Hadiyah sought to address the impacts that trauma, such as exposure to gun violence, has on youth by using the expressive arts as an outlet. She used various artistic mediums as a way for 7^th-9^th graders at Tarrant High School to identify and express their emotions and to set goals for their future selves. The program allows participants to discover and showcase their own interests, such as through a concluding talent show. As Hadiyah shared, “One of my eighth graders sang for me. She’s usually reserved and protective of her thoughts, so I was grateful that she was comfortable enough with me to share her gifts. I’m hopeful that these experiences and lessons are shared among my students.”

As a result of the program:

• 17 students improved conflict resolution skills and felt more resilient when facing school and interpersonal challenges
• 26 students had a positive self-image
• 14 students reported self-efficacy for setting and achieving goals

“My efforts to enhance positive health outcomes for Birmingham’s youth helped me grow into my role as a healthcare professional, purposeful educator and conscious citizen. It was an honor to serve as a Fellow. And I will continue to use this experience to assess, analyze and address the complex issues of our community to improve population health and well-being.”