My name is Jazlynn, but I go by Jaz or Jazzy. I used to play in the Kings County Tennis League (KCTL) and got to meet Serena Williams. We talked about her career and journey to where she is today. My favorite book is the Smithsonian Timelines of the Ancient World by Christopher Scaree, simply because it includes various historical events from the Ice Age to the Inca and Maya empires. My hero isn’t just one person but my entire family because each of them inspires me to be my best self and teaches me to push through challenges, work hard, and seize my moment. When I grow up, I want to be a lawyer, mainly because throughout my life I have learned that everything is not fair. Not many people advocate for others, but I want to at least play a part in changing the world and helping others.  

A social activist I admire is Malcom X. One of my favorite Malcolm X quotes is “Nobody can give you freedom. Nobody can give you equality, or justice, or anything. If you’re a man, you take it.” This quote sticks out to me the most because he’s being realistic when talking about the struggle for equality, while essentially saying many have to work just to be free or have liberty. 

BK2BAMA is a program where eighth graders come together to discuss events that occurred in Black history while also getting the chance to meet and talk with leaders and social activists. I joined BK2BAMA because growing up, my dad always spoke to me about Black history and encouraged me to learn more about my background and not let “my history repeat itself.” At first, I didn’t know what he meant, but as I got older and wiser, I became more aware of my surroundings. I understood that he meant as a young Black woman the world was always going to be against me, and to make my mark I had to prove I don’t reflect the stereotypes about young Black women and their oversexualization because not only am I representing my family, but also myself. 

I want to go to Alabama and Georgia to learn more about history, especially the 16 th Street Baptist Church bombing, which I read about in The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963.