I was born with Sickle Cell anemia disease. Sickle cell is a genetic condition that causes periods of extreme pain, and it can destroy organs. Luckily, all three of my siblings carry the trait, not a disease. Referring to having sickle cell trait as lucky may seem odd, but my battle with sickle cell makes me thankful I don't have to watch my siblings suffer and struggle with the disease as I do. I was born in Nigeria and lived there until I turned 18, after which I moved to the US in 2016 with my family. Relocating to the US was a great opportunity, and I was excited—the move also meant better economic and medical opportunities. In Nigeria, malaria worsened my condition. My crises there were severe to the point I would not be able to walk or stand when in pain crisis. Now, I still get crises, but they are not as severe as they once were. I have faced many challenges that most immigrants experience when coming to the United States, such as adjusting to a new culture, education system, and a new way of life. Due to the nature of sickle cell and the extensive healthcare I require, I have accumulated a lot of medical bills. I have struggled to keep up with my medical bills. My parents have had to work more, deprive themselves of many things, and live with only the bare necessities. I am incredibly blessed to have a supportive family and parents who work hard to be able to care for me. I know they have had to sacrifice a lot. I will never be able to repay my parents and siblings for their love, prayers, financial support, and sacrifices. All I can do is maximize the opportunities I have been given, build a life and career they can be proud of, and support them. They continue to be my motivation to succeed. I earned my Bachelor's degree in Management Information Systems and my Master's degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Sales and Consumer Research from the University of West Georgia. I gained experience in analytical methods in marketing, data warehousing, and information systems. While earning my MBA, I served as President of the International Students Club. My work experience is an extension of my education and passion. I spent a year working as a research manager at the behavioral science firm - Sentient Decision Science. At Sentient, I had the opportunity to participate in and manage research projects that had implications on a global scale. Exposure to consumer behavioral science research led me to further my education. I started my Doctor of Business Administration in Marketing at Cleveland State University in the fall of 2023. I want to focus on behavioral science, namely consumer behavior. Upon graduation, I plan to work in academia, serving as an educator and contributing to the wealth of knowledge in my field. Managing a chronic condition while pursuing my education has been challenging. There have been times when I thought I would have to leave school because I was sick, but I persevered. The challenges we have faced led me to develop qualities such as patience, perseverance, resilience, and optimism. It has fueled me and reminds me that giving up is not an option. I can accomplish my American dream: good health care, economic stability, and a rewarding career. Receiving this scholarship will help ease the financial burden on my family and me, enabling me to continue my education without worrying about my finances. I want to thank Cyprilla Olapeju Sanni for this opportunity.