Tamika A. Nurse Fashionista Memorial Scholarship

When I was five years old, I told myself “I believe I can fly,” and launched myself off the floor—landing flat on my chest. Fortunately, I had no serious injuries… besides a sore ribcage in the days that followed. No, I couldn't actually fly, but for that brief moment (≈ 0.6 seconds) that I remained in the air, I truly believed that I could. That’s what makes a superhero right? Learns from mistakes ☐ Not scared to try new things ☐ Makes good choices ☐ Gets back up when they fall ☐ Always helps others ☐ Can fly… ☐ So, if I couldn’t fly, then what truly made me the superwoman I am today? The IT Girl. Let’s look back to a year ago: “Congratulations, Cori! You’re a finalist!” Yes, I was a finalist for this scholarship. Honestly, I’m forever grateful. Would it have been nice to win? Absolutely—but I learned something more valuable. After reading that message, I reflected on becoming an IT girl. Over the past year, I applied the lessons from The IT Girl Rules: Get Hired And Stay Hired as I became my own hero. I was always waiting for someone to save me: my parents, friends, God. I once asked God to save me. I thought I was waiting on him, but really he was waiting on me to take the first step. Paying my own tuition, working full-time, and entering fashion without experience weren’t setbacks—they prepared me for a better life. Learns from mistakes = Wisdom ☑ Ms. Tamika Nurse taught me not to stay where I’m comfortable, but to step into places where I could grow. So I did. I applied to LIM College for Fashion Marketing, joined a Beats by Dre externship, and showcased garments in a fashion show. Those leaps led to my greatest accomplishments. From that, I learned to trust God before everything aligned and moved before I felt ready. Not scared to try new things = Courageous ☑ One important lesson in becoming an “it” girl is having discipline with my time and ambition. Following Ms. Tamika A. Nurse’s advice, I built a consistent routine that changed my life. Building a portfolio and tailoring my resume expanded my opportunities while building self-respect. Makes good choices = Responsible ☑ An “it” girl knows life isn’t linear, and I still wonder if I’m good enough. Applying for internships and scholarships feels like knocking on a locked door, but I keep going. Every rejection brings me closer to the right opportunity. Gets back up when they fall = Resilient ☑ “It” girls invest in their community. Burnout taught me I couldn’t pour into myself without pouring into others. In that season, I leaned on family, friends, and volunteered with the American Heart Association—reminding me of community and connection. My own experiences taught me that everyone’s story looks different and deserves to be seen beyond circumstance. As I continue growing my career, my goal is to create an annual scholarship fund for women of color pursuing fashion. I want to invest in women whose stories have been overlooked, giving them confidence to pursue their dreams. I haven’t won yet, but this scholarship has already changed my life. I hope to pass on the same light Ms.Tamika Angelica Nurse shared with me. Always helps others = Helpful ☑ I’ve learned that becoming an “it” girl is a lifelong journey. “Her road to self-improvement has no true end.” With the advice in The IT Girl Rules: Get Hired And Stay Hired, I learned how to become my own hero. Can fly ☒ Will soar ☑

As she walks into a room, she commands attention through her presence. No hype or provocative clothing. Only silence. She is a fearless young woman who redefines the odds of every negative judgement or underestimation that was cast upon her. A woman who values her brains more than her sex appeal to attract attention in a noble way that aligns with God’s principles. For me, these are the attributes that define the “IT Girl” persona. As a future fashion designer and businesswoman, I intend to apply a set of guidelines (rules) of my own just as Ms. Nurse to navigate the ups and downs of the fashion industry and establish my brand’s identity: keep the faith, design to make a difference, and cultivate community. I believe that Ms. Nurse encouraged young women to establish boundaries to protect their ideas and interests while staying true to themselves. To become their own “superwoman” in a fashionable sense and a reigning corporate leader. I, too, will strive to become my own “superwoman” to achieve my goals and make a positive impact on this world. Throughout my life, there were many times where I faced adversity. All of which involved school bullying, and being raised by a single mom of two. I have learned that it takes determination, hard-work, flexibility, but most importantly, having faith in God, to overcome the storm. If anything, I have learned to accept such obstacles as a test of my faith, physical strength, and mentality; all of which I must have to overcome the trials and tribulations of this world. In the song, “It’s a Man’s, Man’s, Man’s World” by James Brown, he stated, “This is a man’s world, but it wouldn’t be nothing, nothing without a woman or a girl…”. In other words, a man cannot function without a woman no matter how rich or dominant he may perceive to be. A woman has greater value just as a man and much to offer besides sex that includes serving as an emotional support system, providing intellectual advice, and inspiring the foundation of various global networks, especially fashion. As Ms. Nurse, I hope to serve as a beacon of light to encourage women to pursue their dreams, and to not be discouraged to take-on higher roles reserved for men in a world that values a gender-norm society. Moreover, I hope to impact my community by promoting sustainability through my brand’s merchandise and its activities. This includes incorporating natural fibers and recycled materials into my designs, and replacing equipment that burns fossil fuels with renewable energy sources. I believe that it is important to prioritize health, safety, and public awareness in such a toxic and wasteful industry. Proposing alternative solutions for production is the ultimate goal in designing fashion that is fun, eco-friendly, and forward-thinking. As Ms. Nurse, I hope that my efforts will inspire the next generation of young women to be the best version of themselves.

To me an "It" girl is a woman who strides into the room with confidence, leads gracefully and exists with purpose. She inspires others, loves herself and leaves an unforgettable stamp not just on her look but on her character. Tamika Angelica Nurse was that. She was not simply fashion forward—she was forward thinking, faith driven and committed to empowering women. As an aspiring Christian woman seeking Apparel Design and Merchandising at Alabama A&M University I desire to follow in her footsteps by creating a fashion career built on purpose, service and integrity. Fashion to me encompasses something more than clothes—it's a change agent. Growing up in the US, I had been exposed to trends but became aware of the damage caused by fast fashion: waste, unethical labor and harm to the environment. If I were to venture into this business, I knew that I needed to stand for something different. My dream is to establish a sustainable fashion business that not only creates beautiful clothes but also inspires women to honor their identity and worth by what they wear and do. As Tamika, I wish to have faith in the use of fashion as a means of impacting and inspiring others. It is for this reason that I have made my own "rules" in fashion that reflect my values and belief system: walk in truth, lead with love, create with purpose. My aspiration is to utilize my platform for mentoring young women, specifically from underrepresented populations, and informing them that they can be bold, beautiful, and business-savvy, all while staying grounded within themselves. Overcoming adversity has characterized me. Becoming fashion-savvy was not easily accepted by my circle of peers, and I've broken through disbelief and discouragement. Prayer, faith and persistence held on to me as I stayed firm on my passion. I've learned to embrace and pursue my vocation and treat every challenge as a driving force. I also give back through volunteering, especially at community events and church activities, since service is a part of my walk with Christ and my promise of lifting others. In the future, I envision creating spaces—both physical and virtual—where young women can learn fashion design, entrepreneurship, and self-esteem. I would like to spend my days writing books, teaching workshops, and mentoring girls who don't yet know their power. Like Tamika Nurse, I would want to be a light and a leader—a "It" girl who not only dresses the part but lives it with faith, passion, and purpose. This would help me.

Nya Hopson Tamika A. Nurse Fashionista Memorial Scholarship June 11, 2023 According to Wikipedia, An “It girl” can be defined as "an attractive young woman who is perceived to have both sex appeal and a personality that is especially engaging”. However, to me, a true IT girl is much more than just sexual attraction. A proper IT girl is a woman who carries herself with class and has an element of mystique. In today's day and age, it is common to give so much of ourselves through vessels like social media. Whether it's sharing our lives, relationships, or bodies, everything is free game. Young women are encouraged to be as sexual as possible to be marketable, being influenced to commodify their bodies without a second thought. However, I believe that there is power in mystery and that some things are to be left to the imagination. True IT girls are women people look up to. They are the ones we aspire to be like because they are authentic to themselves. It has become normal to fit one stereotypical standard of women in today's society, but I say a real IT girl follows her own mind, moving with integrity and self-respect. IT girls are confident women know the power they hold within themselves. I believe it is possible to be an IT girl regardless of the industry you work in; it’s not solely exclusive to women in the fashion industry. Being an It girl is truly about navigating challenges with resilience, building meaningful connections, and leveraging opportunities for growth and advancement. As a woman aspiring to be in the fashion industry, I plan to apply my own rules about being an IT girl as well as Ms.Tamika Nurse’s. In her book, Ms.Nurse advises girls to be proactive in their career development. I find these rules especially important because, as an undergrad student, it can be very intimidating to chase your dreams and get out of your comfort zone. I have had times where I doubt myself and second guess my abiites. However, the only way we will grow is by seeking new challenges and being open to new opportunities. Dreams do not work unless we do. Additionally, Ms.Nurse teaches us the power of building your resume. An impressive resume can help set you apart from the competition by showcasing your skills and experiences. This is why it has become a personal goal of mine to gain experience and knowledge through serving my community. Service has become a massive part of my life these last few years as a rising/current college student. I want to indulge in giving back to my community. Impacting communities of black youth is vital to me. I want to use my future experiences, resources, and successes to inspire and uplift the next generation. I can help bridge gaps in education, economic access, and representation by providing mentorship, support, and opportunities. I want to give those behind me safe spaces to be creative. I would one day like to open a maker space centered around encouraging children's interest in visual arts, such as fashion, photography, ceramics, etc., in the community. Giving back creates a sense of solidarity and empowerment, ensuring that young people of color see role models who look like them and understand their specific challenges. Investing in the growth and development of black youth not only strengthens our communities but also contributes to a more equitable and just society.

Hey Alexa, play IT Girl (clean version) by Aliyah’s Interlude. The actress Yara Shahidi once said, “If you can see her, you can be her.” I see an IT girl and what's so cool about her is her faith in God and herself, her confidence but humbleness, her high-maintenance appearance, and most importantly, her growth: mindset. Becoming this woman was and still is not easy. Growing up in a Black-American household and a Liberian household, it was expected of me to work towards a job in the STEM field. When I told my parents I wanted to work in fashion, they instantly shot my dream down by telling me I would not be able to support myself in the future and that it was a waste of my intelligence. Though I wanted to prove them wrong, I still found it necessary to take their advice. So I worked hard at school to get a full-ride scholarship for college, took dual enrollment classes at my local community college that center around business management, enrolled in as many fashion school webinars about business from FIDM to Parsons, and started my own virtual styling business. Over time, I started ignoring the fashion aspect of business out of self-doubt and fear over my future and the financial sacrifices I would have to make to grow. I thought it was best to get a high-paying office job and do real estate on the side. This was the plan until one Sunday. This life-altering lesson occurred at the church and the scripture was (Matthew 21:18-22). As my pastor extraordinarily explained this by breaking the text down to us and the crowd, he said, “Focus on the fruit, not the fear.” Those six words formed together were so powerful that I tried to get back into fashion. I emailed an up-and-coming brand from my state asking to be an intern and when she said yes, I knew it was meant to be. I was blessed enough to see and learn the ins and outs of running a brand and what people need. Then I took two fashion courses at LIM College summer camp. When I was there, self-doubt feelings, and thoughts came slithering on me like a dirty snake. I felt so different as I was the only black woman. The lack of diversity inspired me to help Black creatives who want to start a business, but do not know how to. Starting a creative agency centered catered towards Black creatives would give them the voice they never had, and full creative freedom. This dream may seem wild but I am only 17 and through hard work I have made pretty strong connections in the fashion industry. When I leave this world, I want to see Black fashion designers and fashion students feeling confident in themselves and standing out because they saw a sister like me do it first.