Being a Black woman from a low-income background in America is an ongoing battle. I learned early on how to navigate the world as a minority and faced hardships that others may not. All of the adversity I faced merely became a hurdle that I masterfully glided over. See, in hurdles, you don’t jump, you lean forward and glide over it with power in your stride; and in the landing, you propel yourself forward even faster.

That’s how I’ve approached life. I’ve learned through the years that I can accomplish anything I set my mind to. I navigated a full-time college career, pushing a business, working multiple jobs, and the knowledge that this nation has been strategically crafted to oppress certain groups and exalt others. Unfortunately, I exist in a group that has had the rug ripped from underneath its feet time after time. Fortunately, I’m incredibly intelligent, driven, and determined to create a future where this is no longer the case.