Personal Statement

As a child, I wanted to change the world and thought I had to be the next Malcom X or Barack Obama. As I aged and faced the world, I learned that leaders start small—locally, in their communities closest to home. I realized the importance of representation. With this jarring epiphany, I decided to stay close to home for college. I wanted to devote my college years to creating lasting change for the Black, queer, low-income students in close proximity who look like me, experience similar struggles to me, and identify like me. On campus, I use my leadership positions to spread knowledge about the local organizations that are doing crucial work to promote equity and justice in the Greater New Orleans area. I stand unapologetically in these positions—as a Community Engagement and Social Justice Facilitator, Engagement Fund Review Board Student Executive, First-Year Student Peer Mentor, Community Service Coordinator, and the Vice President of a National Pan-Hellenic Council Sorority. I carry my titles with pride for Black, queer, low-income children everywhere who dream of furthering their education, dream of becoming trailblazers, and dream of leaving powerful legacies for centuries to come.