I didn’t choose Stony Brook, Stony Brook chose me! I wasn't expecting to come here, but I applied anyway and out of all the schools that I got into, Stony Brook seemed to make the most sense. I’m from the Bronx, so it was close to home and had everything that I was looking for.

My first major was marine biology, and even though I still have a very deep passion and interest for that, I realized that it wasn't a fit for me as a career. Just being here and having the opportunity to take so many other classes helped me evaluate what I wanted to do with my future. By taking a few Africana Studies courses and learning all the information that I did, and being so passionate about it, it was clear to me that this was something that I had to pursue.    

My favorite thing about Africana Studies is all of the history, all of the conversations that we have now that I didn't get to partake in going through the Common Core system K-12. Historical facts and important information were kind of kept in the dark, and it's very important that everyone know this history and be familiar with it. My studies really opened my eyes and had me thinking deeper about what I want to do with my life and how I can help my community.  

I've been very involved on campus. I'm currently the president of the African Students Union, and I'm the Vice President of the Mu Delta Chapter, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity. These are two great organizations that I hold near and dear to my heart. Being of African descent (from Mali, West Africa), I think it's important to have representation of your culture in a college community, and to have a community that comes from similar backgrounds and shared experiences, and putting out those experiences for the rest of the campus community to get a taste. Giving back to your own community, your family, your campus and just doing what you can to make your community a better place is important to my fraternity.  

Stony Brook is a place where dreams can be found. Even though you may come in with a dream, it may not be the dream. Stony Brook is a place that will help you find your dream, and surround you with the people who can help make it a reality.