This week we spoke with Candace Megerssa, a senior at Cornell University studying Policy Analysis and Management, who shared with us her experience forming her own identity as a Black woman growing up in Atlanta and then transitioning to being a student at an Ivy League school.

Candace expressed that she felt fortunate to be given the opportunity to go to private school on a scholarship, but how it was also one of “the most terrifying experiences” of her childhood. She reflected, “I went in seventh grade, and I was like, crying, screaming...My confidence shattered when I was really young.” However, she also felt that this prepared her for what she first felt when she first came to Cornell and was faced with a new, intimidating environment once again.

Candace felt more prepared for life at Cornell because of this previous experience and the discovery statistics and research on imposter syndrome and other educational barriers, for example, that helped her to realize that she wasn’t alone—others like her were feeling what she was feeling. She reflected, ”I never thought of academia as something that could help me better understand myself until I came to college...It was so almost comforting to see like, oh my gosh, what I'm feeling is all real, like there are real life numbers and people doing research on these things that I am experiencing.”

Upon graduation, Candace is interested in going to law school to work in medical malpractice or healthcare policy, but ultimately she wants to end up working in government. She believes that “the world needs to see that it's really not about the color of your skin that makes you a human being; it's all about what is inside. And the more people that begin to recognize this, the more you break the cycle of hatred.” We completely agree, which is why we have started the #IamYou campaign and this podcast series to uncover those aspects of shared humanity!! 

While Candace discussed the importance of getting outside of your bubble, in doing so, she expresses that it is also crucial to surround yourself with people who share your values system and are mutually inspirational: "If you're the only person that's out there trying to inspire people, you can end up like a faucet for everyone else that ultimately runs dry. This is why you need to find people that fill you up too, so try to find those people that inspire you—whether that’s at work, in a club, or your actual friends.” 

Candace, YOU inspire us, so thank you for sharing your story! We encourage everyone else to check out the rest of our meaningful conversation that covers topics of race, higher education, and so much more on this link here!

Written by Isabella Harnick