Cybersecurity is not just a profession; it’s a calling to protect the digital frontier. As the child of African immigrant parents who are homophobic, I have faced numerous barriers, but each challenge has only strengthened my resolve to contribute to this critical field. This scholarship represents a beacon of hope and a crucial stepping stone in my journey. Growing up in a household where my identity as an LGBTQIA+ individual was not accepted was incredibly challenging. My parents, immigrants with deeply rooted Christian beliefs, could not reconcile their love for their child with their cultural values. This led to a strained relationship and eventually, I had to leave home to preserve my mental and emotional well-being. Despite these hardships, I pursued my education with unwavering determination. My interest in cybersecurity began during high school when I participated in a computer science club. I realized that safeguarding information was not just a technical challenge but a deeply ethical one. I am particularly drawn to risk management within cybersecurity because it involves identifying, assessing, and prioritizing risks, which aligns with my analytical skills and passion for protecting others. I aspire to become a risk management analyst, focusing on developing strategies to protect organizations from cyber threats. In five to ten years, I envision myself leading initiatives that not only secure data but also advocate for greater diversity and inclusion within the tech industry. The journey has not been easy. From battling homelessness to juggling multiple jobs to support my education, I have faced and overcome numerous obstacles. The rejection from my family due to my identity was particularly painful, but it also fueled my determination to succeed and carve out a space where I could thrive. These experiences have taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of a supportive community. Mentors and allies have played a crucial role in my journey, providing guidance and encouragement when I needed it most. This scholarship will significantly reduce my financial burden, allowing me to focus on my studies and career goals without the constant stress of financial insecurity. It aligns perfectly with my aspirations, providing the resources and support I need to excel in the field of cybersecurity. With this scholarship, I will be able to complete my degree and pursue advanced certifications that are essential for my career in risk management. My journey in cybersecurity is driven by a desire to protect and empower others, especially those from marginalized communities. This scholarship is not just financial aid; it is an investment in a future where diversity and inclusion are at the forefront of technological advancement. I am grateful for this opportunity and committed to making a meaningful impact in the field of cybersecurity, particularly in risk management. By supporting my education, you are helping me to not only achieve my dreams but also to contribute to a safer and more inclusive digital world.

Twitter: Sylenajaeda I am proud to be a member of the LGBTQ+ community because it gives me the confidence to fully embrace myself. To follow my own path and not the one that was paved out for me by my parents.

Thirteen years of school. They teach you how to decode Shakspeare, that y=mx+b, and that mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell, but they do not teach students the most important lesson. The value of self-love and acceptance. Growing up I always felt that I was hiding a piece of myself from the world around me. I did not discover what that piece was until the summer leading up to my freshmen year of high school. This unknown piece was my sexuality. Specifically that I was gay. Growing up with African parents they always spoke against homosexuality. That being a part of that community was wrong and a sin. The constant downgrade by the people who were supposed to love me no matter the flaw destroyed my confidence and made me feel like I was less than compared to the rest of my family. However, it was not until I started to branch out and find people that were like me. They were not ashamed of who they were; they embraced themselves because if they did not who would? At that moment I realized I had to make the most out of who I was. To accept myself because deep down I knew that I was an amazing determined individual who did not deserve to feel any less because of who I chose to love. During my lifetime I want to be a LBTQ+ activist for kids overseas specifically in Africa. I want to show them that there are people who look like them, and have gone through the battles of accepting their sexuality but have come out of it victorious. That the journey of accepting themselves will not always be parallel. There will always be hurdles and they have to decide whether they are going to jump over and continue or if they are going to stop and be what other people want them to be. And if some of them do decide they can not jump over the hurdle I want to be a support system for them, and let them know that it is okay to stop for a second and catch their breath, but giving in just to please others can never be an option because at the end of the day we are all put on this world for a limited amount of time and every person deserves to live the life they want to live. Not the life their parents or guardians want them to live. But the life they envision for themselves. Because if they live the life that others accept they will never be truly happy. I am preparing to achieve this goal through the help of social media. I want to make pages on Instagram and Twitter to just promote the idea, to see if others want to participate. If that grows and I start to have a following, I want to create a list of countries that are accepting of LGBTQ people and just start to plan fundraisers and events to fund the trips to those countries to speak to people who want advice on coming out.