On May 25, 2020, George Floyd was murdered on a Minneapolis street. The video shook the consciousness of the world. As a black creative living in Richmond, Virginia-the former Capital of the Confederacy, I was captivated by the use of art as a tool to convey a meaning as Floyd's image was projected on the Robert E. Lee statue. The display validated my belief in the ability to evoke an emotion through creative design. Consequently, my ambition is to create designs that contribute to our narrative; particularly the story of women of color. I believe my story can flourish by attending an HBCU. For the last 6 years, I have been a participant in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program which provides students with a challenging educational opportunity. I am one of the few black students in the IB program at Henrico High School. Apart from my formal educational experiences, the lessons that I’ve learned from my mother are the most valuable. Most importantly is the notion that success comes from hard work. She has always encouraged me to further my education and become the first to attend college in our family. Therefore, I will be attending Norfolk State University with hopes of becoming a graphic designer. In my opinion, attending an HBCU would provide a welcoming, safe space for an intellectually curious learner like myself, especially in today's racially charged climate. The historical mission of providing educational opportunities to African American students that were denied because of their race was an important factor in my decision to apply to nine HBCUs. Since the founding of Cheyney University in 1837, HBCUs have produced many "History Makers''. If I am awarded the Trajectory Scholarship, I will make history in my community by being a part of the legacy of proud HBCU students.

Ava DuVernay once said, “Move forward with gusto until you reach your goal”. My first memories of creating something are from when I was ten years old designing paper outfits for my American Girl dolls. I fantasized about life as a renowned fashion designer showing my collection in Paris, London, and New York. Even though drawing and sketching were not my forte, I was able to succeed in the arts based on the creativity of my designs. My creative interest, however, eventually turned toward information technology when I was in the ninth grade. I learned that I could integrate creative designing with the use of information technology through various software systems. After mastering the software system, I had the opportunity to act on my graphic design interest when I was given the assignment to create a website for a school project. Throughout this undertaking, I learned how to design a web page and how to input interesting components such as polls, videos, and images. I was also able to use crucial design skills to manufacture flyers and posters. The items that I created were used as promotional materials for various after-school study clubs I belonged to. My pursuit of an art career in graphic design would blend my creative inclinations with my interest in technology which influences so many aspects of how society communicates today. Throughout elementary and middle school, I enjoyed art electives and performed well in class. In my first year of attending Henrico High School, I enrolled in a design and drawing class which is where my pursuit evolved from an interest into an all-encompassing passion. In this class, I learned how to build an art portfolio and how to apply artistic elements to each assignment. In addition, I learned to utilize my creativity as a form of self-expression–a way of communicating visually, without spoken words. Of all the career possibilities, I identify with the arts component the most as a visual learner. As a designer, I hope to embody the examples of determination, creativity, and black representation passed on by two inspirational artists. I have found motivation in two black female graphic designers; Sylvia Harris and Gail Anderson. The first designer, Harris, was born in Richmond, Virginia. She is most remembered for her collaboration with young, under-represented artists. Ms. Harris is an inspiration for me not only because of our common Virginia roots but also our shared commitment to use our talent to help others. Graphic designer, Gail Anderson, is based in New York City. She is acknowledged for her artwork in Broadway productions. Anderson's work focuses on typography in magazines, posters, and stamps. It is motivating to learn about successful artists who look like me in a career that I also plan to pursue. To achieve this goal, I hope to be able to attend one of the twelve HBCUs that I’ve been accepted into. Professionally, I’d like to make use of my graphic design skills by creating advertisements. Specifically, I want to design movie posters, music covers, websites, apps, and logos. To achieve this goal during college, I plan to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in graphic design. One of the universities I have researched is Bowie State University (BSU) in Bowie, Maryland. BSU is a top Historically Black College and University for fine arts. I am particularly interested in Bowie State’s Visual Communication and Digital Media Arts (VCDMA) program which combines a “creative and technical foundation” for high achieving students. The VCDMA program will allow me to concentrate on advertising design by working on print, graphic, and web design, thus providing me with the skills to become a well-rounded graphic designer. The advertising design concentration responds to the modern demand in visual communication for design artists such as myself. In the VCDMA program, I will be able to build off of the techniques I have previously learned in my high school design class. In addition to learning the basic art elements, I developed an awareness of the importance of volunteerism in service to my community. The highlight of my senior year, thus far, has been my experience as an Election Page Volunteer for the 2021 Virginia Gubernatorial Race. My duties included sticker patrol, greeting voters, decorating the voting area, and assisting voters with the explanation of ballots. From the moment voters entered the voting area to the moment they exited, I provided support and encouragement to let every voter know their vote was important. Volunteering as an election page was a worthwhile and rewarding way to serve the community; and, it was important for me as a soon-to-be eligible voter to actually witness people participating in the electoral process. As a result, I learned that it was possible for me to have an impact in my community by offering encouragement and support to those in need. I also had an opportunity to volunteer at my high school for an English Oral History Gallery where interviews from previous students were collected and exhibited. I was assigned the role of project manager and overall supervisor of my fellow students during the exhibit. Along with my classmates, we promoted materials that were used to explain the collection in the gallery. Receiving the ESOF Academic Scholarship award would be another stepping stone on my higher education journey. Being selected for the award would validate my past academic achievements and also acknowledge my dedication to a higher academic pursuit. In all, this scholarship would help me to reach my goals of success by allowing me to study at one of the top Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the nation.

On May 25, 2020, George Floyd was murdered on a Minneapolis street. The video shook the consciousness of the world. As a black creative living in Richmond, Virginia-the former Capital of the Confederacy, I witnessed the power of art as a tool to convey a meaning as Floyd's image was projected on the Robert E. Lee statue. The display validated my belief in the importance of black representation through creativity and perseverance. Consequently, my ambition is to create designs that contribute to our narrative; particularly the story of women of color. My first memories of creating something are from when I was ten years old designing outfits for my doll. Even though drawing was not my forte, I was able to succeed in art based on the creativity of my designs. In the ninth grade, I had the opportunity to act on my graphic design interest when I was given the assignment to create a website for a school project. Throughout this undertaking, I learned how to design a web page and how to input interesting components such as polls, videos, and images. My pursuit of a career in graphic design would blend my creative inclinations with my interest in technology which influences so many aspects of how society communicates today. Graphic design, also known as visual communication, is defined as “the art or profession of using design elements to convey information or create an effect.” Professionally, I’d like to make use of my graphic design skills by creating advertisements. Graphic design is significant in advertisement because people are more likely to retain information when it is presented in a visually appealing form. Therefore, I plan to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in graphic design to achieve this goal during college. I dreaded answering the question, “What would you like to do after high school?” A sense of anxiety and the fear of not being prepared for life after high school would cloud my thoughts. However, my mindset changed in the late summer of 2020 when I visited my new dentist, Dr.Curl. On that summer day, a woman that I had never met before, became my mentor. She has demonstrated the importance of community service and helping students like myself on their journey to success. During my senior year, I served as an Election Page Volunteer for the 2021 Virginia Gubernatorial Race. Volunteering as an election page was a rewarding way to serve the community; and, it was important for me as a soon-to-be eligible voter to witness people participating in the electoral process. As a result, I learned that I could have an impact on my community by offering encouragement to those in need of assistance. I am very grateful to have a mentor like Dr.Curl because she has shared multiple resources with me and encouraged me throughout my college application process. I am drawn to the arts because I can express my creativity and visually execute ideas through my work. As a graphic designer, I hope to embody the example of generosity passed on by my inspirational mentor. I am incredibly grateful for the support I’ve received from my mentor and the dedicated women of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated. Through my involvement in their College Application Program known as #CAP, I have received help with every phase of my application process. The advice and encouragement of this group of women have been invaluable to me as a first-generation college-bound student. Just like Ms. Wapples, I am dedicated to improving the lives of those around me and advocating for my community, specifically black women.

On May 25, 2020, George Floyd was murdered on a Minneapolis street. The video shook the consciousness of the world. As a black creative living in Richmond, Virginia-the former Capital of the Confederacy, I witnessed the power of art as a tool to convey a meaning as Floyd's image was projected on the Robert E. Lee statue. The display validated my belief in the importance of black representation through creativity and perseverance. Consequently, my ambition is to create designs that contribute to our narrative; particularly the story of women of color. My first memories of creating something are from when I was ten years old designing paper outfits for my American Girl doll, Cecile. I fantasized about life as a renowned fashion designer showing my collection in Paris, London, and New York. Even though drawing and sketching were not my forte, I was able to succeed in the arts based on the creativity of my designs. My creative interest, however, eventually turned toward information technology when I was in the ninth grade. I learned that I could integrate creative designing with the use of information technology through various software systems such as ActivInspire; an app that allows me to design layouts and make digital presentations. After mastering the software system, I had the opportunity to act on my graphic design interest when I was given an assignment to create a website for a school project. Throughout this undertaking, I learned how to design a web page and how to input interesting components such as polls, videos, and images. I was also able to use crucial design skills to manufacture flyers and posters using Google Slides, Canva, and ActivInspire. The items that I created were used as promotional materials for various after-school study clubs I belonged to. My pursuit of a STEAM career in graphic design would blend my creative inclinations with my interest in technology which influences so many aspects of how society communicates today. Throughout elementary and middle school, I enjoyed art electives and performed well in class. In my first year of attending Henrico High School, I enrolled in a design and drawing class which is where my pursuit evolved from an interest into an all-encompassing passion. In this class, I learned how to build an art portfolio and how to apply artistic elements to each assignment. In addition, I learned to utilize my creativity as a form of self-expression–a way of communicating visually, without spoken words. Of all the career possibilities within STEAM, I identify with the arts component the most as a visual learner. I also want to share my perspective and voice as a black woman through my graphic designs. Historically, women were rarely recognized for their artwork contributions and impact. I have found inspiration in two black female graphic designers; Sylvia Harris and Gail Anderson. The first designer, Harris, was born in Richmond, Virginia. She is most remembered for her collaboration with young, under-represented artists. Ms. Harris is an inspiration for me not only because of our common Virginia roots but also our shared commitment to use our talent to help others. Graphic designer, Gail Anderson, is based in New York City. She is acknowledged for her artwork in Broadway productions. Anderson's work focuses on typography in magazines, posters, and stamps. It is motivating to learn about successful artists who look like me in a career that I also plan to pursue. Ava DuVernay once said, “Move forward with gusto until you reach your goal”. In high school, I wanted to join the Natural Hair Club. Unfortunately, the club disbanded shortly after it was launched. I was determined, however, to resurrect the club because of my appreciation of natural hair. I reached out to the previous advisor and recruited new members. As the de facto leader of the reincarnated Natural Hair Club, I conducted meetings, directed members, and organized activities. From this experience, I learned that success is achieved through perseverance. One of my proudest achievements was facilitating a school-wide discussion on stereotypes within the natural hair community. As a graphic designer, I hope to embody the examples of perseverance, creativity, and black representation passed on by these inspirational artists. I am determined to dedicate my craft to the black community and emphasize our struggles. This quote by Gail Anderson serves as a motivation for me, “I’ve been designing for over thirty years now, and have worked with very few designers of color. That’s just crazy, especially here in New York.” My hope is to bring change to this profession with the help of the Self "ESTEAM" Scholarship.

There are events in life that shift your way of being, your way of living and learning, so profoundly that the details of that day are forever stamped in your memory. March 13, 2020, became that day for me. It became my turning point. The frantic calls to parents, the early release from school, the fearful look on the faces of school administrators, and the strange term used in everyone’s conversation. Coronavirus. I was ecstatic to have a two-week break from school since my school’s Standards of Learning (SOL) testing was just around the corner, but in hindsight, I was completely oblivious to the drastic effect it would have on my learning routine. Shortly after the two-week break, virtual learning was introduced. Online school was a new routine for me as I have always been able to go to school in person. The early days of virtual learning had no structure. Students and teachers alike had to quickly adapt to a new style of learning and teaching. I felt lost. This change of environment was clearly out of my comfort zone and made me feel disconnected as old feelings of insecurity began to resurface. I had not felt this out of touch with learning since my transition to middle school in 2015. Unexpectedly, and to my surprise, I adapted well to online learning. I was compelled to improve in areas such as time management, organization, and communication skills. I have always tended to take time for granted; however, I have had the privilege of having dedicated teachers help and guide me throughout my academic journey. But when my school was forced to shift to online learning, my direction was shaken. I learned that I needed to set goals for myself. I established a hard stop time for homework so that I could create a healthy sleep schedule. I also dedicated an equal amount of study time to every subject to avoid spending the majority of my time on one subject and neglecting the others. I strived to be punctual and log on to classes early to ensure that I would be present for the first announcements. I achieved these goals I set for myself while also working part-time at Tropical Smoothie five days a week and simultaneously attending weekly meetings for Henrico's Black Student and Natural Hair Club. Like a typical member of Generation Z (Gen Z), I was not the most organized student. My backpack was filled with random, unorganized papers that caused me to lose many homework assignments. I often did not prepare well for future assignments and did not make a plan for how I would complete assignments. However, virtual learning has helped me improve my organizational skills by forcing me to create a plan for completing homework, attending club meetings, and going to work. I can utilize these skills in my goal to attend college and pursue a career in graphic design. I’m passionate about graphic design because it can be used as a form of self-expression–a way of communicating visually, without spoken words. March 13, 2020, was the day that I began reshaping a somewhat reserved, soft-spoken Dejanique Powell into a confident, self-reliant young woman. Personally, I have grown to love and prefer online learning and to be confident in my educational goals. Throughout the past eighteen months, I have learned to think for myself and not be as dependent on my classmates and teachers. I have learned how to be accountable to myself and set high goals. I have learned that I can be flexible and work through adversity and come out feeling empowered.

My first memories of creating something are from when I was ten years old designing paper outfits for my American Girl dolls. I fantasized about life as a renowned fashion designer showing my collection in Paris, London, and New York. Even though drawing and sketching were not my forte, I was able to succeed in the arts based on the creativity of my designs. My creative interest, however, eventually turned toward information technology when I was in the ninth grade. I learned that I could integrate creative designing with the use of information technology through various software systems. After mastering the software system, I had the opportunity to act on my graphic design interest when I was given the assignment to create a website for a school project. Throughout this undertaking, I learned how to design a web page and how to input interesting components such as polls, videos, and images. I was also able to use crucial design skills to manufacture flyers and posters. The items that I created were used as promotional materials for various after-school study clubs I belonged to. My pursuit of an art career in graphic design would blend my creative inclinations with my interest in technology which influences so many aspects of how society communicates today. Throughout elementary and middle school, I enjoyed art electives and performed well in class. In my first year of attending Henrico High School, I enrolled in a design and drawing class which is where my pursuit evolved from an interest into an all-encompassing passion. In this class, I learned how to build an art portfolio and how to apply artistic elements to each assignment. In addition, I learned to utilize my creativity as a form of self-expression–a way of communicating visually, without spoken words. Of all the career possibilities, I identify with the arts component the most as a visual learner. Professionally, I’d like to make use of my graphic design skills by creating advertisements. Specifically, I want to design movie posters, music covers, websites, apps, and logos. To achieve this goal during college, I plan to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in graphic design. One of the universities I have researched is Bowie State University (BSU) in Bowie, Maryland. BSU is a top Historically Black College and University for fine arts. I am particularly interested in Bowie State’s Visual Communication and Digital Media Arts (VCDMA) program which combines a “creative and technical foundation” for high achieving students. The VCDMA program will allow me to concentrate on advertising design by working on print, graphic, and web design, thus providing me with the skills to become a well-rounded graphic designer. The advertising design concentration responds to the modern demand in visual communication for design artists such as myself. In the VCDMA program, I will be able to build off of the techniques I have previously learned in my high school design class. I am drawn to the arts because I can express my creativity and visually execute ideas through my work. My career as a graphic designer will rely on successfully realizing my client’s ideas. I am incredibly grateful for the years I have spent learning my craft in high school, however, the journey to higher education and the road to attaining a degree in graphic design is the next step on my path to becoming a graphic designer, and I am eager to take my first step as an undergraduate.

My first memories of creating something are from when I was ten years old designing paper outfits for my American Girl dolls. I fantasized about life as a renowned fashion designer showing my collection in Paris, London, and New York. Even though drawing and sketching were not my forte, I was able to succeed in the arts based on the creativity of my designs. My creative interest, however, eventually turned toward information technology when I was in the ninth grade. I learned that I could integrate creative designing with the use of information technology through various software systems. After mastering the software system, I had the opportunity to act on my graphic design interest when I was given the assignment to create a website for a school project. Throughout this undertaking, I learned how to design a web page and how to input interesting components such as polls, videos, and images. I was also able to use crucial design skills to manufacture flyers and posters. The items that I created were used as promotional materials for various after-school study clubs I belonged to. My pursuit of a STEAM career in graphic design would blend my creative inclinations with my interest in technology which influences so many aspects of how society communicates today. Throughout elementary and middle school, I enjoyed art electives and performed well in class. In my first year of attending Henrico High School, I enrolled in a design and drawing class which is where my pursuit evolved from an interest into an all-encompassing passion. In this class, I learned how to build an art portfolio and how to apply artistic elements to each assignment. In addition, I learned to utilize my creativity as a form of self-expression–a way of communicating visually, without spoken words. Of all the career possibilities within STEAM, I identify with the arts component the most as a visual learner. Graphic design, also known as visual communication, is defined as “the art or profession of using design elements to convey information or create an effect.” Professionally, I’d like to make use of my graphic design skills by creating advertisements. Graphic design is significant in advertisement because people are more likely to retain information when it is presented in a visually appealing form. To achieve this goal during college, I plan to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in graphic design. While STEAM is composed of multiple majors and careers, I am drawn to the arts because I can express my creativity and visually execute ideas through my work. My career as a graphic designer will rely on successfully realizing my client’s ideas. I am incredibly grateful for the years I have spent learning my craft in high school and for the support, I’ve received from the dedicated women of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated. Through my involvement in their College Application Program known as #CAP, I have received help with every phase of my application process. The advice and encouragement of this group of women have been invaluable to me as a first-generation college-bound student. Just like Ms. Konatsotis, I am mindful of the influence that women have made in guiding me along the journey to higher education. The road to attaining a degree in graphic design is the next step on my path to becoming a graphic designer, and I am eager to take my first step as an undergraduate.

We fall down but we get up. A gospel anthem sang around the nation. This song, specifically the title, means so much to me and has such an inspiring message about perseverance. As a child I would witness members of my church give testimonies about the trials and tribulations they faced in the world. However, they would end their testimony with how they overcame the obstacles they faced. This was not as important to me as a young child but gained significance as I grew older. Now I am the type of person that always pushes myself to be the best I can be, especially in school. I strive for perfection in all of my classes and my determination reflects in my grades. I have learned to appreciate how far my grades have come as I have not always been the determined student that I am today. In my 8th year, I faced my first academic challenge. A failing grade. Up until this point, I was generally an A and B-average student. Therefore, it was stunning to me how I received a failing grade after doing well in my other classes. This failing grade made it seem like my whole world had fallen right before my own eyes. I felt a great deal of disappointment for myself as I knew the kind of academic potential I had which was not reflected in my grade. However, I am grateful for this grade as it was the turning point of my academic journey and inspired me to work harder. I did feel down about it at the moment but the important aspect of the situation was to progress and get back on track. I created a plan to improve my grade that consisted of extra credit and after-school tutoring that allowed me to successfully pass my class with a 97% compared to my previous failing grade. I converted my disappointment and failure into positivity and determination. This quote influenced my academy journey as I continue to strive for only A’s in all my classes. This quote holds true meaning to me because it taught me to never give up and to never lose hope even as a young child. This quote has a deeper meaning about strength and perseverance. I have lived by this message throughout my life and will continue to as I grow older and it motivates me to “get back up” and continue with my life and my journey. I know now that no matter how many obstacles such as difficult classes, exams, or grades are thrown my way I can stand up and face them head-on because I have the strength to persevere. This quote has impacted my life, specifically my academic journey as I put in double the effort after I have experienced failure in my education. Overall, this quote is special to me because it taught me to fight for what I deserve and that I will never obtain something unless I work for it.