Being an up-stander, to me, means refusing to be silent when silence would be easier. I have always found myself standing up for others, especially those who are overlooked or underestimated, because I know firsthand how isolating that feeling can be. When someone is ignored, talked over, or treated unfairly, it leaves a lasting mark, and that awareness has impacted the way I move through the world. I root for the underdog not because it is admirable, but because it is necessary. In group settings, classrooms, and everyday situations, I speak up when something feels wrong or unethical, even when it makes me uncomfortable. Choosing to be selfless in moments where it would be easier to look away has taught me that advocacy does not always require a large platform. Sometimes it simply requires courage, empathy, and a willingness to act. I use my voice by naming problems honestly and by supporting people in tangible ways. Whether that looks like defending someone who is being judged unfairly or checking in on someone who feels unseen, I try to make sure my actions align with my values. I believe that change starts when someone decides that injustice is not acceptable, even in its smallest forms. I do not wait for permission to care, and I do not wait for others to lead before I act. When I see an opportunity to help, I take it, because building community depends on consistency and intention. Being an up-stander has shown me that compassion is not passive. It is active, persistent, and rooted in accountability. I strive to be someone others can rely on, not just for support, but for honesty and action. Looking forward, I plan to continue using my voice to uplift and connect people through both advocacy and creativity. As someone drawn to art and storytelling, I want my voice to create spaces where people feel represented and valued. I believe community is built when people see themselves reflected and when their experiences are taken seriously. I want to advocate for those who feel like their voices are too small to matter, especially young people who doubt their own potential. By speaking up, creating meaningful work, and staying grounded in empathy, I hope to contribute to a community that prioritizes fairness, expression, and care. Like Mohamed Magdi Taha, I believe that change is driven by people who choose to stand up, even when it is difficult, and who understand that both small acts and bold actions can transform lives.

In the future, I want to build a career that allows me to combine creativity, strategy, and purpose. As a Visual Media Arts major with a minor in Marketing, my goal is to become a graphic designer and eventually a full time entrepreneur. I want to create a business that not only showcases my artistic vision but also uplifts and represents my community. By blending design with marketing, I hope to develop powerful visuals and campaigns that tell stories, inspire people, and promote Black-owned brands and causes that matter. My dream is to own a creative agency or brand that gives back; offering opportunities to young artists, promoting cultural pride, and reshaping how Black creativity is seen and valued in the world. To me, being Black means resilience, innovation, and legacy. It’s about carrying generations of strength, creativity, and excellence within me and using those roots to build something greater. Choosing to attend an HBCU was a way for me to stay connected to that legacy. I wanted to be in a space where I’m surrounded by people who look like me, dream like me, and are pushing toward success despite obstacles. At an HBCU, I feel understood, inspired, and motivated to be the best version of myself. It’s more than education to me but it’s also a community that reminds me that my voice, my art, and my ideas actually matter.

From the moment I stepped on the campus of North Carolina A&T State University during my junior year of high school, I knew it was where I was meant to be. I had always loved A&T, but that visit made everything real. The energy, the people, and the pride that filled the campus made me feel like I had finally found a place that reflected everything I wanted to become. I remember walking around and thinking, “This feels like home.” From that day on, I was determined to do whatever it took to be here. I applied to scholarships, strived to maintain my grades, and made a way to turn my dream into reality. Getting accepted felt like proof that my hard work and faith had paid off. Now that I am here, I can truly say that being a student at North Carolina A&T has changed my life. This university has taught me so much about who I am and who I want to be. Even though I have not been here for a full year yet, I already feel myself growing in ways I never imagined. A&T is more than just a place of education but it is a community of strength, culture, and purpose. Being surrounded by people who look like me, who share my drive and determination, fills me with pride and motivation every single day. One of the most inspiring parts of being at A&T is seeing the excellence of Black women all around me. My professors, mentors, and even upperclassmen have become examples of the kind of woman I hope to grow into. Their confidence, intelligence, and passion inspire me to keep pushing, even on the hardest days. They show me that success is possible when you believe in yourself and stay true to your values. The encouragement and wisdom I receive from them remind me that I am not alone and that I am part of something much bigger than myself. I have learned valuable lessons about resilience, leadership, and self-belief. A&T has taught me to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and to stay committed to my goals even when the path is not easy. I now see education as a way to earn a degree but also as a foundation to create change. My goal is to build a career that combines creativity, technology, and entrepreneurship while giving back to my community. The lessons and values I have learned here will continue to guide me in every step I take toward that future. North Carolina A&T is more than a school to me, it is a home that has helped me find my voice and my purpose. I fought hard to be here, and every moment on this campus reminds me why it was worth it. The experiences, lessons, and relationships I have built here will stay with me for life. No matter where I go, I will always carry my Aggie pride and represent this university with gratitude and love. Once an Aggie, always an Aggie.

When my mother passed away, something inside me went quiet. My voice, once full of melody and confidence, disappeared. My mom always wanted me to be a singer. It was all I did when she was alive. I sang around the house, at family gatherings, and even in public without fear. It was our thing, a bond that connected us in a way nothing else could. But when I lost her, I also lost the passion we shared. Music felt like a reminder of everything I no longer had. So, I stopped singing. I stopped dreaming of stages and stopped looking forward to anything at all. The silence that followed her death wasn’t just external. It lived in me. In the months after her passing, I felt lost and emotionally numb. Grief became a heavy part of my everyday life, affecting how I moved through the world and how I interacted with others. I struggled to focus, to connect, and even to smile. I didn’t know where to put all the pain I carried. That’s when I found track and field. At first, it wasn’t something I loved. I joined more out of obligation than interest, thinking it might give me something to do, maybe something to distract me. I didn’t enjoy the practices. I hated waking up early, the soreness in my legs, and the pressure to perform. But slowly, without realizing it, I began to depend on those runs. There was something oddly comforting about running in circles. Even though it seemed repetitive, it gave me a sense of control and release. As my legs moved, my mind cleared. Running gave me space to feel my pain without being judged. It became my therapy, my outlet, and eventually, my new passion. Track didn’t just help me grieve. It helped me rebuild. I became more disciplined, more focused, and more confident. I started showing up not just for the sport, but for myself. It taught me how to channel my emotions into movement, how to push through when things felt too heavy, and how to trust myself again. Track showed me that I could find strength even when I felt broken. I began to realize that maybe my purpose had shifted. Maybe I wasn’t meant to sing in front of crowds anymore, but to carry my story in a different way. Though I no longer sing like I used to, I carry my mom with me in everything I do. She’s with me at the starting line. She’s with me in every breath I take on the track. My grief is still there, but it no longer controls me. It drives me. I plan to pay it forward by using my story to inspire others. Whether it’s mentoring younger athletes, speaking to kids who have lost a parent, or just being a shoulder to lean on, I want to show people that pain can lead to purpose. What started as tragedy became a turning point. I may have lost my original voice, but in running, I found a new rhythm, a new reason, and a new way to keep moving forward.

If money were not an issue, I would create a global network of accessible mental health and creative expression centers tailored to youth from underrepresented communities. Picture this: therapy sessions where teens can unload their drama and then head to a graphic design workshop to turn that drama into digital masterpieces. These centers would provide free counseling, mentoring programs, and workshops in graphic design, and other creative outlets; proving that art and mental health go hand in hand like like fries dipped in milkshakes—unexpected but oddly perfect. The first focus of these centers would be mental health support, an essential yet often overlooked aspect of many communities. Many young people lack access to counseling, leaving them to navigate life’s challenges alone. By providing free therapy sessions and emotional support, these centers would give them a safe space to heal and grow. Coupled with mentorship programs, they would create resilience and confidence in youth, preparing them to tackle future challenges with clarity, determination, and hope. Another critical element would be the creative workshops, such as graphic design, and other forms of artistic expression. These programs would serve as a platform for self-discovery and skill-building, helping young people find their passions while exploring potential career paths. State-of-the-art technology labs equipped with tools for graphic design would open doors to careers in visual arts and advertising. This aspect aligns with my own passion for creativity and my career goal of becoming an entrepreneur in advertising. Representation in the arts is another area these centers would address. BIPOC youth often face systemic barriers that hinder their access to creative opportunities. By combining mental health advocacy with artistic development, my initiative would work to dismantle these barriers. Think of it as breaking down walls but with the added bonus of colorful murals and inspired digital designs as the outcome. Winning this scholarship would give me the chance to dive deeper into my love for the arts and continue my education in a way that I’m passionate about. It would allow me to grow in ways I’ve always dreamed of. If I had to describe myself with a book title, it would definitely be Becoming by Michelle Obama. This book speaks to me because it’s all about embracing what makes you unique and finding joy in the process of becoming who you’re meant to be, rather than waiting for everything to be perfect. With the support of the Chellez Brand, I want to encourage others to dream big, work hard, and remember to enjoy the journey. After all, if we’re not having fun along the way, what’s the point?

As a gay Black female, I’ve faced unique challenges navigating a world where my identity intersects with multiple layers of discrimination. Being apart of the LGBTQIA+ community is an essential part of who I am, but it’s not always easy when the world often overlooks or misunderstands people like me. Add to that the realities of being Black and female, and it sometimes feels like I’m carrying the weight of three identities that society often marginalizes. My experiences as a gay black girl have given me a deep understanding of resilience, and they’ve inspired me to become an advocate for others who feel unseen or unheard. One experience that profoundly impacted me involved a local drag performer named Miss Celeste, whose story I came across through a community campaign promoting acceptance and unity. She shared her journey of overcoming rejection and finding strength through her art and advocacy. Her words stayed with me, especially when she said, “The world will always try to box you in, but you don’t have to live there. You can build your own space.” Those words resonated deeply, reminding me that I could define my identity and my place in the world. Miss Celeste’s courage inspired me to take action in my own way. I started by getting involved in local efforts to support LGBTQIA+ youth, helping to amplify their voices and advocate for safe spaces in schools and communities. Being both Black and female, I understand how difficult it can be to feel seen and heard, which is why I’m so passionate about addressing the intersectionality of race, gender, and sexuality in my advocacy work. I’ve organized small initiatives, such as creating graphics for campaigns promoting inclusivity and awareness, and I’ve also shared my own experiences with being queer and Black to help others feel less alone. These efforts have taught me the power of representation and how important it is for marginalized voices to be uplifted. Advocacy has become more than just something I do, it’s part of who I am. I want to continue working toward a world where no one feels excluded or “too different” to belong. Miss Celeste’s story showed me that it’s possible to transform pain into purpose and create positive change, even in the face of adversity. By pursuing higher education and dedicating myself to this work, I hope to inspire others the way I’ve been inspired and to show them that they, too, can build their own space in a world that often tries to limit them.

What I loved most about my mom was her drive and ambition. She was one of the hardest-working people I’ve ever known, and it inspired me every day. I have so many memories of going with her to community meetings where she worked to make a difference, helping her organize singing lessons for kids, and tagging along as she guided families through open houses in her job as a realtor. She always seemed to have so much energy and passion for what she was doing. She gave everything her all, and her work was always about helping others. To be honest, as a kid, I didn’t always appreciate it. Sometimes, I would find myself thinking, “Do we really have to go to another meeting?” or silently complaining about being dragged along to her endless activities. I’d sit in the backseat dreaming about getting home to watch TV or hang out with my friends. But looking back now, I’m so grateful for those experiences. She wasn’t just showing me what hard work looked like—she was giving me a front-row seat to how much one person could do to make a difference. Even when she got sick with cancer, my mom never gave up. Her battle was short, but in those moments, she still stayed positive and strong. She never let the illness take away her hope or her love for life. I remember how she kept smiling and encouraging me, even when she was the one who needed support. Her strength during that time showed me what true courage looks like, and I carry that with me to this day. Losing her has been the hardest thing I’ve ever gone through. It’s something that has changed me in ways I’m still learning to understand. But one thing I know for sure is that her example continues to guide me. Her drive and positivity taught me how to keep going, no matter what challenges I face. Her loss has also made me realize how important it is to make the most of the time we have and to give your best effort in everything you do. I want to live my life in a way that would make her proud. Whether it’s in school, work, or relationships, I try to show the same strength and care for others that she did. My mom’s life may have been cut short, but the lessons she taught me will stay with me forever. She showed me how to work hard, stay positive, and face challenges with courage. Even though she’s gone, her love and strength continue to inspire me every day.