“What do you want to be when you grow up?” “What do you want to do when you get older?” For a long time, I had no answer to these questions. However, when my 10th grade history teacher introduced me to the Canva software, I knew graphic design was the route to take. I utilized Canva for every creative assignment I could, and soon felt an internal push to learn more. So, I enrolled in a Digital Media course in 11th grade and eventually earned a Adobe Photoshop Certification. This was the only graphic design course in my school, so I decided to build upon my skills wherever possible during 12th grade and pursue graphic design in college. Now, I am majoring in Interdisciplinary Art & Design Studies (IADS) and minoring in Advertising. The IADS program provides me with hands-on graphic design experience, where I can gain more skills in Adobe Creative Suite, advertising, and branding, which will help me reach my goals by strengthening my design portfolio and overall capability to execute effective designs. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts from UNT, I intend to become a graphic designer for a Houston or Dallas-based agency and later become the creative director of my own design agency stemming from Bri Designs, my current start-up graphic design business. After this, I want to create internships and jobs sponsored by Bri Designs and allow students of all backgrounds and the ones in the academy to have hands-on experience in the graphic design field. I also want to provide entrepreneurial education with these opportunities. This experience and education will help these students be better prepared to enter into their career and provide them with the skills and knowledge to be able to work for themselves. It is important that students have design exposure and are encouraged and informed about the benefits of graphic design because it is traditionally seen as impractical and less lucrative in BIPOC communities. Reducing stigmatization around the design field will allow more students to feel confident entering into it and bring forth new designers to diversify the industry. Compared to cosmetology or interior design, I believe graphic design is the career for me. Not only can I combine my creativity and analytical skills, but I can use graphic design to help businesses of all sizes effectively communicate with their audiences. I can also use the income I earn to help my family and the causes I care about. It is a lifelong dream of mine to have an enjoyable career and make an impact. I simply needed to grow up to discover what I wanted to be and do. With the Reginald Kelley Scholarship, I can be another step closer to achieving it all.

Writing became the megaphone for individuals like me. People have labeled me quiet and shy for years, and I let those labels silence me. What’s more, is that COVID-19 exacerbated my quietness and social anxiety. My high school shifted to online learning as cases rose, and I became distanced from my peers. This decision further diminished my desire to speak out in conversation and expression. The summer of 20202 made me feel like I had no voice. The murders of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and George Floyd were wake-up calls that America is dangerous, especially for Black men and women. Aside from the empowering protests and demonstrations, I was terrified for my family and myself. Our skin color made us targets. This fear drove me to hide out in my home. I had many unanswered questions about those murders, yet I did not speak out. I did not feel it was my place. I was a suburban Black girl, and I had never encountered racism. However, those Summer 2020 experiences hurt me like they were my own. Heartbreak and angst turned into discomfort as I entered my sophomore year and progressed to my junior year. The uneasiness of speaking out carried over into these academic years, keeping me silent and uncomfortable with the weight of my questions and thoughts. Soon, I found relief through my creative writing class. When I wrote, I heard myself clearly where others could not and felt free where I was bound. I wrote several free-verse poems, short stories, and whatever else came to mind. The confidence in speaking my written voice drove me to take every opportunity to write, including the Scholastic Art and Writing Contest. Quietness still enveloped me, but my Summer 2020 narrative was louder. So, with fearful courage, I drafted, revised, and submitted a personal essay about my experience. Scholastic awarded me a Silver Key for my writing and invited me to the awards ceremony. I walked into the building that day and felt no need to shout my name because my work spoke volumes. Even the judges remembered and commenced my powerful writing peace. The event coordinators treated me like a VIP, and it was the first time in a while that I felt heard. Soon, I let go of the fear of what others may think of what I say. By the end of my junior year, I became more outspoken than ever. Looking back, I thought quietness would characterize my whole life. However, I thank God for stepping in and bolstering my confidence through writing. I am a multifaceted individual with a new story, and I cannot wait for the world to hear it.

Writing became the megaphone for individuals like me. People have labeled me quiet and shy for years, and I let those labels silence me. What’s more, is that COVID-19 exacerbated my quietness and social anxiety. My high school shifted to online learning as cases rose, and I became distanced from my peers. This decision further diminished my desire to speak out in conversation and expression. The summer of 20202 made me feel like I had no voice. The murders of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and George Floyd were wake-up calls that America is dangerous, especially for Black men and women. Aside from the empowering protests and demonstrations, I was terrified for my family and myself. Our skin color made us targets. This fear drove me to hide out in my home. I had many unanswered questions about those murders, yet I did not speak out. I did not feel it was my place. I was a suburban Black girl, and I had never encountered racism. However, those Summer 2020 experiences hurt me like they were my own. Heartbreak and angst turned into discomfort as I entered my sophomore year and progressed to my junior year. The uneasiness of speaking out carried over into these academic years, keeping me silent and uncomfortable with the weight of my questions and thoughts. Soon, I found relief through my creative writing class. When I wrote, I heard myself clearly where others could not and felt free where I was bound. I wrote several free-verse poems, short stories, and whatever else came to mind. The confidence in speaking my written voice drove me to take every opportunity to write, including the Scholastic Art and Writing Contest. Quietness still enveloped me, but my Summer 2020 narrative was louder. So, with fearful courage, I drafted, revised, and submitted a personal essay about my experience. Scholastic awarded me a Silver Key for my writing and invited me to the awards ceremony. I walked into the building that day and felt no need to shout my name because my work spoke volumes. Even the judges remembered and commenced my powerful writing peace. The event coordinators treated me like a VIP, and it was the first time in a while that I felt heard. Soon, I let go of the fear of what others may think of what I say. By the end of my junior year, I became more outspoken than ever. Looking back, I thought quietness would characterize my whole life. However, I thank God for stepping in and bolstering my confidence through writing. I am a multifaceted individual with a new story, and I cannot wait for the world to hear it.