I am excited to bridge our TRiO Scholars to opportunity and success because I know the influences social equity programs like TRiO do for students. As an Upward Bound alumna, I experienced having the opportunity to access tons of great resources, community and personal development. I hope our program can offer students from marginalized backgrounds an opportunity to excel in higher education and a space for advocacy. As an East Oakland native, I also experienced many socioeconomic hardships but with the support of peer mentors, advisors and family, I rose above it and made it my goal to one day give back to my loving communities.