“We must adjust to changing times and still hold to unchanging principles.” – Jimmy Carter
Hi, I’m Josiah Carolina!
I was born and raised in the largest city in Connecticut, Bridgeport, one of the biggest victims of income and social inequality in the country. I’m a freshman attending American University in Washington, D.C. Attending college is one of my biggest accomplishments, especially coming from where I do. Making it this far is a huge indicator of the adversity I’ve had to overcome. I am currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in History, and a Certificate in Advanced Leadership Studies through the School of Public Affairs Leadership Program.
A few months after accepting my spot at American University, I found out I was selected to be apart of the School of Public Affair’s Leadership Program. I was ecstatic. During my senior year, amid the Coronavirus Pandemic, I was working as an intern in the District Office of my Congressman, Jim Himes. After finding out I had been selected to join the Leadership Program, it was my immediate thought and aspiration to combine any and all skills and techniques I learn here with the experience and information I absorbed during many of my volunteer opportunities, to one day return to my home and effectively nurse the wounds imposed on the city by economic and social inequality for decades, by teaching high school social studies.
I’ve never been afraid of speaking out and have always defended those who can’t always speak up for themselves. My natural leadership was something my mentors and educators always pointed out through out my schooling years and something I was even asked to display. On numerous occasions including the hiring of new administration members, accredidation events, and lobbying for gun control with one of my senators, Richard Blumenthal, my school asked me to represent them. Through the Leadership Program, I hope to sharpen these tools and develop skills with proven success to better combat the issues plaguing my community back home. Upon returning home in approximately four years, my goal is to be picked my community to represent them and finally represent them well. Speak up for the children struggling in school, the families suffering from gun violence, the single mothers struggling to keep the lights on and food on the table, and the disabled who’ve been disregarded for far too long.
Ultimately, I want to bring these lessons, teach these skills, and promote these ideas to students so that they too, can combat these issues in their hometowns and their communities too. Bridgeport is not unique, it is simply one of several victim communities and cities and giving a voice to the voiceless can have nothing but good consequences for the communities just like mine.