For my Gateway experience I have chosen to showcase my performance for the Black Arts Collaborative. There was a fall showcase to display the many talents of the University of Cincinnati’s black student body. The theme was Masquerade and I participated in the poetry portion of the showcase. I have always grown up performing whether it be dancing, singing or acting but spoken word was a new adventure for me. This experience has made me act under pressure and work around last-minute changes. I learned to perform in front of a crowd in a new artistic way, out of my comfort zone. It has impacted my life in a positive way, and I would never regret putting myself out there. I have made and connected with life-long friends and gained mentors along the ride and will continue to thrive in a creative space. Lastly, it was free sharing my art and writing with likeminded people and feeling love and appreciation for it. It can be scary thing to share something so intimate with a multitude of people but is so rewarding in the end.