
Hobbies and interests
Dance
Writing
African American Studies
Clinical Psychology
Cleaning
Cosmetology
Cooking
Criminal Justice
Criminology
Gender Studies
Fashion
Forensics
Makeup and Beauty
Reading
Romance
Mystery
Young Adult
Adventure
Classics
Drama
I read books multiple times per week
Daionne Coleman
1x
Finalist
Daionne Coleman
1x
FinalistBio
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 programMajors:
- Psychology, General
Pittsburgh Capa 6-12
High SchoolMiscellaneous
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
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
GoPuff2025 – Present1 yearCrew Member
Tropical Smoothie Cafe2024 – 20251 yearMilkshake Maker
Burgatory2023 – 20241 yearCrew Member
Wendy’s2022 – 20231 year
Sports
Dancing
Intramural2014 – Present12 years
Awards
- Yes. I won Dancer of the Year 2024.
Arts
Lady Diamonds Hip-Hop Dance Crew
Dance2014 – 2021Foxtrot Dance Studio
Dance2023 – 2024
Public services
Advocacy
PA Youth Vote — Member2024 – 2025Volunteering
Intern for AUCC SHWC — Intern2026 – PresentAdvocacy
NAACP Spelman Chapter — Member2026 – PresentVolunteering
Tiny Tummy Trust — Member2026 – PresentAdvocacy
Black Student Union — President2021 – 2025Volunteering
National Honors Society — Member2024 – 2025Advocacy
Eradicate Hate Youth Summit — Collaborator2023 – 2025Advocacy
Student Council — Member2023 – 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.