Art has always been more than just a hobby for me , it’s been a form of escape, expression, and healing. My love for art started when I was a child, using crayons and pencils to sketch things around me. At first, it was a way to keep myself busy. But as I got older, art became the one space where I felt fully in control. I could express everything I was feeling without having to explain it to anyone. Whether I was happy, sad, anxious, or proud, art gave me a place to release it all. Growing up wasn’t always easy. I faced bullying and dealt with moments of isolation. There were days when I didn’t feel seen or understood by anyone around me. During those times, creating art became a safe outlet. I would draw for hours, letting my emotions pour into colors, shapes, and lines. The page became my safe space. Over time, I realized that art wasn’t just something I did , it was something that helped me survive, stay grounded, and learn about who I am. As I began exploring different styles and artists, I was introduced to the work of Wassily Kandinsky, a pioneer of abstract art. His use of color, movement, and emotion fascinated me. What I love most about Kandinsky is how he connected music and art, using visuals to create rhythm and mood. His pieces may look chaotic at first glance, but the longer you look, the more you understand. That’s how I often feel about myself and my journey, layered, emotional, sometimes messy, but full. Kandinsky’s art taught me that creativity doesn’t have to be perfect or realistic to be powerful. It just has to be honest. That message inspired me to step outside of traditional art styles and explore abstract and digital art forms myself. It gave me the freedom to create without feeling boxed in. It also gave me a new way to tell stories of my own, and the stories of people like me who have had to fight to be heard. I now use design to express thoughts, create social messages, and even uplift others. Art has helped me find my identity. It has helped me find community. It has helped me find hope. And artists like Kandinsky remind me that art can break boundaries. My love for art is rooted in emotion, expression. It just has to come from the heart. One day, I hope to inspire others the way Kandinsky and other artists have inspired me. Through graphic design and visual storytelling, I want to create work that speaks to people, helps them feel seen, and reminds them that their stories matter, just like mine does.

My name is Je T’aime Baptiste, and I was raised by a single father after losing my mother as a baby to cancer in 2010. Growing up without a mother meant I had to teach myself a lot of things that girls traditionally learn from their moms, how to do my hair, carry myself, and navigate the world as a young woman. While that wasn’t always easy, it shaped me into someone who’s resilient, resourceful, and independent. I’m passionate about the arts, especially graphic design and modeling. My love for graphic design started when I watched my uncle design while he was in college. I was fascinated with how he brought ideas to life visually, and I knew I wanted to do something just as creative and expressive. Since then, I’ve dedicated myself to developing my design skills and using art as a way to display my creativity. As well as being a 3 year Graphic Design student at Rockdale Career Academy, on the way to certification. Modeling also became an outlet for me to grow my confidence and express myself. I used to be bullied and called ugly, but now, I get compliments and people treat me with more kindness. That shift made me realize how powerful confidence and representation can be. I want to be that representation for other young girls who feel like they don’t belong or aren’t seen. Especially young dark skin women that they are naturally beautiful. Giving back has always been important to me. I’ve volunteered with churches to stock supplies and helped decorate homes through a program called Phoenix Past, which supports families in need. I also help out at school events through my childcare class, including the Fall Festival and Parent Academy, where I assist with creating joyful experiences for kids. It means a lot to me to give others the kind of support and warmth I wished I had more of growing up. One of the most meaningful gifts I ever received was a necklace with the names of my mom, grandma, and me on it. It reminds me every day that even though they’re not physically here, they’re still with me in everything I do. If selected for this scholarship, I will use it to continue my education in visual arts and design. I plan to attend college and eventually build a career where I can merge my design skills with visual representations of how beautiful black people are and what we create. This scholarship would help relieve some of the financial stress that comes with being a college student and allow me to focus fully on my growth, creativity, and purpose. I know what it feels like to be overlooked, and I’m determined to turn that pain into purpose. I’m not just doing this for me, I’m doing it for the people who came before me and the ones coming after.

Arts education has played a huge role in shaping who I am today. Growing up, life wasn’t always easy. I lost my mom as a baby and was raised by my dad, so I had to learn a lot of things on my own, especially things most girls learn from the women in their lives. Because of that, art became a safe space for me, a way to express myself and build confidence when I didn’t have the words. My love for graphic design began when I would watch my uncle do his college design projects. I was so fascinated by how he could create drawings on the computer. Watching him made me realize how powerful design can be. Eventually, I started experimenting on my own, teaching myself how to work with colors, fonts, and different visual styles. Also took classes as well. It became more than just a hobby, it became a passion and something I want to turn into a career. Modeling also became an important outlet for me. I used to be bullied and called ugly when I was younger. Now, I’ve grown into myself and gained confidence through modeling. It’s helped me feel beautiful, seen, and proud to represent who I am, especially as a Black girl who didn’t always feel like she fit in. My uncle definitely inspired me the most. He didn’t just introduce me to graphic design; he showed me what it means to be passionate about your craft. Thanks to him and the support of arts education, I’m now more confident, creative, and driven to use my talents to make an impact. Art has given me a voice. It’s taught me how to turn pain into purpose and express myself in ways that inspire others. Whether it’s creating visuals that tell a story or stepping in front of the camera to show others what self-love looks like, I want my work to empower people to be themselves. Representation matters, and I want to be the person to help make it happen. Through graphic design and modeling, I’ve learned to express myself, connect with others, and tell meaningful stories that reflect my identity. Each project I take on helps me push past my limits, and even when I feel uncertain, the process reminds me that I’m capable of creating something powerful. Whether I’m designing or posing, I feel like I’m honoring both my family’s legacy and my own dreams.

My “why” is graphic design and modeling. These two passions have become the way I express myself and show up in a world that didn’t always see me clearly. Growing up, I often feIt quiet. I was the only child, and my mom passed away when I was a baby. I had to teach myself how to do a lot of things on my own, especially things that girls usually learn from their moms. Modeling became my way of stepping into confidence. Graphic design, on the other hand, became my way of creating beauty and meaning when I didn’t always have the words. My love for graphic design started when I would sit and watch my uncle do his own design work while he was in college. I was fascinated by how he could bring ideas to life visually. Eventually, I started teaching myself, experimenting with colors, fonts, and layouts. I realized I wanted to be the one shaping what people see, whether it's through ads, album covers, websites, or branding. Graphic design lets me tell stories without needing to say a word. As for modeling, it helped me break out of my shell. I used to be bullied and called ugly, but now people compliment me. Modeling helped me own my beauty, especially as a Black girl in a world that doesn’t always uplift girls who look like me. When I model, I represent more than myself. I represent confidence, growth, and strength. I want to show other girls that they don’t need to fit anyone else’s standard to feel special. Technology is evolving, and I’m excited to use digital tools to take my creativity even further. Whether I’m designing a campaign or walking on the runway I’ll always keep the arts and emotion at the heart of what I do. That’s my why.