As a beautiful, brown, bold woman in the Pittsburgh Region I have experienced many challenges. I am a single mother of two boys and childcare costs played a huge part in the struggles that I encountered. As I have navigated through this crazy life, I never lost sight of my goals to finish college and to become gainfully employed. Through research, determination and family support I found ways to attend college and remain within my budget. Although it was extremely difficult at times, I persevered. In May 2015, I graduated from Point Park with a Bachelors in Business. I started a support group called Queens Raising Kings to share my stories and offer support and encouragement to other single mothers with similar struggles. After graduation, I was unemployed for several months although I diligently looked for work. I was discouraged, but I never gave up. After nearly 4 months of being unemployed I received an opportunity to work for Carnegie Mellon University in the University Advancement department. It was just the break I need to help me to become financially stable and to prepare myself for my next level of education. I was just recently accepted to Carnegie Mellon University’s graduate program and will begin my journey to obtain my Master’s degree in Public Policy & Management beginning March 2016. Instead of letting my adversities get the best of me and tear me down, I now take the opportunity to use each situation as a building block to make me stronger. So today, I hold my head high as a BEAUTIFUL, BROWN, BOLD WOMAN that will continue to accomplish goals and influence other women to do the same.
