Raised in: Georgia
Attending: George Washington University
Studying: Clinical psychology.
Expected to graduate: Spring 2018.
Dream career: Working in a position that will help to close racial disparity gaps relating to mental health and education through empirical research that informs preventive interventions for children and adolescents of color.
The three adjectives that describe me best: Funny, tenacious and amicable.
What gets my heart racing: Roller coasters and the smell of almost any dessert.
What my fellow students don't know about me: I learned how to ride a bike the same year I began graduate school.
If I could choose to have any superpower, it would be: A combination of teleportation and omnilingualism. Then I could move instantaneously to and from any location or country with an ability to fluently speak, understand and write any language.
The psychologist or historical figure I like most: Mamie Clark because she is an inspiring women of color whose research developed into a socially and politically influential study during the civil rights movement. Her dedication to service and humble demeanor are also admirable.
If I could clone myself, my other self would: Travel very often and focus on developing my artistic, musical and cooking creativity.
My great hope for the psychology field: That psychological services will become more accessible to all people who are in need of treatment, regardless of their socioeconomic status. I also hope that seeking and receiving mental heath services will become less stigmatized in the years to come.
What motivated me to study psychology: As a child, I loved autobiographies, and I was curious to understand what influences peoples' behaviors, emotions and decisions.
What's most interesting about my research: My research examines risk and protective factors for racial and neighborhood-level stressors. In particular, I am interested in how parents prepare and socialize their children to manage racial discrimination. I find it interesting and necessary that racial socialization is being discussed in the media now more than ever before given the racially charged incidents involving African-Americans and other people of color.
How studying psychology has changed me: I have become more self-aware and sensitive to others. I have also learned to be more patient in listening to and understanding others' perspectives and experiences.
Title of my grad school autobiography: "Focus on the light at the end of the tunnel: The quest for knowledge, test of endurance and pursuit of freedom."
The annoying habit I wish I could change: Putting on lotion right after my hands get wet. The feeling of dry skin, especially dry hands, is very distracting for me. This is particularly annoying when I am cooking, or worse when I am away from home and realize that I forgot my lotion.
Where I do my best thinking: Alone in a quite space.
What I tell myself to stay motivated: "You've got this!" then I get inspiration from prayer and/or dessert.