My name is Samantha Mercedes. My family comes from Mexico and the Dominican Republic. I grew up in Brooklyn and my favorite subjects in school have always been history/social studies and math. I love history because I enjoy learning about our past and how our world has been shaped into what it is today.

My favorite book is Warriors Don’t Cry by Melba Patillo Beals. I find it so inspiring how the Little Rock Nine persevered and continued fighting for change despite facing adversity.

When I grow up, I want to be a doctor and possibly a surgeon because I would love to help people when they aren’t feeling their best, like my mother, whom I look up to for being so strong and helpful to me. One of my favorite quotes comes from a brave leader, Rosa Parks. She said, “To bring about change, you must not be afraid to take the first step. We will fail when we fail to try.” This quote motivates me to try my best. Above all else, hard work is essential to bring about change.

BK2BAMA is a program that gives eighth graders the opportunity to develop confidence and understand the importance of citizenship. More specifically, it teaches us teens all about the Civil Rights Movement. I joined BK2BAMA because I love learning in general. This program will expand my curiosity and knowledge during a trip to Alabama and Georgia this April. I look forward to going to HBCUs like Tuskegee because it will feel great to visit places that educate successful Black scholars. I find it incredible that we get to go to Alabama and Georgia because this experience can deepen our understanding of what happened to Black people in the South and all that led to the Civil Rights Movement.