Who am I?

A song that embodies me:

Where am I from?

I was born and raised on the south side of Chicago in a neighborhood called Auburn Gresham. I live with my mother, my older sister, and my younger brother. ( unfortunately making me the middle child). I attended middle school right up the street at John W Cook Elementary and attended high school in the south loop area at Jones College Prep. I enjoy spending time at the lake, eating at new restaurants, going to park reserves, and shopping! There’s always so much to do.

My University Goals

Currently I am a psychology major with doing 18 credit hours per semester. I’ve been recently enrolled in the CODES program which replaces my general education classes with more hands on learning. I plan to get super involved in the SIUE community through things like community service, clubs, organizations , and more!

My Hobbies & Interests

In my free time I like to read a LOT. I enjoy psychological thrillers & romance novels. Currently I am reading Lord of the Flies. I also read and write poetry! I’ve done it since I was about 10 years old and for me it’s always served as a healthy outlet for my emotions. Fashion has always been something that sparked my interest because of my mother. Growing up, I watched her pick out outfits while she talked about the “rules” for putting together a look. This inspired me to seek out certain aesthetics and find which one fits me which is what you see above. Lastly, I absolutely love listening to old school R&B! If you see me with headphones in there’s a 90% chance I’m jamming to some 90’s hits.

My Career Goals

Currently, I intend to acquire my MSW ( Masters in Social Work) and use this degree to become a psychiatrist. In this field I will evaluate, diagnose, and treat individuals who struggle with mental health challenges. Although this is my primary goal I’m also heavily considering the profession of a cognitive behavioral therapist. In this profession I help people find practical solutions to a wide variety of problems. I would look at how ones thoughts and feelings influence their actions and how to stop toxic behavior patterns.

Tenacity in the Face of Adversity

I’ve encountered lots of obstacles to get to where I am at this point in life. Not only as a first generation college student but, also as a black woman learning to navigate and succeed in predominantly white spaces. There isn’t a lot of people in my family who’ve achieved the level of success I’m striving to achieve. This makes it difficult for me to find guidance which makes me feel setback at times. I attended a predominantly white high school and now university. I’ve witnessed and experienced countless microagressions, blatant racism, and a undeniable suffocating feeling of unwelcomeness in certain spaces. Even with all of this and much more I am still persevering and I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon.

” It always seems impossible until it is done.”- Nelson Mandela