I want to use my STEM degree seeking to help other African American women and children look towards stem. My perspective on STEM has changed so much in my short life and I hope to change others. Growing up getting a degree in the STEM field felt like something I could look at others go through, but never actually achieve because I am an African American woman. This is because oftentimes STEM is paired with people who are male and/ or Caucasian. This is not always true, but in the minds of young women, it can often be the case. It is so unfortunate to say and it is emotional for me since I was also in the position before college. In the future, I want to use my love of science and my passion for helping African American women, by encouraging women of color to look into STEM degrees. I can relate to being unmotivated to try a position in this field just because growing up I had a fear that I would be unhappy with my future career because someone with my racial identity would not be able to succeed. I know just from talking to other African Americans in my family and community that I am not alone. It is heartbreaking to me, other I have since learned that is not the case and would love to change the world. I am hoping that if I can even encourage a few children of color to think twice about pursuing a degree in a STEM field, that is a great thing for the future. I think that STEM degrees are unique in that there is never too much diversity in the field. New ideas are welcomed and can significantly change how STEM is looked at. It is a field that encourages out-of-the-box critical thinking. This is what allows, in my mind, a place for everybody. As for where my passion for the field in STEM is, I have always been the person who was asking why. I love to understand the biological reasons behind diseases, illness, and simply how human and animal bodies function. With a stem degree not only would I get the opportunity to learn more of what I want, but I can also use it to support women of color. I think leading in with getting a few women of color into the field can change the perception of the STEM field for the future of the world. A little bit about my background is I was originally born in North Carolina, but was given up for adoption at birth. After being in the foster care system I had a lot of mentally tough obstacles only I could overcome. It took a lot of growing more mature at a young age to be even half of who I wanted to be. Adversity is something I have always faced even from a young age. I was recently in a physically and mentally abusive relationship where I was separated from family and friends. After going through all this I have still pushed to be the best student I can be while also stabilizing mental. physical, and relationship traumas from that situation. I have never felt there isn't a challenge I am facing whether external or intern. I still prioritize helping others and reaching my goal to help African American women understand that STEM can be for everyone.

My perspective on STEM has changed so much in my short life. Growing up getting a degree in the STEM field felt like something I could look at others go through, but never actually achieve because I am an African American woman. This is because oftentimes STEM is paired with people who are male and/ or Caucasian. This is not always true, but in the minds of young women, it can often be the case. It is so unfortunate to say and it is emotional for me since I was also in the position before college. In the future, I want to use my love of science and my passion for helping African American women, by encouraging women of color to look into STEM degrees. I can relate to being unmotivated to try a position in this field just because growing up I had a fear that I would be unhappy with my future career because someone with my racial identity would not be able to succeed. I know just from talking to other African Americans in my family and community that I am not alone. It is heartbreaking to me, other I have since learned that is not the case and would love to change the world. I am hoping that if I can even encourage a few children of color to think twice about pursuing a degree in a STEM field, that is a great thing for the future. I think that STEM degrees are unique in that there is never too much diversity in the field. New ideas are welcomed and can significantly change how STEM is looked at. It is a field that encourages out-of-the-box critical thinking. This is what allows, in my mind, a place for everybody. As for where my passion for the field in STEM is, I have always been the person who was asking why. I love to understand the biological reasons behind diseases, illness, and simply how human and animal bodies function. With a stem degree not only would I get the opportunity to learn more of what I want, but I can also use it to support women of color. I think leading in with getting a few women of color into the field can change the perception of the STEM field for the future of the world. A little bit about my background is I was originally born in North Carolina, but was given up for adoption at birth. After being in the foster care system I was lucky enough to be adopted by my parents and brought into a family in Minnesota. Although this is not the warmest place to be adopted to, I would say the loving home provides enough warmth to get through the harsh winters. I am a very independent person who never is afraid to speak my mind. Adversity is something I have always faced, but I have the greatest support system and consider myself so lucky. I have a great team of family, friends, colleagues, and professors who are there for me to help me achieve my goals as well as be happy.