F.O.C.U.S. on what Matters

Representation is a key motivator and driving force in one’s aura of self-efficacy. There is a disturbing lack of Black students within the field of higher education engineering disciplines at Purdue. Within my personal legacy I aim to establish at Purdue, my goal is to call attention to the absence of Black presence in engineering disciplines. Through my involvement in the National Society of Black Engineers, I developed an attachment to the 2019 National Directive of FOCUS.  F.O.C.U.S. stands for family, opportunities, commitment, unity and servant leadership. I choose to address the specific issue of self-efficacy by inserting myself in the unique position of being a trailblazer in order to establish early exposure to STEM curriculum and pave the way for those who look like me. I will change behaviors related to this issue by starting conversations to mobilize change within communities and dismantling mental roadblocks in Black students.

I have worked to frame this into a community call to action that requires intellectual curiosity and structural innovation to challenge the current academic structures that either invite diversity or uphold academic segregation. I have used my platform to increase awareness and conjure community involvement through unpacking invisible barriers that stifle self-efficacy within Black students and ultimately deter them from reaching their full potential as educated citizens in the community. Awareness sparks actions which lead to paradigm shifts.

A significant achievement I have made in relation to my platform include being elected to be the Region IV Chairperson role of the National Society of Black Engineers. In this position, I made executive decisions for over 100+ chapters within 6 states and 3 international countries to uplift the mission of the society. I ran a 20+ person board of directors and set directives and objectives for the operating year in order to fulfill the needs of our chapters. The mission of the National Society of Black Engineers is: “to increase the number of culturally responsible Black engineers, who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community.” I strive to embody the mission statement by bringing conversations to places that may not be aware of the gaps that exists within engineering and challenging barriers that keep underrepresented groups from succeeding. I love being a Black Engineer and I am committed to creating a safe AND enriching space for us to grow and learn from one another. We cannot do that in the current space that is fostered here at Purdue, I am invested in changing the narrative that surrounds the reasoning why that is a reality here.

Another significant achievement I have made was becoming an assistant facilitator of the Minority Engineering Program of Indianapolis whose goal is to expose minority students within the Indianapolis community to key concepts related to STEM Career. I plan on using my platform at each level I am blessed with during my time in that role to be an advocate for the shift in F.O.C.U.S that needs to occur. I am incredibly passionate about the pooling, uplifting and empowering of all students and leveling the playing field by providing early exposure to underrepresented populations.  In order to mobilize change, we must agitate the systems that upload academic segregation knowingly or unknowingly. My social initiative will be carried out through the creation of strategic partnerships with organizations that support my platform and will help transform my goals into community standards to be met in order to leave a striking impact on our communities. It is with great honor that I participate in the endeavors to support Black Engineering Students and doggedly share my experiences in hopes of changing the atmosphere for Black Engineering Students here at Purdue.