As a first-generation immigrant and student, I’ve had unorthodox guidance on what I wanted to pursue. America, as we all anticipate, is a treasure trove of possibilities—a phrase my parents fondly liken to “a whole new world”—a stark contrast from their initial lives in Nigeria as a farmer and tailor. Although my parents have no STEM background or experience, their resilience, and adaptability to their new environment have been my greatest lessons. They exemplified how African ancestral blood has a unique drive. A drive to seek. A drive to envision. A drive to discover. This drive to discover led to my passion for healthcare through volunteering at Janiyah’s Love Sickle Cell Foundation—a growing nonprofit that provides awareness for sickle cell disease locally. Organizing the first Southeast Texas awareness gala for this disease exposed me to how healthcare advocacy can make a difference. Through our efforts, we raised over $10,000 to go towards medical expenses for 5 victims of the disease in our local community. Hearing the disproportionate impact of diseases on African American communities fueled my passion—igniting my ambition to lead global healthcare change. My experience at the RYLA camp catalyzed my goal, where I encountered Ameerah, a fellow delegate from Pakistan. While in a seminar, she explained how their government’s neglect of health infrastructure causes limited access to essential medical services—including polio vaccinations, leading to 50+ active cases of polio. Inspired, I partnered with the Rotary Polio Plus Foundation to lead a polio awareness campaign in Southeast Texas, where donation efforts would go towards Pakistan—allowing for more vaccination availability. Through creating a coupon fundraiser within my school, we raised over $2000 towards Pakistan’s outbreak—now turning into an annual fundraiser. While advocating for healthcare equality and global diseases through my extracurricular activities is a foundational way to support important causes, actions speak louder than words. Regenerative medicine, a promising prospect using biology as a cure for sickle cell disease and polio, captivates my interest. By majoring in Public Health and Biomedical Engineering, I aim to harness my talents at Duke University and be on the frontlines of conducting formal research on how regenerative medicine can play an integral role in gene therapies that reverse damage from genetic disorders and viral infections. Especially for sickle cell disease, a disease that isn’t truly taken seriously in corporate America. My personal connection to the African American community drives my passion for finding solutions to this disease that has been historically underrepresented in medical research. Diverse perspectives, such as mine, serve as a way to bridge the gap between minority communities and healthcare. This scholarship would allow me to achieve my ultimate goal of being a cardiologist while having extensive research published on potential cures for these diseases. However, financial barriers block many minority students, like me, from achieving this goal and being a part of the 5% of black physicians. With my family undergoing major financial barriers—I cannot achieve this goal without financial burdens on my family as I continue to further my education. Receiving this scholarship means that I can begin my family’s legacy of attaining higher education and serving my community through my passion for medicine. Beyond my career, I wish to continue promoting the medical field among black students—encouraging more minorities to pursue careers in healthcare by establishing mentorship programs, organizing workshops, and initiating outreach initiatives with my future profession and experience. In this manner, I aim to make a difference in the world by advancing the accessibility and effectiveness of treatments for underserved populations while also empowering the next generation of minority healthcare leaders.

As a first-generation immigrant and student, I’ve had unorthodox guidance on what I wanted to pursue. America, as we all anticipate, is a treasure trove of possibilities—a phrase my parents fondly liken to “a whole new world”—a stark contrast from their initial lives in Nigeria as a farmer and tailor. Although my parents have no STEM background or experience, their resilience and adaptability to their new environment have been my greatest lessons. They exemplified how African ancestral blood has a unique drive. A drive to seek. A drive to envision. A drive to discover. This drive to discover led to my passion for healthcare through volunteering at Janiyah’s Love Sickle Cell Foundation—a growing nonprofit that provides awareness for sickle cell disease locally. Organizing the first Southeast Texas awareness gala for this disease exposed me to how healthcare advocacy can make a difference. Through our efforts, we raised over $10,000 to go towards medical expenses for 5 victims of the disease in our local community. Hearing the disproportionate impact of diseases on African American communities fueled my passion—igniting my ambition to lead global healthcare change. My experience at the RYLA camp catalyzed my goal, where I encountered Ameerah, a fellow delegate from Pakistan. While in a seminar, she explained how their government’s neglect of health infrastructure causes limited access to essential medical services—including polio vaccinations, leading to 50+ active cases of polio. Inspired, I partnered with the Rotary Polio Plus Foundation to lead a polio awareness campaign in Southeast Texas, where donation efforts would go towards Pakistan—allowing for more vaccination availability. Through creating a coupon fundraiser within my school, we raised over $2000 towards Pakistan’s outbreak—now turning into an annual fundraiser. While advocating for healthcare equality and global diseases through my extracurricular activities is a foundational way to support important causes, actions speak louder than words. Regenerative medicine, a promising prospect using biology as a cure for sickle cell disease and polio, captivates my interest. By majoring in Public Health and Biomedical Engineering, I aim to harness my talents at Duke University and be on the frontlines of conducting formal research on how regenerative medicine can play an integral role in gene therapies that reverse damage from genetic disorders and viral infections. Especially for sickle cell disease, a disease that isn’t truly taken seriously in corporate America. My personal connection to the African American community drives my passion for finding solutions to this disease that has been historically underrepresented in medical research. Diverse perspectives, such as mine, serve as a way to bridge the gap between minority communities and healthcare. Through pursuing higher education and matriculating into medical school thereafter, my ultimate goal is to be a cardiologist while having extensive research published on potential cures for these diseases. With my unrelenting drive, I aspire to begin my family’s legacy of attaining higher education and serving my community through my passion for medicine. Beyond my future career, I wish to continue promoting the medical field among black students—encouraging more minorities to pursue careers in healthcare by establishing mentorship programs, organizing workshops, and initiating outreach initiatives with my future profession and experience. In this manner, I aim to make a difference in the world by advancing the accessibility and effectiveness of treatments for underserved populations while also empowering the next generation of minority healthcare leaders.

As a first-generation immigrant and student, I’ve had unorthodox guidance on what I wanted to pursue. America, as we all anticipate, is a treasure trove of possibilities—a phrase my parents fondly liken to “a whole new world”—a stark contrast from their initial lives in Nigeria as a farmer and tailor. Although my parents have no STEM background or experience, their resilience and adaptability to their new environment have been my greatest lessons. They exemplified how African ancestral blood has a unique drive. A drive to seek. A drive to envision. A drive to discover. This drive to discover led to my passion for healthcare through volunteering at Janiyah’s Love Sickle Cell Foundation—a growing nonprofit that provides awareness for sickle cell disease locally. Organizing the first Southeast Texas awareness gala for this disease exposed me to how healthcare advocacy can make a difference. Through our efforts, we raised over $10,000 to go towards medical expenses for 5 victims of the disease in our local community. Hearing the disproportionate impact of diseases on African American communities fueled my passion—igniting my ambition to lead global healthcare change. My experience at the RYLA camp catalyzed my goal, where I encountered Ameerah, a fellow delegate from Pakistan. While in a seminar, she explained how their government’s neglect of health infrastructure causes limited access to essential medical services—including polio vaccinations, leading to 50+ active cases of polio. Inspired, I partnered with the Rotary Polio Plus Foundation to lead a polio awareness campaign in Southeast Texas, where donation efforts would go towards Pakistan—allowing for more vaccination availability. Through creating a coupon fundraiser within my school, we raised over $2000 towards Pakistan’s outbreak—now turning into an annual fundraiser. While advocating for healthcare equality and global diseases through my extracurricular activities is a foundational way to support important causes, actions speak louder than words. Regenerative medicine, a promising prospect using biology as a cure for sickle cell disease and polio, captivates my interest. By majoring in Public Health and Biomedical Engineering, I aim to harness my talents at Duke University and be on the frontlines of conducting formal research on how regenerative medicine can play an integral role in gene therapies that reverse damage from genetic disorders and viral infections. Especially for sickle cell disease, a disease that isn’t truly taken seriously in corporate America. My personal connection to the African American community drives my passion for finding solutions to this disease that has been historically underrepresented in medical research. Diverse perspectives, such as mine, serve as a way to bridge the gap between minority communities and healthcare. This scholarship would allow me to achieve my ultimate goal of being a cardiologist while having extensive research published on potential cures for these diseases. However, financial barriers block many minority students, like me, from achieving this goal and being a part of the 5% of black physicians. With my family undergoing major financial barriers—I cannot achieve this goal without financial burdens on my family as I continue to further my education. Receiving this scholarship means that I can begin my family’s legacy of attaining higher education and serving my community through my passion for medicine. Beyond my career, I wish to continue promoting the medical field among black students—encouraging more minorities to pursue careers in healthcare by establishing mentorship programs, organizing workshops, and initiating outreach initiatives with my future profession and experience. In this manner, I aim to make a difference in the world by advancing the accessibility and effectiveness of treatments for underserved populations while also empowering the next generation of minority healthcare leaders.

As a first-generation immigrant and student, I’ve never had true guidance on what I wanted to pursue. America, as we all anticipate, is a treasure trove of possibilities—a phrase my parents fondly liken to “a whole new world”—a stark contrast from their initial lives in Nigeria as a farmer and tailor. However, I discovered my passion for healthcare through involvement in my historically black organization, the Top Teens of America. While searching for potential service projects for our chapter, my mentor and I stumbled upon Janiyah’s Love Sickle Cell Foundation—a growing nonprofit that provides awareness for sickle cell disease locally. Planning the first community gala with the organization exposed me to how healthcare advocacy can make a difference. Hearing the disproportionate impact of diseases on African American communities fueled my passion—igniting my ambition to lead global healthcare change. My experience at the RYLA camp catalyzed my goal, where I encountered Ameerah, a fellow delegate from Pakistan. While in a seminar, she explained how their government’s neglect of health infrastructure causes limited access to essential medical services—including polio vaccinations—leading to 50+ active cases of polio. Inspired, I partnered with the Rotary Polio Plus Foundation to lead a polio awareness campaign in Southeast Texas, where donation efforts would go towards Pakistan—allowing for more vaccination availability. Through creating a coupon fundraiser within my school, we raised over $2000 towards Pakistan’s outbreak—now turning into an annual fundraiser. While advocating for healthcare equality and global diseases through my extracurricular activities is a foundational way to support important causes, actions speak louder than words. Regenerative medicine, a promising prospect using biology as a cure for sickle cell disease and polio, captivates my interest. By majoring in Public Health and Biology, I aim to harness my talents at Duke University and be on the frontlines of conducting formal research on how regenerative medicine can play an integral role in gene therapies that reverse damage from genetic disorders and viral infections. Especially for sickle cell disease, a disease that isn’t truly taken seriously in corporate America. My ultimate goal is to be a cardiologist while having extensive research published on potential cures for these diseases. However, financial barriers block many minority students, like me, from achieving this goal and being a part of the 5% of black physicians. With my family undergoing major financial barriers, leaving us to survive on low income—I cannot achieve this goal without financial burdens to my family as I continue to further my education. With assistance, I aim to begin my family’s legacy of attaining higher education and serving my community through my passion for medicine. My connection to the African American community drives my passion for finding solutions to diseases that have been historically underrepresented in medical research. Diverse perspectives, such as mine, serve as a way to bridge the gap between minority communities and healthcare. By pursuing a career in healthcare, I aim to address such disparities and contribute to a body of knowledge that is enriched by the experiences and insights of a diverse group of scientists and healthcare professionals. Beyond my future career, I wish to continue promoting the STEM field among black students—continuing the legacy of my parent's drive to discover. I plan to encourage more minorities to pursue careers in healthcare by establishing mentorship programs, organizing workshops, and initiating outreach initiatives with my future profession and experience. In this manner, I will not only make a difference in the world by advancing the accessibility and effectiveness of treatments for underserved populations but also empower the next diverse generation of minority STEM leaders.

As a first-generation immigrant and student, I’ve had unorthodox guidance on what I wanted to pursue. America, as we all anticipate, is a treasure trove of possibilities—a phrase my parents fondly liken to “a whole new world”—a stark contrast from their initial lives in Nigeria as a farmer and tailor. Although my parents have no STEM experience, their resilience and adaptability to their new environment have been my greatest lessons. They taught me how the African ancestral blood has a drive that no other can match. A drive to seek. A drive to envision. A drive to discover. This drive to discover led to my passion for healthcare through involvement in my historically black organization, the Top Teens of America. While searching for potential service projects for our chapter, my mentor and I stumbled upon Janiyah’s Love Sickle Cell Foundation—a growing nonprofit that provides awareness for sickle cell disease locally. Planning the first community gala with the organization exposed me to how healthcare advocacy can make a difference. Hearing the disproportionate impact of diseases on African American communities fueled my passion—igniting my ambition to lead global healthcare change. My experience at the RYLA camp catalyzed my goal, where I encountered Ameerah, a fellow delegate from Pakistan. While in a seminar, she explained how their government’s neglect of health infrastructure causes limited access to essential medical services—including polio vaccinations—leading to 50+ active cases of polio. Inspired, I partnered with the Rotary Polio Plus Foundation to lead a polio awareness campaign in Southeast Texas, where donation efforts would go towards Pakistan—allowing for more vaccination availability. Through creating a coupon fundraiser within my school, we raised over $2000 towards Pakistan’s outbreak—now turning into an annual fundraiser. While advocating for healthcare equality and global diseases through my extracurricular activities is a foundational way to support important causes, actions speak louder than words. Regenerative medicine, a promising prospect using biology as a cure for sickle cell disease and polio, captivates my interest. By majoring in Public Health and Biomedical Engineering, I aim to harness my talents at Duke University and be on the frontlines of conducting formal research on how regenerative medicine can play an integral role in gene therapies that reverse damage from genetic disorders and viral infections. Especially for sickle cell disease, a disease that isn’t truly taken seriously in corporate America. Alongside pursuing my degree, I wish to learn more about my African culture through taking classes within the African American Studies program. This interdisciplinary approach to my education will allow me to not only have more appreciation for my origins, but also deepen my understanding of the historical and contemporary issues that shape the health outcomes of African American communities—further informing my approach to medical research and advocacy. My connection to the African American community drives my passion for finding solutions to diseases that have been historically underrepresented in medical research. Diverse perspectives, such as mine, serve as a way to bridge the gap between minority communities and healthcare. By pursuing a career in healthcare, I aim to address such disparities and contribute to a body of knowledge that is enriched by the experiences and insights of a diverse group of scientists and healthcare professionals. Beyond my future career, I wish to continue promoting the medical field among black students—continuing the legacy of my parent's drive to discover. I plan to encourage more minorities to pursue careers in healthcare by establishing mentorship programs, organizing workshops, and initiating outreach initiatives with my future profession and experience. In this manner, I will not only make a difference in the world by advancing the accessibility and effectiveness of treatments for underserved populations but also empower the next diverse generation of minority healthcare leaders.

As a first-generation Nigerian immigrant and student, I’ve never had clear guidance on what I wanted to pursue. Frequently, I would witness a lack of people who look like me within STEM careers, which initially led to my disdain of that field. After all, why would I want to pursue a path where I felt invisible and underrepresented? Many other immigrants also face this dilemma; however, the African ancestral blood has a drive that none other can match. A drive to seek. A drive to envision. A drive to discover. Fortunately, I discovered my passion for healthcare through being involved in my historically black organization, the Top Teens of America. Through seeing other individuals who look like me have a passion for STEM, I felt inspired. While searching for potential service projects for our chapter, my mentor and I stumbled upon Janiyah’s Love Sickle Cell Foundation—a growing nonprofit that provides awareness for sickle cell disease locally. Planning the first community gala with the organization exposed me to how healthcare advocacy can make a difference. Hearing the disproportionate impact of diseases on African American communities fueled my passion—igniting my ambition to lead global healthcare change. My experience at the RYLA camp catalyzed my goal, where I encountered Ameerah, a fellow delegate from Pakistan. While in a seminar, she explained how their government’s neglect of health infrastructure causes limited access to essential medical services—including polio vaccinations—leading to 50+ active cases of polio. Inspired, I partnered with the Rotary Polio Plus Foundation to lead a polio awareness campaign in Southeast Texas, where donation efforts would go towards Pakistan—allowing for more vaccination availability. Through creating a coupon fundraiser within my school, we raised over $2000 towards Pakistan’s outbreak—now turning into an annual fundraiser. While advocating for healthcare equality and global diseases through my extracurricular activities is a foundational way to support important causes, actions speak louder than words. Regenerative medicine, a promising prospect using biology as a cure for sickle cell disease and polio, captivates my interest. By majoring in Public Health and Biomedical Engineering, I aim to harness my talents at Duke University and be on the frontlines of conducting formal research on how regenerative medicine can play an integral role in gene therapies that reverse damage from genetic disorders and viral infections. Especially for sickle cell disease, a disease that isn’t truly taken seriously in corporate America. With firsthand exposure to the STEM field by being actively engaged and mentored in environments that celebrate diversity, I found my ultimate destiny. By having a diverse representation within the STEM field, many immigrants and minorities are able to feel empowered and validated in their pursuit of scientific careers. My personal connection to the African American community drives my passion for finding solutions to this disease that has been historically underrepresented in medical research. Diverse perspectives, such as mine, serve as a way to bridge the gap between minority communities and healthcare. By pursuing a career in healthcare, I aim to address such disparities and contribute to a body of knowledge that is enriched by the experiences and insights of a diverse group of scientists and healthcare professionals. Beyond my future career, I wish to continue promoting the medical field among black students—encouraging more minorities to pursue careers in healthcare by establishing mentorship programs, organizing workshops, and initiating outreach initiatives with my future profession and experience. In this manner, I will not only make a difference in the world by advancing the accessibility and effectiveness of treatments for underserved populations but also empower the next diverse generation of minority healthcare leaders.

As a first-generation immigrant and student, I’ve never had clear guidance on what I wanted to pursue. America, as we all anticipate, is a treasure trove of possibilities—a phrase my parents fondly liken to “a whole new world”—a stark contrast from their initial lives in Nigeria. However, I discovered my passion for healthcare through the Top Teens of America. While searching for potential service projects for our chapter, my mentor and I stumbled upon Janiyah’s Love Sickle Cell Foundation—a growing nonprofit that provides awareness for sickle cell disease locally. Planning the first community gala with the organization exposed me to how healthcare advocacy can make a difference. Hearing the disproportionate impact of diseases on minority communities fueled my passion—igniting my ambition to lead global healthcare change. My experience at the RYLA camp catalyzed my goal, where I encountered Ameerah, a fellow delegate from Pakistan. While in a seminar, she explained how their government’s neglect of health infrastructure causes limited access to essential medical services—including polio vaccinations, leading to 50+ active cases of polio. Inspired, I partnered with the Rotary Polio Plus Foundation to lead a polio awareness campaign in Southeast Texas, where donation efforts would go towards Pakistan—allowing for more vaccination availability. Through creating a coupon fundraiser within my school, we raised over $2000 towards Pakistan’s outbreak—now turning into an annual fundraiser. While advocating for healthcare equality and global diseases through my extracurricular activities is a foundational way to support important causes, actions speak louder than words. Regenerative medicine, a promising prospect using biology as a cure for sickle cell disease and polio, captivates my interest. By majoring in Public Health and Biomedical Engineering, I aim to harness my talents at Duke University and be on the frontlines for conducting formal research on how regenerative medicine can play an integral role in gene therapies that reverse damage from genetic disorders and viral infections. Especially for sickle cell disease, a disease that isn’t truly taken seriously in corporate America. This scholarship would allow me to achieve my ultimate goal of being a cardiologist while having extensive research published on potential cures for these diseases. However, financial barriers block many minority students, like me, from achieving this goal and being a part of the 5% of black physicians. With my family undergoing major financial barriers, leaving us to survive on food stamps—I cannot achieve this goal without financial burdens to my family as I continue to further my education. Receiving this scholarship means that I can begin my family’s legacy of attaining higher education and serving my community through my passion for medicine. Beyond my career, I wish to continue promoting the medical field among black students—encouraging more minorities to pursue careers in healthcare by establishing mentorship programs, organizing workshops, and initiating outreach initiatives with my future profession and experience. In this manner, I will not only make a difference in the world by advancing the accessibility and effectiveness of treatments for underserved populations but also empower the next generation of minority healthcare leaders.

As a first-generation immigrant and student, I’ve never had clear guidance on what I wanted to pursue. America, as we all anticipate, is a treasure trove of possibilities—a phrase my parents fondly liken to “a whole new world”—a stark contrast from their initial lives in Nigeria. However, I discovered my passion for healthcare through the Top Teens of America. While searching for potential service projects for our chapter, my mentor and I stumbled upon Janiyah’s Love Sickle Cell Foundation—a growing nonprofit that provides awareness for sickle cell disease locally. Planning the first community gala with the organization exposed me to how healthcare advocacy can make a difference. Hearing the disproportionate impact of diseases on minority communities fueled my passion—igniting my ambition to lead global healthcare change. My experience at the RYLA camp catalyzed my goal, where I encountered Ameerah, a fellow delegate from Pakistan. While in a seminar, she explained how their government’s neglect of health infrastructure causes limited access to essential medical services—including polio vaccinations, leading to 50+ active cases of polio. Inspired, I partnered with the Rotary Polio Plus Foundation to lead a polio awareness campaign in Southeast Texas, where donation efforts would go towards Pakistan—allowing for more vaccination availability. Through creating a coupon fundraiser within my school, we raised over $2000 towards Pakistan’s outbreak—now turning into an annual fundraiser. While advocating for healthcare equality and global diseases through my extracurricular activities is a foundational way to support important causes, actions speak louder than words. Regenerative medicine, a promising prospect using biology as a cure for sickle cell disease and polio, captivates my interest. By majoring in Public Health and Biomedical Engineering, I aim to harness my talents at Duke University and be on the frontlines for conducting formal research on how regenerative medicine can play an integral role in gene therapies that reverse damage from genetic disorders and viral infections. Especially for sickle cell disease, a disease that isn’t truly taken seriously in corporate America. This scholarship would allow me to achieve my ultimate goal of being a cardiologist while having extensive research published on potential cures for these diseases. However, financial barriers block many minority students, like me, from achieving this goal and being a part of the 5% of black physicians. With my family undergoing major financial barriers—I cannot achieve this goal without financial burdens to my family as I continue to further my education. Receiving this scholarship means that I can begin my family’s legacy of attaining higher education and serving my community through my passion for medicine. Beyond my career, I wish to continue promoting the medical field among black students—encouraging more minorities to pursue careers in healthcare by establishing mentorship programs, organizing workshops, and initiating outreach initiatives with my future profession and experience. In this manner, this scholarship will not only allow me to make a difference in the world by advancing the accessibility and effectiveness of treatments for underserved populations but also empower the next generation of minority healthcare leaders.

“You’re not Black, you’re black” Hearing this phrase was nothing new. This time, I heard it from my peer while sharing my love for being black. I constantly listened to this reminder from him, who held a perspective where “black” refers to African culture, while “Black” refers to Black American culture—introducing a divide. Yet, as a Nigerian immigrant raised around African American customs, I felt in tune with both cultures. Surprisingly, many people today hold onto the ideology that Africans and African Americans are completely different races. My firsthand experience with this led me to want to change this mindset that many have within the black community. Creating a virtual workshop for the Top Teens of America (TTA), I led discussions on addressing these microaggressions for over 90 attendees. Fellow African immigrants had their voices heard—sharing how they went through the same experiences. I discovered the underlying truth: the perpetuating narrative that African Americans are a separate entity from Africans is harmful to the black community, which ultimately only puts us further from our goal of global equality. Despite our cultural differences, we share a history of oppression, resilience, and triumph that binds us together. My advocacy to break barriers in the black community resulted in biweekly meetings with my Top Teens of America chapter. Speaking in these segments, I educate members—as young as 12 years old—on the diversity of the black community. I delve into the vibrant traditions of Africa–highlighting the customs, languages, and philosophies that have shaped the continent. I then draw parallels to the African American experience, showcasing how the legacy of Africa is interwoven into Black American culture through music, art, and community values. As a result of these segments, I’ve witnessed barriers of misunderstanding crumble as knowledge builds bridges, creating interconnectedness. This ultimately led to me founding a mentorship program for African immigrants in my Top Teens of America chapter, helping 5 youth navigate the world with mental health support, tutoring services, and cultural integration programs. Together, we are building a safe space where the term ‘black’ is not exclusive but unites us all. As I grow in my education, I’m eager to expand my knowledge of addressing the causes of societal division—specifically in the black community. I aim to speak at conferences worldwide to share my experiences and insights on the richness of black identity and how we can embrace our differences without losing unity. Receiving a degree in sociology from Duke Un​ive​rsity will allow me to deepen my u​nder​standing of social structures and cultural dynamics—equ​ipp​ing me with the theoretical knowledge and research skills necessary to analyze and address the complex issues of identity, co​mm​unity, and inequality. Through bridging the gap between a​cade​mic research and community a​ctiv​ism, I aspire to be a ca​ta​lyst for change, promoting unity and understanding across all segments of the black dias​pora.

As a first-generation immigrant and student, I’ve never had clear guidance on what I wanted to pursue. America, as we all anticipate, is a treasure trove of possibilities—a phrase my parents fondly liken to “a whole new world”—a stark contrast from their initial lives in Nigeria. Having this Nigerian blood in me constantly guides my journey throughout life, providing me an eager spirit to discover all that America has in store for me. However, I discovered my passion for healthcare through the Top Teens of America. While searching for potential service projects for our chapter, my mentor and I stumbled upon Janiyah’s Love Sickle Cell Foundation—a growing nonprofit that provides awareness for sickle cell disease locally. Planning the first community gala with the organization exposed me to how healthcare advocacy can make a difference. Hearing the disproportionate impact of diseases on minority communities fueled my passion—igniting my ambition to lead global healthcare change. My experience at the RYLA camp catalyzed my goal, where I encountered Ameerah, a fellow delegate from Pakistan. While in a seminar, she explained how their government’s neglect of health infrastructure causes limited access to essential medical services—including polio vaccinations, leading to 50+ active cases of polio. Inspired, I partnered with the Rotary Polio Plus Foundation to lead a polio awareness campaign in Southeast Texas, where donation efforts would go towards Pakistan—allowing for more vaccination availability. Through creating a coupon fundraiser within my school, we raised over $2000 towards Pakistan’s outbreak—now turning into an annual fundraiser. While advocating for healthcare equality and global diseases through my extracurricular activities is a foundational way to support important causes, actions speak louder than words. Regenerative medicine, a promising prospect using biology as a cure for sickle cell disease and polio, captivates my interest. By majoring in Public Health and Biomedical Engineering, I aim to harness my talents at Duke University and be on the frontlines for conducting formal research on how regenerative medicine can play an integral role in gene therapies that reverse damage from genetic disorders and viral infections. Especially for sickle cell disease, a disease that isn’t truly taken seriously in corporate America. This scholarship would allow me to achieve my ultimate goal of being a cardiologist while having extensive research published on potential cures for these diseases. However, financial barriers block many minority students, like me, from achieving this goal and being a part of the 5% of black physicians. With my family undergoing major financial barriers—I cannot achieve this goal without financial burdens to my family as I continue to further my education. Receiving this scholarship means that I can begin my family’s legacy of attaining higher education and serving my community through my passion for medicine. Beyond my career, I wish to continue promoting the medical field among black students—encouraging more minorities to pursue careers in healthcare by establishing mentorship programs, organizing workshops, and initiating outreach initiatives with my future profession and experience. In this manner, this scholarship will not only allow me to make a difference in the world by advancing the accessibility and effectiveness of treatments for underserved populations but also empower the next generation of minority-immigrant healthcare leaders.

As a first-generation immigrant and student, I’ve never had clear guidance on what I wanted to pursue. America, as we all anticipate, is a treasure trove of possibilities—a phrase my parents fondly liken to “a whole new world”—a stark contrast from their initial lives in Nigeria. However, I discovered my passion for healthcare through the Top Teens of America. While searching for potential service projects for our chapter, my mentor and I stumbled upon Janiyah’s Love Sickle Cell Foundation—a growing nonprofit that provides awareness for sickle cell disease locally. Planning the first community gala with the organization exposed me to how healthcare advocacy can make a difference. Hearing the disproportionate impact of diseases on minority communities fueled my passion—igniting my ambition to lead global healthcare change. My experience at the RYLA camp catalyzed my goal, where I encountered Ameerah, a fellow delegate from Pakistan. While in a seminar, she explained how their government’s neglect of health infrastructure causes limited access to essential medical services—including polio vaccinations, leading to 50+ active cases of polio. Inspired, I partnered with the Rotary Polio Plus Foundation to lead a polio awareness campaign in Southeast Texas, where donation efforts would go towards Pakistan—allowing for more vaccination availability. Through creating a coupon fundraiser within my school, we raised over $2000 towards Pakistan’s outbreak—now turning into an annual fundraiser. While advocating for healthcare equality and global diseases through my extracurricular activities is a foundational way to support important causes, actions speak louder than words. Regenerative medicine, a promising prospect using biology as a cure for sickle cell disease and polio, captivates my interest. By majoring in Public Health and Biomedical Engineering, I aim to harness my talents at Duke University and be on the frontlines for conducting formal research on how regenerative medicine can play an integral role in gene therapies that reverse damage from genetic disorders and viral infections. Especially for sickle cell disease, a disease that isn’t truly taken seriously in corporate America. This scholarship would allow me to achieve my ultimate goal of being a cardiologist while having extensive research published on potential cures for these diseases. However, financial barriers block many minority students, like me, from achieving this goal and being a part of the 5% of black physicians. With my family undergoing major financial barriers—I cannot achieve this goal without financial burdens to my family as I continue to further my education. Receiving this scholarship means that I can begin my family’s legacy of attaining higher education and serving my community through my passion for medicine. Beyond my career, I wish to continue promoting the medical field among black students—encouraging more minorities to pursue careers in healthcare by establishing mentorship programs, organizing workshops, and initiating outreach initiatives with my future profession and experience. In this manner, this scholarship will not only allow me to make a difference in the world by advancing the accessibility and effectiveness of treatments for underserved populations but also empower the next generation of minority healthcare leaders.

As a first-generation immigrant and student, I’ve never had clear guidance on what I wanted to pursue. My parents often describe America as “a whole new world”—a stark contrast with their initial lives as a shepherd and a nurse in Nigeria. Although I did not realize it at the time, it was at my local orthopedic surgeon’s clinic that I would find my purpose and passion. Walking in the clinic daily, I find myself constantly encapsulated by my surroundings. The bustling hospital environment. The sound of surgical operations. The soft smiles and conversations with patients. It felt like heaven to volunteer at Dr. Currie’s clinic. One day, as Dr. Currie did his first case, his follow-up patient explained how their recovery from osteoarthritis surgery has been slow and painful—expressing their curiosity about regenerative medicine's capabilities to enhance their recovery without invasive techniques. Unaware of how regenerative medicine works at the time, I witnessed him discuss orthobiologics—and how this new and advanced approach to medicine acts as a life-changing remedy for musculoskeletal injuries using non-invasive techniques. Watching the patient have hope for the end of his suffering, I found myself in a unique position. Though I’ve always had a passion for biology, it was here that I realized biology can be applied to benefit human health. From that moment on, I knew I wanted to be a surgeon just like Dr. Currie and conduct research on orthobiologics to discover new ways to enhance the recovery of patients. However, financial barriers block many minority and immigrant students, like me, from achieving this goal and being a part of the 5% of African-American doctors. As my parents explained to me our five-figure IRS tax debt, car loan repayments, as well as having to finance my brother’s future college education—I gained an understanding of the financial barrier hindering my future career. Receiving a scholarship from Chris and Mary Carnduff would allow me to study at Duke University and conduct research with unparalleled resources to find more non-invasive techniques to heal musculoskeletal injuries and help patients globally—without worrying about being a financial burden to my family as I matriculate into medical school. Success, to me, would look like beginning my family’s legacy of attaining higher education and serving my community through my passion for medicine. Beyond my future career, I wish to continue promoting the medical field globally among students. In my Top Teens of America organization, I frequently mentor young minorities to help them navigate the world and find their future passions. In the future, I wish to continue to encourage more minorities to pursue careers in healthcare by establishing mentorship programs, organizing workshops, and initiating outreach initiatives with my future profession and experience. I aim to create a platform in the global community that not only addresses the systemic barriers faced by minorities but also cultivates an inclusive environment where diversity is celebrated and embraced. In this manner, this scholarship will not only allow me to make a difference in the world by researching new methods of non-invasive techniques and restoring joints and bones in patients as an orthopedic surgeon, but also by allowing more accessibility for underrepresented minorities to experience the fascination of medicine. This is how I envision success.

Surrounded by several individuals, Jackie Robinson takes the stand. In a profound moment, the room is silenced. He begins… “White people must realize that the more a Negro hates Communism because it opposes democracy, the more he is going to hate any other influence that kills off democracy in this country—and that goes for racial discrimination in the Army, and segregation on trains and buses, and job discrimination because of religious beliefs or color or place of birth.” Beyond Jackie Robinson’s achievements in major league baseball, he served as the face of solidarity and unity within the black community. In his historic House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) Speech, which initially served to denounce Paul Robeson—a black man accused of supporting communist ideologies—he used it as a platform to criticize the Jim Crow Laws in place during that era. Jackie Robinson understood that simply condemning Paul Robeson would only divide the black community, which is what the HUAC aimed to do, and not serve his ultimate purpose in his career: to amplify the voices of African Americans. His monumental testimony served as a rebellious verbal assault on the hypocrisy of the American government and society. Reading about Jackie Robinson’s determination to unify the black community, I was inspired. I attempted to discover ways to strengthen the black community myself. I came to a realization soon after. Throughout my life, I've been conditioned to believe that “black” refers to African culture while “Black” refers to African American culture—contributing to a divide between traditional Africans and African Americans. Yet, I felt in tune with both of these cultures. My parents immigrated from Nigeria right before I was born, raising me in an environment immersed in African traditions—consisting of reading mesmerizing Igbo literature and butchered attempts at learning the Atilogwu way of dancing. However, growing up in America, I found myself embodying the “Black American” stereotype—involving meaningful talks at the local black barbershop, soul food, and indulging in the realm of impactful hip-hop artists such as Beyoncé and Jay-Z. Navigating these two worlds, I faced a stark contrast between them. I remember the sting of being dismissed as “ghetto” or “out of touch with my roots” by some Africans and the discomfort of having my “exotic” accent and ethnic facial features scrutinized by some African Americans. Am I meant to neglect my ancestral past and fit under the African American label given to me, or am I meant to fully immerse myself in my African heritage and distance myself from the culture I grew up in? Neither option felt right to me. The answers to these questions are unclear, but I can choose how to approach them. Creating a virtual workshop for the Top Teens of America, I used introspection to highlight these micro-aggressions found within the black community, encouraging fellow teens to look within their community and address divisive rhetoric that enables diaspora issues. Leading discussions on how to address these problems in society, I discovered the underlying truth: the perpetuating narrative that African Americans are a separate entity from Africans is harmful to the black community, which ultimately only puts us further from our goal of global equality. Despite our cultural differences—we share a common history of oppression, resilience, and triumph that binds us together. As I continue to grow in my education, I’m eager to expand my knowledge of the introspective approach of looking within communities and addressing the causes of societal division. Just as Jackie Robinson became the voice of black unity, I aim to empower the black community and dispel any internal divisions hindering our solidarity.

As I hand over the backpack filled with school supplies to the next family in line, I lock eyes with a mother holding two children. “Shukr….an” She murmurs the words of a language I failed to recognize at the time, but later learned was Arabic. Despite my inability to decrypt the language, I was met with a heartwarming smile—a universal dialect that transcends words. A smile that showcases the healed struggle of a mother wanting to provide her children with access to education. From there, I was able to understand the gravity of my initiative. Pitching the idea of a backpack drive to my community service organization, Top Teens of America, I knew the target goal in mind. With experience as an independent tutor for underrepresented minorities, I witnessed firsthand the transformative power of education. It reinforced my belief in the impact of service—it's not solely about providing resources; rather, it’s about empowering individuals to pave their own paths to success. Relating it to the event, the school supplies and backpacks from our drive would act as a catalyst, empowering these children to make a difference in the world through the power of education. Driven by this determination, I immediately reached out to a local nonprofit, Some Other Place, to partner with us and provide a facility for our drive. Opening my email with high hopes, I am met with a… “4:02 PM We admire your ambition, but we simply don't have the resources to do a full community backpack drive” But I didn't see this as a rejection—rather a challenge. The ambitious plan called for the most extensive fundraiser we’ve undertaken. Over two intensive weeks, the Top Teens of America rallied our community to gather backpacks for this drive. Coming from what’s considered a small town, I was unsure of the community's response to this fundraiser. The result was astounding—over 400 backpacks were raised. With the overwhelming number of backpacks we received, I promptly emailed the local nonprofit again and informed them of the resources collected from our community. This time, we were met with a positive response and finally were on the go for a proper backpack drive. Organizing the event, I spent countless hours creating posters and Facebook posts to maximize our community support—encouraging communities to partake in the free backpack drive. As I arrived at the facility on the day of the event, I was shocked to see a line of eager families forming at the front door. Our collective effort to help ensure children’s success in education reached our community. Interacting with over 80 families during the event, and helping children choose their colored backpacks and school supplies—I encountered surprises in the form of Arabic, Spanish, and Portuguese. Although I was unable to form full conversations due to language barriers, I was able to communicate through gestures, expressions, and, most importantly, smiles. Seeing José’s joyful dance he did in response to receiving his Spiderman-themed backpack and Aisha’s heartfelt giggle witnessing her Barbie dreams come to life with her Barbie-themed backpack—I realized the impact of bridging gaps for communities. Though a seemingly small item such as a backpack may be seen as a trivial gift, it leads to ripples of change in our global community. With a more educated society and individuals wanting to learn, we will be able to address community problems with a diversified understanding. In the future, I aim to continue this mission of spreading happiness and education through service—inspired by the impact of a simple backpack.

Surrounded by several individuals, Jackie Robinson takes the stand. In a profound moment, the room is silenced. He begins… “White people must realize that the more a Negro hates Communism because it opposes democracy, the more he is going to hate any other influence that kills off democracy in this country—and that goes for racial discrimination in the Army, and segregation on trains and buses, and job discrimination because of religious beliefs or color or place of birth.” Reading Jackie Robinson’s empowering autobiography, titled ‘I Never Had It Made’, I found myself encapsulated by the recounting of his heroic actions throughout his career. Beyond Jackie Robinson’s achievements in major league baseball, he served as the face of solidarity and unity within the black community. In his historic House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) Speech, which initially served the purpose of denouncing Paul Robeson—a black man accused of supporting communist ideologies—he used it as a platform to criticize the Jim Crow Laws in place during that era. Jackie Robinson understood that simply condemning Paul Robeson would only divide the black community, which is what the HUAC aimed to do, and not serve his ultimate purpose in his career: to amplify the voices of African Americans. His monumental testimony, a rebellious verbal assault on the hypocrisy of the American government and society, initiated the beginning of his political liberation—joining organizations such as the NAACP and actively advocating for equality. Reading about Jackie Robinson’s determination to unify the black community, I was inspired. I attempted to discover ways to strengthen the black community myself. I came to a realization soon after. Throughout my life, I've been conditioned to believe that “black” refers to African culture while “Black” refers to African American culture—contributing to a divide between traditional Africans and African Americans. Yet, I felt in tune with both of these cultures. Growing up in a diverse and dynamic environment, I had the opportunity to experience both traditional African and modern African American cultures. My parents immigrated from Nigeria right before I was born, raising me in an environment immersed in African traditions—consisting of reading mesmerizing Igbo literature and making butchered attempts at learning the Atilogwu way of dancing. However, growing up in America, I embodied the “Black American” stereotype—involving meaningful talks at the local black barbershop, soul food, and indulging in the realm of impactful hip-hop artists such as Beyoncé and Jay-Z. Navigating these two worlds, I faced a stark contrast between them. Instead of feeling accepted by both cultures, I often felt rejected. I remember the sting of being dismissed as “ghetto” or “out of touch with my roots” by some Africans and the discomfort of having my “exotic” accent and ethnic facial features scrutinized by some African Americans. Am I meant to neglect my ancestral past and fit under the African American label given to me, or am I meant to fully immerse myself in my African heritage and distance myself from the culture I grew up in? Neither option felt right to me. The answers to these questions are unclear, but I can choose how to approach them. Creating a virtual workshop for the Top Teens of America, I used introspection to highlight these micro-aggressions found within the black community, encouraging fellow teens to look within their community and address the divisive rhetoric that enables diaspora issues. Leading discussions on how to address these problems in society, I discovered the underlying truth: the perpetuating narrative that African Americans are a separate entity from Africans is harmful to the black community, which ultimately only puts us further from our goal of global equality. Despite our cultural differences—we share a common history of oppression, resilience, and triumph that binds us together. As I continue to grow in my education, I’m eager to expand my knowledge of the introspective approach of looking within communities and addressing the causes of societal division. Just as Jackie Robinson became the voice of black unity, I aim to empower the black community and dispel any internal divisions hindering our solidarity.

"Am I black, or am I Black?" There I was, 10 years old and doe-eyed in confusion, attempting to fit the pieces together of the complex puzzle of racial identity. Sitting at my kitchen table, the aroma of jollof rice—reminiscent of my African roots—intermingled with the sound of my speaker playing hip-hop music, reflective of my American lineage. Throughout my life, I've been conditioned to believe that “black” refers to African culture while “Black” refers to African American culture—contributing to a divide between traditional Africans and African Americans. Yet, I felt in tune with both of these cultures. Growing up in a diverse and dynamic environment, I had the opportunity to experience both traditional African and modern African American cultures. My parents immigrated from Nigeria right before I was born, raising me in an environment immersed in African traditions—consisting of reading mesmerizing Igbo literature and making butchered attempts at learning the Atilogwu way of dancing. However, growing up in America, I embodied the “Black American” stereotype—which involved meaningful talks at the local black barbershop, soul food, and indulging in the realm of impactful hip-hop artists such as Beyoncé and Jay-Z. Navigating these two worlds, I faced a stark contrast between them. Instead of feeling accepted by both cultures, I often felt rejected. I remember the sting of being dismissed as “ghetto” or “out of touch with my roots” by some Africans and the discomfort of having my “exotic” accent and ethnic facial features scrutinized by some African Americans. Am I meant to neglect my ancestral past and fit under the African American label given to me, or am I meant to fully immerse myself in my African heritage and distance myself from the culture I grew up in? Neither option felt right to me. The answers to these questions are unclear, but I can choose how to approach them. As I read various publications, I attempted to understand the roots of this divide. Initially, I believed the division was solely due to external factors, such as historical disparities in experience. However, I found clarity in Wilhelm Wundt’s coined term—introspection—or looking within. I discovered that the true source was internal, rooted in misunderstandings of both cultures within the black community. Creating a virtual workshop for the Top Teens of America, I used introspection to highlight these micro-aggressions found, encouraging fellow teens to look within their community and address the divisive rhetoric that enables diaspora issues. Leading discussions on how to address these problems in society, I discovered the underlying truth: the perpetuating narrative that African Americans are a separate entity from Africans is harmful to the black community, which ultimately only puts us further from our goal of global equality. Despite our cultural differences—we share a common history of oppression, resilience, and triumph that binds us together. As I continue to grow in my education, I’m eager to expand my knowledge of the introspective approach of looking within communities and addressing the causes of societal division. I aim to speak at national conferences worldwide to share my experiences and insights on the complexity and richness of black identity and how we can embrace our differences without losing our unity. By strengthening our interconnectedness as a global black society, we will be able to address larger issues—such as the lack of diversity in the healthcare system and the need for greater equality within the POC community. Together, we can advocate for a more inclusive and equitable world.