As a first-generation college graduate, my academic pursuits have been molded by my experiences navigating academia. I attended the State University of New York (SUNY) at New Paltz to obtain a bachelor of arts degree in communication disorders and Spanish with a minor in deaf studies. Following that, I completed a master of science degree in speech-language pathology at Howard University (HU). Pursuing my doctoral studies at the University at Buffalo was an endeavor that I did not imagine as being part of my story. As a research assistant in the UB Language Learning Lab, my primary interests are related to African-American English and the effects of socioecomic status on child language development. I am New York State-licensed and certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association as a speech-language pathologist. I have worked clinically with individuals across the lifespan in Buffalo. I have had opportunities to present guest lectures in graduate courses at UB, HU, and George Washington University. Additionally, I have been invited to share my experiences as a doctoral student and speech-language pathologist by serving on panels for courses and organizations . Outside of clinical and academic experience, I have volunteered for organizations in the community and I am also the president of the Graduate Students of Color, an organization aimed at creating inclusive spaces for graduate students at UB.