I stood beside my research poster, nervously waiting for someone to stop and ask about my project. Months of experiments and preparation had led to this moment, but I still worried that I would not know how to answer their questions. When the first attendee approached and asked a simple question, the nervousness disappeared. I found myself explaining endothelial injury, sickle cell disease, and the potential impact of our findings with confidence. In that moment, I realized how much I had grown and remembered my why. My journey toward medicine began with a love for science. Like many students, my first introduction to biology was hearing that “the mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell.” As I learned more, I became fascinated by how the human body works and the science behind disease. Biology answered questions I had been asking for years and inspired me to pursue a career where I could combine science with helping others. That career was medicine. As a first-generation college student, however, becoming a physician often felt intimidating. I knew the path to medical school was long and competitive, and I did not have family members who could guide me through the process. Before coming to an HBCU, I sometimes wondered whether becoming a doctor was a realistic goal for someone like me. Attending Howard changed that perspective. One conversation in particular has stayed with me. I was speaking with a student in one of my classes who seemed to be doing everything I hoped to accomplish. She was involved in research, had accumulated clinical and shadowing hours, and was preparing for medical school. Assuming she came from a family of physicians, I asked whether she would be the first doctor in her family. When she told me yes, I was surprised. That conversation changed the way I viewed my own journey. For the first time, I saw someone who shared a similar background successfully navigating the path I wanted to take. It made me realize that I was not alone and that being first-generation was not a barrier to becoming a physician. At Howard, I have been surrounded by ambitious Black students who continually inspire me to believe in my own potential. Their example has shown me what is possible and strengthened my commitment to medicine. As a research assistant studying sickle cell disease, I investigated a potential therapeutic intervention aimed at reducing endothelial injury and improving kidney outcomes. Working on research connected to a disease that disproportionately affects Black communities reinforced my desire to become a physician who contributes not only through patient care, but also through advocacy and research. Receiving The Junie Project Scholarship would help me continue pursuing that goal. The first step toward becoming a physician is completing my bachelor's degree, and financial barriers can make that journey more challenging. This scholarship would allow me to focus more fully on my education, research, and preparation for medical school while reducing financial stress. As a future physician, I hope to help bridge the diversity gap in medicine. Representation matters. Patients deserve healthcare providers who understand their experiences and can build trust within their communities. Just as seeing other first-generation Black students at Howard helped me believe in my own potential, I hope to one day inspire future students pursuing careers in medicine. The Junie Project Scholarship would not only support my education but also help me move closer to that goal.

The colors black, green, and gold will always be a part of me. For me, it represents pride, strength, and the journey it took to leave the island I called home for nineteen years. Growing up in Jamaica, unfortunately, our success was not always expected beyond the walls of the island. Leaving home was one of the hardest decisions I have ever made. I had a lot to prove, not only to others but to myself. My mother worked incredibly hard to ensure I had opportunities she did not. So, education became everything for me. It became my way of building something better, and through it, I found my love for science. The sciences were not just subjects for me; it was a way for me to connect what I learned in class to real people and real issues, leading to my desire to become a physician. Therefore, when deciding on higher education, I knew I wanted to spend four years at a college that had a great STEM and pre-medical program, but most importantly, somewhere I felt seen. That is why I chose Howard University: The Mecca. Here, I knew I would be surrounded by people who looked like me, and we would be able to push each other to keep going because we all shared a common goal: rising above what others expected of us to become successful. And being at Howard for almost a year has proven that I made the right choice. Howard has been more than just a school. I have found my purpose and have grown in ways I would have never imagined. Being surrounded by so many successful Black students who are doing amazing things at such a young age has motivated me more than I expected. They have motivated me to immerse myself in all my passions and interests to make the most of the ‘HBCU experience.’ It was here that I truly understood the meaning of ‘Life is what you make it.’ I have joined organizations and projects that have truly represented me and what I want to accomplish in the future, such as CMMP (Comprehensive Minority Medical Mentoring Program), where I recently landed a position on the executive board as the membership co-chair. CMMP is an organization catered to matriculating minorities into professional schooling. In addition to this, in my freshman year, I had the opportunity to serve on the PR team for Ukweli: The Howard University Undergraduate Research Journal, helping amplify student work and research, which deepened my research interest. This interest led to my psychology professor inviting me to assist with her research and contribute to a book she’s writing; something I never imagined doing this early in my college journey. Being at an HBCU means I do not have to explain my presence in the room. It means that my dreams of becoming a doctor are not just valid but expected. I’m surrounded by future physicians, scientists, and change makers, and we all understand what it took to get here. It’s a powerful feeling to walk into a classroom and know that I belong, not because I had to prove anything, but because I am enough. Pursuing medicine is not just about a title for me. It is about being the person I needed growing up. I want to work in underrepresented communities both in Jamaica and here in the United States as an OBGYN. Being at an HBCU reminds me that I don’t have to walk this journey alone; there are others here with me who walked this journey and made it through, and that serves as a reminder that I can too.