Representation matters. There are plenty of little black girls and boys that are blinded from a world of possibilities simply because they don't see anyone that looks like them in those spaces. That's why Doc McStuffins, Disney Princess Tiana, and the Black Panther are so important in the black community. They inspire, they encourage, they open doors in our minds that have been bolted shut or simply didn't exist before. That's why I keep going. That's why I won't quit no matter how bad situations are. I was blessed with countless opportunities that give me bigger and bigger platforms so I can continue to inspire those coming after me. I will fight battles so they don't have to, or at least so I can provide them with my experiences and tips so they can have better experiences. By simply being at Purdue, I have shown so many that they can go to school based off pure academics, that being smart is cool, and show them that there's more to life than what we are made to believe.

Why is this important? I could list plenty reasons, but I’ll stick to this: what if we had no Catherine Johnson? No David Robert Lewis? No Shirley Chisholm? Our world is far from perfect and there’s plenty of work that needs to be done. Without representation, we may miss the opportunity to inspire the minds that could change the world. That’s an opportunity that I refuse to waste, so I’ll do whatever I can to inspire, uplift, and encourage every student I come in contact with and be the representation that someone may need.