LIFT A BLACK CHILD

I’ve always had a passion for learning, but life has a way of complicating things. My goal has been to study health and safety—a course that could lead to a career helping people. It’s not just about a job; it's about creating a secure future for my family and giving back to my community. But dreams don’t come easy when there’s not enough money to go around.

At home, we’re struggling just to get by. My parents work hard, but their jobs don’t pay much, and we often find ourselves scraping by with the bare essentials. Some days, I have to skip meals so my younger siblings have enough to eat. We all make sacrifices, but the thought of paying for college seems almost impossible.

When I graduated from high school, I watched my classmates celebrate and make plans for their next steps. But for me, the future felt uncertain. I tried applying for scholarships and reaching out for financial aid, but there were so many people in need, and the chances of getting support felt like winning the lottery. I wrote letters to local businesses and community leaders, asking for any assista...