For me, journalism has always been about finding a voice—and helping others find theirs.

I am a native of Cross, South Carolina - a small rural community in Berkeley County located within the Charleston metro area. Long before I understood journalism as a career, I understood the power of communication. As a child, finding my own voice was not always easy. I was often misunderstood and sometimes mocked for the way I spoke. Those experiences shaped the way I see people and their stories. They taught me that there is often much more to someone’s story than what we see on the surface—and sometimes, people need someone willing to listen.

My passion for storytelling began at a young age when I started creating videos with a small camera. What began as a way to express myself eventually grew into an interest in broadcasting, production, and journalism. By high school, I was producing and editing my own content, anchoring my school's morning newscast, and developing a deeper interest in telling stories that connect with people.

Today, I am pursuing Mass Communications at Claflin University, where I have continued to develop as a journalist through coursework, campus reporting, and professional newsroom experience. My passion lies in telling meaningful stories—particularly stories about people, communities, and issues that deserve to be heard.

That commitment extends beyond the newsroom. I also organize and host an annual “You Are Not Alone” Mental Health Symposium, created to encourage conversations about mental health and connect members of the Black community and other underserved communities with resources and support. Through this work, I have seen firsthand how powerful it can be to create spaces where people feel heard, understood, and empowered to speak openly about their experiences.

I believe journalism is more than simply reporting what happened. It is about listening, asking the right questions, and giving people the opportunity to be understood.

That is the kind of journalist I am working to become.