The pandemic of 2020 has abruptly changed life as we know it. In a flash, everything we took for granted became the things we yearned for so deeply. A quick hug from mom or to see our closest friends and grandparents face-to-face became the simple moments we realized we valued and missed the most. While uncertain about almost everything, we have had a lot of time to be still and think. One of the things that I have pondered during this time is if an angel investor were to appear, what business would I start without any capital constraints? Then, I had to dig deep within myself and ask what is it that the world needs most right now? The best reply I could come up with was HOPE. I think we all would benefit significantly from a business venture that aims to restore, replenish, and create new opportunities for people to believe in the power of hope. So, what business could do that? My response is, "only art and creativity can do that," but where can we see artistic and creative enterprise during a pandemic? The media. So, I decided to begin a media production company that is intentional about disseminating mass messages and innovative imagery that encourages all people to imagine new realities and possibilities for themselves, their communities, and the world. Why media production? Historically, art has been a space that humans have used to navigate and express their social selves and seek answers to life's biggest questions. More recently, we have seen the media used to bring attention to injustices around the globe. Together, we have seen art and media transform hearts, minds, and governments in both positive and negative ways. Now, it is the media that keeps us connected to everything that makes us human. The only way to see our families, teachers, friends, or even attend funerals, birthday parties, or graduations is on the screens that are now an inevitable part of our lives. Even if, for a moment, screens are facilitating much needed moments to create and exchange hope. When I think about it, screens have always impacted us. For example, I remember seeing Black Panther in the movie theater during its opening weekend. My family and I lost our home and temporarily stayed in the hotel across the street from the movie theater. We definitely were feeling down, uncertain, and worried about what new obstacle each day would bring. Many times my mother barely could afford food for us to eat, but somehow she surprised us and said that we were all going to the movies to see Black Panther. We all went, laughed, cried, and screamed with the other audience members. The audience felt like one big family, and we all came from the land of Wakanda. When the movie ended, the entire audience roared, stood up, and clapped. My baby brother did the same, and as we left the theater, he believed he could fly (literally) while jumping off of every ledge he could reach and climb on. We all wore the biggest smiles while returning to our very minimal reality, yet feeling and acting like the inheritors of the royal legacy we actually are. Why were we so excited? It's just a comic book character, right? No. To us, Black Panther was a reminder of our ancestry's greatness, a celebration of our culture's aesthetic beauty, and a reflection of the power of our resilience and collective might despite much. It was a rare opportunity to see a Black character as the hero archetype that saves the day and all of humanity. To my family, that movie mattered and helped us to imagine hope at one of the most challenging times of our lives. Yes, it was fictional, but it lifted our spirits in real-life. I am confident that the art we create and display on screens can remind us to reimagine our reality and instill in us hope for the future. I want to start a BIPOC owned and operated media production company that is intentional about telling stories that make little boys like my brother feel like the sons of kings. I want the art that I create to be a reflection of the best parts of humanity. I want my art to be a tool to transform the world into one that celebrates diversity, tolerance, and respect for all people, no matter where they come from or how much money they have. This concludes my response to what kind of business I want to start and why. Your funding would help me to purchase a high-quality camera and printer to begin creating content for dissemination. I already have a small following on social media and can begin to build on that with access to the equipment needed to produce quality content. I have HOPE, and you will be helping me to spread it throughout the diaspora and beyond!

Getting this scholarship will help me to showcase to the world that girls who look like me matter and must have a platform to showcase the beauty of who we are. Because we do matter, because we are magical, have endured much, and yet continue to persevere. The song that inspires me most is number #, Brown Skin Girl by Beyonce. It encompasses the many strengths and talents of Black women. This playlist encourages the many voices of the experience of Black women. It celebrates the diversity of our beauty. Thanks for the opportunity to share this inspirational playlist!

I’m Sage, and everyone thinks I’m just a dancer. Most people don’t know that I spoke Russian fluidly as a child and some French. I attended an international baccalaureate elementary and middle school program that employed total language immersion instruction in all subjects. My first spoken language was English, but my first language of literacy was Russian. I learned to write кошка in Cyrillic before I knew how to write “cat.” I even won the Russian Olympiada competition four times. In middle school, we were able to add on a second language, and I chose French and continued French in high school because Russian was not offered in my district. I genuinely appreciate reading, speaking/writing different languages, and interacting with people from diverse backgrounds. Growing up around many cultures and languages has made me a more effective dance artist because dance is also a language. It does not matter who is in the audience or which language they speak. The goal is to narrate a story with movement so clearly that the message speaks without words. I want my art to help, heal, and give hope to audiences all over the world. I am confident that being multilingual will take my art to places that have not been previously accessible to artists like me. I also know this places more responsibility on me regarding meanings and messages in the art I create. As a global citizen artist, I take this responsibility seriously. I want my art to be more than just a great night of dance. As a Russian language student in college, I plan to travel abroad to practice communicating with native speakers and to learn as much as I can about how dance and culture intermingle. I also plan to study dance and culture in Cuba. Ultimately, I plan to become a professional dancer, choreographer, and global teaching-artist citizen who challenges systems of oppression in society and the dance discipline. I want to create art that encourages unity and acceptance of diverse perspectives. I will learn to tell honest, soulful stories due to having had the opportunity to travel and study abroad. I am certain that the experience of travel will help me to create art that will participate in igniting the changes I desire to see in our world. Thanks for your consideration of my application!