Dance saved me long before I knew how to save myself. I found refuge in dance at the age of six. Movement became my most honest form of communication, offering me a way to process and express what words could not. Dance has helped me reclaim power in my body and voice. At Loyola Marymount University, where I am majoring in Dance and Information Systems and Business Analytics, I continue to use art as a vehicle for storytelling and identity work. My passion has always been rooted in bridging the gap between the arts and technology. I am drawn to how technology can reconnect people with the arts, particularly in a post-pandemic world where many have lost touch with cultural engagement. My goal is to design tools and platforms that elevate underrepresented stories and create more equitable access to creative expression. As a Black, gender-expansive student, my journey through higher education has been shaped by my identity and the barriers that come with it. I identify as a masculine-presenting lesbian, a lived experience that places me at the intersection of multiple marginalized communities. Growing up in Texas, I struggled to navigate spaces that rarely made room for people like me. Whether it was being told I could not wear masculine clothing until high school or being forced to suppress parts of myself depending on which community I was in, I felt like I had to choose between my Blackness and my queerness. In queer spaces, my Blackness was marginalized, and in Black spaces, my queerness was hidden. Through these challenges, I stayed rooted in authenticity and artistry. Dance has always been the place where I could be whole. Within LMU’s Dance Department, I have been deeply involved as both a performer and scholar. I have performed in every Fall and Spring Dance Concert, as well as in multiple Senior Thesis Concerts. I participated in the Equitable Commercial Dance Program and worked as a dancer in films shown at our yearly film festival. As a queer, masculine-presenting dancer, I strive to reshape expectations surrounding casting and movement narratives, advocating for greater visibility within the dance industry. I was selected as a McNair Scholar, conducting research with Professor Rosalynde LeBlanc Loo, exploring abolitionism as a systemic design through the lens of Harriet Tubman. Our work culminated in a collaborative duet piece that fused movement and politics, using choreography as a method of research and resistance. I have remained on the CFA Dean’s List for four consecutive semesters despite financial and emotional challenges. I have worked with The Learning Community, the Office of Black Student Services, and the Office of LGBTQ+ Student Services, helping curate events such as the Kente Graduation Celebration, Black Scholars Day, and the Black Queer Student Forum. These experiences strengthened my commitment to building inclusive spaces where students feel empowered to share their voices. I completed over 50 hours of community service, volunteered at the Richstone Community Center, and supported events such as Feed the Hungry. These experiences shaped my belief in mentorship and accessibility and inspired my long-term goal of creating a nonprofit that supports Sue Murray’s love for dance, creativity, and caring for others resonates with why I pursue dance. With this scholarship, I can continue my education and honor her legacy by using dance to uplift marginalized voices and create spaces where all artists can thrive.