As a Ghanaian-American who grew up in the Bronx, NY, I cherish my Ghanaian heritage. My parents hail from the Ashanti region, specifically the city of Kumasi, and I have a younger brother named Ronald. While I have many passions, I am particularly drawn to learning new languages. For me, acquiring new languages provides a means to build more meaningful connections with others. Nelson Mandela once said, "If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart." This quote resonates with me because I have witnessed firsthand how it rings true. For instance, one time when I was in the 10th grade, I encountered a woman at the bus stop who appeared distressed. She approached me and said, "Quiero llamar a mi hijo," which means "I want to call my son" in English. As a second-year Spanish student, I understood her request and responded with, "Aquí está," which translates to "Here it is." I handed her my phone, and I recall the joy on her face when I spoke to her in her native language. Since then, my Spanish has improved significantly. Additionally, speaking of language, I can speak Twi very well, which I know has and will allow me to form more meaningful relationships with more people.

Ashanti Region