What does healthcare mean to you? Is your mind in a constant state of worry due to health scares? These are major concerns for many around the world, especially for black women. The disparities that impact Black women are significantly higher than their white counterparts, and I’m motivated to lower them. My name is Daniyah Coleman, and I am attending Kennesaw State University, one of the top universities leading the nation in innovation, teaching, and learning. Outside of academics, I have a strong passion for art and photography, which has always been a significant part of my life. Growing up, I faced various health challenges, including pneumonia, eczema, asthma, and various food allergies. I remember how anxious my parents looked during doctor visits or when new medications were prescribed. While I don't have pneumonia anymore, I still struggle with keeping my other conditions at bay. I vividly recall the day I learned how serious food allergies could be. Around age 5 or 6, while playing over a friend's house, I was exposed to fried fish—a food I’m allergic to. As soon as I walked into the kitchen, my chest tightened, and my airways began to close. My friend's mother quickly called my parents. That experience reinforced my understanding of how quickly my allergies can flare up. Despite these restricting challenges, I found joy in art and photography, which became my first passions. I loved the creative freedom art offered and how photography allowed me to capture picture-worthy moments. In high school, I took a photography class where I learned about perspective, framing, and how to draw a viewer’s eye. Later, I developed a strong interest in graphic design, especially creating posters and infographics. This interest deepened in my senior year when I enrolled in a graphic design class. There, I learned about digital media, online ads, and how to use design to persuade audiences. At that point, I realized my passion was for marketing, the craft of using strategic elements to persuade or inform. My academic goal is to earn a bachelor’s degree in marketing, a key component of business management and commerce. I am particularly passionate about the healthcare industry, where marketing can make a significant difference. Whether it’s designing infographics that educate people about the seriousness of food allergies or creating campaigns that urge people to get regularly tested, I want to use marketing to improve lives everywhere. I believe I would be a strong candidate for the Michele L. Durant Scholarship because it aligns with my personal and professional goals. I often hear stories similar to Jessica Pettway, a wife and mother who was misdiagnosed with fibroids. Pettway lived in pain for nearly two years before discovering she had stage three cervical cancer. More recently, Dominique Brown, a co-founder of Black Girl Disney, tragically passed away after an allergic reaction at an event. Despite informing the staff of her peanut allergy, the allergy was mishandled. Her story highlights the importance of treating allergies seriously and ensuring communication is clear. Winning this scholarship would affirm my place in the marketing world. As one of the few in my family to attend college, graduating debt-free would be a blessing. So far, my hard work has paid off—I’ve earned a place on both the Dean’s and President’s lists. This scholarship would ease the financial burden of tuition, allowing me to focus on my studies without the stress of debt. I am committed to my education and determined to make a positive impact through marketing, particularly in the healthcare sector. My future plans revolve around spreading awareness in my community.

My name is Daniyah Coleman, and I am a marketing major. I attend Kennesaw State University, one of the top universities leading the nation in innovation, teaching, and learning. I am a first-generation college student, so graduating debt-free would be the greatest blessing I could ever pray for. College is not an option for everyone, but I wanted to ensure it was one for me. I was inspired to choose marketing as my field of study because of my interests. I enrolled in a graphic design class in high school, which led me to create multimodal compositions like posters and infographics. After the course, I continued learning about the various forms of marketing. Soon after, I realized my interest in marketing. After graduation, I plan to obtain a job as a marketing manager. With my business development expertise, I will offer my knowledge to better an establishment and spark creativity. Actively pursuing a degree in marketing has its challenging moments. One thing I learned in college is the importance of time management; Without managing my time better, being a full-time student who commutes and works part-time would be impossible. Winning this scholarship would be worth all the time and effort I put into my education. In the future, I plan on using my degree to amplify diversity in the marketing field, which means catering to communities that aren't advocated for. I am well-suited for this position, considering the challenges I have overcome as a Black, low-income student. Likewise, I know what it feels like to meet rejection after rejection, only striving to better yourself and change your environment. After college, I would love to create a scholarship organization that rewards students from all backgrounds facing financial trouble. Every student needs motivation, whether it's encouragement from a parent or a mentor. However, imagine the students who aren't supported and have to overcome challenges most young adults can’t handle alone. I would be honored to provide financial support to those students actively working towards a degree while defying the odds. In the meantime, I work with my mom assisting people with special needs. In this field, I help with everyday tasks like preparing meals, assisted bathing, and getting ready for bed. I am truly honored to be a part of helping communities near me. My favorite aspect about this type of work is getting to know each family we work with. Over the years, so many irreplaceable bonds have been created; I have gained a community that I share a devotion to. I am truly thankful to my mom for raising me with love and compassion so that I can give out that same endearment to others. My desired legacy to leave at Kennesaw State University is deeply rooted in my values, passions, and goals. I want to inspire a culture of intellectual curiosity and achievement among my peers. The world will always need leaders who positively shape a community and empower others. I plan on becoming a leader as such, to uplift communities who aren't advocated for and are struggling to put themselves through school financially. Winning this scholarship would be the first step in obtaining my goal of giving back, and it would help me tremendously by lessening the financial burden of tuition.

My name is Daniyah Coleman, and I am a marketing major. I attend Kennesaw State University, one of the top universities leading the nation in innovation, teaching, and learning. Apart from my education, my hobbies revolve around art and photography. I found my first identity in art since I loved its limitless possibilities. As for photography, I love seeing something picture-worthy and capturing it. In high school, I even took a photography class to learn about perspective, framing, and how to obtain the viewer's eye. As time passed, I discovered a new passion for creating graphic designs like posters and infographics. This new passion grew so profound that I even enrolled in a graphic design class in my senior year. In this course, I learned all about the internet basics and how to create online ads for commercial use. I had opportunities to display products and ideas in a similar format to marketing. I enjoyed learning about graphic design and how to persuade a targeted audience with images, color, and diction. It was then I realized I wanted to pursue a career in marketing. My educational goal is to obtain my bachelor's degree in marketing, one of the primary elements of business management and commerce. Marketing involves identifying customers and using strategies to promote, sell, and distribute products or services to customers. Commonly used practices include social media and email marketing. Social media marketing is similar to other forms like digital and e-marketing. However, social media marketing uses popular apps to interact and engage with potential customers. Email marketing alerts customers about its product via email, which is commonly done by joining subscriptions or newsletters through the company's website. Marketing is seamlessly incorporated into our everyday life and every media outlet. After graduation, I plan to obtain a job as a marketing manager. With my business development expertise, I can offer my knowledge to better an establishment and spark creativity. Marketing managers are responsible for creating and carrying out strategic marketing plans for a company. I plan on diligently working with my team to promote the company and increase returning customers. I'm excited to see where my career leads and the potential opportunities. I chose this scholarship because it aligns with my major and is something I am passionate about; there was no other scholarship that resonated with me more. I want to win this scholarship because of the time and effort I've put into my education. College is only an option for some, but I wanted to ensure it was one for me. Though, at times, it's hard to see the bigger picture. Nevertheless, I have persisted in those challenging times and have not strayed away from pursuing my education head-on. I know that applying myself will benefit me in the long run. Earning my degree in marketing will be the greatest reward for all the time and dedication I've put into my success. Winning this scholarship would help me tremendously and go towards my education and lessen the financial burden of tuition. I am among the few in my family to attend college, so graduating debt-free would be the greatest blessing I could ever pray for.  Marketing is one topic I've loved learning about and working with. I aim to attain my bachelor's degree in marketing and find a suitable job where I can effectively showcase my skills. I am confident in my chosen major and look forward to my career. The marketing world is immense and will always need assistance promoting and selling goods or services. I am eager to be an addition to this world.

My name is Daniyah Coleman, and I am a marketing major. I attend Kennesaw State University, one of the top universities leading the nation in innovation, teaching, and learning. Apart from my education, my hobbies revolve around art and photography. From a young age, I've always been fascinated with art. I remember seeing art tutorials on YouTube and feeling inspired. Though my recreation didn't always match the tutorial, I was satisfied. Early on, I believed that whatever my hands created was considered art because a standard didn't measure me. That sense of freedom led me to fall in love with art. There were simply no rules or regulations I had to abide by. I expressed whatever I wanted to and felt confident while doing it. Throughout life, we find our identity in many things. Some identifiers could be as simple as our zodiac signs, dietary choices, or lifelong goals. We use these identities to represent ourselves and feel safe in a community with shared views. It's personal to us because it embodies us. I found my first identity in art since I loved its limitless possibilities. As for photography, I love seeing something picture-worthy and capturing it. My parents supported my passion and surprised me with a camera for Christmas one year. In high school, I even took a photography class to learn about perspective, framing, and how to obtain the viewer's eye. As time passed, I discovered a new passion for creating graphic designs like posters and infographics. This new passion grew so profound that I even enrolled in a graphic design class in my senior year. I learned all about the internet basics and how to create online ads for commercial use. I had opportunities in this class to display products or ideas in a similar format to marketing. I enjoyed learning more about graphic design and how to persuade a targeted audience. It was then I realized I wanted to pursue a career in marketing. After graduation, I plan on using my bachelor's degree to obtain a job as a marketing manager. With my business development expertise, I can offer my knowledge to better an establishment and spark creativity. Marketing managers are responsible for creating and carrying out strategic marketing plans for a company. I plan on diligently working with my team to promote the company and increase returning customers. I'm excited to see where my career leads and the potential opportunities. I chose this scholarship because it aligns with my major and is something I am passionate about. There was no other scholarship that resonated more with me. Nevertheless, I have persisted in challenging times and have not strayed away from pursuing my education head-on. I know that applying myself will benefit me in the long run. Earning my degree will be the greatest reward for all my time and dedication towards college. Winning this scholarship would help me tremendously. It would go towards my education and lessen the financial burden of tuition. I am among the few in my family to attend college, so graduating debt-free would be the biggest blessing I could pray for. Marketing is a prominent element in business management. It is also one topic I've loved learning about and working with. I aim to attain my bachelor's degree in marketing and find a suitable job where I can effectively showcase my skills. I am confident in my chosen major and look forward to my career. The marketing world is immense and will always need aid for promoting and selling goods or services.

Truthfully speaking, I am a tried college student. Despite attending college and submitting papers, I know what I truly crave. I crave success. I crave freedom. I crave a better life for myself and my family. My mother has worked multiple jobs to keep her three children afloat. Moments, I can recall her getting home late, and by the time I woke up, she was gone. However, she still gave me and my siblings a life worth living, one of laughter and smiles. No parent wants their child to suffer like no child wants to see their parents suffering, moving their restless body for a greater opportunity. Truthfully, I have applied for scholarships and have poured out my life in words only to meet rejection. Truthfully, my father is the only thing pushing me to continue right now. He only urges me to keep trying when I speak to him, saying there's free money out there. I've never felt more like a failure, but I persist because he persists. I know he'll be happier once my degree meets my hands and tears meet his face, happily. My community doesn't always have something to celebrate but rather something to mourn. To know struggle is a form of connection with others, recognizing what once burdened you burdening another. I know pain, hurt, and loss. I know cries at midnight and puffy eyes in the sunlight. I know the sound of a broken prayer and what saying one feels like. Therefore, how could I not attend to such a matter? I want to get my degree to help others like me. I plan to land a successful job with my marketing degree and earn a passive income. I want to help with tuition and mortgages and attend to those unemployed. I know the struggle of trying to pour your all into your education, yet there's a part of you that's not there. A part of you that's worried about a loved one and if they've eaten. A part of you that worries about whether your phone will get shut off. A part of you that can't catch up with the way of the world. These worries will snowball and eventually cause one to lose control and spiral. I want to lend out the hand I needed. My parents have trained me in the way I should go. They have displayed what working hard looks like. I persist because my dreams of giving them everything they've given still live. For this dream, I will work to see it with all glory to God in abundance. Thank you for reading my application, Daniyah Coleman

I decided to choose the study of music as my career path after college. I am majoring in my two favorite topics, marketing and music. I believe you should spend your existence doing something you are passionate about. So, when I thought of a career I could love forever, I recalled all the beautiful melodies my ears witnessed as a child. So young and impressionable, I soaked up the refreshing spring of music. My parents gifted me two separate playlists to immerse in. My mother played Sade while tidying up and cooking flavorsome food on Sundays. There was something about Sade's voice and how the instruments didn’t overshadow it. My father played Jill Scott while driving me and my siblings to the library. I always felt roped in by the depiction of the lyrics she narrated. The windows buzzed with every rhythm, and empty rooms filled with the simple push of a button. I believe Neo-soul has considerably influenced my love for music. It allowed me to not only hear it but feel it; that synth sounded like rain or shimmering skin kissed with shea butter and those smooth drums could replace your heartbeat. Likewise, the drums played at church performed that same battering. I heard women whose voices meshed together like the praise of one woman; while multiple women stood, only one voice was heard. I was mesmerized by the soul of music and how deep it was. It shared multiple faces and cultures, so vast and multi-genre. When I think back to these moments, It makes sense why I would draw to music. However, besides the intentional creation of music, sound is everywhere, from the buzzing of a bee in July to the crickets that sing loudly at night. Sound is truly all around us. Some may view Life as a long song that varies in genre and style. As I have grown older, I have discovered artists I would define as musical geniuses. My goal is to create innovative music written by someone relatable. I want my music to be free of confinement and the fear of judgment. Genres like experimental music push existing boundaries and genre definitions. I also want to incorporate sounds from everyday life, indicating the beauty of the mundane. I want listeners to feel the emotions displayed in my lyrics and possibly draw experience from them. Most importantly, I want to form a community of people who appreciate music as much as I do.

I believe everyone should provide for others rather that’s physically or emotionally. In times of sadness, I try to be strong enough for the benefit of others. However, sometimes I’m not strong enough or motivated. In those moments, I sacrifice my emotions to provide comfort to those hurting. I try to remember the truth of the situation and remind that person of the good. We often ponder the bad of situations. Which can lead to false realities and confusing emotions. I realize my childhood has influenced this response. When my parents divorced, I wanted to provide my mother with the strength I knew she needed. This time was very emotional for everyone. My mother suddenly took on roles she never performed. She was now a single mother with three kids. Three mouths that needed to be fed, three tears that needed to be wiped, and three hearts that needed to be filled with love. It wasn’t always easy. Being in between jobs, she provided the best life she could for us. She worked hard so we wouldn't have to fear uncertainties. I can admit it was hard to carry on as if everything was okay. At a young age, I recognized her hurt and her spirit of hopelessness. Her hurt resonated with me and became my hurt and my sorrow. But, I also recognized her spirit of strength. When times were rough, she didn't lie down in defeat. She made sure she kept us fed, through scripture and nutrition. We had plenty of days where we all sat together and prayed. It was the only thing we knew. My mother taught us to always pray through good times and bad ones. She inspired me to stay resilient and unshaken by the world. So, when I noticed her weak moments, I reminded her of the resilience she bestowed upon me. When my siblings needed the same hope, I used that same resilience. My mother taught me something that will help me forever in life. As you know, hardships are bound to appear, however, how we fight these hardships is up to us. My mother taught me more things than one. I didn't realize she had taught me to fight, even when I thought I had no fight left in me. She taught me I was able to fight these hardships in life. For that, I am forever thankful. My mother has prepared me for many aspects of life, and I am thankful to help others with the same resilience she gave to me.

I decided to choose the study of music as my career path after college. I am majoring in my two favorite topics, marketing and music. I believe you should spend your existence doing something you are passionate about. So, when I thought of a career I could love forever, I recalled all the beautiful melodies my ears witnessed as a child. So young and impressionable, I soaked up the refreshing spring of music. My parents gifted me two separate playlists to immerse in. My mother played Sade while tidying up and cooking flavorsome food on Sundays. There was something about Sade's voice and how the instruments didn’t overshadow it. My father played Jill Scott while driving me and my siblings to the library. I always felt roped in by the depiction of the lyrics she narrated. The windows buzzed with every rhythm, and empty rooms filled with the simple push of a button. I believe Neo-soul has considerably influenced my love for music. It allowed me to not only hear it but feel it; that synth sounded like rain or shimmering skin kissed with shea butter and those smooth drums could replace your heartbeat. Likewise, the drums played at church performed that same battering. I heard women whose voices meshed together like the praise of one woman; while multiple women stood, only one voice was heard. I was mesmerized by the soul of music and how deep it was. It shared multiple faces and cultures, so vast and multi-genre. When I think back to these moments, It makes sense why I would draw to music. However, besides the intentional creation of music, sound is everywhere, from the buzzing of a bee in July to the crickets that sing loudly at night. Sound is truly all around us. Some may view Life as a long song that varies in genre and style. As I have grown older, I have discovered artists I would define as musical geniuses. My goal is to create innovative music written by someone relatable. I want my music to be free of confinement and the fear of judgment. Genres like experimental music push existing boundaries and genre definitions. I also want to incorporate sounds from everyday life, indicating the beauty of the mundane. I want listeners to feel the emotions displayed in my lyrics and possibly draw experience from them. Most importantly, I want to form a community of people who appreciate music as much as I do.

There’s one song for me that’ll always bring glimpses of my childhood. My mother played it for me and my sister so often that I could never forget it. The song was “I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack. My mother wanted me and my siblings to feel loved, cared for, and heard. Each lyric sings a beautiful love letter. My mother made sure each lyric felt personal to us. She would sing to me as I looked back at her with tears in my eyes. It was something so beautiful, that all I could do was sob into her arms. I felt loved, cared for, and heard. The first lyrics read, “ I hope you never lose your sense of wonder, You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger, May you never take one single breath for granted, God forbid love ever leave you empty-handed,” These lyrics embody love in one of it’s purest forms, a mothers love. However, the one lyric that is forever engraved in my heart reads “ And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance. I hope you dance… I hope you dance.” At the time I was a ballerina and loved dance. So, this lyric felt personal to me. It encouraged me to never give up when I have a chance to succeed. As years have passed, my love for music has just gotten stronger. I now write music and produce it all from my bedroom. I plan on continuing my passion for music, in hopes of becoming an artist. I am inspired to challenge myself and bring everyone comfort in my music. My love for music all started from my mother instilled love in me. For that, I am forever grateful.

I believe everyone should provide for others rather that’s physically or emotionally. In times of sadness, I try to be strong enough for the benefit of others. However, sometimes I’m not strong enough or motivated. In those moments, I sacrifice my emotions to provide comfort to those hurting. I try to remember the truth of the situation and remind that person of the good. We often ponder the bad of situations. Which can lead to false realities and confusing emotions. I realize my childhood has influenced this response. When my parents divorced, I wanted to provide my mother with the strength I knew she needed. This time was very emotional for everyone. My mother suddenly took on roles she never performed. She was now a single mother with three kids. Three mouths that needed to be fed, three tears that needed to be wiped, and three hearts that needed to be filled with love. It wasn’t always easy. Being in between jobs, she provided the best life she could for us. She worked hard so we wouldn't have to fear uncertainties. I can admit it was hard to carry on as if everything was okay. At a young age, I recognized her hurt and her spirit of hopelessness. Her hurt resonated with me and became my hurt and my sorrow. But, I also recognized her spirit of strength. When times were rough, she didn't lie down in defeat. She made sure she kept us fed, through scripture and nutrition. We had plenty of days where we all sat together and prayed. It was the only thing we knew. My mother taught us to always pray through good times and bad ones. She inspired me to stay resilient and unshaken by the world. So, when I noticed her weak moments, I reminded her of the resilience she bestowed upon me. When my siblings needed the same hope, I used that same resilience. My mother taught me something that will help me forever in life. As you know, hardships are bound to appear, however, how we fight these hardships is up to us. My mother taught me more things than one. I didn't realize she had taught me to fight, even when I thought I had no fight left in me. She taught me I was able to fight these hardships in life. For that, I am forever thankful. My mother has prepared me for many aspects of life, and I am thankful to help others with the same resilience she gave to me.