Every space I walk into, I strive to bring light. Whether it’s through uplifting the people around me, mentoring youth, leading with compassion, or helping someone see the value in their own voice, my presence is intentional. I don’t just want to succeed for myself — I want others to rise with me. That’s why this scholarship means so much to me. I may not have known Kalia D. Davis personally, but from the moment I read her story, I felt a connection. I saw in her the same spirit I try to live by: someone who led with love, pushed herself in everything she did, and made the people around her feel seen. That’s the kind of legacy I want to carry forward. At Stanford, I’m studying Product Design with a focus on AI, alongside minors in Political Science and Data Science. I care deeply about using design and tech to make tools that serve real people, especially in marginalized communities like the one I come from. As a Nigerian-American, I’ve witnessed firsthand how cultural labor — fashion, hair, art, music — sustains us when systems fail. That’s what motivates me to build things that reflect who we are, while giving people more control over their futures. Outside the classroom, I’ve poured myself into my community. I serve as co-president of the Nigerian Student Association at Stanford, where we’ve launched events like Detty December and taken delegations to statewide Nigerian conferences. I also founded the United Cultures Club in high school, creating a safe space where students of all backgrounds could celebrate who they are. I’ve mentored youth through UrbanTXT, led design teams, and helped students prepare for careers in tech. As the founder, CEO, and lead hairstylist of my own hair business, Anita Did It, I’ve built an entire brand that centers care, creativity, and Black beauty. In all of this, I keep returning to one question: how can I build things that last? Not just programs or products, but people — people who feel affirmed, inspired, and capable of shaping their world. I’ve seen it in the girls who sit in my chair and talk to me about their goals. I’ve seen it in the students I mentor who start to believe in their own ideas. I’ve seen it in myself, too — because I’ve been lifted up by communities that saw more in me than I sometimes saw in myself. I’ve always believed that legacy is about more than awards or achievements. It’s about who you were to other people. Were you someone they could count on? Did you show up with your whole heart? Did you make others feel like they mattered? Kalia did that. And that’s what I try to do every day. From the volleyball court — where I played varsity for seven years — to the beach, where I find peace watching the sunrise and sunset, to the late nights designing outfits or mentoring younger students, I carry with me a deep sense of purpose and joy. I dance traditionally to stay grounded in who I am. I lead to help others rise. I serve because that’s what fulfills me. Receiving this scholarship would not only support my journey, but allow me to continue living out the kind of impact Kalia left behind. Her story is a reminder of what it means to live fully, to love openly, and to lead boldly. That’s the kind of life I want to live — and the kind of legacy I hope to honor.

From a young age, I’ve been passionate about using design and technology to solve real problems, especially those that impact my community. As a student majoring in Computer Science, Product Design, and Political Science at Stanford, my goal is to create tools that empower underserved communities, starting with my own in Nigeria. In a country where government corruption has failed to meet the needs of everyday people by stealing public funds, and where international powers have exploited our resources and treated us as a means to an end, systemic failure has become the norm. But within this failure, cultural labor—through music, fashion, real estate, marketing, trading, and craftsmanship—has brought our communities together and kept us alive. In a country where formal education is undervalued and often unrewarded, many have turned to trades and creative industries for survival. I want to build on this foundation using technology and policy to support the growing wave of cultural labor and to drive sustainable change. My dream is to blend my disciplines to develop products that serve my community. I want to create platforms that merge next-generation technology like artificial intelligence with human-centered work, especially in creative fields like fashion and art. I also want to build tools that promote government transparency and develop systems that support education and entrepreneurship. In the future, I hope to pursue a JD/MBA to gain the legal and business knowledge needed to advise ethical governments and inform communities of their rights. Whether through civic technology or socially conscious design, I aim to support the people who have long been overlooked. Despite my deep commitment to this mission, the financial burden of being a low-income student has placed many obstacles in my path. Although I have earned a place at one of the world’s top universities, Stanford still expects me to contribute over $14,000 a year—an amount my family simply cannot afford. The cost of tuition, housing, and daily expenses creates constant stress. Instead of being fully engaged in my studies and the college experience, I find myself always thinking about money. I worry about how to pay for textbooks, whether I can afford a trip home, or even if I can join my friends for something as simple as a boba run. Often, I choose not to participate because spending money on small joys means giving up something essential later. I also worry about the cost of graduate school applications, including fees for the LSAT, GMAT, and study materials. I have already taken out loans that I cannot repay, which has damaged my credit score and now limits my ability to access additional funds for academic or personal needs. These financial pressures do more than limit opportunities. They weigh heavily on my mental health and academic focus. Receiving this scholarship would relieve a critical burden. It would allow me to redirect my energy toward academic research, personal growth, and meaningful projects aligned with my vision. I would no longer have to choose between basic needs and life-changing opportunities. I could focus on building a future where technology uplifts communities rather than leaving them behind. In the long term, I want to mentor students from low-income backgrounds and help them navigate a path forward with more confidence and fewer financial roadblocks. My story is not unique, but with the right support, I can turn it into something impactful—something that gives back.

Advanced 3D modeling powered by artificial intelligence is a technology that inspires me because of its ability to improve the way we design and interact with the world. By merging AI’s analytical capabilities with 3D design, this technology streamlines creative workflows and enhances industries from fashion to healthcare, making the world more inclusive and sustainable. Imagine a world where anyone, regardless of skill level, can bring their ideas to life. AI-driven 3D modeling enables creators to visualize and build designs faster and with greater accuracy. For example, generative design tools can suggest optimized structures for eco-friendly buildings or functional medical devices, empowering innovation across diverse fields. This accessibility eliminates barriers, allowing more people to participate in creating solutions to global challenges. One of the most compelling applications of this technology lies in sustainability. In the fashion industry, AI can simulate how garments fit on virtual mannequins tailored to users' body types. This reduces waste caused by returns and unsold inventory. By integrating AI-powered 3D modeling, we can also design products that use minimal materials while maximizing functionality. This dual focus on creativity and sustainability makes the technology a force for good. My personal experience working with AI deepened my appreciation for its transformative potential. As a coach at Urban Teens Exploring Technology (TXT), I collaborated with a team to develop an AI-driven system that analyzed user behavior. This hands-on project inspired me to imagine new ways AI could address real-world challenges. Building on this experience, I dream of leveraging advanced 3D modeling to revolutionize fashion. My vision is a platform where users can style, customize, and virtually try on sustainable or thrifted clothing, reducing waste while celebrating global diversity through cultural designs. What inspires me most about AI-powered 3D modeling is its ability to redefine accessibility and self-expression. Whether applied in healthcare to design custom prosthetics or in entertainment to create inclusive virtual experiences, the technology empowers individuals to innovate and share their creativity with the world. Advanced 3D modeling with AI is not just about design—it’s about transformation. It brings people closer to their ideas, reshaping industries and fostering a more inclusive and sustainable future.

My Experience with AI and Machine Learning This past summer, I had the incredible opportunity to serve as Senior Operations Manager and coach for three youth startup groups at Urban Teens Exploring Technology (TXT). Each team included a UI/UX designer, Scrum Master, Product Manager, and Full Stack Developer. The group I worked most closely with, "Harvest," focused on connecting home growers in Los Angeles with their neighbors to reduce food waste. Our efforts culminated in Harvest winning first place at the TXT competition, where they pitched their idea to a panel of judges and venture capitalists from major companies like Google, AEG, and the Broad Foundation. During the project, I collaborated with the Full Stack Developer to create an AI-driven backend system using clustering and unsupervised learning. This system helped sellers on the platform identify target audiences based on buyer behavior. This hands-on experience deepened my interest in AI, sparking a desire to create my own AI-driven solutions for problems I’m passionate about. My Vision for an AI-Powered Fashion Platform Building on my AI experience, I envision creating a platform that transforms online fashion shopping. My app would aggregate clothing from across the web, allowing users to create personalized "shop it" collections. Users would then style outfits using a 3D mannequin that mirrors their body dimensions, helping them visualize how clothes would fit and reducing the need for returns. I want to take the app further by integrating advanced 3D modeling. The AI would suggest fully styled outfits, not just simple pairings. For example, it could show multiple ways to style a dress—such as with accessories or worn as a skirt. Once styled, users could be redirected to the original retailers to purchase the items, creating a seamless shopping experience. The platform would also include a “closet” feature, where users can save and share their styled outfits on a community interface. This would encourage creativity and provide a space for users to inspire and learn from one another. Thrifting, Cultural Fashion, and Sustainability In addition to modern fashion, my platform would emphasize sustainable and thrifted clothing. A major challenge with thrifting online is uncertainty about fit, but my app would solve this by using AI mannequins to show users how thrifted pieces would look on their bodies. I'm also passionate about infusing cultural diversity into the platform. As a Nigerian-American, I have navigated various cultural identities throughout my life, and I want this reflected in my app. By featuring African, Indian, Asian, and Western styles, I aim to celebrate the richness of global fashion while promoting sustainability through up-cycled and eco-friendly options. The Power of Fashion in Identity and Self-Expression Fashion has always been a vital tool for me to express my identity. I often shift between different cultural settings, adapting my style to fit my environment. Through my project, I want to explore how individuals present themselves to the world and how they might mask their true selves. My goal is to create a fashion platform that reflects the fluidity of identity, allowing users to experiment with different styles and cultural influences. For me, fashion is more than just clothing—it’s a way to reveal my true self. I want others to experience that same freedom of self-expression through my platform. By combining AI/ML technology with a focus on cultural and sustainable fashion, I hope to inspire users to embrace their personal style, celebrate their heritage, and express themselves confidently. In this evolving digital world, I’m eager to merge AI's technological possibilities with the timeless power of fashion, using innovation to redefine how we view style and identity.