“I was deeply affected by the disparities I observed growing up in Ohio. I’d drive through economically deprived areas and find an affluent community just a turn away. This contrast fueled my career aspirations: I was committed to bridging the gap between surviving and thriving for underserved communities. Each role in nonprofit, educational, and healthcare industries equipped me with skills to support change for communities in North Carolina. Now, as an Employee + Community Engagement Program Manager at Microsoft, I’m able to empower communities to achieve even more with Microsoft. I host conferences and trips for underserved youth, promote a culture of giving among engineers—resulting in hundreds of volunteer hours being served yearly, and encourage engagement as this year’s Chair for the Carolinas BAM (Blacks at Microsoft) employee resource group. On your journey, you may question if fulfilling your dream is attainable. I’d say: Keep pursuing, keep growing, and above all: trust ...