Ever since I was young, I’ve had a deep love for creating and drawing. It wasn’t something I was pushed into it was something that felt natural, something I gravitated toward. I chose to pursue art because I truly enjoy it. There’s a sense of freedom and expression that comes with drawing, especially when I get to bring my own cartoon characters to life. Whether it’s a quirky character, an imaginative world, or just a funny moment I sketch out, it’s always fulfilling to turn my thoughts into something visual that others can connect with. Cartoons were my earliest and biggest source of inspiration. Growing up, I was constantly surrounded by animated shows that sparked my creativity. These weren’t just shows to me they were windows into different worlds, each filled with unique personalities, humor, and style. I’d find myself sketching out characters I saw on TV, then gradually began developing my own. These cartoons taught me that storytelling can come in many shapes, sizes, and colors, and that art can be a powerful way to express emotion, imagination, and identity. What inspires me artistically isn’t just the cartoons themselves, but the way they made me feel. The joy, the humor, the creativity, those emotions, those are what I strive to capture in my own work. I’m inspired by the ability of art to connect people without needing any words. A drawing can make someone laugh, wonder, or relate. That’s a powerful thing, and it's why I keep pushing myself to grow as an artist. Art is more than a hobby for me it’s a passion and a purpose. It’s how I process the world, how I share my ideas, and how I contribute something positive to others. My goal is to use my creativity to make people smile, think, and dream a little bigger. Whether it’s through animation, comics, or visual storytelling, I want to create something that leaves an impression, just like those cartoons did for me. Pursuing art isn’t just a career choice; it’s a reflection of who I am. I don’t just draw to pass the time I draw because it’s how I speak. It’s how I show the world what’s in my mind and in my heart. With every character I design or scene I bring to life, I’m building the world I want to share with others one character at a time. This scholarship would mean so much to me. It will help lift the burden of constantly wondering how I will continue to pay for my college education. Being able to just concentrate on the academic endeavors I am pursuing, and not the bill, would boost my morale on a day to day basis. I am in a good place currently. I want to continue to establish the momentum I have built, so that I may continue to prosper on my collegiate journey.

Early in my academic career, I wasn't as successful as I envisioned myself. My parents, whom I love dearly, made the difficult decision to enroll me into special education classes in middle school. Turns out it was the best decision for my academic future. Having an IEP with structure, a strong core of teachers that believed in me, and a plan. With each year I got stronger as a student. Even being set back by the Covid lock down, and classroom time taken from me, I was still able to achieve good grades since I was organized and focused during that time. My parents helped motivate me even more during that period. Checking in on me as I worked from a laptop computer as a substitute for actual school. They could barely help me with my math because our concepts of learning today are so much different than theirs. I took it upon myself to dig down and do what I needed to do to get better every day. I'm more comfortable with math, even though I struggle sometimes. When I ultimately grasp a mathmatic concept or equation, I easily advance in whatever comes my way. My grasp of language arts has vastly improved from my earlier years. Once I was able to get organized and learn how to break down what I read, my reading comprehension went to another level and Language Arts became one of my better subjects. Through high school I had maintained a 3.0 or better leading into my senior year. I am very proud of that accomplishment. I played sports and participated in several clubs during my time in high school. Being able to play sports was a privilege afforded to me by my parents for maintaining my academic success. They supported me through it all and I thank them so much. Although they are both college graduates, college is expensive. My mom is still paying back student loans to this day and works hard to provide for our family. I want this scholarship to help them. I want this scholarship to help me pay something towards my college education. It's the least I could do to help them see me achieve my academic goals and become a fruitful member of society. I am an artist with aspirations on working in the field of animation. This scholarship will help put me on the right path to becoming a professional in a field not many black kids like myself aspire for. If I receive this scholarship, I will do everything in my power to honor the donors legacy and strive for greatness as I continue my collegiate journey and beyond. Art is more than expression, it's a language that can inspire, unite, and heal. As an artist, my dream is to use animation as a tool to make a meaningful and lasting impact on the world. Through stories, characters, and vibrant visuals, I want to communicate messages of hope, resilience, diversity, and imagination to audiences of all ages. Art has the power to heal, educate, and transform. With animation, I can tell stories that not only entertain but also plant seeds of kindness, curiosity, and courage in the minds of those watching. Even if just one person feels uplifted by something I create, that’s a positive impact—and one I hope to multiply over time. In the end, I don’t just want to make cartoons. I want to make change. Through animation, I aim to connect with hearts around the world, spark important conversations, and remind people, especially the younger generation, that their stories are worth telling.

At a young age, I always had an active imagination. My parents always told me growing up, even a paper bag in the middle of the floor was my playground. I guess it didn't take much for me to have an adventure. When I found the artist trapped inside of me is when I truly found my calling in life. Now I am an 18 year old young man about to embark on my collegiate journey. My creativity has always been a driving force in my scholastic endeavors. I am on a trajectory to become an art major with a concentration in graphic design and animation. That is my passion. I love to create and develop characters. Using today's technology to create images and stories is what keeps me dialed in to my academic success. I want to have my own production company one day. I know that dream will not become a reality without a college degree. I have participated in several clubs and lettered in 2 varsity sports, while participating in another. Those experiences helped me with my discipline and work ethic, all the time honing my skills as an artist. My father is an artist as well. His artistic flair is a personality trait that was passed on to me. He always encourages me to dig deeper into my artistic bag, so that I may fully develop my creativity and purpose. What is a Legacy? 1. An amount of money or property left to someone in a will. 2. The long lasting impact of particular events, actions, ect. that took place in the past, or of a person's life, is how it is defined. Both my parents are products of HBCU's. My Father attended North Carolina Central University, and my mother attended Saint Augustine's University here in North Carolina. Both of them received their degrees. I was not considering attending an HBCU initially. I wanted to go to a large school and get the full collegiate experience that most people only dream about. I was accepted to several (Division 1) 4 year universities. All the dreams I had, to make that come true, were in front of me. My parents know the value that HBCU's bring to the life and well-being of a young black person, and they made sure to make sure I knew the value as well. It didn't take long before I started to see that value for myself. I received a generous financial offer to attend Elizabeth City State University. That was the first sign that an HBCU was in my future. After my official visit to the prestigious eastern North Carolina school, I was ready to commit to become a Viking! If having a perfect fit for my academic endeavors was part of my cards, then me being able to attend ECSU in the fall of 2025 is going to be, the best hand I have ever been dealt. The faculty and facilities exceeded my expectations. The campus life and traditions only add to the allure of attending this acclaimed university. I owe my parents for pushing me to keep my options open, while investigating which school I would thrive at for the next 4 years. I now have an opportunity to continue the legacy that my family has started. I will be the third member of my immediate family to attend an HBCU with pride.