I am a Black artist, entrepreneur, and community advocate who believes in the power of creative expression to ignite social responsibility. My artistic practice explores the intersection of art, wellness, social justice, and environmental responsibility, focusing on how immersive experiences can foster community connection. As a Black American artist and producer, I am deeply aware of the systemic inequities that shape our world. I see my role as both a creator and facilitator, using art to invite audiences to challenge these structures while empowering others to do the same in their own communities and lives. My experiences working within marginalized communities have shown me how the arts can serve as a tool for reflection, resilience, and action. My projects engage communities through multidisciplinary approaches, inviting participants to immerse themselves in experiences that amplify historically underrepresented narratives—including joy, visions for sustainable futures, and environmental connection. Often incorporating movement, outdoor engagement, and community collaboration, my work is designed to break down barriers and encourage active participation in conversations about social and environmental wellness. Currently, I am pursuing an MFA in Communications at the Royal College of Art to refine my ability to bridge art, leadership, and business strategy in ways that uplift marginalized communities. Throughout my career, I have navigated systemic barriers that often make it difficult for Black women to thrive in creative industries. From working as an underfunded independent artist to overcoming significant personal and financial challenges —including depression and financial exploitation— and I have had to be resourceful and resilient in charting my path. These experiences have fueled my commitment to creating more equitable spaces for artists of color and marginalized communities. My company, Creative Works Studio, is in its early stages, but my long-term vision is to develop it into a consultancy agency and platform that serves as a hub for innovation at the intersection of creativity, wellness, and social change. Beyond my business, I plan to use my expertise to develop education initiatives that equip emerging Black creatives with business skills, financial literacy, and strategies to navigate industries that were not built with them in mind. I want to help close the resource gap that prevents many talented Black women from reaching leadership roles, just as Michele L. Durant fought to overcome financial obstacles in her own pursuit of education. The impact I seek to make is not just about my personal success but about transforming the landscape for others. By securing funding for my education, I can focus on building a legacy that ensures Black women in the arts—and beyond—have the tools and opportunities to thrive. With this scholarship, I will be one step closer to making that vision a reality.

How do we better see and meet one another as humans living a full human experience? Building my career while living with long-term depression has shown me firsthand how essential holistic well-being is to both productivity and innovation. For me, entrepreneurship is not just a career path. It’s a means of creating sustainable opportunities, nurturing agency, and reshaping how we think about work, wellness, and creativity. I no longer view happiness and fulfillment as a distant goal, but as a process - something to be cultivated in the present. This shift in perspective led me to develop the concepts behind my business. Creative Works Studio, LLC extends my artistic practice into a service-based enterprise that promotes holistic wellness as the foundation of productivity. It exists to prove that business can be both profitable and human-centered by advocating for groundbreaking models that challenge traditional notions of work. For years, I believed relentless productivity was the only path to success, but my experiences with burnout transformed my understanding. Success should not come at the cost of well-being. A key aspect of my philosophy is challenging exploitative structures in capitalism and exploring how business can reinvest in life and community. I believe entrepreneurship both can and should create economic models that sustain people and promote collective well-being rather than simply maximizing profit. With CWS, I’m designing a framework where business is not only financially viable but also socially responsible. Over the next five years, I plan to scale CWS through core offerings, including Creative Consulting & Strategy, Workplace Wellness & Culture Building, and Community-Driven Arts Initiatives. A central component of CWS is developing both for-profit and nonprofit programming to ensure sustainability while also providing community access through grant funding and sponsorships. By 2030, my goal is for Creative Works Studio to serve as a hub for innovation at the intersection of creativity, wellness, and social change. Through strategic partnerships, grants, and sponsorships, I aim to expand globally while maintaining a strong commitment to accessibility and equity. To execute this vision, I’ve developed a structured, multi-phase plan. While I have the passion and ambition to bring it to life, I recognize that I need an advanced degree to fully realize my goals. Pursuing my MFA in Communications will provide me with the knowledge, relationships, and strategic insight needed to refine my business model, develop partnerships, and secure funding. Upon completing my MFA, I will focus on expanding CWS into a consultancy that bridges creativity, business, and social impact. Revenue will come from consulting, creative production, and corporate-educational programs, while grants and sponsorships will support community initiatives. By 2030, my vision is for CWS to be a leader in creative entrepreneurship. To support this growth, I need financial assistance to fund my MFA, allowing me to dedicate myself fully to my studies and spend the next year developing my networks. This education will equip me with the knowledge and resources to scale my business effectively. While I plan to secure additional grants and employment to support future business developments, assistance at this stage would allow me to focus on building CWS without the constant pressure of financial constraints. Though I am grateful to have a clear vision for my career, years of operating in a hustle-survival mindset have limited my ability to fully realize my business’s potential. With the right support, I can move beyond merely sustaining my vision to fully bringing it to life. For me, entrepreneurship is about reshaping systems, challenging norms, and creating pathways for sustainable success. Black entrepreneurs often face systemic barriers to funding and institutional support, limiting their ability to innovate and scale. Through Creative Works Studio, I hope to break this cycle by proving that a values-driven business model can thrive. My acceptance into RCA was the result of years of persistence, resilience, and unwavering belief in my vision. Now, I stand at the threshold of the next stage, one that requires strategic investment, continued learning, and access to the resources needed to turn my business into a sustainable, impactful force. With the support of this scholarship, I will be closer to fully dedicating myself to this mission, ensuring that Creative Works Studio becomes a model for how creativity, business, and social impact can coexist in a way that benefits everyone.