At first glance and interaction I would just seem like any other normal girl, with a normal life but the truth is far from that. In September 2017 the life I knew would be permanently changed. I woke up to a loud banging on the door. The door was broken straight down. In marched a group of people, dressed in all black, carrying huge guns that were bigger than any I had ever seen. I reluctantly came out, knowing and understanding there was no way out of this for me. It was a S.W.A.T team in my very own house. That day my siblings and I were informed we wouldn’t be living with our birth family anymore and that they had done some very bad things. That was the day my siblings and I were put into Foster Care. Despite promising that they wouldn’t separate us, we were separated. As the oldest, I remember thinking who was going to take care of them? Who was going to be there to hold them? To bandage their hurt wounds? Who would be there to listen? The Foster family my little brothers lived with ended up reaching out and taking in my sister and I. We were all together, finally. Nothing could stop what I felt though. I was an angry child. I had years of throwing fits, screaming, kicking and crying. Tonya and Tiffani held me, nurtured me like the Mothers I always deserved. They understood that my healing and processing of grief was never going to be linear but that was a battle they were willing to fight with me and even for me at times. I felt like this was meant to be home all along. As for my birth Mother, she ended up giving up on us. She was abusive and even judgemental. She passed judgment on the people who never once judged her. I was ten years old when I went into Foster Care and thirteen when Tonya and Tiffani adopted us. Tonya and Tiffani were there to take care of us, just like they had always been. On November 2 2020 Tonya and Tiffani adopted my siblings and I. It was official, we were family. I was so happy. I was growing, healing all why I made a life for myself here. I had friends and I grew closer with my new Moms and family. I did many activities during my time with my new family. I spent 8 years in Band. Earning the title of Spirit Leader for 4 years. I became a Majorette and became Captain. I joined volunteer clubs like Interact and Teen Institute. I logged over 150 hours of Volunteer service. I was invited and accepted into the National Honors Society maintaining a position during high school. The most impactful activity I did by far was Speech and Debate. It was a space that always allowed for me to be one-hundred percent authentically myself. I became Secretary my Sophomore year and President for my Junior and Senior Year. In my time in Speech and Debate. I became a 4 Time Speech and Debate State Qualifier. I also became a 4 Time National Speech and Debate Qualifier as well during my high school career. 3 Time State Finalist and State Champion my Senior year. Despite the pain I had experienced as a child. I made the best of what I could. I made a life for myself. I was rewarded for my hard work ethic and ability to work past the things that were a challenge. Instead of allowing the past I lived to stop me from reaching my dreams I used it as the biggest motivator of my life. At first glance and interaction I would just seem like any other normal girl, with a normal life. The truth is far from that. I am just getting started. My name is Tamia Akers. I am a Freshman at Howard University. I am Majoring in Political Science with a Minor in Business Administration on the Pre-Law track with the plans of becoming a Lawyer. I do everything I can, I give my best my all, every fiber of my being because the people around me deserve nothing less. They deserve Justice, care and fairness. After I obtain my BA in Political Science I will then Attend Law school becoming a Lawyer who working in Big Law, Corporate then settling with what I truly love as a Criminal Prosecutor. I would then run to become a Congresswoman representing all, hearing all voices, with the ending goal of working my way even deeper into politics. I have always dreamt of being the voice of the people, the provider. I will work hard push myself and chase the dreams planted in my heart as well as my education. Education is the most precious thing in this world.

Often in my childhood I have been challenged to face struggles that were never meant to be mine. As I've grown older I understand the purpose behind every struggle and challenge I face. The lowest moment I have experienced was the initial move from the home I've known for my entire life. It was honestly the most traumatizing part. One moment I was in my house, with my family. And the next it was gone, taken from me. In September 2017 the life I knew would be permanently changed. I woke up to a loud banging on the door. The door was broken straight down. In marched a group of people, dressed in all black, carrying huge guns that were bigger than any I had ever seen. I reluctantly came out, knowing and understanding there was no way out of this for me. It was a S.W.A.T team in my very own house. That day my siblings and I were informed we wouldn’t be living with our birth family anymore and that they had done some very bad things. Often Foster Children have no memory of their first family but I was very close with mine. I loved my Mother despite the abuse and violence perpetrated against me. At 10 years old the separation was an incredible challenge that I did not feel equipped to face at that age. My whole life I have been practicing resilience, every day I challenge myself to remember where I come from and where I plan to go. It changed how I faced future challenges by allowing me to understand I was capable of overcoming challenges. The truth is there are uncontrollable things in life, things we cannot change or choose. Eventually, I was adopted by a wonderful family who opened their arms and were more than willing to help me heal. I am so grateful for my family for loving me; even when I felt like a worthless and broken doll. They have shown me that no matter what, there is always hope. A family that gave me the childhood I always deserved and I will always be grateful for the love and compassion shown towards me. My Moms Tonya and Tiffani that adopted me continue to guide me. They showed me that with the right support system and encouragement that I was resilient, I learned what I was truly capable of handling, which was anything I wanted. I did many activities during my time with my new family. The most impactful activity I did by far was Speech and Debate. It was a space that always allowed for me to be one-hundred percent authentically myself. I became Secretary my Sophomore year and President for my Junior and Senior Year. In my time in Speech and Debate. I became a 3 Time Speech and Debate State Qualifier. I also became a 3 Time National Speech and Debate Qualifier as well during my highschool career. My Junior year I became a State Finalist placing 4th overall in the State. Despite the pain I had experienced as a child. I made the best of what I could. I made a life for myself. I was rewarded for my hard work ethic and ability to work past the things that were a challenge. Instead of allowing the past I lived to stop me from reaching my dreams I used it as the biggest motivator of my life. At first glance and interaction I would just seem like any other normal girl, with a normal life. The truth is far from that. I am just getting started.

Often in my childhood I have been challenged to face struggles that were never meant to be mine. As I've grown older I understand the purpose behind every struggle and challenge I face. The lowest moment I have experienced was the initial move from the home I've known for my entire life. It was honestly the most traumatizing part. One moment I was in my house, with my family. And the next it was gone, taken from me. In September 2017 the life I knew would be permanently changed. I woke up to a loud banging on the door. The door was broken straight down. In marched a group of people, dressed in all black, carrying huge guns that were bigger than any I had ever seen. I reluctantly came out, knowing and understanding there was no way out of this for me. It was a S.W.A.T team in my very own house. That day my siblings and I were informed we wouldn’t be living with our birth family anymore and that they had done some very bad things. Often Foster Children have no memory of their first family but I was very close with mine. I loved my Mother despite the abuse and violence perpetrated against me. At 10 years old the separation was an incredible challenge that I did not feel equipped to face at that age. My whole life I have been practicing resilience, every day I challenge myself to remember where I come from and where I plan to go. It changed how I faced future challenges by allowing me to understand I was capable of overcoming challenges. The truth is there are uncontrollable things in life, things we cannot change or choose. Eventually, I was adopted by a wonderful family who opened their arms and were more than willing to help me heal. I am so grateful for my family for loving me; even when I felt like a worthless and broken doll. They have shown me that no matter what, there is always hope. A family that gave me the childhood I always deserved and I will always be grateful for the love and compassion shown towards me. My Moms Tonya and Tiffani that adopted me continue to guide me. They showed me that with the right support system and encouragement that I was resilient, I learned what I was truly capable of handling, which was anything I wanted. I did many activities during my time with my new family. The most impactful activity I did by far was Speech and Debate. It was a space that always allowed for me to be one-hundred percent authentically myself. I became Secretary my Sophomore year and President for my Junior and Senior Year. In my time in Speech and Debate. I became a 3 Time Speech and Debate State Qualifier. I also became a 3 Time National Speech and Debate Qualifier as well during my highschool career. My Junior year I became a State Finalist placing 4th overall in the State. Despite the pain I had experienced as a child. I made the best of what I could. I made a life for myself. I was rewarded for my hard work ethic and ability to work past the things that were a challenge. Instead of allowing the past I lived to stop me from reaching my dreams I used it as the biggest motivator of my life. At first glance and interaction I would just seem like any other normal girl, with a normal life. The truth is far from that. I am just getting started.

Often in my childhood I have been challenged to face struggles that were never meant to be mine. As I've grown older I understand the purpose behind every struggle and challenge I face. The lowest moment I have experienced was the initial move from the home I've known for my entire life. It was honestly the most traumatizing part. One moment I was in my house, with my family. And the next it was gone, taken from me. In September 2017 the life I knew would be permanently changed. I woke up to a loud banging on the door. The door was broken straight down. In marched a group of people, dressed in all black, carrying huge guns that were bigger than any I had ever seen. I reluctantly came out, knowing and understanding there was no way out of this for me. It was a S.W.A.T team in my very own house. That day my siblings and I were informed we wouldn’t be living with our birth family anymore and that they had done some very bad things. Often Foster Children have no memory of their first family but I was very close with mine. I loved my Mother despite the abuse and violence perpetrated against me. At 10 years old the separation was an incredible challenge that I did not feel equipped to face at that age. My whole life I have been practicing resilience, every day I challenge myself to remember where I come from and where I plan to go. It changed how I faced future challenges by allowing me to understand I was capable of overcoming challenges. The truth is there are uncontrollable things in life, things we cannot change or choose. Eventually, I was adopted by a wonderful family who opened their arms and were more than willing to help me heal. I am so grateful for my family for loving me; even when I felt like a worthless and broken doll. They have shown me that no matter what, there is always hope. A family that gave me the childhood I always deserved and I will always be grateful for the love and compassion shown towards me. My Moms Tonya and Tiffani that adopted me continue to guide me. They showed me that with the right support system and encouragement that I was resilient, I learned what I was truly capable of handling, which was anything I wanted. I did many activities during my time with my new family. The most impactful activity I did by far was Speech and Debate. It was a space that always allowed for me to be one-hundred percent authentically myself. I became Secretary my Sophomore year and President for my Junior and Senior Year. In my time in Speech and Debate. I became a 3 Time Speech and Debate State Qualifier. I also became a 3 Time National Speech and Debate Qualifier as well during my highschool career. My Junior year I became a State Finalist placing 4th overall in the State. Despite the pain I had experienced as a child. I made the best of what I could. I made a life for myself. I was rewarded for my hard work ethic and ability to work past the things that were a challenge. Instead of allowing the past I lived to stop me from reaching my dreams I used it as the biggest motivator of my life. At first glance and interaction I would just seem like any other normal girl, with a normal life. The truth is far from that. I am just getting started.

Often in my childhood I have been challenged to face struggles that were never meant to be mine. As I've grown older I understand the purpose behind every struggle and challenge I face. The lowest moment I have experienced was the initial move from the home I've known for my entire life. It was honestly the most traumatizing part. One moment I was in my house, with my family. And the next it was gone, taken from me. In September 2017 the life I knew would be permanently changed. I woke up to a loud banging on the door. The door was broken straight down. In marched a group of people, dressed in all black, carrying huge guns that were bigger than any I had ever seen. I reluctantly came out, knowing and understanding there was no way out of this for me. It was a S.W.A.T team in my very own house. That day my siblings and I were informed we wouldn’t be living with our birth family anymore and that they had done some very bad things. Often Foster Children have no memory of their first family but I was very close with mine. I loved my Mother despite the abuse and violence perpetrated against me. At 10 years old the separation was an incredible challenge that I did not feel equipped to face at that age. My whole life I have been practicing resilience, every day I challenge myself to remember where I come from and where I plan to go. It changed how I faced future challenges by allowing me to understand I was capable of overcoming challenges. The truth is there are uncontrollable things in life, things we cannot change or choose. Eventually, I was adopted by a wonderful family who opened their arms and were more than willing to help me heal. I am so grateful for my family for loving me; even when I felt like a worthless and broken doll. They have shown me that no matter what, there is always hope. A family that gave me the childhood I always deserved and I will always be grateful for the love and compassion shown towards me. My Moms Tonya and Tiffani that adopted me continue to guide me. They showed me that with the right support system and encouragement that I was resilient, I learned what I was truly capable of handling, which was anything I wanted. I did many activities during my time with my new family. The most impactful activity I did by far was Speech and Debate. It was a space that always allowed for me to be one-hundred percent authentically myself. I became Secretary my Sophomore year and President for my Junior and Senior Year. In my time in Speech and Debate. I became a 3 Time Speech and Debate State Qualifier. I also became a 3 Time National Speech and Debate Qualifier as well during my highschool career. My Junior year I became a State Finalist placing 4th overall in the State. Despite the pain I had experienced as a child. I made the best of what I could. I made a life for myself. I was rewarded for my hard work ethic and ability to work past the things that were a challenge. Instead of allowing the past I lived to stop me from reaching my dreams I used it as the biggest motivator of my life. At first glance and interaction I would just seem like any other normal girl, with a normal life. The truth is far from that. I am just getting started.

Often in my childhood I have been challenged to face struggles that were never meant to be mine. As I've grown older I understand the purpose behind every struggle and challenge I face. The lowest moment I have experienced was the initial move from the home I've known for my entire life. It was honestly the most traumatizing part. One moment I was in my house, with my family. And the next it was gone, taken from me. In September 2017 the life I knew would be permanently changed. I woke up to a loud banging on the door. The door was broken straight down. In marched a group of people, dressed in all black, carrying huge guns that were bigger than any I had ever seen. I reluctantly came out, knowing and understanding there was no way out of this for me. It was a S.W.A.T team in my very own house. That day my siblings and I were informed we wouldn’t be living with our birth family anymore and that they had done some very bad things. Often Foster Children have no memory of their first family but I was very close with mine. I loved my Mother despite the abuse and violence perpetrated against me. At 10 years old the separation was an incredible challenge that I did not feel equipped to face at that age. My whole life I have been practicing resilience, every day I challenge myself to remember where I come from and where I plan to go. It changed how I faced future challenges by allowing me to understand I was capable of overcoming challenges. The truth is there are uncontrollable things in life, things we cannot change or choose. Eventually, I was adopted by a wonderful family who opened their arms and were more than willing to help me heal. I am so grateful for my family for loving me; even when I felt like a worthless and broken doll. They have shown me that no matter what, there is always hope. A family that gave me the childhood I always deserved and I will always be grateful for the love and compassion shown towards me. My Moms Tonya and Tiffani that adopted me continue to guide me. They showed me that with the right support system and encouragement that I was resilient, I learned what I was truly capable of handling, which was anything I wanted. I did many activities during my time with my new family. The most impactful activity I did by far was Speech and Debate. It was a space that always allowed for me to be one-hundred percent authentically myself. I became Secretary my Sophomore year and President for my Junior and Senior Year. In my time in Speech and Debate. I became a 3 Time Speech and Debate State Qualifier. I also became a 3 Time National Speech and Debate Qualifier as well during my highschool career. My Junior year I became a State Finalist placing 4th overall in the State. Despite the pain I had experienced as a child. I made the best of what I could. I made a life for myself. I was rewarded for my hard work ethic and ability to work past the things that were a challenge. Instead of allowing the past I lived to stop me from reaching my dreams I used it as the biggest motivator of my life. At first glance and interaction I would just seem like any other normal girl, with a normal life. The truth is far from that. I am just getting started.

Often in my childhood I have been challenged to face struggles that were never meant to be mine. As I've grown older I understand the purpose behind every struggle and challenge I face. The lowest moment I have experienced was the initial move from the home I've known for my entire life. It was honestly the most traumatizing part. One moment I was in my house, with my family. And the next it was gone, taken from me. In September 2017 the life I knew would be permanently changed. I woke up to a loud banging on the door. The door was broken straight down. In marched a group of people, dressed in all black, carrying huge guns that were bigger than any I had ever seen. I reluctantly came out, knowing and understanding there was no way out of this for me. It was a S.W.A.T team in my very own house. That day my siblings and I were informed we wouldn’t be living with our birth family anymore and that they had done some very bad things. Often Foster Children have no memory of their first family but I was very close with mine. I loved my Mother despite the abuse and violence perpetrated against me. At 10 years old the separation was an incredible challenge that I did not feel equipped to face at that age. My whole life I have been practicing resilience, every day I challenge myself to remember where I come from and where I plan to go. It changed how I faced future challenges by allowing me to understand I was capable of overcoming challenges. The truth is there are uncontrollable things in life, things we cannot change or choose. Eventually, I was adopted by a wonderful family who opened their arms and were more than willing to help me heal. I am so grateful for my family for loving me; even when I felt like a worthless and broken doll. They have shown me that no matter what, there is always hope. A family that gave me the childhood I always deserved and I will always be grateful for the love and compassion shown towards me. My Moms Tonya and Tiffani that adopted me continue to guide me. They showed me that with the right support system and encouragement that I was resilient, I learned what I was truly capable of handling, which was anything I wanted. I did many activities during my time with my new family. The most impactful activity I did by far was Speech and Debate. It was a space that always allowed for me to be one-hundred percent authentically myself. I became Secretary my Sophomore year and President for my Junior and Senior Year. In my time in Speech and Debate. I became a 3 Time Speech and Debate State Qualifier. I also became a 3 Time National Speech and Debate Qualifier as well during my highschool career. My Junior year I became a State Finalist placing 4th overall in the State. Despite the pain I had experienced as a child. I made the best of what I could. I made a life for myself. I was rewarded for my hard work ethic and ability to work past the things that were a challenge. Instead of allowing the past I lived to stop me from reaching my dreams I used it as the biggest motivator of my life. At first glance and interaction I would just seem like any other normal girl, with a normal life. The truth is far from that. I am just getting started.

At first glance and interaction I would just seem like any other normal girl, with a normal life but the truth is far from that. My life has been full of the unexpected. In September 2017 the life I knew would be permanently changed. That was the day my siblings and I were put into Foster Care. Despite promising that they wouldn’t separate us, we were separated. As the oldest, I remember thinking who was going to take care of them? Who was going to be there to hold them? To bandage their hurt wounds? Who would be there to listen? The Foster family my little brothers lived with ended up reaching out and taking in my sister and I. We were all together, finally. I was ten years old when I went into Foster Care and thirteen when Tonya and Tiffani adopted us. Tonya and Tiffani were there to take care of us, just like they had always been. On November 2 2020 Tonya and Tiffani adopted my siblings and I. It was official, we were family. I was so happy. I was growing, healing all why I made a life for myself here. I had friends and I grew closer with my new Moms and family. I did many activities during my time with my new family. I spent 8 years in Band. Earning the title of Spirit Leader for 4 years. I became a Majorette and became Captain. I joined volunteer clubs like Interact and Teen Institute. I logged over 150 hours of Volunteer service. I was invited and accepted into the National Honors Society maintaining a position during highschool. The most impactful activity I did by far was Speech and Debate. It was a space that always allowed for me to be one-hundred percent authentically myself. I became Secretary my Sophomore year and President for my Junior and Senior Year. In my time in Speech and Debate. I became a 3 Time Speech and Debate State Qualifier. I also became a 3 Time National Speech and Debate Qualifier as well during my high school career. My Junior year I became a State Finalist placing 4th overall in the State. Despite the pain I had experienced as a child. I made the best of what I could. I made a life for myself. I was rewarded for my hard work ethic and ability to work past the things that were a challenge. Instead of allowing the past I lived to stop me from reaching my dreams I used it as the biggest motivator of my life. At first glance and interaction I would just seem like any other normal girl, with a normal life. The truth is far from that. I am just getting started. I am attending Howard University, which is located in Washington DC it is a Black Ivy League/HBCU holding a 35% acceptance rate. I come from poverty but will do everything I can to fund my journey. I deeply feel like I am meant to be at Howard. I am majoring in Political Science with a Minor in Criminology I am on the Pre Law track and will attend Law school right after. I have dreamed of being a Lawyer since my Freshman year of highschool. I believe in the importance of every voice and education and I cannot wait to be the change I've always wanted to see in the world. I will work my absolute hardest to always get the job done and be the impact.