My name is Jalen Simpson, and I am a fifth-year Architecture student at Oklahoma State University. I am a second-generation college student, navigating a field where representation matters and where I want to leave my mark not just through design but through the care I bring to people around me. To me, being humble yet hungry means never assuming I have arrived, no matter what I have accomplished so far. I have had the opportunity to serve as a teaching assistant for second and third-year studios, guiding students through the early steps in design. I could take that role as a sign that I know enough, but the truth is, I see it as a reminder that there is always more to learn. Each question from a student challenges me to reflect and grow, keeping me sharp while reminding me how far I have come. I love learning, whether it is new software, design methods, or understanding how architecture intersects with culture and social issues. That hunger to grow fuels my passion for architecture and strengthens my commitment to serving others through it. Being focused yet fun is how I approach the demanding nature of this degree while prioritizing community and care. Architecture can consume your days and nights, and it is easy to forget to take care of yourself. I have become a huge advocate for self-care within my studio, often bringing in food for my classmates during late nights or inviting them over for dinner after a tough week. Cooking has become a way for me to blend work, rest, and community, reminding us all to slow down and share a moment even in the busiest times. Those small acts of gathering keep us motivated, connected, and human within a rigorous field that often overlooks these softer moments. Being super yet human feels like a reflection of how I live my life each day. I do a lot for one person, balancing multiple jobs throughout the year to pay for my education while maintaining strong grades and active community involvement. My "regular job" outside of architecture internships is with Tulsa Responds, where I connect low-income communities to free benefits like healthcare and tax support. This work keeps me grounded and deeply connected to people, reminding me why human-centered design matters in architecture. I love people, and I believe that understanding their stories and needs is what makes me a stronger designer. At the same time, I prioritize my self-care by cooking, journaling, and finding small moments of rest. It is not about being superhuman; it is about being fully human while striving for excellence. Architecture is not just about structures. It is about shaping environments where people can thrive, where dignity is felt, and where beauty is accessible to all. I want to carry these values into every project I touch and every community I serve, designing spaces that honor people’s stories while inviting them to dream bigger. To me, embodying Luminaut’s values means striving, caring, connecting, and learning, over and over again. It means understanding that great design starts with humility, grows with passion, is sustained with care, and is rooted in the joy of bringing people together. This is who I am, and this is who I will continue to be as I step into the field as an architect.

My name is Jalen Simpson, and I am a fifth-year Architecture student at Oklahoma State University. I am a second-generation college student, and for a long time, college felt like a dream that was not meant for someone like me. Coming from a background where resources were limited, the cost of college seemed like an impossible mountain to climb. But I knew I wanted to break the cycle for myself and for the community I came from. I discovered architecture in the fifth grade, sketching skylines in my notebooks and building cities out of Legos. I had no idea what architecture was, but I knew it made me feel alive. It was not until later that I realized architecture is about people and the spaces that shape us. I also realized how few people from my background see themselves reflected in the built environment or know that they can be part of creating it. When I first started college, I doubted whether I was capable of succeeding in architecture. I left the path out of fear, thinking it was too difficult and too expensive. Two years later, I chose to trust myself and transferred into OSU’s architecture program. It was one of the best decisions I have made. Since then, I have traveled for national design competitions, worked on real-world projects that serve communities like mine, and found mentors who believe in my potential. Every step has taught me that I am exactly where I need to be. My future plans are rooted in using architecture as a tool for change. First, I want to design affordable housing in underrepresented communities. Too often, people live in conditions that do not reflect their worth. Everyone deserves to live in a home that feels safe, welcoming, and dignified. Second, I want to create community spaces that tell stories and bring people together. Libraries, parks, and cultural centers can be places of connection and inspiration when designed with care. I want to design spaces that reflect the people who use them. Third, I want to mentor and teach youth in underrepresented communities about architecture and design. I did not know this path existed when I was young, and I want to change that for the next generation. I want to show students that they have the creativity and power to shape the world around them. This scholarship will help me continue to pursue my education without the constant fear of financial barriers. As a second-generation college student, I have had to navigate many challenges alone, from understanding financial aid to balancing work and school. Receiving this scholarship would mean I can focus more on learning and growing in my craft instead of worrying about how to pay for my education. Architecture is not just my career choice; it is my way of giving back to my community and creating opportunities for others. I want to use my skills to build a future where spaces are designed with intention, care, and equity. This scholarship will help me continue on this path and bring me one step closer to becoming an architect who serves people with dignity and purpose.

My name is Jalen Simpson, and I am a fourth-year Architecture student at Oklahoma State University. I come from communities that were often overlooked in design, places where public housing felt cold, schools felt uninspired, and green space was a luxury. Growing up in those environments made me curious about how our surroundings shape us, and it eventually led me to architecture. But I did not arrive here in a straight line. I began college unsure of whether I belonged in such a technical and competitive field. I doubted myself and walked away from the path. Two years later, I found the courage to trust my gut and return. That decision changed everything. Since then, I have found not only my passion but my purpose. Architecture is more than my major; it is a tool I plan to use to create lasting change in the world. There are three core ways I intend to make a positive impact with it. First, I want to bring thoughtful, affordable housing to communities that have long been ignored. I believe stability begins with shelter, and too many families live in conditions that do not reflect their worth or humanity. My goal is to work on housing models that balance affordability with beauty, care, and dignity—homes that lift people up, not box them in. Second, I hope to use design to empower youth in underrepresented areas. Growing up, I was lucky to stumble upon architecture. But many students who look like me have never even heard of it. I want to start community design programs and workshops that expose young students to careers in the built environment. If I can show someone early on that their imagination has a place in this world, that alone can change a life. Third, I want to embed cultural storytelling into public spaces. Architecture has a responsibility not just to function, but to reflect the people it serves. I want to create libraries, parks, and community centers that honor the legacy of neighborhoods while inviting future generations to shape what comes next. I believe good design should feel both familiar and inspiring at the same time. I am already working toward this vision. In the summer of 2023, I helped connect the Terence Crutcher Foundation in Tulsa with the architecture firm I was interning for. That partnership is now developing the foundation’s new headquarters and community center, a real space that will serve people for years to come. I helped develop the initial design ideas, participated in meetings with the foundation team, and even named one of the gathering spaces—the Legacy Lounge. It was a moment that proved to me the power of design in real time. Beyond architecture, I continue to support social justice by staying connected to organizations doing the work on the ground. I use my creative skills to help with outreach, awareness, and storytelling because visibility is part of justice, too. What drives me is the belief that space is never neutral. The environments we live in either support our growth or get in the way. I plan to spend my career removing those barriers, designing spaces that reflect the hopes, needs, and stories of the people who use them. That is how I plan to make a difference, with design that heals, empowers, and transforms. One building, one street, one block at a time.

My name is Jalen Simpson, and I am a fourth-year Architecture student at Oklahoma State University. I come from a background where resources were limited, but imagination never was. I was raised in communities where the built environment often felt like an afterthought, spaces that lacked beauty, care, or a sense of belonging. As a child, I did not have the words to explain what felt off, but I knew something was missing. What I did have were Legos, sketchpads, and a growing curiosity about how the world was built. In fifth grade, I remember sketching skylines of cities I had never been to, drawing from photos and dreams. That was the earliest spark. But it was not until later in life that I understood what architecture truly meant—not just drawing buildings, but shaping lives. That realization stayed with me, even when I veered off course. When I first started college, I doubted whether I belonged in a field as demanding and technical as architecture. I let that fear steer me away, and I changed majors. But the calling never left. I could not ignore the deep urge to create spaces that matter. So, in my junior year, I decided to transfer into OSU’s architecture program—and it was the best decision I have ever made. Since joining the program, I have been pushed far beyond what I imagined. I have traveled across the country for design competitions, participated in projects that serve real communities, and connected with mentors who understand that architecture is more than construction; it is care, storytelling, and healing. One of the most meaningful moments in my journey so far was helping connect a nonprofit in Tulsa to the firm I interned with. That partnership is now turning into a permanent community headquarters, and I helped design one of its most important spaces. Moments like that remind me why I am here. Architecture gives me the ability to bring beauty and intention into places that have gone without it for too long. I am especially passionate about designing for under-resourced neighborhoods because I know firsthand how it feels to live in spaces that were not designed with you in mind. My goal is to design affordable housing, cultural centers, and educational spaces that reflect the dignity of the people they serve. I want to create work that restores, not replaces. I also want to give back through teaching and mentorship. I want to introduce students from similar backgrounds to architecture early on, because I was lucky to stumble across it, but many never do. I believe representation in this field matters, and I hope to be someone who opens that door wider for others. My journey has not been linear, but every step has been full of purpose. The challenges I have faced have only made me more committed to using this career as a way to uplift and connect. I am not just studying architecture, I am learning how to build a life rooted in service, creativity, and community. That is who I am. And that is the foundation I am building from.

No structure can stand without a strong and durable foundation. For black people to have an ideal utopian community, we must break the foundation that many of us are accustomed to. Suppressing, denying, and ignoring mental health are some of the primary ways the Black community is restrained from its full potential. Once we acknowledge the benefits of expressing and advocating mental health, we can achieve social justice for communities of color; along with creating a new foundation for future generations to progress far more than we could imagine. I did not have anger issues as a child, but I would occasionally respond with hostility in times of controversy. When I was around six years old, a counselor came to my school and taught us the importance of responding with emotional intelligence. I remember her telling us, “When someone is bothering you, instead of replying with aggression, say ‘I don’t like what you’re doing, and the way you’re making me feel. Please stop that.’” When my parents picked me up from school, I told them about the advice. My mother embraced the communication, and my father mocked it. This is the earliest emotional fork in the road that I remember. Do I embrace communicating my emotions during quarrels? Or do I continue to respond out of anger and suppress how I feel? Unfortunately, I chose the road many young black men favor; anger and suppression. This incident strongly influenced my emotional foundation. As I matured, numerous incidents led me to that same fork in the road. I repeatedly chose anger and suppression. After suppressing how I felt regarding the way someone speaks, treats, and cares about me, I started denying those emotions altogether. Several years of denial drove me to ignore my emotions entirely when controversy arose. I was trying to be a “man”. Unfortunately, I started to believe that being a “man” was not enough. I had to become a “strong man”. All a facade to the emotionally broken boy I truly was. This masquerade resulted in me further suppressing, denying, and ignoring my emotions. Sadly, this is the same cycle many black people and especially black men have been experiencing for decades. For generations, black people were taught unsustainable responses concerning their emotions. Optimal mental health for the Black community starts with acknowledgment. Once we recognize that it is acceptable to feel our emotions and embrace them, we can reshape how we interact with each other. Emotional validation is one of the most necessary components to creating healthy relationships. Many individuals in the Black community make poor decisions because their emotions are invalidated. Whether the invalidation came from family, friends, or even themselves; the lack of acknowledgment must come to an end. Access is another ideal vision for utopian mental health in the Black community. If I had access to a therapist with whom I could entrust my emotions, countless lessons I learned laboriously could have been understood efficiently. Social justice can be achieved for communities of color by uprooting distinct obstacles encountered when seeking care. A large portion of the Black community subscribes to misconceptions regarding counseling and therapy. The idea that only “mental” or “crazy” people need therapy, their problems are not serious enough for therapy, rehearsing problems will not do anything and many more fallacies concerning counseling. Once stigmas like these are dismantled, a positive change will be initiated for social justice and the utopian Black community we all desire.