Education is a cornerstone of personal and professional development, providing individuals with the knowledge, skills, and critical thinking abilities necessary to navigate and succeed in the world. For me, education has been a transformative force, shaping my artistic talents and deepening my understanding of cultural and historical contexts. Through my journey in education, I have not only refined my creative skills but also found a platform to share my vision of Afrofuturism, a cultural aesthetic that blends African diaspora culture with technology. My educational background includes a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in Fine Art from Atlanta, GA, and Buffalo, NY. These programs have been instrumental in honing my artistic abilities, allowing me to experiment with various mediums and techniques. More importantly, they have provided me with a comprehensive understanding of art history and theory, which has been crucial in developing my unique artistic voice. Through my studies, I have been able to explore and articulate the intersection of African history and technology, a theme central to my work. The academic environment offered me the freedom to experiment and grow as an artist. I engaged deeply with various artistic movements and styles, incorporating elements that resonated with my vision. This freedom was vital in helping me discover my unique voice within Afrofuturism. The support and feedback from professors and peers further enriched my educational experience, providing me with diverse perspectives that broadened my understanding of art and its impact on society. Education has also been invaluable in providing me with opportunities to showcase my art. Being featured in national and international magazines has given me a platform to reach a wider audience and share my vision of Afrofuturism. This exposure has not only validated my work but also inspired others to see the potential of blending cultural heritage with modern technology. The recognition I have received has been both humbling and motivating, driving me to continue pushing the boundaries of my art. Beyond the technical and theoretical knowledge, education has instilled in me a sense of purpose and direction. My academic journey has been marked by a commitment to excellence and a desire to use my skills to make a positive impact. This has driven me to engage with young artists, providing them with the tools and inspiration needed to pursue their creative journeys. I have found immense satisfaction in mentoring and guiding aspiring artists, helping them navigate the challenges of their own educational paths. My mission to eliminate student debt through Bold.org by providing customized scholarships, fellowships, and grants is a testament to my belief in the power of education. I have seen firsthand how financial burdens can hinder talented individuals from reaching their full potential. By supporting students financially, I aim to remove these barriers and empower them to focus on their education and creative growth. Looking ahead, my goal is to further my education by pursuing a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) in Strategy and Innovation. This program will equip me with the knowledge and skills to design and execute strategies essential in today’s dynamic business world. By studying strategic digital transformation, managing innovation, and fostering creativity, I aim to enhance organizational agility and competitive advantage, translating these insights into the art community. I believe that a DBA will not only enhance my business acumen but also provide me with the tools to implement innovative strategies within the arts sector. In conclusion, education has been a pivotal force in my life, providing me with the tools, knowledge, and opportunities to pursue my passion for Art and Business.

My motivation behind achieving financial freedom is having the resources to give back to my community through the arts as a professional artist/entrepreneur. I have always wanted to be an artist and as a kid, I would read and watch the DC Universe comic series. I chose art because it focuses primarily on visual, technical, and emotional presence within a given artwork. When I got accepted into University at Buffalo’s Masters of Fine Arts Program it gave me the ability to see the world in a new light. Studying at University at Buffalo gave me an opportunity to hone my art skills. Because of my hard work, my recent academic achievement is being invited to become a member of the Golden Key International Honor Society. I received this achievement because I obtained a 3.8 GPA while balancing a full time job and overloading each semester. I was successful by managing my time and never losing my motivation. This same motivation will fuel my goal to graduate from my Master’s Program at the top ten percent of my class with a 4.0 cumulative GPA. This personal achievement has allowed me to be the first male in my family to pursue a Master’s Degree. Through this personal achievement, I have been able to serve as a role model for others that want to attend graduate school. I have inspired my older brother to continue in pursuing higher education. My older brother is now in a Masters of Business Association program. This is the same motivation I used to graduate on June 1, 2018 with a Masters of Fine Arts with top honors. If I did not have the burden of making student loan payments, I would be an artist/entrepreneur. I would invest and establish my own art gallery that displays African History and technology that is suitable for youth and adults. The reason I want to open my own gallery is to increase the number of Black artists and gallery owners in the world. Globally, there are only 2% of African American curators who own galleries and I wish to change that. I would change that by educating the youth in my neighborhood through the school system. They will learn the importance of knowing their history, and they will be able to fully experience art made by a person of color. I will also employ the youth and adults in my community to gain hands-on experience in the field. Investing in the community and its people will help the community flourish, which in turn creates the next generation of Black artists and curators the world has yet to see. If awarded the Jae'Sean Tate BUILT Scholarship, I will be able to achieve both my academic and career goals. Academically, I want to finish my graduate education up to my Doctorate without any debt. Additionally, the scholarship could financially assist me in saving more money to bring my art gallery to life.

As a Art Leader, I don’t get to lead very often, at least not formally. In the long-run, I’d love to start taking on more responsibilities as a leader. This could be leading meetings or projects, mentoring or training newer team members, and other tasks like that. I enjoy the hands-on work and that’s still what I want to be doing. However, I haven’t had much chance to lead yet in my career, so I’d say that’s an area for improvement or something I could get better at doing.

“The gratification of overcoming an obstacle is my greatest motivator. For example, math has never been my best subject, but I opted to take calculus in college, even though it wasn’t required for my major because I wanted to prove to myself I could do it. The course wasn’t easy, and I spent many nights studying late, but I passed with an A. The feeling of accomplishment that comes with exceeding challenging goals is what drew me to a career in sales.”