“My name is Hania. It means purpose and success in Swahili. I’m trying to live up to that name. I was born in Mobile, but grew up in the Bronx. I was inspired by the Broadway and subway singers and became a kid with big dreams. We left New York when I was eight and moved back to Mobile.

We became homeless and lived with my grandfather in New York. We were still homeless when we moved to Mobile to be around the rest of our family. I was nine when we lived at the Dumas Wesley Shelter for six months. I wasn’t in the best mental place there, but I learned to stay strong and kind while going through a difficult situation. My mom lifted us out of homelessness. We moved into an apartment, and we live in a beautiful home today. I get my strength from my mother. She shaped me into the woman I am today. I try to do for others what others did for me. I feed the homeless. I don’t think people realize how many homeless we have in Mobile.

I always sang and was in choirs that helped develop my voice. I was a good classical singer, but my choir teacher, Ms. White, led me through arias. I found my vibrato and discovered that I could sing opera. I love the places my voice can go. I competed in the teen division of the 2020 National American Miss pageant representing Mobile and placed in the top three in talent. It is satisfying and fulfilling to have a unique talent. I want to be an example to other women of color in Mobile that we can do anything.

I graduated from high school last year and immediately jumped into the chamber singers at Coastal Alabama Community College. I am a certified nursing assistant and studying to become an emergency medical technician. I will be a paramedic in Mobile this summer. I want to help the sick and advocate for people who can’t help themselves.

There is healing in music and health care. I want to do both.”