Page 63 - 2021 SCHOLARSHIP AWARD E-BOOK1

NYAH HODGES...

HOW WILL YOU HANDLE THESE CHALLENGES ?

FACING ADVERSITY Caused by COVID-19 Pandemic, Systemic Racism, Blacks Murdered by Police:

Find things that have value and meaning for me to help me persevere with my goals and using my voice
and knowledge to fight systemic racism with the capabilities I possess Making sure my voice is heard in
underrepresented groups. Going to a predominately white institution, I’m usually either the only black
woman or black person in many classes or organizations I’m a part of. I make sure that my voice is
heard on problems relating to lack of diversity in spaces and racial injustice through social actions
(social media, protesting and petition signing). Being a black woman, I’ve faced adversity multiple
times in life and expect more to come in my future. It’s up to how I choose to handle said adversity:
become complacent with it or fight to change those societal disadvantages. I choose the latter.

KEEPING YOUR FAITH In God to Overcome the Adversities You Will Surely Face:

Reminding myself that without God and the strength that he’s provided me, I wouldn’t have achieved
all I have so far, and knowing that he has even more in store for me.

As the world has shifted and changes vastly in 2020, keeping faith is what’s grounding a lot of us.
Knowing that a higher being has a plan for us is what’s motivating me to stay on the path of success I
made for myself.

STAYING COMMITTED TO ACHIEVEMENT Academic Success, Individual Development, and Spiritual
Growth:
Remembering that I have so many people in my corner that have helped me and want me to succeed
keeps me motivated to stay on the path God has created for me. This year especially, I found it difficult
to stay committed to achieving my goals. With COVID-19 railroading us all in a different direction that
was unanticipated, it was hard finding motivation to want to finish my semester of strong or look for
internships I wanted to grow my understanding in PR. I found that having a support system— family,
friends and school resources— gave me the push to not want to give up on my pursuits. There aren’t
many Black women public relations professionals I can look up to, so I need to stay on the path I’m cre-
ating for myself so I can be that woman in other black girls lives.

“Young Scholars Achieving As They Endure The Unknown”

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