One picture with so many things to say. One video with multiple messages to send. Early on, I discovered the power of capturing moments through photography and videography. One picture or video can have numerous effects on a person or a business, whether they take people back down memory lane or to an ethereal world. My visual media business, Fine Scene Productions, will capture cherishable moments and share compelling stories contributing to a benevolent society. Playing an essential role in creating unforgettable moments and transforming ideas into reality will always be rewarding. I grew up watching shows with uplifting messages like Good Luck, Charlie and while the content may change throughout generations, the influence that media has will never change. I seldom saw characters that looked like me or that actually resonated with me as a young black girl in the South. One of the first all-black casts I ever saw on television was in a play by Tyler Perry, and it resonates with me to this day. I remembered thinking “Wow. They are so talented, and they look and talk like me.” Since then, at the tender age of eight, I have always had a passion for creating, especially black narratives. Throughout my childhood, I was always creating, whether it was content for my YouTube channels, a drama series with my Barbie dolls, music videos for local artists in high school, or reality shows in middle school! Remember when I said that photos and videos have power? Media can affect how we view others, places, and ourselves. Henceforth, the power of the media is not always used in a good way. Inadvisable content and media can promote bad character or degenerate behavior. Media also has the power to perpetuate harmful stereotypes or negative perceptions about people and or places. Over the years, I noticed the lack of black representation in front and behind the scenes. My messages can build social awareness and deconstruct harmful stereotypes surrounding people of color. In 2021, social issues and underrepresentation in the media inspired me to produce my short film documentary, Black DNA: Dancers Neglecting Adversity, highlighting the ups and downs of dancers at my school. The topics ranged from eating disorders to the importance of black leadership in performing arts. With the power of media in mind, my business must shine its light by producing content that promotes positivity, shares meaningful messages, and inspires audiences to live with compassion. Fine Scene Productions will be a trailblazing company for its high-quality images or eye-catching media services and its values and contributions to communities. Fine Scene Productions will specialize in photography, unlike other visual media/production companies that only specialize in film and television. This provides more job opportunities for communities and satisfies marketing and branding needs for countless businesses. While most production companies ignore the negative impact of their content on communities out of greed, my business is dedicated to fostering narratives with principles of love, hope, and authenticity. From developing socially aware films to corporate photo shoots, I aspire to shine my light serving diverse audiences and industries, amplifying their voices and visions. I feel accomplished knowing that the legacy of my content will pave brighter roads of compassion for future generations.

There is nothing I enjoy more than experiencing how my community benefits from the local events and programs. From 5k walks to food banks, volunteering has helped me see ways that my education can be more beneficial to my community. As a dance major at Alabama State University (a historically black university) with a passion for dance and film, my ambitions and services have encouraged me to bring the arts to underserved communities and to be an inspiration to other minorities in the entertainment industry. During my second year in college, I began teaching dance in Alabama and in my hometown in Georgia. Teaching has made me think about the lack of resources and opportunities I had growing up, as I wanted to pursue dance. My family's finances and my desire to study a nontraditional major were deterrents for me. With these experiences, I aspire to create more opportunities in the entertainment industry that increase black representation and equality, promote positive black storytelling, and inspire the future generation of performers. My career goals include becoming a professional dancer and choreographer for live productions, unscripted and scripted television/films, music videos, and award shows. I also intend to produce and direct films, especially ones with dance scenes! Earning my Bachelors in Fine Arts in Dance and starting the We Can Dance Initiative, are major steps I am taking to achieve my goals and impact my community. As more black talent hits the stage and graces our screens, there are countless debates about what platforms they deserve to be on. Not to mention, black performers’ and entertainers’ fights for equal compensation and recognition. As an African-American dancer, choreographer, and teacher, black representation is a vital part of my job as I work to improve the accessibility of high-caliber education for the next generation. With the We Can Dance Initiative, it will help schools and universities incorporate the arts into their curriculums, fundraise for their performing arts programs, and recruit qualified teachers with diverse ethnic backgrounds. The initiative will also help decrease the wealth gap between white and black entertainers and visual/performing art teachers. Like my students, I will ensure that more black performers and entertainers know that they belong in the entertainment industry and deserve equity without watering down their racial identity. It can be exasperating to pursue a career in the arts. I grew up hearing about the strain my dance classes and dues put on my mother’s finances, so I was disheartened about my potential career as a dancer and choreographer. Furthermore, earning this scholarship means a lot to me as I aspire to be a walking testament that your dreams are achievable even as a performing arts major. As of right now, I have taken twelve thousand dollars in student loans. It’s hard enough finding scholarships and opportunities that are applicable to dance majors, let alone the time to dedicate to extracurriculars like a part time job or dance performances. To make matters worse, many people do not believe the arts is a “promising” career path, but in actuality, nothing in life is guaranteed. In fact, the arts are what kept most people afloat during the pandemic, so there is no doubt that the arts have value. The stigmatization of visual arts and performing arts being frivolous can only be minimized when more people like myself endure all the adversity. This scholarship would be an enormous aid in achieving my goals as a future nonprofit owner, professional dancer, filmmaker.

I will never forget what it felt like to be the only black student in my first ballet class at four years old and being overlooked by my white instructor. Unfortunately, the lack of diversity and equality in performing arts, media, and entertainment is still an issue today. As a dance major at Alabama State University (a historically black university) with a passion for dance and film, I care more than just about my performance and making good grades. I recognize that my ambitions and endeavors are an inspiration to the community and a proclamation to change the black narrative. With my Bachelors in Fine Arts, I aspire to negate black stereotypes, increase diversity and equality for black performers and producers, and instill hope in them to follow their dreams. The black community has enough demeaning and negative content to consume, from the music industry to mass media. Now it is time that I help change the narrative. By having black representation behind the scenes and on the scenes, we start to discover and learn different perspectives of blackness. For example, my film, DNA: Dancers Neglecting Adversity, was created to share the experiences of black dancers at my school and their love for dance. In 2022, it was awarded Best Short Film Documentary and Best Overall Short Film, but winning awards is a trivial part of making an impact on the community. Through film and entertainment, I am able to tell more black stories that are positive and meaningful. As more black talent hits the stage and graces our screens, there are countless debates about what platforms they deserve to be on. Not to mention, black performers’ and entertainers’ fight for equal compensation and recognition. As an African-American dancer, choreographer, and teacher, black representation is a vital part of my job as I work to improve accessibility of affordable, high quality tutelage for the next generation. I have been able to share my craft with underserved communities, for instance, my commencement of the “Back to School Dance Bootcamp” for children/teens in the Metro-Atlanta area. I also taught dance for the Montgomery Cultural Arts Center where the students were offered free dance shoes and free dance classes! My students had the luxury to experience dance from a youthful African-American lens, from the posters the children saw to their dance coloring sheets. Like my students, I will ensure that more black performers and entertainers know that they deserve to have what their white counterparts have, all while being unapologetically black! I know how hard it can be to pursue a career in the arts. Some people do not believe the arts is a “promising” career path. In actuality, nothing in life is guaranteed. The stigmatization of fine arts and performing arts being pointless can only be minimized when more people like myself endure all the adversity. To add, the arts are what kept most people afloat during the pandemic, so there is no doubt that the arts have value. My endeavors are an encouragement to those in my family and community that all things are possible, regardless of others’ opinions or race/background. With my gift of dance and filmmaking, I have and will continue to improve my community. Through arts and media, I am able to create content for black audiences that are optimistic and meaningful, fight for black representation and equality in the entertainment industry, and inspire many other artists to be bold by choosing a nontraditional career path.

Being a Dance Major at Alabama State University has galvanized what I believe to be my calling. I always knew I wanted to be a choreographer, but sometimes I questioned my talent and worthiness. However, looking in hindsight, I can admit that my passions and endurance have opened doors for me that I never would have thought were possible coming from a low-income household. In my first semester in college, I had the vision to create a dance short film displaying the talents of dancers at my school and sharing their perspectives on the hardships of being including but not limited to a dancer of color, called "DNA: Dancers Neglecting Adversity". A year later, my film documentary was awarded twice; thankfully, I was able to represent my historically black university, Alabama State University, at the film's award ceremonies. Additionally, this past summer, my dance partner from my home church and I hosted a “Back to School Dance Bootcamp" in Decatur, Georgia. I wanted this boot camp to be a fun and rigorous experience for children (ages five to eighteen) to build physical endurance and confidence, and prepare them for any dance aspirations they may have. Whether it is a local step team or the school’s dance team, they would have had the fundamentals needed to succeed. Unexpectedly, after concluding my boot camp, I was offered a teaching position at the Montgomery Cultural Arts Center in Alabama! The dance classes were free of charge to the students, and the government gave them free dance shoes! This made me think about the lack of resources and opportunities I had growing up, as I wanted to pursue dance, and I would not only love to spread the art of dance to low-income communities like the one I grew up in but help more dancers achieve their dance aspirations. My teaching position and my impact as a film producer motivated and continues to inspire me to create a fight for inclusivity and equity for dancers of color in Montgomery and the Atlanta metro area.

Terry Crews, STOP THE PRESSES, you have found your scholarship recipient. My name is Jordan Gastion, and I am a dance major. My love for dance began before I was able to talk when my family took me to see a live performance. I was so mesmerized that I would not allow anyone to touch me -not even to take me out of my stroller. My family knew then and there what my fate would be, and by the time I was four, I took my first dance class. At nine years old, I discovered my first Tyler Perry play, where my enthusiasm for producing and directing was spurred. The musicality of Black culture, intriguing plots, and Perry’s multitasking abilities in his productions were not simply impressive, but fresh and new. I was in the praise dance ministry for years before being offered a position at a dance company in the seventh grade. Following that, I began giving private dance lessons, and now I can only imagine what the future holds for me. My vision is to continue to produce and direct films, choreograph for a variety of audiences, and earn my Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts at Alabama State University, where I can commence a professional career. Winning the Creative Courage Scholarship will enable me to follow my dreams and academic goals. I aim to share African American stories in a way that signifies the power our ancestors have instilled in us regardless of any oppression or adversity we have experienced. Finally, my ultimate artistic dream is to meet, choreograph, and collaborate with Ciara for an award show.