I used to believe God's favor looked like winning. A crown. A title. A dream unfolding exactly the way I planned. Then life taught me something far greater: God's favor has never been defined by an outcome. It is defined by purpose, perseverance, and the people I am called to serve. That realization became the turning point that changed not only how I measured success, but also how I approached my education, community, and the future I am building. Growing up in Miami, I watched my mother work tirelessly to create opportunities that did not always exist for us. As a single mother, she taught me that resilience is not something you talk about, it is something you live. Watching her sacrifice for my brother and I showed me what perseverance, faith, and selflessness truly look like. When I left home to attend Howard University, I carried those lessons with me, believing success was found in winning titles, reaching goals, and checking every box on the path toward my dreams. Over the past three years, I served as Miss Freshman, Miss 1911, and Miss College of Arts and Sciences. I balanced leadership with academics, worked nearly full-time to help pay for school, and poured into my community through teaching, mentoring, and co-founding ICTalent Dance Studio, providing young people from underserved communities with a safe space to grow through dance. From the outside, everything looked like it was falling into place. Then came the turning point. After months of preparing for Miss Howard University, my name was not announced. Shortly afterward, I dislocated my kneecap while pursuing my dream of becoming an NBA dancer following in my mother's footsteps. For the first time, I had to ask myself who I was when the titles disappeared and my plans suddenly felt uncertain. That season taught me something I will carry with me for the rest of my life: purpose is greater than recognition. I realized my value had never been tied to the titles I earned, but to the people I served. I realized my impact had never depended on a crown or a perfect outcome. It lived in the students I mentored, the young dancers who saw themselves in me, the classmates I encouraged, and every opportunity I had to leave a space better than I found it. My faith reminded me that God's favor is not defined by an outcome but by obedience, perseverance, and the willingness to keep serving even when no one is applauding. That perspective transformed the way I approach my education. As an English major with minors in Psychology and Sports Administration on the pre-law track, I am preparing for a career as an entertainment attorney because I want to advocate for athletes, artists, and creatives whose voices deserve protection. To me, education is more than earning a degree, it's gaining the knowledge and perspective to create opportunities for others. My commitment to my community has only grown stronger. Whether teaching in summer programs, mentoring young dancers, volunteering through my church, or expanding ICTalent Dance Studio, I have learned that real leadership is not about standing in front of people, it is about standing beside them. The future I am building is rooted in service. I hope to use my legal career, leadership, and experiences to ensure that the next generation has someone fighting for their dreams the same way others fought for mine. Today, I no longer measure God's favor by outcomes, but by purpose. My turning point did not change my destination, it changed me. True success is measured by the lives we uplift.

In the future, I plan to become a lawyer specializing in entertainment or sports law, with the possibility of also becoming a licensed sports or arts psychologist. My dream is to protect and advocate for creatives and athletes especially those who look like me by offering both legal support and mental health awareness. I want to work in spaces where contracts are signed, but also where humanity is preserved. Long term, I hope to open my own firm or consulting agency, rooted in service and culturally aware support. Being Black means carrying strength, creativity, and resilience in my bones. It means leading with excellence, even when the world tries to count you out. It means turning pressure into power and continuing a legacy paved by those who came before me. I chose to attend an HBCU specifically Howard University because I wanted to be surrounded by that very legacy. At Howard, I’m not just a number, I’m part of a living, breathing tradition of Black excellence, ambition, and community. This environment has allowed me to grow confidently, lead authentically, and dream even bigger. As a student leader, creative, and future changemaker, I know my journey is bigger than me. It’s about showing other Black girls that they, too, can take up space, speak boldly, and walk in purpose. Attending an HBCU and pursuing a career rooted in advocacy is how I continue to honor that truth every day.

My name is Iyanna Cort, and I’m a rising junior at Howard University, majoring in English with a minor in psychology on the pre-law track from Miami, Florida. Being the oldest daughter and grandchild in my family I have always had to carry the weight yet the honor of it all in my family. That role has shaped my drive not just to achieve, but to uplift, lead, and leave a lasting impact in every space I step into. In high school, I balanced being a half-time dual enrollment student while participating in student leadership and competitive dance. On top of that, I launched my own sweets business, I Crave Creations, where I sold custom treats to bring joy to others through baking something that brought me peace and allowed me to support myself financially. I also co-founded a low-income dance studio alongside my mother, offering low-cost dance classes to low-income families. It was a dream rooted in giving back and showing young dancers that their passion deserves a stage regardless of their zip code or financials. That spirit of excellence and service has followed me into college. At Howard, I’ve taken on leadership roles that reflect both who I am and who I’m becoming. I previously served as Miss Freshman 2023–2024 and Miss 1911 for Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Alpha Chapter 2024-2025. Now, I proudly reign as Miss College of Arts and Sciences, representing over 3,000 students with a platform rooted in prayer, strategy, and authenticity. I was also a stand captain for the Bisonettes Dance Team as a first-year and a content creator and brand ambassador for Impressions of Beauty, a platform that empowers young Black women through beauty, confidence, and connection. Everything I do is driven by a passion for people and a vision for my future. I plan to attend law school to pursue a career in entertainment or sports law, protecting and representing the creatives and athletes who are often overlooked or exploited. While studying law, I plan to gain hands-on legal experience and also work toward my master’s in psychology. I’m deeply interested in becoming a sports or arts psychologist because I believe mental health and legal protection go hand-in-hand especially in high-pressure, high-visibility fields. I want to be someone who doesn’t just read contracts but who understands the whole person behind the performance. Receiving the Kalia D. Davis “Living Loving Laughing Learning Legacy” Scholarship would mean the world to me, not just financially, but emotionally. Like Kalia, I strive to approach life with excellence, kindness, and an unwavering work ethic. I believe in showing up for others, in keeping joy at the center of the journey, and in creating legacy through service. Whether I’m on stage, in a classroom, or working behind the scenes, I’m committed to making even the smallest impact count. This scholarship would not only help lighten the financial burden of college, but it would also be a powerful reminder that people still see and value the heart behind the hustle. And I will carry that reminder with me through law school, through community work, and into every space I’m blessed to step into next for the rest of my life.

After graduation, I plan to continue my education by attending law school with a focus on entertainment or sports law. I’ve always been passionate about advocacy using my voice and influence to speak up for others and I know that a legal education will give me the tools to do that on a broader scale. My dream is to work closely with athletes and artists, helping to protect their rights and guide them through the many legal challenges that often come with navigating high-profile industries. As I pursue law school, I also want to continue gaining real-world experience by working in a legal setting. Whether in a firm, an agency, or behind the scenes in the entertainment or sports world, I believe that learning in the field while studying will help me grow and give me a stronger foundation. My hope is to continue moving up professionally while I complete my education, allowing me to apply what I’m learning in real-time and build meaningful relationships in the field. In addition to law school, I also plan to pursue a master’s degree in psychology. I have a deep interest in the mental and emotional well-being of individuals in high-pressure environments, especially athletes and creatives. I’m considering becoming a sports or arts psychologist because I believe that combining legal expertise with psychological insight will allow me to offer holistic support to the clients I hope to serve. These two paths law and psychology might seem different on the surface, but to me, they go hand in hand. Understanding people on a deeper level their mindsets, struggles, and motivations will only make me a stronger advocate and advisor. It’s one thing to represent someone legally, but it’s another to truly understand the weight they carry. I want to stand out in the field by being someone who brings both legal and emotional intelligence to the table. Whether I’m fighting for fair contracts or helping someone navigate the pressures of fame and performance, I want to be fully equipped to support their full personhood. Beyond personal ambition, my commitment to continued education is rooted in a desire to give back. I come from a community that has poured into me, and I feel a responsibility to make sure I’m pouring back into it. Whether through mentoring, creating opportunities, or simply being a resource for those coming after me, I want my work to mean something beyond just professional success. Continuing my education through law school, psychology, and hands-on experience isn’t just about building a career. It’s about preparing myself to make a lasting impact, one client, one case, and even one moment at a time.

There are many obstacles that I have had to meet in my life. The most important by far that I have had to learn from was being on my middle school dance team. You may be wondering how a simple team of participants whose job is just to collaborate, create/achieve goals, and obtain things could teach me something for my future. I was a youngster looking to have fun and use my gift of dance to entertain the world. Taking on these new challenges prepared me for how to deal with the repercussions of life and be more aware if it occurred in my time ahead. I did not understand the importance of being on the team at that time, but as the years continued quickly, I realized. Spotlighted, not because of my immense talent as a dancer, but because I was the only African American loc headed girl on the team. My obstacle was simple “Responding to Racism.” This challenge inspired me to provide individuals with mentorship that will help in overcoming these racist acts; therefore, I became the cofounder of ICTalent dance studio. Racism, prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism by an individual, yet in this case it was by several individuals. Being involved in activities, teams, and completing academic trials that no one would expect a girl like me to achieve became strangely surprising to the world. I was enrolled as a Magnet student in the MDCP school system with the least racial diversity. This atmosphere made me adapt to the racial comments, underestimation, and envy all around me. Affecting my mental, physical health, and my educational abilities at a youthful age, I began to lose myself.I was different. I had to work twice as hard to earn my spot, be heard, and recognized for my ability. I refused to let the color of my skin, or my hair be seen as a crutch in my success. With the history behind having what people call “dreadful dreadlocks” and the stereotypes society puts on African American girls just made my dance life a little harder to handle. “You need to take those things out of your hair” is what I was told by my dance teacher. “I feel attacked” is what a student told my teacher when I was finally put in charge to lead because of my tone. “We don’t listen to that type of music” is what my classmates said and laughed about the day the teacher allowed students to play our own clean music to stretch to. No one related to me in any way. All these things circled around racism. I kept pushing and I grew from these obstacles. I know now how to handle myself when put in these predicaments. I understand that the ignorance behind racism begins with history and may have come from a lot of their parents, grandparents, or everyday surroundings. No longer would I go back and forth to try and prove myself as a human being, a dancer, or African American period. My skin was tough enough to handle it and from there built something so beautiful that would allow colored girls like me to feel comfortable, free, and loved while doing something they loved, Dance. Not only did I have to go through several obstacles of Racism the one I learned from the most challenged me to do something for students younger than me. My mom and I opened a dance studio, ICTalent Dance with a roster of 100% African Americans that is excelling now in the present with hopes to have it remain open in the future.

There are many obstacles that I have had to meet in my life. The most important by far that I have had to learn from was being on my middle school dance team. You may be wondering how a simple team of participants whose job is just to collaborate, create/achieve goals, and obtain things could teach me something for my future. I was a youngster looking to have fun and use my gift of dance to entertain the world. Taking on these new challenges prepared me for how to deal with the repercussions of life and be more aware if it occurred in my time ahead. I did not understand the importance of being on the team at that time, but as the years continued quickly, I realized. Spotlighted, not because of my immense talent as a dancer, but because I was the only African American loc headed girl on the team. My obstacle was simple “Responding to Racism.” This challenge inspired me to provide individuals with mentorship that will help in overcoming these racist acts; therefore, I became the cofounder of ICTalent dance studio. Racism, prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism by an individual, yet in this case it was by several individuals. Being involved in activities, teams, and completing academic trials that no one would expect a girl like me to achieve became strangely surprising to the world. I was enrolled as a Magnet student in the MDCP school system with the least racial diversity. This atmosphere made me adapt to the racial comments, underestimation, and envy all around me. Affecting my mental, physical health, and my educational abilities at a youthful age, I began to lose myself. Not understanding why there was a problem with the music I listened to, my Loc'd hair, the way that I articulated words when speaking, and the power that came along with my dancing skills. I was different. I had to work twice as hard to earn my spot, be heard, and recognized for my ability. I refused to let the color of my skin, or my hair be seen as a crutch in my success. With the history behind having what people call “dreadful dreadlocks” and the stereotypes society puts on African American girls just made my dance life a little harder to handle. “You need to take those things out of your hair” is what I was told by my dance teacher. “I feel attacked” is what a student told my teacher when I was finally put in charge to lead because of my tone. “We don’t listen to that type of music” is what my classmates said and laughed about the day the teacher allowed students to play our own clean music to stretch to. No one related to me in any way. All these things circled around racism.I know now how to handle myself when put in these predicaments. I understand that the ignorance behind racism begins with history and may have come from a lot of their parents,grandparents, or everyday surroundings. My skin was tough enough to handle it and from there built something so beautiful that would allow colored girls like me to feel comfortable, free, and loved while doing something they loved, Dance. Not only did I have to go through several obstacles of Racism the one I learned from the most challenged me to do something for students younger than me. My mom and I opened a dance studio, ICTalent Dance with a roster of 100% African Americans that is excelling now in the present with hopes to have it remain open in the future.