When discussing first-generation college students, the conversation often centers on financial aid forms. That's fair, but it misses the absence of a plan at home. My mom has a two-year degree, but I never knew what she studied. College was a distant thought, and I got lost as a freshman. Then, I received a progress report with a C grade. Staring at that paper felt like facing a cycle I desperately wanted to escape. I asked myself: "For how much longer am I going to let this be my story, or am I going to break the cycle?" That pivotal moment sparked a profound shift. Realizing nobody was coming to engineer my future, I got a small notebook to map out my days and track deadlines entirely on my own. While that notebook gave me daily structure, my mindset truly expanded through my photography teacher, Mr. Parker. He immediately reminded me of Jiraiya from Naruto, my favorite anime, because he was an outstanding photographer who was deeply wise yet completely playful. When I was drifting, he pushed a camera into my hands to find a new vision of the world. For him, teaching technical mechanics wasn't enough. He helped me grasp how to trust my unique perspective when I had no academic model to follow. This mentorship completely shifted how I saw myself; I wasn't just a lost kid anymore, I was a creator with a voice that mattered. I needed that internal strength immediately. My newfound resolve faced its harshest test when my stepfather left and my mom was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. As the new breadwinner, it was as if a switch in me instantly flipped. I stopped hanging out with friends to make grocery lists, trading carefree adolescence for the quiet maturity of a protector. I vividly remember returning home after chemotherapy to a house heavy with the smell of rubbing alcohol. Helping my mom sip broth while she whispered, "Thank you, son," redefined my entire purpose. Those words turned my exhaustion into deep motivation. At 3 AM under a desk lamp, I processed images for Shot by Harris LLC to pay the electricity bill. Balancing deadlines with oncology visits proved that leadership is about executing when things are critical. One day, I'll probably put these experiences into a book. All these ordeals directly shaped my artistic gift, training me to see past the surface and capture the true intensity of human emotions that people try to hide. For example, a picture of mine from the Atlanta Track Classic shows a runner with his eyes tightly shut and mouth wide open in a raw scream of physical exertion. Because I've lived through survival, my lens instinctively looks for the unspoken resilience in others. This specific mindset drives my goal to study the Arts at LSU. Upon graduating, I'll innovate the media landscape by completely redefining how minority communities are documented, replacing degrading narratives with authentic, emotionally powerful digital storytelling. I've already proven this vision realistic through my experience working closely with the FIFA World Cup. I've also produced high-level content for Warner Bros. Discovery and Atlanta Public Schools. SInceI'm working to fund my education through my business and scholarships, the financial burden is very difficult. Without a safety net, every dollar determines if I can stay enrolled. The Christian ‘Myles’ Pratt Foundation Fine Arts Scholarship would ease this heavy financial burden, letting me focus entirely on my classes and agency. Supporting my education invests in a storyteller who's already mastered the grind in the dark and is ready to bring that exact excellence to LSU.

I plan to create a legacy rooted in visibility and community empowerment, particularly for young Black creatives who often find themselves overlooked. My dream business is already alive, but my long-term vision is to expand it significantly. I want to grow my business, Shot by Harris LLC from a localized photography service into a full-scale multi-media creative agency and storytelling platform. This business will be a space that bridges personal identity and digital culture, inviting individuals from underrepresented backgrounds to tell their stories beautifully and unapologetically on their own terms. I laid the foundation for this legacy out of absolute necessity. In January 2023, my mother was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer and my stepfather suddenly departed, leaving our family in a severe financial crisis. At sixteen, I refused to let this hardship break me. I launched Shot by Harris LLC to alleviate our deep financial strain, balancing client bookings and late-night editing to keep my family afloat until my mother entered remission. This experience taught me that entrepreneurship is a vital tool for survival. My goal is to expand this business to offer hands-on training and creative mentorship for youth in underfunded areas, proving that you do not need expensive connections to create meaningful art. I shine my light through active service and intentional creative connection. As Mr. Senior and a John and Lillian Miles Lewis Student Ambassador at Drew Charter School, I represent student voices while promoting civic engagement. In this leadership role, I mentor underclassmen navigating pressure to help them build confidence. My community outreach extends over 150 hours with AG Rhodes and Live Healthy and Thrive. Documenting oral histories with senior citizens taught me the power of connection to break through isolation. Separately, my commercial success highlights athletes and students across Atlanta, ensuring they are recognized. I have captured major events like the Atlanta Track Classic, gaining citywide recognition. This momentum opened doors for invaluable industry experience with Warner Bros. Discovery, proving my creative vision carries large-scale weight. I also shine by refusing to play it safe. Navigating immense hardship, it would have been easy to settle, but I believe in building something real that impacts those around me. Attending Louisiana State University for mass communication and digital storytelling will provide the framework to scale Shot by Harris LLC into a national powerhouse. My studies at LSU will equip me to master advanced digital production while sharpening my media literacy. This formal education will elevate my entrepreneurship into broad advocacy, giving me the tools to expand my platform nationwide. Ultimately, I want to strengthen communities by helping people feel capable of telling their own stories. I will continue using my passion to open doors and turn resilience into impact. Legacy is not about personal success; it is about creating an enduring foundation that leaves doors open behind you. This scholarship will alleviate educational costs at LSU, allowing me to focus entirely on visual advocacy and business expansion. Through vision and deep faith, I will ensure that my character and my enterprise continue to create opportunities long after my own story is written.

The reality of my youth completely shattered when my mother was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in January 2023. Suddenly, school felt heavier; my mind was consumed by fear and uncertainty. I would wake up to her throwing up while she still tried to care for my younger brother and grandmother. As her condition worsened, I took on responsibilities I never imagined, helping her move while supporting our family through daily routines. In the midst of the chaos, I had to mature quickly. My stepfather’s sudden departure left us in a severe financial crisis, throwing our household into deep economic strain. Those challenges could have broken me, but instead, they became the foundation of my resilience. During freshman year, I lost motivation and fell into distractions like video games and procrastination. But everything shifted when my photography teacher at Drew Charter, Mr. Parker, pulled me aside and said, “I see something in you that I don’t see in students around here, Brayden, and I don’t say this often.” In a moment where I felt like I was shutting down, that belief gave me direction. It showed me photography was not just a class, it was a way to process life and connect with people. Photography was an escape, but it became something much bigger when I launched Shot by Harris LLC at sixteen to alleviate our financial strain. I began booking shoots and managing deadlines, quickly realizing people trusted me to tell their stories. At the same time, I balanced school and my mom’s treatment. Photography became my way to stay grounded and find purpose in difficult seasons, turning into a massive business success that kept us afloat until she entered remission. Attending Louisiana State University to study mass communication and digital storytelling will facilitate the next chapter of my journey. While running my business out of necessity taught me to operate under pressure, LSU will provide the technical training and theoretical framework needed to scale my vision. This formal education will allow me to master media literacy and advanced digital production, elevating my work from localized content creation into broad advocacy. Higher education provides the professional network and credibility required to build a media company that amplifies the voices of historically marginalized communities on a national platform. Right now, I am utilizing my leadership and business success to give back to the communities that shaped me. As Mr. Senior and a John and Lillian Miles Lewis Student Ambassador, I represent student voices while promoting civic engagement. In this role, I mentor underclassmen who are navigating pressure to help them build confidence and direction. My deep commitment to community outreach extends over 150 hours of total service, which includes volunteering with AG Rhodes. Sitting with senior citizens to document their oral histories taught me the immense power of human connection, helping to break through their isolation and ensure they feel valued. Separately, through Shot by Harris LLC, I highlight student athletes at major events like the Atlanta Track Classic to ensure their achievements gain citywide recognition. This professional momentum also allowed me to gain invaluable industry experience with Warner Bros. Discovery, expanding my understanding of large-scale storytelling. After college, I plan to expand this impact by using photography and storytelling to create programs for young creatives in underrepresented communities. I want to provide mentorship and hands-on training, creating real creative opportunities for students who have talent but lack resources or guidance. I also plan to grow my work into a larger platform that continues to amplify untold stories and give visibility to voices that are often overlooked. Ultimately, I want my work to strengthen communities by helping people feel valued and capable of telling their own stories. I plan to continue using my passion to open doors for others and turn resilience into impact, just as my story has impacted others. This scholarship represents the direct fuel for a life already built on the foundation of change. Financial support will alleviate the immediate pressure of educational costs, allowing me to focus entirely on my studies at LSU and my visual advocacy. I have already proven that I can build a foundation through initiative and deep discipline. With the benefit of higher education, I will fully turn my resilience into impact, ensuring that my business remains a permanent tool for uplifting the next generation.

The roar of college football hit like a wave on Saturdays, washing the week’s stress away in a flash. I could feel the energy buzzing; my heart was in sync with the crowd. Watching teams maintain discipline and focus motivated me. For a few hours, college football allowed me to escape school and pressure while reminding me that commitment and consistency could fuel greatness. That mindset stayed with me long after the games ended, but my perspective on life changed completely when my mom was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in January 2023. Suddenly, school felt heavier; my mind was consumed by fear and uncertainty. I would wake up to her throwing up while she still tried to care for me, my younger brother, and my grandmother. As her condition worsened, I took on responsibilities I never imagined. Helping her move, cooking meals, and supporting my family through daily routines. In the midst of chaos, I had to mature quickly. Those challenges could have broken me, but instead they became the foundation of my resilience. During freshman year, I lost motivation and fell into distractions like video games and procrastination. But everything shifted when my photography teacher at Drew Charter, Mr. Parker, pulled me aside and said, “I see something in you that I don’t see in students around here, Brayden, and I don’t say this often.” In a moment where I felt like I was shutting down, that belief gave me direction. It showed me photography was not just a class, it was a way to process life and connect with people. Photography was an escape, but it became something much bigger when I launched Shot by Harris LLC at sixteen. I began booking shoots, managing deadlines, and realizing people trusted me to tell their stories. At the same time, I balanced school and my mom’s treatment. Photography became my way to stay grounded and find purpose in difficult seasons. Over time, I realized my camera was helping preserve stories that often go unseen. As my business evolved, I’ve highlighted athletes and students across Atlanta, ensuring their moments are recognized and remembered. I’ve worked with organizations such as Atlanta Public Schools to capture major events like the Atlanta Track Classic, helping my work gain immense recognition across the city. I also gained professional experience with Warner Bros. Discovery, which showed me how powerful storytelling can be on a larger scale. Right now, I’m already making an impact. I serve as a John and Lillian Miles Lewis Student Ambassador, representing student voices and promoting leadership and civic engagement. I was also selected as Mr. Senior, allowing me to represent my class and serve as a role model for younger students. Beyond titles, I mentor underclassmen who are navigating pressure and identity, helping them build confidence and direction. Through photography, I continue to highlight student athletes and school events so people feel seen and valued. After college, I plan to expand this impact by using photography and storytelling to create programs for young creatives in underrepresented communities. I want to provide mentorship, hands-on training, and access to real creative opportunities for students who have talent but lack resources or guidance. I also plan to grow my work into a larger platform that continues to amplify untold stories and give visibility to voices that are often overlooked. Ultimately, I want my work to strengthen communities by helping people feel valued and capable of telling their own stories. I plan to continue using my passion to open doors for others and turn resilience into impact, just as my story has impacted others.