It all begins with a story, and mine motivated me to make a difference in my community. Growing up, I was often perceived in various ways, my skin color, my hair, or even the school I attended. It seemed like everyone around me had an assumption about who I was. Over time, these perceptions led me to internalize what others thought of me, and I spent years grappling with imposter syndrome.

It wasn’t until I realized that my identity doesn’t have to be defined by other opinions, but by what I believe and what God says about me, that I understood just how widespread this issue is in today’s generation.

As a broadcast journalism student at the University of North Texas, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of how media, particularly social media, shapes the way we see ourselves and others. What we consume daily has a significant impact on our perceptions, which is why it's crucial to educate ourselves about the difference between perception and reality.

Perception is how we interpret and understand the world around us, often influenced by our personal experiences, beliefs, and the media we consume. Social media, TV shows, movies all play a role in shaping our opinions and views on people, places, and ideas.

Reality, on the other hand, is the truth that exists beyond those perceptions — the actual experience or fact, untainted by stereotypes and biases.