From a young age, I was taught there was a “right way” to succeed: work hard in school, go to college, build a career, get married, buy a home, then start a family. As a Black woman from a low-income household, that order felt even more crucial. But life didn’t unfold that way. At 18, I became a mother, and pursuing success while raising a child felt nearly impossible. By my third year at the University of Cincinnati, where I studied Middle Childhood Education, balancing motherhood, work, and school became overwhelming. I made the hard decision to leave. Now a wife and mom of 3, I felt a renewed calling at 36. I left a stable career in the mortgage industry to pursue my passion for art—a path no one in my family had taken. This required faith, courage, and a belief that I could build a new legacy for myself, my children, and others in underrepresented communities. Each step has taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of trusting God’s plan. Scholarship support has been transformative. It’s allowed me to fully focus on my studies, maintain a 4.0 GPA, and make the Dean’s List. My goal is to graduate with a BFA in Fine Art and obtain a Master’s Degree. After graduating my dream is to open a non-profit art education school for underprivileged children. A space where all creativity is welcomed, inspiring dreamers to reach beyond their circumstances. I want children to see how art can serve as a voice when their audible can’t reach far enough.