![user profile avatar](https://static.bold.org/profilePictures/1624544191741.webp)
Hobbies and interests
Drums
Singing
Social Media
Music Production
Photography and Photo Editing
Reading
Music
I read books multiple times per month
Ralyn Ligon
1,085
Bold Points1x
Nominee1x
Finalist![user profile avatar](https://static.bold.org/profilePictures/1624544191741.webp)
Ralyn Ligon
1,085
Bold Points1x
Nominee1x
FinalistBio
I’m a Jesus lover, and I’m always ready to serve and worship. I’m a music enthusiast, who just wants to be great. I am passionate about singing, playing the drums, and marketing. My main goal is to pursue a career in digital media communications, while managing to market and produce my own music. I’m always looking to learn something new, and I love making new connections.
Education
Anderson University (SC)
Bachelor's degree programMajors:
- Graphic Communications
Minors:
- Visual and Performing Arts, General
- Music
Miscellaneous
Desired degree level:
Master's degree program
Graduate schools of interest:
Transfer schools of interest:
Majors of interest:
Career
Dream career field:
Media Production
Dream career goals:
Creative Director
Presidential Ambassador
Anderson University2021 – Present3 yearsScooper
Bruster's Ice Cream2021 – Present3 years
Sports
Basketball
Intramural2013 – 20141 year
Arts
Chamber Chorus
Music2017 – 2019Women’s Choir
Music2019 – PresentBand
Music2013 – 2015Gospel Choir
Music2019 – PresentDistrict-Wide Play
TheatreThe Wiz2018 – 2018All-State Chorus
Music2019 – 2019
Public services
Volunteering
AIM — Food Deliverer2017 – 2017Advocacy
Connect Club — Social Media Manager2019 – Present
Future Interests
Advocacy
Volunteering
Philanthropy
Entrepreneurship
Austin Kramer Music-Maker Scholarship
I’m a huge fan of Latin culture and I grew up listening to Hip Hop, so I thought why not combine the two? This piece is a fun Latin Hip-Hop mix that I created in GarageBand. I was playing around with a few loops and then I discovered this Latin mix and my ear was looking for a nice Afro-type beat to blend it with and this is how it turned out. It’s not very long, but it’s enough to make you wanna get up and move.
Cocoa Diaries Scholarship
“Your hair is nappy.” “You’re smart for a black girl.” “Oh, I didn’t know you had an iPhone.” Some of the few phrases I’ve endured in being an African American honors student in a small country hometown. Growing up, it felt like my white friends only associated with me when it was convenient. They made me feel less than, simply because I’m black. Since I was the only black girl in my honors classes, they had to talk to me at some point, but I didn’t get that same acknowledgment outside of the classroom. When talking about slavery, everyone would give me looks, or boys would make whip sounds at me and fellow black male classmate. They talked about my natural hair and how it was happy, but now it’s celebrated everywhere. I thought they were friends, but I wasn’t invited to the parties, or social gatherings. I felt like I was an accessory that they could just put on and take off.
Now that I’m in college, things are a little bit different. Starting as a music education major was a bit eye opening. I felt like a black sheep at times, but I never dimmed my light to make anyone feel better about themselves. Attending a PWI is not always easy, but there’s a level of respect they give me as a black woman that’s a lot different from the past. Maybe it’s because of all the people speaking up about their mistreatment as black people, or maybe it’s because of all the activism going on around us, but at least it’s respect.
The unpleasant encounters I’ve had being a minority has shaped me into a strong confident black woman that isn’t afraid to be her true self. I’ve always felt like I’ve had to quiet down, or do less, but that’s no longer who I am. I’m not afraid to sing out, I’m not afraid to speak up, and I’m not intimidated by my white peers. I now understand that I deserve the same opportunities as others, and I am deserving of a well-rounded life.
In being a mentor for diversity students on campus I’m able to use my experiences to help and encourage others. I will tell my fellow black women that it’s okay to wear their natural hair around campus, it’s okay to laugh loud with your friends, and it’s okay to speak up if you’re not being treated fairly. While others might try to keep us silent, I’m not afraid to speak up for my fellow brothers and sisters who deserve to be treated fairly. On a campus that doesn’t always cater to minorities, I will be sure to make them feel loved and needed in every room that they enter.