Not your typical Ciara post, but I'm sharing something deeply personal and challenging. During this past week, I've been pretty inactive from responding to emails and communicating on LinkedIn.
One early morning, I received the devastating news that I lost a close childhood friend to gun violence in a mass shooting in my hometown of Detroit. This tragic event affected >19 people, and I am still processing the pain and lost.
The violence that occurred is a hard contrast to my day-to-day experiences as a SWE intern on the west coast. I often feel alone in spaces I've worked incredibly hard to be in, struggling with the fact that I'm pursuing a sometimes unrealistic reality while some of my friends and family continue to face threat of gang and gun violence daily. But even in lieu of tragedy, it has only strengthened my planned involvement in the reconstruction of my city.
If you've followed up with my career journey, you know that at the end, I want to be a philanthropist and pioneer for my community so tragic events like this can stop happening. Those events are constant reminders that there is an evident problem that needs to be addressed. I thoroughly strive for a better and SAFER Detroit, starting with our youth.
Deciding to attend college at the University of Michigan, doesn't only necessarily mean that I can become equipped with the skills and knowledge to become a successful Software Engineer. It also means that I get to become someone who can effectively reach back to their community and stop youth violence from taking place.
I understand that LinkedIn is not typically a platform for sharing personal stories like this, but I want to reach out to anyone else who may be struggling with similar challenges. You are not alone. Always try to give back to your community if you can. ❤️
I am a product of programs, communities, and organizations like Beyond Basics, Michigan League of Academic Games, Detroit Public Schools Community District, DAPCEP (Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program), Doctors of Tomorrow lead by University of Michigan Medical School, and more. These initiatives have been instrumental in my success as both a citizen of Detroit and a student.
I want to draw your attention to more of these amazing Detroit-based organizations that are working tirelessly to make our city a better place every day. 🫶 I highly encourage you to take a look and support them:
- Ready, Set, Success!
- Black Tech Saturdays
- The Skillman Foundation
- The Detroit Promise
- The Rotary Club of Detroit
- Last Mile Education Fund, works with Detroit based networks
- DAPCEP (Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program)
- Beyond Basics
- Detroit Reconnect
- Grow Detroit's Young Talent
- Detroit Regional Chamber
Thank you for your support and understanding during this difficult time. If you know any other organizations, feel free to comment.
