a manic phase. I had stayed up until 5 in the morning. With no sleep, I had begun hallucinating. I frantically typed away on my computer filling out college applications and trying to find scholarships. I had no idea what I was doing at this point. My body felt like it was on fire. I realized I was having a slight panic attack in a way. I hadn't slept, was hallucinating, and couldn't form words to tell my parents what had happened. I thought I could solve this on my own. But no 18 year old can solve this case of 12,000 dollars without some guidance. I snapped out of my daze and rushed to my parent's room. I had woken them out of their peaceful sleep crying and sobbing. My parents explained to me that everything would be okay. My mother finally calmed me down enough to help me back to sleep. I could feel her rocking me back and forth like a baby. I needed help. After looking back on this experience it has changed me for the better. I now go to therapy monthly. I've gained the tools needed to manage myself when I feel a manic attack come on. I've learned to control my impulses when something bad happens. Eventually, my parents came up with the money to send me to school. I now attend college for film and media arts. We all have ups and downs in life but we need to have the tools and guidance to know how to move forward. I know my mental health is not as severe as others but I truly advocate for this in all aspects of my life. I one hundred percent believe that we should have free mental health services for all. Showing up for someone in need is all it takes. I check up on my friends and family daily because you never know what someone is going through. Just being an open arm and a listening ear can make a difference. I've also educated myself more on different types of mental illnesses and the signs. I want to be able to recognize this for myself and others. As far as my career I want to advocate for mental health in my field. As a film and media arts major I know I can do this by telling true and authentic stories of those who have experienced mental health. It is important to visually see how mental health impacts others and include the steps that they should take when needed. I've honestly wanted to create a documentary on mental health and how it disproportionately affects the Black community. I want to stop the stigma that we should hide what we think and feel. Hide that we are sick and need help. I want to advocate for my community in a way that no one has. I can do this with this scholarship as it will give me the funds to continue to expand my knowledge and spread it.

Have you heard the saying it’s hard being a woman? This still relates to today’s society in 2021. Growing up as a Black woman, I observed the clear misconceptions and inequalities that come between genders. In my opinion, society can most effectively empower women by being active listeners, include us in power stances, and close the gap. Being an active listener to women should be one of the first steps. As women, we are such a diverse group of people and our struggles vary from person to person. It will allow others to finally hear what we have to say. You can only change something when you know all the facts. And what’s better than actually listening to women themselves? The best step is allowing us to vent about what needs to be changed to help empower us all. We have so many things that need to be uplifted but we can only do it if we have a listening ear. We need others to help raise our voices. Having women in places of power equals the playing field for a lot of us. So many business, career fields, and places are male-dominated. It can be intimidating for women to thrive in the world. Women are less seen in the STEM industry, in politics, and in media. Giving us control helps society. We can implement our thoughts, beliefs, ideas, and education as strongly as anyone else. We are true assets to ourselves and our communities. Closing the gap is something that can truly benefit women. As women, we do not get equal pay. For Black, Latinx and Indigenous women the pay cut is worse. Women have to fight for equal wages for doing the same job as their male counterparts. We pay more for household items and hygiene products. There is no reason why things can have equal tax or prices. It only isolates us as women. We should be funded as much as men do. I believe that women need to be empowered because of past history in the United States. Men were able to do almost everything before women. Men were able to work, vote, and go to school before women. We had to fight for those rights. And we still continue to fight for these basic rights outside of the US. Our struggles won’t continue any longer as we continue to fight for what we deserve. As we continue to move away from a misogynistic and anti-women world women all over the world will rise up no matter what but it first starts with you.

My mother has been the biggest influence in my life. As a growing filmmaker, she has always been supportive of my dreams. I remember when she would listen to me vent about different films I had watched, my film classes, and the lengthy process it took for me to apply to film school. My mother, Celeste, would be the first person to watch all of my short films and clap like I was on stage at the Oscars. She has given me room to broaden my horizons and pursue my dreams on my own terms. Once I graduate I will use my artistic skills to change the narrative in film. As a black woman growing and learning in the film industry, I have noticed that there is a lack of authentic stories made and produced by the Black community itself. Some stereotypes continue to perpetuate in films. I want to be a voice for those who feel like they have lost theirs. My goal is to curate stories based on the Black community. I want to cast all skin tones of Black people. I truly believe that colorism affects our community and society. I have always wanted to have my own production company. It would be a first step in helping Black creators reach their goals. I also want to create a scholarship fund in the future to help support students of color who want to pursue higher education in the field of film and art. I believe in changing the narrative and keeping my stories cultured. It’s what I see and live every day. My artistic gift is different because I eat, breathe, and sleep art. It is the first thing I think about in the morning and the last thing I think about before I go to sleep. I can remember writing stories since I could write. I was reading a different book every day. My imagination and passion for filmmaking started at such a young age. I have always been doing something creative and productive. It’s more than just a hobby or talent to me. It’s a passion. I daydream about my future every second I get. It is so important for me to stay true to my creative abilities and dreams. I am always thinking of my next idea. I often act on my ideas by making a mood board, or writing a script, or just writing a chapter. I think my perfectionist ideals are what make me different as well. I am always combing over my ideas with a fine-tooth comb. It makes a huge difference when I have one central idea. I can piece together my bigger ideas with smaller ones. My artistic talent continues to bring me joy. I will continue to fight for equality and equity in the film industry no matter what. I will continue to use my greatest influence and skills to embrace my creative ideas.

Being an artist means that I get to be a true storyteller. As an artistic storyteller, I can be a voice for those that feel like they have lost theirs. I was born to be a storyteller. By the time I could read I was always writing stories and reading books bigger than my hand. Being an artist means that I can embody my creative powers and use them for good. This drives me to create authentic stories for my community, the Black community. It drives me every day with passion. Being an artist has completely changed my life. I can see life differently than others. Being an artist, specifically a filmmaker, is the first thing I think about when I wake up and the last thing I think about before going to bed. My passion for being an artist is what keeps me going. I think I am so connected to being an artist because I’ve seen so much erasure of Black culture and creativity in history. Our passions have been cultivated and diminished into nothing. I want to be a rebirth of my culture in the film industry. Black people have it so much harder in Hollywood because it is such a white-dominated space. Our stories are also seen as negative trauma pushed stories. When I watch films about my community they are often written by non-black people. This happens to create untruths and pushes stereotypes about my community. I want to be able to create authentic stories about my people. I also feel a strong need to just make stories and films where black people just exist. As a community, we are often seen as strong, being the backbones for every revolution, struggling or facing death in every story. It’s time for us to just exist like everyone else. I plan to use my art to connect to my people by creating simple stories that involve them. My dream is to become a motion picture director. After college I want to move to Los Angeles, the hub of the film industry to pursue my dreams. I want to create films that showcase the Black community. It is important to me as a Black woman to accurately and positively represent my people and my culture. I want to create a safe space and use my connections to help broaden the horizons for others. I will create change for future generations by having safe spaces and using my connections to help broaden the horizons for others. It time for spaces to become more inclusive. Stories need to be told. I want to have a scholarship fund for minority students that want to pursue higher education in the field of film or media. Staying true to my goals will also impact others and create change. Following my passion, my drive to inspire others, and being the change is what jumpstarts change for all.

I need this scholarship because it will allow me to continue to pursue my passion for filmmaking. As the youngest child of my family, I need to continue my education. I witnessed my parents going to college the non-traditional way. However, we are still struggling with the tuition. This scholarship would help me pay my way through another semester of college. Since I could remember I have always been perceived as a storyteller. I am always reading, writing, and watching films. My journals are filled with ideas that come from inside. I am always striving to learn about my passion. The art of filmmaking engulfs my life. After finding this passion in high school after a failed internship in the field of journalism I realized that this is something I want to do every day. I used what I learned in class at home. I now watch films differently. Not as an audience but as a film analyzer. I can notice what others don’t. I notice the editing, mise-en-scene, lighting, and cinematography. My passion for filmmaking really escalated when I was able to put my filmmaking skills to use. This scholarship will help me continue to make accurate stories for underrepresented communities. As a Black woman I was told that being a woman is hard but being a Black woman is harder. I could face racial barriers everywhere I go. But the lack of spaces for minorities just makes me more determined to create safe spaces and places at the table within the film industry. My dream is to become a motion picture director. After college I want to move to Los Angeles, the hub of the film industry to pursue my dreams. I want to create films that showcase the Black community. As a film major, I learned that the Black community is underrepresented within the film industry. A lot of films do not tell our stories as people. It is important to me as a Black woman to accurately and positively represent my people and my culture. I want to be a voice for those who feel like they have lost their own! Filmmaking is my passion because I can take big ideas in my head and put them through a camera or write them down on a script. Filmmaking is something I eat breathe and sleep. It’s the first thing I think about when I wake up and the last thing I envision before going to sleep. It is the only thing I can see myself doing beyond pursuing higher education. With this scholarship, I will continue to evolve as a filmmaker and develop my dreams further.

The teacher who helped me pursue higher education was my second-grade teacher Mrs. E Jones. I always knew college was in my path but she helped me visualize it in ways my parents could not. Both of my parents had college degrees but at a young age, it looked like a piece of paper on a wall. My parents are non-traditional college graduates. They both went to college after being married and having children. I didn’t know the college experience in a traditional way. Mrs. E Jones showed me that there’s life outside of our hometown and that I could achieve my dreams the way I wanted to. When I was in Mrs. E Jones’ class she gave me an acceptance packet. She had applied me to this student leaders camp. I was surprised that she had thought about me when making those types of recommendations. I took the information home to my parents and they applauded me on this achievement. I remember reading that I’d be staying in a dorm on a college campus in Chevy Chase Maryland. We’d be learning about higher education and majors that could interest us. Before I left I remember she told me this “no matter what happens always be yourself. You’re smart and talented. When you get back you can tell me all about it.” My parents sent me off. I noticed that no one really looked like me. As a Black girl, I was so used to being around people who were just like me. It made me realize that the world was much bigger than I thought. This was the first time I had experienced issues like classism. I realized that my parents had been pulling all the monies they could just so I could attend this camp. While others flaunted their wealth in other’s faces. I was exposed to the real world instead of the bubble I created back at home. But this experience presented by my second-grade teacher allowed me to manifest my life after high school. Despite the pros and cons, I am attending university to attain a bachelor’s degree in film and media arts. Mrs. E Jones doesn’t know the impact that this experience has had on me. She was the first teacher to believe I could be something more. She was a voice for me. I thank her for her work! I am now chasing my dream of being a storyteller. My dream is to become a motion picture director. After college I want to move to Los Angeles, the hub of the film industry to pursue my dreams. I want to create films that showcase the Black community. As a film major, I learned that the Black community is underrepresented within the film industry. A lot of films do not tell our stories as people. It is important to me as a Black woman to accurately and positively represent my people and my culture. I want to be a voice for those who feel like they have lost their own! Filmmaking is my passion because I am able to take big ideas in my head and put them through a camera or write them down on a script. Filmmaking is something I eat breathe and sleep. It’s the first thing I think about when I wake up and the last thing I envision before going to sleep. No matter what’s next for me I will always continue to evolve as a filmmaker. It is now my turn to believe in others as Mrs. E Jones believed in me.

My experience with mental health has greatly influenced my beliefs, relationships, and career options. My father struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression from when he served in Desert Storm. He has shared stories about the war. Seeing dead bodies, facing bomb threats, nuclear power, and the traumatic loss of his mother while away in the Middle East. I’ve witnessed first-hand what his mental health has done to him. He would isolate himself from the rest of the family. We would try and socialize with him but he would sit and stare at his phone. Sometimes he would even kick us out of the room. It feels like living with a roommate instead of a father. He is emotionally unavailable. I had to lean on my mother in hard times but I truly wish that my father could be there for me. He has put everything on my mother because of his mental health. He is not able to be present right now. He is very dismissive during tough or hard conversations. He has learned to walk away from situations instead of facing them head one. One thing I have noticed is that my father does not like physical touch. I yearn to hug my dad and kiss his cheek. He will not let me. He has a brick wall surrounding him. Over time I have learned that he is like an onion with many layers that take years to peel back. My father’s mental health has deteriorated but he has decided to finally go to therapy. He has been in therapy for the last seven years and there has been so much improvement. He now takes the initiative to talk with us and explore the world. He still has his dismissive ways but he tries hard every day. He had finally realized that he needed therapy to release the past that was holding him in place for so long. Our relationship has been stronger than ever before. We now speak on a daily basis and created a progress checklist. He has made a pledge to continue to work on his mental health and how it has affected his own relationships. I am proud of him for realizing his challenges and moving forward. It has helped us continue to advocate for mental health. Experiencing mental health issues firsthand has led me to believe in therapy and affordable health care. Therapy works wonders but for those who can afford it. I think that many people simply do not have the resources to better their mental health. Some people do not know it exists. This issue of affordable health care is a raging topic within the Black community as well. I want to be an advocate for mental health help inside all minority communities. We all need support but if we cannot access it then that is a problem. Sharing this information about mental health support needs to be in schools, colleges, workplaces, and even the most random places like grocery stores. It needs to be presented everywhere. You never know who is struggling and one little poster or pamphlet can change someone's life. The world is a cruel place and if you do not have adequate resources it can destroy a person. I plan on advocating for mental health support through my career choices. I plan on becoming a film director. I think films have such an impact on us as human beings. We feel something when watching films whether that's sadness, compassion, empathy, or happiness. I think that I can produce messages about mental health support and struggles in my films. Sometimes films give off unrealistic messages but with focus, I am determined to create positive and life-changing messages regarding mental health support, advocacy, and outreach to others.

2020 was such a hard year for me. If anything I have learned that family is all I have and the key to survival is faith. I will always remember this experience that changed my life forever. The year 2020 was hard especially being an 18-year-old senior in high school. It was a very depressing time because I couldn’t walk across the stage, go to prom, or even hang out with my friends one last time. Every girl’s dream has been wiped away. During the pandemic, I learned that my father would be considered 100 percent disabled due to his injuries he sustained while serving in the military. This would mean that the Veterans Association would pay for my schooling. I would be going to college debt-free with tuition paid in full. However, in August, two days before I was scheduled to move into college my family and I found out that what we read was incorrect. Tuition would not be covered by the VA and we would have to come up with 12,000 dollars in two weeks. I was so heartbroken. I thought my dreams of going to college would be over. But, with my family’s faith in God and our strength, we were able to come up with the tuition money on time. It was so remarkable what the strength of love could do. My family sacrificed so I could live my dreams. This made me realize that if nobody else showed up for me then my family would. It made us closer than the pandemic ever could. This experience has shaped my plans for the future tremendously. It makes me want to live my life on a high note. I am now more adventurous than ever. The pandemic made me realize that I need to experience life in the moment instead of waiting because it can all be swiped away. I plan to dream bigger than ever before. This will happen as I graduate from college in three years with a bachelor’s degree in film and media arts. I will move out of state to achieve my dreams on the west coast. I want to become a director in Hollywood. As a storyteller, my dream is to accurately represent the misunderstood, and underrepresented populations. I even dream to give back to my community by creating my own scholarship fund and building recreational centers. I have become a stronger person because of this pandemic. I survived all things! With a little strength and faith, I was able to get through the toughest year yet.

A role model in my life is my mother, Celeste. She has taught me the most major lesson of life which is living my life the way I want to. My mother lived a hard life. She had her first child at 19. By the time she was 21, she had two children. After the next few years, she had survived being married to a drug addict and was living on her own. My mother had no college degree. She worked over the next decade to get her associate’s degree and get a good job to support her family. Later in life, she met my father and they began to build their empire starting with having me and my twin brother. I realized that my mother was the strongest person I know. She told me to not let life impede on my own personal dreams. She said that love had blinded her own dreams and goals. She allowed outside forces to determine her future instead of taking charge of what she could control. No one fought for her dreams. I know that if she could go back in time she would love to be an actress on Broadway. She now has a degree in social work and loves to help others accomplish their dreams. I’ve taken these lessons to heart. I apply these lessons of life by finishing high school at the top of my class. I attend college trying to attain my bachelor’s degree in film and media arts. I remain focused on what I want not what others want me to do. I know that her main lesson of living my own life sticks in the back of my head. I have bigger dreams than she ever could have imagined. I plan on moving to Los Angeles after graduating college to begin a career in film. I aspire to be a director and producer. I have always told my mother how I plan to change the narrative for the Black community in film. As a Black woman, I notice how often the Black community is misunderstood and underrepresented in the industry. I can use my skills as a storyteller to be a voice for those who have lost their own voices. My dreams get even bigger as I plan on using my rewards to give back to my community. I realized that there is not a lot of recreation centers for youth that teach them about the film or media industry. I want to open my own centers that will give youth opportunities to learn and create art. I also want to create a scholarship fund that will support minority students that plan on going to college for film or media. I will never forget what my mother has taught me. I greatly appreciate her being a role model for me. Living life the way I want to is how I will give back to her. As they say, mothers always know best. She will be proud of me no matter what as long as I am living life unconditionally.

My experience with mental health has greatly influenced my beliefs, relationships, and career options. My father struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression from when he served in Desert Storm. He has shared stories about the war. Seeing dead bodies, facing bomb threats, nuclear power, and the traumatic loss of his mother while away in the Middle East. I’ve witnessed first-hand what his mental health has done to him. He would isolate himself from the rest of the family. We would try and socialize with him but he would sit and stare at his phone. Sometimes he would even kick us out of the room. It feels like living with a roommate instead of a father. He is emotionally unavailable. I had to lean on my mother in hard times but I truly wish that my father could be there for me. He has put everything on my mother because of his mental health. He is not able to be present right now. He is very dismissive during tough or hard conversations. He has learned to walk away from situations instead of facing them head one. One thing I have noticed is that my father does not like physical touch. I yearn to hug my dad and kiss his cheek. He will not let me. He has a brick wall surrounding him. Over time I have learned that he is like an onion with many layers that take years to peel back. My father’s mental health has deteriorated but he has decided to finally go to therapy. He has been in therapy for the last seven years and there has been so much improvement. He now takes the initiative to talk with us and explore the world. He still has his dismissive ways but he tries hard every day. He had finally realized that he needed therapy to release the past that was holding him in place for so long. Our relationship has been stronger than ever before. We now speak on a daily basis and created a progress checklist. It has helped us continue to advocate for mental health. Experiencing mental health issues firsthand has led me to believe in therapy and affordable health care. Therapy works wonders but for those who can afford it. I think that many people simply do not have the resources to better their mental health. Some people do not know it exists. This issue of affordable health care is a raging topic within the Black community as well. I want to be an advocate for mental health help inside all minority communities. We all need support but if we cannot access it then that is a problem. Sharing this information about mental health support needs to be in schools, colleges, workplaces, and even the most random places like grocery stores. It needs to be presented everywhere. You never know who is struggling and one little poster or pamphlet can change someone's life. I plan on advocating for mental health support through my career choices. I plan on becoming a film director. I think films have such an impact on us as human beings. We feel something when watching films whether that's sadness, compassion, empathy, or happiness. I think that I can produce messages about mental health support and struggles in my films. Sometimes films give off unrealistic messages but with focus, I am determined to create positive and life-changing messages regarding mental health support, advocacy, and outreach to others.

The first time I noticed a time when someone was kind to me all started in fourth grade. I was about nine years old. It meant a lot to me because I was the new girl. I had moved schools in the middle of my elementary school experience. I was terrified. I didn’t know if I was going to make friends or not. The school was so huge that I knew I would get lost. There were so many children running around and laughing. By the time my parents walked me to the classroom my heart was pounding. I was so scared to leave my mother's side. I had been separated from my twin brother. I knew he was in a separate class so I was all alone. I had to get used to having my own set of friends and becoming my own person. I decided to push through and enter the classroom to discover the new adventures of fourth grade. I was sitting at a table with some girls who immediately pushed me off to label me as the new girl. I sat quietly as the day began. It wasn’t until art class when I would be seated next to another girl. I was scared that she would label me like everyone else. But instead, we shared crayons and colored pencils. I knew that she would hold a special place in my heart. As we continued in our conversations I asked her if she would be my best friend. Of course, she said yes. I was able to make even more friends because her friends became mine. We sat at lunch every day. When we had classes together we were never apart. Teachers even began recognizing us as best friends. We’d then stay best friends for the next ten years. We went through elementary and high school together. We experienced life together. It was nice to get through hard times such as college applications, prom, and even boy troubles with her. Her small act of kindness made room for a forever friend. I do not think she realizes how important her act was to me. It made me realize that everyone is not mean. She allowed me to be around her. I was authentically me. She accepted me when nobody else would. Her simple act of kindness will never go unnoticed. Hailey will always be my best friend no matter what. I am excited to see where we are in the next ten years.

Growing up I was always told that being a woman was hard but being a Black woman is harder. Challenges would face me everywhere I went but I would have to learn to roll with the punches and overcome those challenges. I always knew that I was a storyteller from a young age. I loved to read and write. So my first step was to prepare to become a journalist. I took on being an intern through WMAR News Station. Being the youngest intern made me feel like I had value to continue in this industry. I would be able to learn from my more seasoned counterparts as well. I was so excited to be a part of WMAR 2 News Stations, Teen Perspective News, but I saw that there were only three people of color in the room. At school, I was always surrounded by my people and I never had to act a certain way. But, sitting at the round table I knew I had to be poised and intellectual for the other kids to accept me and this was a challenge I had to overcome. I had to constantly code-switch and explain my blackness all the time. This experience taught me that I would face cultural challenges in the world. I felt like I couldn’t express myself as I did daily outside of this internship. It was hard to not feel accepted. This is where I learned about workplace differences in white-dominated spaces. Regardless of my career path after I finish college I will always respect people of color who choose to work in white-dominated fields and still put forth the effort and work to amplify voices. Instead of quitting the internship, I made a vow and pledged to finish what I started and to never let anyone make me feel inferior. This vow would stay with me for the rest of my life. I’ll know how to stay strong and prevent racial bias in media and film. I will continue to push for diversity, equity, and inclusion in media and film. This epiphany has led me to choose my career path in film and media arts because all voices and stories need to be heard. From this experience, I know that it has prepared me to be the best advocate for my community. This experience has affected me in various ways. I had overcome the challenge of workplace discrimination and fighting to amplify Black voices. However, I was so traumatized by this experience that I lost interest in the career path of journalism. I decided that I would always be a storyteller but I had to find a new way to express myself. I kept pushing to find something that would suit me best. It wasn’t until I took a film class in high school that I realized what I wanted to do. So instead of choosing journalism, I moved my focus to film and media arts. I loved having this experience at WMAR but this made me stronger as a person and I was exposed to a new world. I think that this is what being a change agent is all about. Taking life’s obstacles and turning them around for the better. From my life experience, I have learned that I am a determined and strong person. I will continue to push past boundaries and barriers to get where I want to be. Experiencing different things has made me a risk-taker. I am proud to be so involved in rigorous activities that have helped me grow. From my experiences, I hope to graduate college with a degree in film and media arts. I then want to move to California or Atlanta to pursue a career in the film and television industry. My biggest dream is to become a director for feature films. I want to change the narrative of Black cinema. I know that the black community has been misunderstood and misinterpreted in the industry. I will change this. I plan on creating a non-profit organization that gives back to my community in Baltimore, Maryland. It will include teaching positions and recreation centers for those that want to learn and create films. I also want to create a scholarship fund that gives over 10,000 dollars to Black students who want to pursue a degree in film or media. It is the most ultimate way for me to give back! My passion for film has led me to be more driven than ever before. Nothing will stop me from achieving my goals! I will continue to fight for inclusion and equity in the film industry while also being a positive voice for the Black community.

My mother is the most amazing woman I know! She has impacted who I am today so much! In high school, I realized that I did not want to pursue a career in journalism. Instead of reproaching me or insulting me, she decided to support me and my dreams. My mother allowed me to sign up for a high school film class in my junior year. After the first week, I was so hooked that I then confided in her about my future goals. I had always been a storyteller and I knew that I wanted to be a creative voice for those oppressed around me. I knew that my future career would be in film and media arts. When I told her this her face lit up with happiness. She then told me that “being a woman in the film industry is hard but being a Black woman is harder”. Those words stuck with me and will continue to stick with me for the rest of my life. However, I decided to continue to focus on my school work and apply to college for a bachelor’s in film and media arts. Her instilling the meaning of hard work in me I was able to be applauded for various scholarships that I had won. After starting my first semester of freshman year in college she wrote me a letter to read the day I moved in. My mother had me in tears. She talked about supporting my dreams of being a film director. I remember when she wrote, “I can’t wait to be the first person to buy tickets for your first film”. I then realized that my mother is my number one fan. She is my ride or die in all situations. She loves me with all her heart. Her love has taught me that support and faith can go a long way. I feel more confident when she’s around. Her warm spirit of goodness surrounds me and I feel whole. She has inspired me to keep working to accomplish my dreams. She has inspired me to be a voice for those in need, portray who I am, and keep loving myself no matter how hard it gets. Her support means so much to me. I will never forget what womanhood is and the raging support that comes with it. I will forever be grateful.

This pandemic has made me a better personal internally. I was able to really reflect on my mental health and wellness. I learned more about religion and spirituality. I was guided during this pandemic to heal my inner wounds and evolve into a better me. Since the pandemic I am now able to communicate in healthy ways, respect myself, and treat my body as a temple. Before the pandemic, I was so lost. I hadn't been able to walk across the stage for high school graduation or even have a senior prom. But spending my time learning new things about myself allowed me to really open up to what the universe has in store for me. I am now a free being within the world not tied down to the restrictions that the pandemic sent. The pandemic was never bad for me. It turned out to be a positive way for me to rebuild my intelligence and mental stability.

Growing up I was raised in a Christian household. Being a part of religion has been a part of my life since I came out of the womb. It was nothing new to me. Jesus changed my life over the summer of 2020. He made me realize that all it takes is faith as small as a mustard seed and He will provide. Before I embarked on my journey to college I had learned over the summer that my financial aid had fallen through. I had to come up with twelve thousand dollars in two weeks. At first, I was angry at Jesus because I had been such a good person and devoted my life to him. My need for faith and belief was gone. I felt no need to continue my journey with Christianity. However, my mother is continued to pray and have faith that we would come up with the money. Her strength as a prayer warrior allowed us to come up with the twelve thousand dollars. I cried after hitting the final tuition payment. This experience made me realize that Jesus was watching and trying to teach me a lesson. It taught me that keeping my faith would always allow me to succeed in the name of God. At this point, after weeks of hating my religion, I finally came around to put my trust in Him. I fully believe that Jesus creates miracles and I will always trust Him for the things He has done for me. My life has been changed and renewed in Him.

The death of my uncle caused me to focus on simply living life and fighting to achieve my dreams in film. My Uncle was like the glue to the family. He was a helper and a healer. My Uncle provided assistance to those family members that needed him. But his health started to decline and he soon found out that he had cancer. Instead of focusing on his life, he continued to help out the family and those in need. One night cancer spread to his heart and he died instantly. I then realized that it's better to focus on yourself and what matters to you the most because life is too short. We had no idea that he'd be gone so soon. We never know when we're going to die and so I made a pledge at his funeral to continue to work on my studies and become what I dream of. Every day I continue to work on being a director as I attend Temple University. Having good representation in film is everything to me. As a black woman, I have faced constant struggles and I know that the black community is misunderstood and misrepresented within the media. What matters to me is changing the narrative of black people in the film. We are usually presented with a lot of trauma films or films that have one central idea of what it's like to be black. I just want to make simple films that show other sides of my community in a positive light. If it wasn't for my Uncle I would've never pushed myself this hard.

How many Black female leads have you seen in a blockbuster film? Well, if you could count the number on your hand I plan to change that. Through my drive and passion for the film industry, I want to change the narrative of Black people in film. First I must push to the first phase of my goals by going to college. Getting my Bachelor's degree at Temple University will allow me to learn a lot of lessons. In college, my goal will not just learn about film but also media and communications. This will allow me to gain knowledge of the latest forms of media. I will learn to utilize characteristics like teamwork and great communication. These skills are vital for a team-based industry. Another part of my educational goals is to minor in African American studies. Minoring in this will allow me to learn more about my history that is not taught in schools as well as be more informed on African American film. From then on I will strive to make more friendly spaces for the Black voices to be heard. Black women especially are usually pushed to the side-seen and not heard-but I know I can make a change. Placing more Black women on screen can encourage and impact a wide range of people. That is the ultimate goal for me as film will be my career. Having the younger generation of Black girls know that they can do anything is huge. I want to achieve accurate stories and major representation in my career. Hollywood is majority white but stepping into a room and demanding respect is amazing. Along with my career goals I want to give back to my community. I can be humble and give back by creating non-profit organizations that will teach Black youth about the film industry and supports small films. As a growing individual living in Baltimore City, I did not have these resources. Being bold and creating these opportunities for younger kids is what giving back is about. As my career progresses and taking the time to perfect my craft I plan on becoming a film director or producer. Being diligent will present more opportunities to do bigger film projects. I want to create endless movies where the cast is different shades of Black and allows places for cultures to thrive. I also think that more HBCU's need film as a major instead of a minor. This will be another goal which is to expand arts majors at HBCUs. When I was applying to colleges I noticed most historically black colleges did not have my major. Imagine how many incoming freshmen want to go to an HBCU and do film. My dreams are big! But, I think that having big dreams allows for bigger chances to manifest and perfect. This shows that I am driven, powerful, intelligent, and creative. I can definitely achieve all of my career goals by getting my degree in film and media arts first. It will only go uphill from there.