In today's society, there is constant pressure on individuals to live up to certain expectations, whether it is related to academics, careers, or beyond. Some individuals conform but others defy such expectations in order to pursue what they truly desire.  

Have there been any expectations that have been imposed upon you by your friends, family, or society while you were growing up, or even up until now?  How have you defied these expectations and why?  

#DefyingExpectations is seeking submissions from the community in hopes of standing up to stereotypes and celebrating how people can be much more than how they first appear. If you are interested in sharing your story, please fill out the following form.

Thank you for participating! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to shoot us an email at iac@jhu.edu.

The deadline for submission with a photo request is November 15, and the deadline for submission without a photo request is December 7!

Disclaimer: We welcome any and all submissions regardless of racial identity.