I want so much in life. I set up my foundation in highschool, being in so many different clubs, starting my own club, being in sports, doing stuff for my community, and being a role model for my underclassmen and siblings. Now it’s my time to do more with my passion, I’ve always wanted to be a lawyer so I could defend my people in our criminal justice system. To be an activist to protest systemic racism and disparities in society because of how many Black people never have adequate representation or fair treatment. I am also a strong advocate for mental health awareness and the stigma around it, hence why I started my mental health club. Everyone has mental health and no one talks about it. Why is it common culture to suffer in silence? I’m very excited to go to college and continue to learn about and fight for the things I believe in.

My name is Sanaa Johnson. As a young black woman I’ve always held myself in a high regard. I put my all into everything that I do. That’s what my Nana has always instilled in me, to see through everything I commit too. My Nana is my Dad’s mom, and the beautiful woman that raised me. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for her love, guidance, and support. When my Nana came into the picture I didn’t know what to do, I was worried at first she would leave me too. But she didn't. She loved me when I didn’t love myself. With her I learned that I didn’t have to do everything alone. Growing up with a strong independent, hardworking woman, for a role model I wanted to be just like her and she told me I could be all of those things and more. Before I lived with my Nana I lived with several different families through the foster care system, and before that my two young parents and my younger brother. When my Nana took me and my brother out of the foster case system I felt like I was given a second chance. One to all defy all the expectations of people who didn’t know me. People that prejudged me because of my background. I built my image so that I wouldn’t fit in the typical stereotype of a young black girl, sassy with an attitude, mad at the world. When I was first placed into the foster care system when I was five years old I had to develop the skills of active listening and clear communication. So I could advocate for myself and my brother. Now those are two of my biggest assets. It allows me to use my voice not only to express my opinion but to be able to speak up for other people who are silenced and can't use their own voice, and to ask questions and have a better understanding of the world around me.

Growing up my Nana has always been my biggest supporter and always gave me the truth even when it came to my mother she never sugarcoated things or treated me like I didn't know what was going on. She understood that I knew more about the world than an 8 year old should. When I was in foster care at first my mother showed up to our visits and overtime she showed up less and less, until she didn’t at all. I didn’t know at the time that my mother was an addict and it wasn’t my fault she didn’t come to our visits. So I pushed myself to have good grades and be the best kid I could be. At first it was to show my mom that I know how to be good and if she came back I would never act out again. Then I did it to spite her. Then I did it to break the cycle of women on my moms side of getting pregnant, dropping out, and turning to substances before the ripe age of 17. I broke the cycle, but this was just a bonus to my overall goal. Because somewhere down the line I stopped wanting to succeed because of my mom. I wanted to do it for myself. I didn’t realize until the winter of my senior year when I was working, doing my mental health club, maintaining friendships, and doing two sports simultaneously with three games a week and practicing everyday that I put so much pressure on myself to be perfect and I don’t have to be.

Learning that I can love myself just how I am and that there is more to life after highschool was one of the hardest lessons I had let myself accept. I didn’t have to try to cram everything into these four years. However I don’t regret it. With the support from my family, my teachers, and my determination I was able to make it through highschool with a bright road ahead of me. In light of all my highschool achievements I’m only getting started. In the fall I applied to Howard university, which was my number one choice, Umass Lowell, Delaware and Morgan state, Brown University, Cheyney University, and University of Rochester where I received the Fredrick Douglas and Susan b Anthony award. I got into all of them, except for Brown University. The only reason I didn’t go to Howard, which was always my dream school from a little kid, was because of financial aid. I thought I would’ve had it easier committing to an instate school. I am now committed to Umass Lowell for Criminal Justice and Sociology and I fully plan to continue down my path of being a lawyer and activist. Continuing to advocate for mental health, and equal treatment for all races in the criminal justice system. My aspirations in life is to provide a voice to the voiceless like I always have, and always will, I want to help people, and show them “life goes on”.