The first and second years were a breeze academically, but socially, I faced a tough battle with depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. I didn’t quite fit in—I didn’t have the trendiest clothes, and being one of just 12 Black students in a class of 400 only amplified my sense of difference. But I didn't let these challenges define me. Instead, I used them as stepping stones to grow and learn.

By junior year, my life took a dramatic turn when I became pregnant at 16. It wasn’t the path I had planned, but I was determined to not let it derail my education. With God’s grace and my mom’s support, I managed to graduate on time. My son, born out of unexpected circumstances, gave me a new purpose and ignited a fire within me to keep pushing forward.

Even as I juggled motherhood, school, and work, I discovered something incredible: I had a natural gift for connecting with people and helping them, even when I struggled to break out of my comfort zone. This gift shaped everything I did, from joining campus clubs to learning how to lead and inspire others.

By 22, I was a married mother of three, a homeowner, and working full-time, but my hunger for growth didn’t stop. I poured myself into studying business and marketing, fueled by a passion for helping others find solutions and overcome challenges.

That gift—seeing people, helping them, and empowering them—became my purpose.