Ms. Catherine Gipson Scholarship

Historically Black is a term that should be associated with prestige. When I hear historically Black, I correlate the phrase with excellence. Black history inspired me to pursue my sociology degree at Howard University. The Black history I was being taught in high school was elementary. It started with slavery and ended with Martin Luther King. Even when we studied those topics, there was no nuance. I knew if I wanted to learn from the Black perspective, I had to attend a historically Black college or university. Learning about general Toussaint Louverture, Amelia Boynton Robinson, reading bell hooks, and Octavia Butler inspired me to critique everything through a racial lens. Attending an HBCU would expose me to different perspectives and experiences throughout the African diaspora. Learning more about sociological approaches with Black people in mind makes me eager to strive for solutions to our community's issues. Attending an HBCU increased my interest in social justice. Social justice means ending the irreversible damage within institutions. Social justice means no one has to question their safety because they are the only BIPOC, woman, gay person, or disabled person in the room. Social justice means everyone receives the respect and protection they deserve regardless of race or gender. Social justice means fighting for equal opportunities and privileges for everyone. As a Black woman from a low-income upbringing, I have faced many obstacles and prejudices. That is why I need to give back. For the past two years, I would volunteer during spring break. Last year, I created lesson plans for the Madison Square Boys and Girls Club in the Bronx, New York. This year, I curated a film database for The Queer Healing Arts Center in Oakland, California. I will continue to volunteer. I believe the only way to better our community is through service. Through service, we can see instant improvements in the community. When I helped with the community garden, I assisted in providing another food supply for those who might not have the means to get food elsewhere. I also plan on dedicating my career to giving back to the community. After college, I plan on starting a non-profit organization with the mission to help single mothers exiting abusive relationships or other troubling circumstances attain financial freedom. Witnessing my mother endure an abusive relationship and struggle to get on her feet after leaving that relationship made me realize how many other mothers in our community go through this.