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          I was born and raised in Chesterfield, Virginia with my parents and older sister. However, my identity lives in Chase City, Virginia. My sister and I spent our summers in this rural town wandering in my grandparent’s endless acres. My family and I often had Sunday dinners at my grandparent’s house where we would sit and laugh while my grandmother spent hours in the kitchen preparing our meals. I learned the meaning of assiduous work and dedication from the men and women in my family, who taught me how to achieve my goals. My parents were high school sweethearts from Chase City, Virginia, and moved to Chester, Virginia to better their education and our future. My father is a registered nurse and recently retired after 20 years of military service. My father's love for the medical field and his dedication to excellence encouraged me to also pursue the medical field. Both of my parents have been extremely supportive in regards to my extracurriculars and academics. As a child, I was enrolled in numerous sports programs such as soccer, karate, basketball, and cheerleading. I believe the structure of a rigid schedule from my sports, has helped me to this day because it taught me how to prioritize my responsibilities.

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            My family stressed the importance of learning about our own identity and learning what makes us fulfilled. This lead to me exploring various extracurriculars throughout middle and high school. I attended the Health Science Academy at Cosby High School in Midlothian, VA from 2014-2018. I made some of my most preeminent memories during this time. During this time, I found my passion for public speaking and joined our Speech and Debate team. After two years on the team, I became Captain and later won state finals in prose. High school became an eye-opening experience for me because I realized what my passions were in life. I enjoyed challenging myself with new experiences, as well as educating others.

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         My passion for science and self-expression leads to my interest in the medical field. Pursuing a medical degree will empower me to help mitigate the trade-offs made by people from rural areas. I want to be a physician so I can play a critical role in my community as a Black woman in medicine while also changing the narrative of career possibilities for those from rural areas. I want to not only diagnose medical issues but also formulate an experience where patients can ask questions about their overall health and increase access to care. Medicine encompasses more than science and math rigor. It requires curiosity, compassion, and willingness to learn. As an individual from rural Virginia, I have firsthand seen the need for improved access to medical resources and education. By becoming a doctor, I hope to see my hometown prosper and for young black men and women in this area to break out of the barriers placed on them by society and to become B.R.O.W.N.