Hyacinth Malcolm Memorial Scholarship

I grew up with only my mother, in a small four-roomed place. I realized we were low-income as soon as I was old enough to make sense of the fact that my mom often worked more than one job. The young me would get upset when she had to leave me with a sitter. Only later did I realize that she had two choices – stay with me every evening, or go to a second job to make sure rent and school fees were paid at the end of the month. My mother knew that growing up without a dad, I might be tempted to feel sorry for myself and she was determined to prevent this pity party from taking place. To get me to be more grateful for what I had, she deliberately exposed me to those much worse off than me. If my community was tough, she took me to tougher communities. If the toys I had were old, she showed me children with no toys. If I felt embarrassed about our tiny apartment, she showed me homeless people who would have given anything just for a warm box to crawl into. She also got me into volunteering. My volunteer and community work led to me developing a heart for other people, and an understanding that the person who reaches out to hand over a blessing, in the process receives one. Scholarships come about because someone has recognized the difference they can make by being a sower in life, not just a reaper. They exist because someone wants to give another person a chance to have their place in the sunshine of life, by stepping through the door of opportunity. Hyacinth Malcolm must have been a special lady because it is clear that educating her children was so important to her. She knew she had to get them through that "door". In fact, not just through the door, but up the stairs and onto the rainbow. In my teens, I researched some of the most inspiring things ever said about education and came upon my favorite by Nelson Mandela: “Education is the great engine of personal development. It is through education that the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor, that the son of a mineworker can become the head of the mine, that a child of farm workers can become the president of a great nation. It is what we make out of what we have, not what we are given, that separates one person from another.” I then began to ask myself, how can I use education as my “great engine of personal development”? I realized Mr. Mandela was saying we should deeply appreciate and lay hold of education because in it lies such freedom and the attainment of so many dreams. Reading his words, I knew that education, with all the hard work and sometimes tears it brought, would help me identify my way in life and become the best I could be. That "best", for me, is being a performer. Being educated and supported through scholarships will help me get the knowledge and skills I need to be a performer - which in turn will help me give the best of myself to this world. Winning this scholarship would be like someone holding my hand and saying ‘Khanyi, I believe in you.’ When people sow into your life, they are helping your garden grow, literally. A scholarship is so much more than just money. It represents kindness, concern and support. In a world of so many "Nos’, it’s a resounding ‘Yes!"

From the streets of Marraraba in Nigeria to the bustling tech hubs in New York, my journey has been one of transformation, and I owe much of this evolution to the invaluable power of education. The legacy of Hyacinth Malcolm resonates deeply with me. Like her, I too hail from a challenging background, but I've always believed that education is the key to unlocking boundless possibilities. The Hyacinth Malcolm Memorial Scholarship would be more than just financial assistance for me; it would be a testament to the belief that education can truly transform lives, a sentiment I've held dear throughout my journey. The world of Computer Science, which I ardently tread, is vast and rapidly evolving. As a junior at the University of Louisville, every day brings forth an opportunity to delve deeper into the intricacies of the digital world. From my experiences at Google, where I had the privilege to develop features for the Google Classroom Mobile App that impacts millions worldwide, to my time at Johnson & Johnson, where I ventured into intelligent automation in the R&D sector, I've been consistently fueled by a passion to innovate and make a difference. However, challenges often accompany the path to success. Being a first-generation computer science student has brought its fair share of hurdles. My beginnings as an undocumented student presented financial challenges that seemed insurmountable at times. I know firsthand the profound difference that targeted support can make. Scholarships like the Hyacinth Malcolm Memorial Scholarship provide not just monetary relief but also an emotional impetus – the understanding that someone believes in your dream as much as you do. The financial assistance from this scholarship would greatly alleviate the burdens of tuition and educational expenses, allowing me to focus intently on my academic endeavors and continue my pursuits in AI, cloud computing, and education technology. More than that, it would enable me to further immerse myself in collaborative projects, research initiatives, and extracurricular activities that align with my passion for problem-solving and innovation. My previous projects, like the Handwriting Teacher web app, which won HackMIT 2023, or the Trend Reports Generator, designed to analyze my school's student survey data, are just the beginning. With the support of this scholarship, I envision many more such impactful endeavors in the realm of technology. Furthermore, the principles of Hyacinth Malcolm, which revolve around empowering through education, mirror my own goals. Using the skills and knowledge I acquire, I hope to one day develop platforms and tools that democratize education, making it more accessible to individuals regardless of their backgrounds. In essence, my ultimate aspiration is to pay forward the benefits I've reaped from my own educational journey. The Hyacinth Malcolm Memorial Scholarship would not merely be a means to fund my education but a symbol of perseverance, hope, and the transformative power of learning. With this support, I am confident that I can further hone my skills, drive innovation, and contribute meaningfully to the world of technology while embodying the values and vision of Hyacinth Malcolm.

I am deeply honored to apply for the Hyacinth Malcolm Memorial Scholarship, a scholarship inspired by a woman whose belief in the transformative power of education resonates strongly with my own life experiences. Coming from the inner city of Atlanta, Georgia, I understand the tremendous impact education can have as a tool for personal growth and community empowerment. My journey has been molded by the same tenets of perseverance and commitment to higher education that characterized Hyacinth Malcolm's life. Growing up in a challenging environment with a single mother and being the oldest child in the family, I've always felt a keen sense of responsibility not only to my younger siblings but also to my community. My mother's unwavering support and sacrifices have been my primary inspiration, helping me understand the vital role of education in breaking the cycle of poverty and limited opportunities. I am currently pursuing a major in Multidisciplinary Studies, with a focus on sociology, psychology, and public policy. This unique combination allows me to understand the systemic factors that contribute to inequality, particularly within communities of color. It's my aspiration to attend the University of Georgia to pursue a graduate degree in Social Work. Through this, I intend to specialize in mental health services that are tailored for people of color, who often face unique challenges and stigmas in this area. Mental health is a subject that is often overlooked in communities of color, either because of a lack of resources or a cultural misunderstanding of its significance. By becoming a licensed social worker, I aim to bridge this gap. I envision creating a mental health program that not only provides essential services but also incorporates an educational component to de-stigmatize mental health within these communities. This is not merely a career for me; it is a calling to give back to communities like my own, where such resources are desperately needed but often lacking. The Hyacinth Malcolm Memorial Scholarship would significantly alleviate the financial burden associated with higher education, thus allowing me to focus more intently on my academic and professional goals. This scholarship would serve as a stepping stone, bringing me closer to achieving my aspiration of becoming a social worker committed to enhancing mental health resources for people of color. Hyacinth Malcolm believed in the life-changing power of education, and through this scholarship named in her honor, her legacy would continue to live on, not just in me, but in the lives of all those I aim to help. I am deeply committed to fulfilling the educational journey that this scholarship supports, a journey towards not only personal growth but also meaningful community impact. Thank you for considering my application.

For my parents and me, this scholarship will be impactful in ensuring we can keep up with my tuition fees, which will help me find resources that will benefit my journalism career. I want to pursue journalism, which is as competitive as it gets. It becomes more complicated when I am concerned about the financial aspect of higher education. The scholarship will allow me to prioritize the goals that will help me be the best journalist I can be. This scholarship will help me be what I rarely saw for myself. I was bullied for being an intelligent, educated African immigrant as a child. It took a lot of work to see representation by women who looked like me or had a similar experience. Learning about journalists who looked like me tell impactful stories became a dream of mine. Going to college allows me to be what I didn’t see much of. In an educational sense, it’s allowing me to have the resources I need to be the best I can be. This scholarship is a needed resource to help me change the trajectory of my life and the lives of other people who want to see themselves in their future careers. Unfortunately, with the rise of inflation, tuition has become extremely high for college students. It is overwhelming to think of the finances involving school fees as a freshman and the eldest daughter. My parents are my Hyacinth Malcolm, as they have worked multiple shifts as nurses while raising my brother and me. With the income they earned, they had to take care of me and my younger brother in our education, the mortgage of the house, and monthly bills that are consistently present. The cost of college will continue to increase by the time I graduate, and our pattern for paying the tuition will affect them in the future with the responsibilities they already have to carry. In my educational life, I would appreciate it if my parents had the necessary aid in supporting me while supporting the rest of the family. For us, the scholarship will tremendously help take some of the burdens off their shoulders so my parents can ensure I graduate debt-free and be financially stable when I enter the working world. To be a distinguished journalist who can inspire many African and Black girls to pursue their dreams and honor my parents for their work and sacrifice, I must continue dedicating my energy and drive to my education. While that happens, I appreciate scholarships like the Hyacinth Malcolm Memorial Scholarship, which works to help me achieve my goals as they can see the potential in me that I know I have myself.