Growing up, my favorite toy wasn't a doll or Beyblades; it was water. Whether it was the backyard sprinklers or sitting on a bench at my local lake, I’d endlessly watch the water ebb and flow. Becoming mesmerized by the fluidity of its movements, but also captivated by its tranquility. I've learned greatly from lakes, with their serene reflective surfaces illuminating the importance of self-reflection; from rivers, teaching perseverance as they encounter obstacles and strive forward. Water's teachings have led me to a path filled with academic exploration, personal growth, and a commitment to making a positive impact on my community. Academic and intellectual pursuits have always been integral to my identity, serving as a source of pride and motivation to strive for excellence. However, it is not just academic achievement that drives me; it is also the desire to connect with others, diversify my experiences, and gain a deeper understanding of myself. College presents an opportunity for me to embark on this journey of self-discovery and learning. As an undecided major, I am eager to explore a wide range of subjects—from Art to Environmental Studies—learning the subjects as well as myself. This scholarship would play a crucial role in supporting my educational endeavors, allowing me to fully immerse myself in the college experience easing the burden of financial constraints. My beloved water led me to a state of anguish when my brother Max was diagnosed with leukemia, caused by water contamination in our Oakland neighborhood. As chemotherapy ravaged him, I turned to art, and painting to distract and console. I found myself painting portraits to cheer my brother while sitting with him through his treatments, portraits from old photos where he was the happiest and healthiest version of himself: smiling and energetic, so I could spend time with his true face, and not the sickly complexion I encountered during my daily hospital visits. Just as water flows, my art helped me navigate his illness's turbulence. Still, the impact of my brother's battle with leukemia didn’t stop at art. Art allowed me to reflect, but I was desperate to get involved with the cause of his cancer first-hand. Generations of my family have lived in Oakland, watching it grow overpopulated and under-resourced, but as Oakland changed, so did its environment. Water contamination from poor purification and poor air quality from factories have caused various health problems, disproportionately impacting marginalized families beyond my own. Infuriated by the neglect my community was facing, I spent the summer of 2021 interning as the social media publicist at The Oakland Shoreline Leadership Academy, working to inform my community about rising sea levels, vapor intrusion, and water pollution. This scholarship would further my studies and community impact, empowering me to continue making a difference while still pursuing an education. With this support, I can pursue my academic interests with dedication and focus, while also engaging in extracurricular activities, internships, and community service opportunities that will further enrich my college experience. My personal journey, marked by my brother's battle with leukemia and my commitment to environmental activism, has instilled in me a deep sense of purpose and resilience. I am determined to use my education and experiences to effect positive change in the world around me. With the help of this scholarship, I can pursue my passions and aspirations with confidence, knowing that I have the support and resources to make a difference. In essence, this scholarship represents more than just financial assistance; it symbolizes an investment in my future and the opportunity to realize my full potential as a student, a leader, and a changemaker.

Growing up, my favorite toy wasn't a doll or Beyblades; it was water. Whether it was the backyard sprinklers or sitting on a bench at my local lake, I’d endlessly watch the water ebb and flow. Becoming mesmerized by the fluidity of its movements, but also captivated by its tranquility. I've learned greatly from lakes, with their serene reflective surfaces illuminating the importance of self-reflection; from rivers, teaching perseverance as they encounter obstacles and strive forward. However, my greatest joy became my greatest enemy. I was fourteen years old when my older brother Max was diagnosed with leukemia. Even more devastating was finding out the cancer was caused by contaminated water sources in our neighborhood in Oakland, CA and Max was only one of many. As chemotherapy and bone marrow transplants stripped my brother of his livelihood, I desperately needed a distraction from his suffering and turned to my favorite pastime –art. In my visual arts class at Oakland School for the Arts, I experimented with many mediums, but nothing compared to paint. The fluidity of my paintbrush always seemed to parallel that of my favorite element. I found myself painting portraits to cheer my brother while sitting with him through his treatments, portraits from old photos where he was the happiest and healthiest version of himself: smiling and energetic, so I could spend time with his true face, and not the sickly complexion I encountered during my daily hospital visits. Just as a river adapts and flows around obstacles, my art enabled me to navigate the turbulence of my brother's illness. This fluid connection between my art and water reminds me that, just as water flows and adapts, I, too, can find my way through the ever-changing tides of life. Still, the impact of my brother's battle with leukemia didn’t stop at art. Art allowed me to reflect, but I was desperate to get involved with the cause of his cancer first-hand. Generations of my family have lived in Oakland, watching it grow overpopulated and under-resourced, but as Oakland changed, so did its environment. Water contamination from poor purification and poor air quality from factories have caused various health problems, disproportionately impacting marginalized families beyond my own. Infuriated by the neglect my community was facing, I spent the summer of 2021 interning as the social media publicist at The Oakland Shoreline Leadership Academy, working to inform my community about rising sea levels, vapor intrusion, and water pollution. Where before, I was too scared to even peek below the surface of the environmental issues that plagued my community, I now wanted to dive in and learn all I could about the world below, so I could inform, but also work to alleviate these issues. Just as individual rain droplets come together to form a river, we interns worked to implement the following solutions: planting phytoremediation plants for soil detoxification, water filters, air monitors, and providing soil testing kits. I established a resident hotline for concerns and reports, hoping the program could continue offering support long after I completed my time at the academy. My relationship with water has always been a tumultuous one. Nevertheless, water represents a fluidity I hope to emulate as well as an ability to adapt to many surroundings. The complexity of water from oceans to the stillness of my local ponds, will always remind me of how much I have left to learn. My experience with my brother and my community has taught me not to be intimidated by what may loom below, but to do my best to seek it with a sense of wonder.

Growing up, my favorite toy wasn't a doll or Beyblades; it was water. Whether it was the backyard sprinklers or sitting on a bench at my local lake, I’d endlessly watch the water ebb and flow. Becoming mesmerized by the fluidity of its movements, but also captivated by its tranquility. I've learned greatly from lakes, with their serene reflective surfaces illuminating the importance of self-reflection; from rivers, teaching perseverance as they encounter obstacles and strive forward. However, my greatest joy became my greatest enemy. I was fourteen years old when my older brother Max was diagnosed with leukemia. Even more devastating was finding out the cancer was caused by contaminated water sources in our neighborhood in Oakland, CA and Max was only one of many. As chemotherapy and bone marrow transplants stripped my brother of his livelihood, I desperately needed a distraction from his suffering and turned to my favorite pastime –art. In my visual arts class at Oakland School for the Arts, I experimented with many mediums, but nothing compared to paint. The fluidity of my paintbrush always seemed to parallel that of my favorite element. I found myself painting portraits to cheer my brother while sitting with him through his treatments, portraits from old photos where he was the happiest and healthiest version of himself: smiling and energetic, so I could spend time with his true face, and not the sickly complexion I encountered during my daily hospital visits. Just as a river adapts and flows around obstacles, my art enabled me to navigate the turbulence of my brother's illness. This fluid connection between my art and water reminds me that, just as water flows and adapts, I, too, can find my way through the ever-changing tides of life. Still, the impact of my brother's battle with leukemia didn’t stop at art. Art allowed me to reflect, but I was desperate to get involved with the cause of his cancer first-hand. Generations of my family have lived in Oakland, watching it grow overpopulated and under-resourced, but as Oakland changed, so did its environment. Water contamination from poor purification and poor air quality from factories have caused various health problems, disproportionately impacting marginalized families beyond my own. Infuriated by the neglect my community was facing, I spent the summer of 2021 interning as the social media publicist at The Oakland Shoreline Leadership Academy, working to inform my community about rising sea levels, vapor intrusion, and water pollution. Where before, I was too scared to even peek below the surface of the environmental issues that plagued my community, I now wanted to dive in and learn all I could about the world below, so I could inform, but also work to alleviate these issues. Just as individual rain droplets come together to form a river, we interns worked to implement the following solutions: planting phytoremediation plants for soil detoxification, water filters, air monitors, and providing soil testing kits. I established a resident hotline for concerns and reports, hoping the program could continue offering support long after I completed my time at the academy. My relationship with water has always been a tumultuous one. Nevertheless, water represents a fluidity I hope to emulate as well as an ability to adapt to many surroundings. By dual majoring I will be able to explore what interests I wish to pursue, from Art to Environmental Studies; continuing to cultivate my best self, connecting deeper with water while simultaneously learning and creating new ways to help my community environmentally.

Growing up, my favorite toy wasn't a doll or Beyblades; it was water. Whether it was the backyard sprinklers or sitting on a bench at my local lake, I’d endlessly watch the water ebb and flow. Becoming mesmerized by the fluidity of its movements, but also captivated by its tranquility. I've learned greatly from lakes, with their serene reflective surfaces illuminating the importance of self-reflection; from rivers, teaching perseverance as they encounter obstacles and strive forward. However, my greatest joy became my greatest enemy. I was fourteen years old when my older brother Max was diagnosed with leukemia. Even more devastating was finding out the cancer was caused by contaminated water sources in our neighborhood in Oakland, CA and Max was only one of many. As chemotherapy and bone marrow transplants stripped my brother of his livelihood, I desperately needed a distraction from his suffering and turned to my favorite pastime –art. In my visual arts class at Oakland School for the Arts, I experimented with many mediums, but nothing compared to paint. The fluidity of my paintbrush always seemed to parallel that of my favorite element. I found myself painting portraits to cheer my brother while sitting with him through his treatments, portraits from old photos where he was the happiest and healthiest version of himself: smiling and energetic, so I could spend time with his true face, and not the sickly complexion I encountered during my daily hospital visits. Just as a river adapts and flows around obstacles, my art enabled me to navigate the turbulence of my brother's illness. This fluid connection between my art and water reminds me that, just as water flows and adapts, I, too, can find my way through the ever-changing tides of life. Still, the impact of my brother's battle with leukemia didn’t stop at art. Art allowed me to reflect, but I was desperate to get involved with the cause of his cancer first-hand. Generations of my family have lived in Oakland, watching it grow overpopulated and under-resourced, but as Oakland changed, so did its environment. Water contamination from poor purification and poor air quality from factories have caused various health problems, disproportionately impacting marginalized families beyond my own. Infuriated by the neglect my community was facing, I spent the summer of 2021 interning as the social media publicist at The Oakland Shoreline Leadership Academy, working to inform my community about rising sea levels, vapor intrusion, and water pollution. Where before, I was too scared to even peek below the surface of the environmental issues that plagued my community, I now wanted to dive in and learn all I could about the world below, so I could inform, but also work to alleviate these issues. Just as individual rain droplets come together to form a river, we interns worked to implement the following solutions: planting phytoremediation plants for soil detoxification, water filters, air monitors, and providing soil testing kits. I established a resident hotline for concerns and reports, hoping the program could continue offering support long after I completed my time at the academy. My relationship with water has always been a tumultuous one. Nevertheless, water represents a fluidity I hope to emulate as well as an ability to adapt to many surroundings. The complexity of water from oceans to the stillness of my local ponds, will always remind me of how much I have left to learn. With my major undecided, I will be able to explore what interests I wish to pursue, from Art to Environmental Studies; continuing to cultivate my best self and connecting deeper with water.

My name is Sonia Suarez, I'm an aspiring artist who wants to pursue a fine arts degree. I have been attending Oakland School for the Arts for the past 6 years for visual arts. During my time at my school, I have experimented with various mediums and built a community of artists with my peers. I dream to continue this form of education expanding my art skills and interacting with other artists to enhance each other's work and process. Out of all of the diverse mediums I've experimented with I found a joy in painting, specifically oil painting, and have volunteered for Twin Walls mural company as the director was a former teacher at my school. This scholarship will help alleviate the burden of tuition fees, art supplies, studio expenses, and other educational costs. This financial support allows me as an artist to focus on my artistic development without the stress of excessive financial obligations. With reduced financial worries, I can dedicate more time to honing my craft, experimenting with different techniques, and pushing the boundaries of expression. The opportunity to focus on my artistic development can lead to significant advancements in my skill and creativity. Many schools and colleges with exceptional art programs have high tuition fees. This scholarship can open doors for me to institutions that may have been financially out of reach otherwise. By attending a reputable art school, I gain access to experienced faculty, top-notch facilities, and a rich artistic community, which can significantly enhance my skills and knowledge. Art schools provide a vibrant environment where students can interact with fellow artists, professors, and industry professionals. These connections can be valuable for future collaborations, job opportunities, and exposure within the art community. Receiving this scholarship is a form of recognition and validation for my artistic talent and potential. It has the ability to boost my confidence and self-esteem, encouraging me to pursue my artistic goals with greater determination and passion. This is important because the competition and cost to get an education in art is high and it is easy to get discouraged as an aspiring artist. Being a recipient of this scholarship can increase my visibility and credibility within the art industry. It may open doors to exhibitions, grants, commissions, and other professional opportunities that can help kickstart my artistic career. This scholarship will provide financial support, access to quality education, networking opportunities, recognition, and focused artistic development. I can significantly benefit an aspiring artist as I plan to pursue a college education in fine arts, helping me establish a strong foundation for a successful artistic career.

I’m allergic to eggs, all citrus fruits, tomatoes, cinnamon, shellfish, nuts, and red meats. I have eczema, and if I eat these things I am accompanied by scabbing skin, red itchy patches, and a flare-up on my lips. Having eczema has piqued my interest In Dermatology. Not only for the ability to help those suffering from skin conditions like me but seeing the very little help the dermatologists I've had provide in regard to treatment. Being a dermatologist who knows what it's like to be in the position of a patient offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on the world. With skin being the largest organ of the human body and playing a vital role in our overall health and well-being, as a dermatologist I will have the power to improve lives, promote awareness, and drive positive change. One of the fundamental steps to make a positive impact on the world is by ensuring that dermatological care is accessible to all individuals, regardless of their socioeconomic background. Coming from multiple underrepresented backgrounds, this is important to me and will be implemented in my career. I dream of actively participating in outreach programs, volunteering at community clinics, and collaborating with organizations to provide free or low-cost skin care services to underserved populations. By reducing barriers to care, I can contribute to narrowing the healthcare gap and improving the overall well-being of communities. Skin conditions often have a profound impact on an individual's mental health and overall quality of life. I can recognize the psychological burden associated with skin diseases and take a holistic approach to patient care especially since I've experienced the same thing. By integrating mental health support, providing counseling resources, and collaborating with mental health professionals, dermatologists can address the emotional well-being of their patients and contribute to their overall healing process. Dermatology research is essential for advancing medical knowledge, developing new treatment options, and finding innovative ways to address skin-related issues. Dermatologists can engage in clinical trials, collaborate with researchers, and contribute to scientific publications. What I aspire to do with collaboration is to team with makeup brands who share the same goal as me; to create makeup for people with eczema. There are no makeup brands that adhere to eczema, but instead trigger flare-ups. Like myself, I know others are very frustrated with not being able to feel confident with a skin condition. Another step to making a change is raising awareness about various skin conditions and their impact on individuals and communities. As a Dermatologist I can actively engage in public health campaigns, educational programs, and social media initiatives to spread knowledge about skin diseases, their prevention, and available treatment options. By educating the public, I can empower individuals to take charge of their skin health and seek timely medical intervention when needed. For example, skin cancer is a global health concern, and dermatologists play a critical role in its prevention. I can advocate for the implementation of sun protection measures, such as using sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and seeking shade during peak sun hours. Having my career in dermatology grants me the medical authority to arrange community-wide screenings and awareness events to nurture early detection of skin cancer, which immensely improves the prognosis and saves lives. Together, these efforts combined with my determination, have the potential to transform the field of dermatology and contribute to a healthier and more inclusive world.

Change begins at the roots, within local communities. To make a tangible impact, I intend to engage with and empower communities, particularly those facing social, economic, and educational disparities. Through active involvement in community initiatives, mentorship programs, and capacity-building projects, I aim to uplift individuals and enable them to reach their full potential. I have already worked and volunteered in my community along the lines of what I have listed. By fostering collaboration, inclusivity, and empowerment, we can create resilient communities that thrive and contribute to a more equitable society. Something particularly important to me is the environment, especially in minority communities. My brother, Max, was a product of environmental racism at Mcclymonds high School in Oakland, California. He was diagnosed with Leukemia along with 3 other African American young men affected by the cancer-causing chemical surrounding the high school. Social and environmental challenges require a collective effort to address effectively. Advocacy plays a crucial role in raising awareness, influencing policy changes, and mobilizing communities. I plan to actively engage in advocacy for social and environmental causes, lending my voice to amplify marginalized perspectives and pressing issues. By partnering with nonprofit organizations, participating in campaigns, and utilizing social media platforms, I will strive to create a widespread impact and bring about meaningful change. As I have experience with partnering with nonprofit organizations during my time in my school's National Honors Society( NHS). I and my NHS club donated to a non-profit organization called “Feed the Hood” with the money made from our fundraisers on my high school campus. To make a truly global impact, it is essential to engage with diverse cultures, perspectives, and global challenges. I aspire to foster cross-cultural understanding, cooperation, and collaboration by actively engaging in global initiatives. Through volunteering, participating in international exchange programs, and working on projects with a global focus, I aim to promote unity, empathy, and cooperation across borders. By embracing cultural diversity and leveraging collective wisdom, we can tackle challenges more effectively and take issues happening locally to a larger scale of working towards eliminating them as well as providing help and solutions to communities globally that experience the same thing. Making a positive impact on the world requires a multifaceted approach that combines innovation, community empowerment, and global engagement. By empowering communities, advocating for social and environmental causes, and actively participating in global initiatives, I aspire to contribute to a more inclusive, sustainable, and compassionate world. Through collaboration, perseverance, and a genuine commitment to making a difference, I believe that each of us has the power to illuminate paths of change and leave a lasting impact on the world. Let us embrace this opportunity and work together to create a brighter future for generations to come.

My first-hand experience with youth violence was bullying in school. Constant threats of fighting, jumping, and being caught in the middle of fights. I see it in my neighborhood Oakland, California. Teenagers my age fighting or jumping one another is, at this point, considered a social norm. Growing up in Oakland I became desensitized to the violence around me as all of my siblings and I have experienced it. Since I know the negative effects youth violence can have on students my current way to make a difference is in the small but impactful ways in my community. I try my best to advocate for my peers in school when I see a situation escalating as my school is very small so I know everyone fairly well. Doing this helps keep peace in my surroundings so the two people, groups, or witnesses involved do not have to experience any form of youth violence in the school they attend daily. My plan in the future is to create a social media platform, or implement it into my personal social media, and share my personal experiences with youth violence and what it does to people's lives. Social media is the best way to spread these messages as youth use these platforms very often. And the media is something that heavily impacts the young minds of today. Those engaging in youth violence will take a second look at what they are doing. If implemented into my personal social media platforms, as my following are those who live in Oakland and the Bay Area, this message will be specifically heard by the black community. This is important to me because youth violence is much more common in the Black community than any other. Through social media, I will provide sources for summer programs, internships, and more. The reason behind this? Environment and community are the biggest factors of youth violence. Providing opportunities to students or for parents to enroll their children in will help the youth build a strong healthy community. It will help them make good connections with others their age and having to solve conflicts with other peers in a professional matter. This is most effective on youth below the age of 12. For teenagers who would have to apply for these internships, all teenagers especially minorities who often come from low-income backgrounds, are looking to make money. I will provide internships based on hobbies like art, music, etc… Doing this will provide a way for youth to express themselves and get out any pent-up frustration they are holding inside while also making money and preventing youth violence.

I have a mission through my artwork of creating messages regarding the depiction of race and ethnicity. I have been going to Oakland School for the Arts for the past 7 years now, studying visual arts. My primary source of inspiration for my art is my cultures. Recently I have been focusing on the black side of myself. I encompass creating from imagination and the reclamation of black oppression in my work. We see a lot of work regarding oppression depicted as depressing and that’s often played out. My skill and expression through art are to make pieces about racial struggles but also show how beautiful a culture can be. An example of this is in the very first piece I tried to tell a story in. It was made in a 0 .5 perspective, I used little to no reference photos so all of the lighting and proportion were from imagination to create an image of the message I was trying to convey. In this piece, the message was taking the stereotypes of Black women and reclaiming the parts of black culture that are deemed as “ ghetto” or not adequate to the patronizer's eye. The process of depicting this imagery correctly in this painting was very rigorous. It took a lot of contemplating and brainstorming to make a very complex idea into something impactful and visually pleasing at the same time. Ever since I created this painting, I realized that I can make a very impactful indent on people's perspectives of art and culture through narrating with a paintbrush. This was made clear at an art show I had at my school displaying the piece, I got many compliments on the uniqueness and intricacy of the imagery the piece held. That is another skill I have implemented in my work since the creation of this first painting. I believe that the meaning of producing art is to not work from only reference photos like many do and copy what you see into a drawing. Instead, being creative with the process making it more enjoyable and going outside of the comfort zone that every artist has. Branching out and taking risks, being experimental is something that other artists in my class have expressed as a struggle, and it used to be for me, but I am so glad I’ve broken that bubble of limited expression. Having popped that bubble I now have a deeper relationship with art, the things I paint about involving race are all things I face in a day-to-day. I can use these paintings as a form of therapy to sit with the frustrations I have and turn them into a meditative process. Because the things I face are out of my control and I cannot do anything about it, but by painting it, that’s my form of doing something about it. Having the ability to create art formed from my thoughts and be able to tell my story and one that many others can relate to helps me express myself and also show my artistic skills.

I remember my first day of kindergarten, I couldn't stop crying and I didn't know why. This lasted my entire kindergarten school year and the next ten years that followed after that. Since the age of just 5 years old, I have dealt with anxiety and social anxiety. All my life whenever I was anxious it felt like the whole world was on my chest and I would start having panic attacks that would result in me not being able to stop crying and hyperventilating. This worsened as I have gotten older and became more aware of social constructs such as race, class, and beauty standards. These are the things that affected me the most. As a current high school student I have dealt with body-shaming, extensive bullying, and on top of that trying to hold myself together, as my mom taught me a black girl is never supposed to show weakness. The result of this was bottling everything up worsening my panic attacks. Since I couldn't stop extensively crying during these panic attacks I ended up using a horrible coping mechanism, and the byproduct of it I can never undo. In my freshman year, I started self-harming as a way to calm myself down and stop my panic attacks. The same year I developed an eating disorder that has followed me to my present-day self. The ups and downs of the torment I have experienced as a person with mental illness has opened up my perspective on life and changed the way I live mine. Compassion is my greatest virtue because I know how it feels to be in that specific state of mind where anything can push you over the edge. It has been my goal to use my knowledge of my mental disorders to help others. I have done this by simply noticing early signs in my friends or family that others would not have been able to recognize and checking in, letting them know I've been there too. I live my life interacting with others with always a smile on my face and try to engage in as much small talk or chit chat as possible with strangers, classmates, friends, and family because that might just be the thing they need to realize that life is worth living. Having empathy and acting on it is the main way that my experience with mental health has changed me. I feel so deeply for anyone going through something in their life relating to mental health or other problems. What sparks this empathy is knowing that most people who struggle with mental illness have been dealing with it since they were little. Whether that be their mental illness or their parent's since mental disorders can be hereditary as mine was. So when I see the struggle of a person fighting mental illness I send my sympathy, especially to their inner child. For me, every time I have a panic attack I get sent back to the same feeling I've had since I was 5, it takes me back to feeling like I did when I was that age wanting to be held and told everything is okay. I am doing all that I can as a high school student by just showing compassion and trying to be nice to everyone I encounter. My mental disorders have made me understand that everyone has something negative they are dealing with and has made me believe everyone should open their hearts to one another and send out positive energy everywhere they go. I try to do this most specifically in my community because it's been a hassle for the Black community to get access to therapy. I have been trying to create safe spaces for my peers to talk and relate to each other because of this dilemma. I've done this with friends, having discussions in the classroom, and opening up about my own experience to make others feel more comfortable. This is something everyone should learn because the world needs more compassionate people.

While I was in seventh grade my older brother Max was diagnosed with leukemia. My mom took that year off to care for him during his treatment and recovery. This took a toll on our money having to pay for his treatment and my mom not working. So my dad had spent his weeks working tirelessly fifty to sixty-hour shifts in order to keep up with all of the expenses, but seeing my brother in full remission made it absolutely worth it. I spent the entire sixteen years of my life in West Oakland, California. It was one of the most dangerous and crime-infested areas in California when I was younger. I grew up in a household of seven: my mother, my four siblings, my niece Jannessa and I. With one income and seven mouths to feed, my childhood was strictly on a necessities basis. Living frugally instilled in me patience, diligence, and an internally motivated hard work ethic. I'm the youngest of 5 children, and none of my older siblings went to college because my parents could not afford it. I want to be able to bring education to my family, I feel that education is the most important thing a Black person in America to have. The systematic racism dealt to the black community guns us down without even having to lift a finger. Writing candidly, my Blackness has been a disadvantage my whole life. I want to be clear and distinguish that I do not see my Blackness as a disadvantage but as a long legacy of resilience, creativity, and strength. America, on the other hand, does not share this same sentiment and instead sees my Blackness as inferior, criminal, incapable, and dispensable. That is my disadvantage. Being counted out before I can prove myself. They make us poor, expect us to be poor, and take away any chance of our future by making the system take our money. My goal is to break the generational trauma and bring abundance, prosper in the system that keeps me down. This initiated my strive to educate and advocate to eliminate environmental racism as my brother got leukemia from Mcclymonds high school. Mcclymonds had a cancer-causing substance in the water, the air, and the ground the predominantly black campus students walked on. I now have used that adversity to create change and better the system in the ways I can. I have already done my best by volunteering for the causes I support and creating the club " Women of color". We have fundraisers in order to raise money to donate menstrual products and hygiene products to other women of color in Oakland through homeless shelters. I work diligently to achieve my academic goals and not let the stereotype of my blackness define me. Although I am upset at the world for what happened to my brother, I could not be more grateful for what that experience has allowed me to see during such a monumental time

Every day I am constantly reminded that my life does not matter, but this is not new for me. Police have been killing us unjustly and disproportionately for generations. I am scared. I am angry. I am tired. All too often, we see countless videos of Black men and women, throughout the country, being killed by the police with no accountability. The issue of racism and white supremacy not only taint the fabric of the police state, but also education, housing, the environment, and health care. The tragic events we see on social media are not isolated incidents, but a phenomenon that has plagued our country since its inception. I respond to this not with defeat but with encouragement to make my surroundings better. At my school, I have created a safe space for peers like me by creating the club " Women of color". We have fundraisers in order to raise money to donate menstrual products and hygiene products to other women of color in Oakland through homeless shelters.. I work diligently to achieve my academic goals and not let the stereotype of my blackness define me. Writing candidly, my Blackness has been a disadvantage my whole life. I want to be clear and distinguish that I do not see my Blackness as a disadvantage, but as a long legacy of resilience, creativity, and strength. America, on the other hand, does not share this same sentiment and instead sees my Blackness as inferior, criminal, incapable, and dispensable. That is my disadvantage. Being counted out before I can prove myself. Potential to be gunned down by police for doing nothing. So I am determined to prove them wrong. While I was in seventh grade my older brother Max was diagnosed with leukemia. My mom took that year off to care for him during his treatment and recovery. This took a toll on our money having to pay for his treatment and my mom not working. So my dad had spent his weeks working tirelessly fifty to sixty-hour shifts in order to keep up with all of the expenses, but seeing my brother in full remission made it absolutely worth it. It was hard on my family but I used this a muse for my art, for my purpose, and for my way of life. I started to develop an art style of integrating racism into my paintings. I took the oppression, put it onto paper, and made it beautiful. I took stereotypes and enhanced them as a way of lifting up African Americans. This initiated my strive to educate and advocate to eliminate environmental racism as my brother got leukemia from Mcclymonds high school. Mcclymonds had a cancer-causing substance in the water, the air, and the ground the predominantly black campus students walked on. I now have used that adversity to create change and better the system in the ways I can. Although I am upset at the world for what happened to my brother, I could not be more grateful for what that experience has allowed me to see during such a monumental time