April Hampton

A tree designed as a Black woman. Black women are like a mighty tree -deeply rooted and standing tall through every storm. Her roots run generations deep: grounded in history, struggle, and love. Like a tree, she bends but does not break, weathering winds of adversity with quiet power. Her beauty blossoms in every season, radiant and unshaken. She provides shelter, life, and legacy-strong in her core, resilient in her growth, and beautiful in every form.

If my tattoos could speak, they’d tell stories of pain turned into power, of growth, love, and lessons learned. They’d whisper truths I couldn’t say out loud, mark the moments I refused to break, and celebrate the pieces of me I chose to honor. Each line, shade, and symbol holds a voice—shouting my strength, mourning my losses, and singing my survival. They are my silent storytellers, etched in ink, forever speaking the language of who I am and who I’m becoming.

As a recent graduate from veterinary school I have a tremendous student loan debt, so would use some of the money to help alleviate that. I would also help my family, especially my Uncle who is undergoing chemo for stage 4 cancer and my sister who is a single mother of 4 beautiful babies. Lastly, I would use some to prioritize my own mental health and well-being which has been on the back burner. This money would give me the chance to care for those I love and relieve some financial pressure.