My younger sister Annabelle was always a bit of a handful; seeking excitement and causing chaos. One day, I watched as she playfully tussled with my cousin over a garden hose. At first, I didn't think anything of it, but Annabelle's eyes grew mischievous; something was about to go wrong. My cousin whipped the hose at Annabelle's head, causing her to lash out in anger. As the older sibling, I had always felt responsible for Annabelle's well-being. My mother had often called me "the glue holding this family together". I took pride in being a helpful and reliable presence in my sister's life. In that moment of chaos, I moved closer to Annabelle and knelt beside her. She looked at me with wide eyes and immediately calmed down. Our bond was unbreakable, and it was through moments like these that I began to see myself as an advocate for my family, always there to guide and protect them when they needed me the most. I work as a Teen Mentor at Girls’ LEAP, where I teach and advocate for girls and non-binary youth in the Boston area. I teach tools, language, and skills they need to protect themselves emotionally and physically by learning and following the Girl’s LEAP curriculum. I believe that the education of social and emotional self-defense is a skill that everyone should learn. As a Black girl in Boston, I learned firsthand that self-defense is a crucial skill to have. I feel rewarded when I empower youth in the communities I grew up in. When the Black Student Union at my school hosted our very first Black Legacy Gala in an effort to showcase Black excellence at my predominately-White high school; I made it a point to have first-gen representation. I was able to help secure the founder of Hyde Park's True Alliance Center as the keynote speaker at the event, and I was ecstatic. I remember the Gala as if it was yesterday. Our BSU worked hard to make the Black Legacy Gala perfect, and it was. Our event was student-led and student-centered, featuring Black student speakers and art. Geralde V. Gabeau, the founder of a Haitian immigration center in Boston who has been serving the Haitian community for over 20 years, gave a keynote address that felt like a defining moment for me. Her words landed on my arms like goosebumps. “The two most important days in a person’s life are the day they are born and the day they find their purpose.” Her words brought clarity: I'm called to be an advocate for my community, working towards positive change by uplifting those who need it most. Social work is my calling; I'd rather help and be happy than make money and be miserable.

My younger sister Annabelle was always a bit of a handful; seeking excitement and causing chaos. One day, I watched as she playfully tussled with my cousin over a garden hose. At first, I didn't think anything of it, but Annabelle's eyes grew mischievous; something was about to go wrong. My cousin whipped the hose at Annabelle's head, causing her to lash out in anger. As the older sibling, I had always felt responsible for Annabelle's well-being. My mother had often called me "the glue holding this family together". I took pride in being a helpful and reliable presence in my sister's life. In that moment of chaos, I moved closer to Annabelle and knelt beside her. She looked at me with wide eyes and immediately calmed down. Our bond was unbreakable, and it was through moments like these that I began to see myself as an advocate for my family, always there to guide and protect them when they needed me the most. I work as a Teen Mentor at Girls’ LEAP, where I teach and advocate for girls and non-binary youth in the Boston area. I teach tools, language, and skills they need to protect themselves emotionally and physically by learning and following the Girl’s LEAP curriculum. I believe that the education of social and emotional self-defense is a skill that everyone should learn. As a Black girl in Boston, I learned firsthand that self-defense is a crucial skill to have. I feel rewarded when I empower youth in the communities I grew up in. When the Black Student Union at my school hosted our very first Black Legacy Gala in an effort to showcase Black excellence at my predominately-White high school; I made it a point to have first-gen representation. I was able to help secure the founder of Hyde Park's True Alliance Center as the keynote speaker at the event, and I was ecstatic. I remember the Gala as if it was yesterday. Our BSU worked hard to make the Black Legacy Gala perfect, and it was. Our event was student-led and student-centered, featuring Black student speakers and art. Geralde V. Gabeau, the founder of a Haitian immigration center in Boston who has been serving the Haitian community for over 20 years, gave a keynote address that felt like a defining moment for me. Her words landed on my arms like goosebumps. “The two most important days in a person’s life are the day they are born and the day they find their purpose.” Her words brought clarity: I'm called to be an advocate for my community, working towards positive change by uplifting those who need it most. Social work is my calling; I'd rather help and be happy than make money and be miserable.