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Daionne Coleman

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Finalist

Bio

Hey everyone! My name is Daionne, but everyone calls me Daisy. I am a first-year psychology major with a concentration in mental health from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, currently attending Spelman College. I’m passionate about mental health advocacy, breaking barriers, and making real change in my community. My goal? To become a psychologist who ensures Black communities receive the care, representation, and understanding they deserve. When I’m not chasing my dreams, you can find me eating while binging my favorite tv shows. My favorite color is blue, probably because it reminds me of calmness and the sky— something I take many pictures of. I live by Lauryn Hill’s words: “How are you going to win if you ain’t right within?” Because to me, success starts from within, and I’m dedicated to helping others find that balance, too. So, why am I a great candidate? Because I don’t just dream, I take action. I’m committed to making a difference, inspiring others, and proving that representation isn’t just necessary— it’s powerful.

Education

Spelman College

Bachelor's degree program
2025 - Present
  • Majors:
    • Psychology, General

Pittsburgh Capa 6-12

High School
2018 - 2025

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

    • Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology
    • Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Mental Health Care

    • Dream career goals:

      I hope to open a business called EmpowHer. My business, EmpowHer, is a clinic run by all African American, female doctors. The clinic will contain psychologists, cardiologist, specialists etc. The healthcare industry has long struggled with disparities in care for African Americans, who often face low representation and mistrust in the system. EmpowHer will address these gaps by creating a culturally welcoming environment for African American patients.

    • Operations Associate

      GoPuff
      2025 – Present1 year
    • Crew Member

      Tropical Smoothie Cafe
      2024 – 20251 year
    • Milkshake Maker

      Burgatory
      2023 – 20241 year
    • Crew Member

      Wendy’s
      2022 – 20231 year

    Sports

    Dancing

    Intramural
    2014 – Present12 years

    Awards

    • Yes. I won Dancer of the Year 2024.

    Arts

    • Lady Diamonds Hip-Hop Dance Crew

      Dance
      2014 – 2021
    • Foxtrot Dance Studio

      Dance
      2023 – 2024

    Public services

    • Advocacy

      PA Youth Vote — Member
      2024 – 2025
    • Volunteering

      Intern for AUCC SHWC — Intern
      2026 – Present
    • Advocacy

      NAACP Spelman Chapter — Member
      2026 – Present
    • Volunteering

      Tiny Tummy Trust — Member
      2026 – Present
    • Advocacy

      Black Student Union — President
      2021 – 2025
    • Volunteering

      National Honors Society — Member
      2024 – 2025
    • Advocacy

      Eradicate Hate Youth Summit — Collaborator
      2023 – 2025
    • Advocacy

      Student Council — Member
      2023 – 2024

    Future Interests

    Advocacy

    Volunteering

    Philanthropy

    Entrepreneurship

    STLF Memorial Pay It Forward Scholarship
    I helped organize and lead a Cultural Week Fair at my school, an event designed to celebrate cultural diversity while also building unity among students from different backgrounds. The fair brought together multiple student organizations, including the Black Student Union (BSU), Latinx Union, Asian Student Union, and Japanese Student Union (JSU), etc, each of which hosted tables that represented their unique cultures through food, music, activities, and educational displays. As BSU president and a member of the Eradicate Hate Youth Summit (who gave our school a stipend to fund this project), I played a major role in developing and implementing this event after our school received a stipend from the summit to fund student-led initiatives focused on inclusion, education, and community engagement. My responsibilities began in the planning stages, where I collaborated with other student leaders and faculty advisors to decide the structure and goals of the Cultural Week Fair. We discussed how to ensure that every organization felt equally represented and how to create an environment that was both educational and engaging for the student body. I helped coordinate communication between clubs, organized scheduling for table setups, and worked to make sure each group had the resources needed to effectively showcase their culture. Being part of the Eradicate Hate Youth Summit also motivated me to ensure that the event aligned with its mission of reducing bias, promoting understanding, and empowering youth voices in leadership. At the BSU table, I helped design an interactive trivia activity focused on African American history, achievements, and cultural contributions. Students were invited to answer questions ranging from historical milestones to modern-day Black excellence in arts, science, politics, and culture. To make the experience more engaging, we offered small prizes for correct answers, which encouraged participation and sparked meaningful conversations. Many students expressed that they learned new facts they had never been taught before, which showed me how powerful interactive education can be in breaking down gaps in knowledge and understanding. Beyond just organizing activities, I also volunteered during the event by helping set up tables, guiding participants, and ensuring everything ran smoothly throughout the day. I made sure each organization felt supported and that students felt welcomed to explore all the different cultural presentations. Seeing students move from table to table, asking questions, and engaging with cultures different from their own was one of the most rewarding parts of the experience. This event taught me that leadership through service is about more than holding a position or planning an event. It is about actively creating spaces where people feel seen, valued, and included. Serving as a leader meant using my voice and position to uplift others and ensure that every group had the opportunity to share their story. It also showed me that service is most impactful when it is interactive and community-driven, because people learn best when they are directly involved and engaged. Overall, I am in multiple volunteering organizations now and while I was in high school, but organizing the Cultural Week Fair will always be my favorite. As a high school student, it strengthened my skills in leadership, communication, and collaboration, but more importantly, it reinforced my commitment to using service as a tool for social change. It reminded me that when young people are given the resources and trust to lead, we can create meaningful spaces that educate, connect, and inspire our communities. All of these experiences helped me grow into the college freshman I am today.