Narratives, and Sensory Experiences: Bridging Divides Through Multiplatform Storytelling The world is full of complex narratives, each fraught with challenges and opportunities. As a Queer African-American male who grew up in a predominately white household, I've navigated multiple intersections of identity, privilege, and struggle. My goal? To use this complex tapestry as a foundation for positive change. I am majoring in Computer Science and Journalism, a fusion that represents my mission: leveraging technology to amplify marginalized voices and bridge societal divides. I'm eager to attend NYU to study Interactive Media and Writing, and the Lyndsey Scott Coding+ Scholarship offers financial support and an affirmation of my multifaceted goals. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, the tech industry was the backdrop against which I formed my understanding of the world. Through this, I saw its effects on surrounding communities—the societal divides that technological advancements can exacerbate. Marginalized communities, particularly impoverished and/or BIPOC, often find themselves on the losing end of this technological revolution. My ambition in computer science is specific: I want to democratize and disseminate access to AI tools for traditionally sidelined communities. By doing this, I aim to level the playing field, ensuring that advancements in AI serve as a bridge, not a barrier, between communities. Journalism: The Voice of the Voiceless My passion for journalism stems from its core tenet: storytelling. Narratives have the power to change perceptions, inspire, and, most importantly, to humanize. While computer science provides the toolset, journalism offers the content—stories of marginalized communities that need to be heard. My goal is to establish a Multimedia Publishing company focused on utilizing emerging technologies to tell stories and deliver art in new, innovative ways. A Symphony of Experiences Outside the binaries of code and text, I find another passion: the hospitality industry. As a Mixologist, Beverage Experience Manager, and specialty coffee Barista undergoing Q-Grader training, I founded ‘SpaceBar,’ a venture to elevate experiences and build community. Through activities like the Aroma Kit Experience, we tap into olfactory senses to evoke memories, emotions, and facilitate cultural exchange. It’s not just about the drink; it’s about the story the ingredients tell, the community it builds, and the divides it bridges. Converging Pathways The real magic happens when these paths converge. Imagine an interactive multimedia exhibit powered by AI algorithms that tells a story and allows you to smell, taste, and feel the narrative. Or consider a ‘SpaceBar’ experience guided by an AI, customized to each individual’s emotional and cultural background. The possibilities are endless, and the impact—profound. At NYU, I aim to further explore these intersections between Interactive Media and Writing, all while using this rich tapestry to serve my community and contribute to a more inclusive world. A Step Closer to the Dream While my ambitions are sky-high, my financial realities are grounded. Coming from an impoverished background, this scholarship is not just a financial relief; it’s a key that can unlock countless doors for me and the communities I aim to serve. In Conclusion My journey is not just about coding, writing, or mixing the perfect drink. It’s about the intersections—my identity, technology and storytelling, olfactory senses, and community building. I am a living, breathing amalgamation of diverse interests, bringing this diversity to the table, even if I must build my own chair. The Lyndsey Scott Coding+ Scholarship would not just be an investment in me but an investment in a future where technology and narratives come together to build bridges, not walls. I am committed to walking this path with unwavering resolve, and this scholarship would be a monumental step in that journey.

Dear WCEJ Thornton Foundation, My journey towards my present course of study, computer science and journalism, at Georgia State University, is a tale of resilience and perseverance. Regardless of the adversities I faced, my love for storytelling and technology has guided me to my greatest achievement, the establishment of Spacebar, a tea and coffee mixology business, and the conception of Juntos, a platform designed to combat colorism and uplift marginalized communities. From the culturally vibrant streets of California to the buzzing specialty coffee industry of San Francisco, I learned invaluable lessons about community engagement, artistic expression, and the importance of social justice. My financially strapped beginnings may seem like a hurdle, but they fueled my motivation to succeed and gave me a unique perspective on life. I was able to see the world through a lens that numerous others do not get to experience, and this grounded me in my principles and my mission to elevate those less privileged. Being a part of the coffee industry, I could observe the struggles of international coffee producers. I saw the parallel between their struggles and the struggles of marginalized individuals of those like myself. This understanding sparked the idea of Spacebar, a venture that combines coffee, mixology, and event planning to create immersive sensory experiences while fostering partnerships with artists and promoting sustainability. The journey to establishing Spacebar was not without its trials. Juggling academics, part-time work, and my entrepreneurial endeavors, while battling impostor syndrome and providing for my family, was a constant challenge. I had to grow up faster than most, taking on financial responsibilities at a young age due to familial complications. However, these challenges only strengthened my resolve to succeed and helped me find my hidden resilience. The creation of Spacebar is my greatest achievement to date, but it’s just the beginning. My future aspirations include establishing Juntos, an initiative to link Afro-Latino voices to combat colorism and uplift marginalized communities. The lessons I learned from my experiences in the coffee industry and from an internship at Stanford’s Center on Poverty and Inequality will be instrumental in making Juntos a reality. However, the looming financial constraints of my low-income background pose a significant hurdle in achieving these dreams. The WCEJ Thornton Foundation Low-Income Scholarship would not only alleviate these financial burdens but would also provide me with a platform to further my education and make Juntos a reality. The experiences I gained from working in the specialty coffee industry, as well as my internship at Stanford’s Center on Poverty and Inequality, have honed my skills in editorial content creation, project management, branding, and marketing. Coupled with my academic expertise in computer science and journalism, I believe I have the potential to make significant impacts in the world, given the right opportunities. In conclusion, I am a resilient individual with a passion for storytelling and technology who is dedicated to uplifting marginalized communities. Despite my financial constraints, I remain focused on my academic goals and entrepreneurial endeavors. A scholarship from the WCEJ Thornton Foundation would not only provide me with the financial assistance I desperately need but also serve as a testament to my resilience, ambition, and perseverance. It would be an affirmation of my efforts and dedication, as well as a catalyst for my future endeavors. Thank you for considering my application.

The Power of Empowerment: Fostering Change through Advocacy and Community Building The resonant hum of the coffee grinder, the intoxicating aroma of freshly brewed coffee, and the lively chatter of patrons formed the backdrop of the modest coffee shop that became my springboard for vocation and advocacy. As a member of the BIPOC community, I extended a helping hand to those in similar circumstances, transforming the café into more than just a workspace—it became a nexus for community outreach and support. Bolstered by GoFundBean and Glitter Cat, two non-profit organizations, this café was my launchpad for community service initiatives. Raised in California and under the care of my grandparents, I have firsthand experience of economic adversity. Our family’s reliance on Social Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) made it incumbent upon me to secure funding for my education. As a scholarship applicant, I seek financial aid and affirmation of my journey as a community-focused leader, fervent about forging meaningful connections and serving my community. My immersion in the coffee industry and my personal challenges catalyzed my aspiration to advocate for marginalized communities. The stark contrast between minimum-wage earnings in Western countries and the problematic lives of coffee farmers fueled my ardor for raising awareness of the challenges these underprivileged individuals face. As an assistant muralist, I depicted the cultural-historical development of coffee, linking my journey with the narratives of countless others in the sector. Motivated by my enthusiasm for storytelling, I pursued a dual degree in Journalism and Computer Science at Georgia State University (GSU). This life-altering move required me to relinquish the comfort of familiarity and embrace the rich African-American history and culture of my new environment. My vision was to meld technology and art to create unparalleled experiences, amplifying the voices of marginalized communities through storytelling. At GSU, my academic pursuits were bolstered by entrepreneurial endeavors, as I benefited from AAMI’s mentorship and networking opportunities. This support sparked my concept for Juntos, a BIPOC-centric publishing company aiming to curate platforms for sensory experiences and impactful community engagement. Upon graduation, my primary goal is to establish a career in creative marketing, focusing on promoting underrepresented voices in multimedia. In the long term, I plan to expand Juntos into a creative consulting agency, assisting artists in devising unique marketing experiences and empowering their local communities. I attribute my progress in healing from familial circumstances and cultural dichotomy to therapy. My grandparents’ fulfilling vocations in social work and music, despite contending with severe health issues, have informed my aspirations to forge meaningful connections and serve my community. My internship at Stanford University’s Center on Poverty and Inequality reinforced this mission, underscoring the power of storytelling to amplify marginalized voices. Receiving this scholarship would mitigate the financial strain of tuition, allowing me to concentrate on my academic and entrepreneurial objectives. It symbolizes validation of my journey, an endorsement of my dedication, and an impetus for my future endeavors. My narrative is metamorphosis and growth, molded by experiences, ambitions, and an unwavering desire to contribute to my community. In summary, my experiences and opportunities at GSU have laid the groundwork for my aspirations. This scholarship would facilitate the translation of these dreams into tangible achievements, enabling me to share my passion for sensory experiences while championing marginalized communities. My background, dedication, and resolve to make me a formidable candidate for the Community Reinvestment Grant: Pride Scholarship.

The capacity for diverse voices in public relations to influence public narratives in our increasingly interconnected world cannot be understated. This power serves as a linchpin in fostering mutual understanding, precipitating societal progress, and ultimately reframing the dialogue surrounding marginalized communities. As a budding creative marketer and public relations enthusiast from an underrepresented background, I have witnessed the transformative potential of diversity firsthand. Traditional narratives, often monolithic in their construct, are robustly challenged by diversity in public relations. This challenge provides a gateway for a panoply of unique experiences and perspectives to be heard, which enriches narratives by imbuing them with depth and breadth. As an African-American raised in a predominantly Italian/Euro-centric family, I've experienced the intricate blend of cultures and the richness of diverse experiences that this dynamic presents. My unique background underscores the urgency of integrating such narratives within the public sphere. Moreover, diverse public relations voices are catalysts for empathy and inclusion. They bring stories from marginalized and underrepresented communities to the fore, challenging entrenched stereotypes and dismantling barriers of misunderstanding. Through my BIPOC-focused publishing venture, Juntos, my ambition is to harness the transformative power of diverse voices to amplify narratives from Black, Brown, and Afro-Latino communities, allowing them to reverberate in broader audiences. Diversity, in its essence, is a potent stimulant for creativity and innovation. Teams imbued with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives possess a capacity to conjure fresh, inventive ideas. This ability enhances their problem-solving prowess and strategic thinking acumen. This factor holds considerable significance in my exploration of the specialty coffee industry. I aim to employ storytelling and art to shine a light on underrepresented narratives and highlight prevailing issues. Finally, diverse voices in public relations enhance the creation of more effective and authentic communication strategies. These voices ensure that campaigns resonate deeply with a multicultural audience, thus forging resilient connections between brands and their diverse stakeholders. As I forge ahead in my academic journey at Georgia State University, I aim to leverage my experiences and insights to advocate for a more diverse representation within public relations. The Novitas Diverse Voices Scholarship could be a significant buttress for this mission, offering me the empowerment I need to propel narratives of underrepresented communities forward. In doing so, I can contribute to the cultivation of a more inclusive and diverse landscape within the public relations industry. This scholarship will not only alleviate the financial burden of my tuition but also provide invaluable opportunities for networking, workshops, and internships, all crucial components to realizing my dreams and aspirations.