My story begins when I was born in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. For the first six years of my life, I lived in North Carolina, Cambridge, and Newton. When I was seven years old, however, my family and I moved to the Hyde Park neighborhood of Boston where we have lived, and where my sister and I have attended Boston Public Schools, ever since. My mom pursued a career as an elementary school teacher, but is now in seminary studying urban ministry leadership. My dad is an electrical engineer and the pastor of the Baptist Church of All Nations in Taunton. Beginning in seventh grade, I formally trained in dance up until the summer before my senior year, and I still have a passion for dancing. I am also deeply committed to serving at my church on the Praise and Worship and Vacation Bible School ministries. At BLS, I was a member of Gospel Choir as well as the Vice President of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) and Black Leaders Aspiring for Change and Knowledge (B.L.A.C.K.). My passion for social justice grew around the time I joined B.L.A.C.K in tenth grade. That year, we drew attention to the racism occuring at school. We initiated teach-ins, teaching BLS students about matters revolving around social justice and discussing complicated issues surrounding race. I now continue to have the desire to bring social justice to the classrooms.
I am interested in public service because I believe that one can make an astounding difference when one decides to make a positive impact on one’s community. The United States and the world needs more public servants who truly care. We need leaders who are here to serve the people, and not themselves. I desire to be one of those leaders. The Ward Fellowship is an amazing and unique opportunity which allows young students like myself to actively work in public service. I value this opportunity for young people to learn about and truly experience the realm of public servitude and the impact of serving in their communities. Last summer, I had the opportunity to teach urban middle school students for four weeks through the Generation Teach Boston Summer Teaching Fellowship. This year, being in the BPS office, I plan to serve my community in another way. As I will be working in Boston Public Schools, I desire to learn about how decisions are made in the office which impact the experience of students in the classroom, and how I can help to make the experience of Boston Public Schools students and families better.
I recently graduated Boston Latin School in the class of 2018 and will be attending Princeton University in the fall. I aspire to be a teacher with a focus on urban education. Afterwards, I may endeavor to pursue educational policy and curriculum reform and development. I believe that education is social justice and progress for all. As a motivated advocate for change, I desire to help change the world for the better.