My name is Naomi Cortez. I am currently in eighth grade and go to Bedford Stuyvesant Collegiate Charter School. I was born in Mexico and came to Brooklyn when I was seven years old. It was difficult to adjust to the way of life here, but with help and encouragement from friends and family, I eventually got used to it! I love to draw for my friends. I especially love drawing cartoon characters that I make up.

My favorite book is the Scythe series. It’s a science fiction book about the future, in which two teenagers work to solve the overpopulation crisis. I love this book because it has an interesting outlook on morals and makes you question what values the future will uphold.

My hero is Melanie Martinez because she’s been one of my favorite singers since I was little. I admire her because she always wears unique, cute outfits and continues to make great music year after year! Melanie Martinez was a huge inspiration for me when I was younger! When I’m older, I want to be a fashion designer because I love and am passionate about fashion from all over the world and from different decades. My favorite has to be the Victorian Era because one of my favorite books is set there.

I recently joined BK2BAMA, a scholarship program that teaches students about the Civil Rights Movement as well as the problems people of color face here in America to this day. The program will take us to Alabama and Georgia this spring, and I can’t wait because it’s a great opportunity to learn about Black history, especially the Civil Rights Movement and its effects. While on the trip, we will meet people involved in the Civil Rights Movement, both years ago and today. I’m especially excited to meet with Sam Walker because he was very young when he participated in the voting demonstrations in Selma. In fact, he was younger than me when he got involved. We will also go to historical sites and museums, which is what I’m most excited about! I can’t wait to visit Tuskegee University’s Legacy Museum and learn about Henrietta Lacks because I watched a documentary about her in school and want to learn more!

One of my favorite civil rights quotes comes from MLK, who does not need an introduction, but I admire him because he wanted peace and to finally break free from all the injustices. He achieved so much and deserves the whole world’s admiration. King once said, “I was a drum major for justice, peace and righteousness.” This quote just goes to show how he did so much for the sake of peace and justice.