The journey that has brought me to the decision to further my studies in advertising is deeply rooted in my formative experiences, a keen sense of observation, and a commitment to addressing the shortcomings in the industry. I was captivated by the media surrounding me since my early childhood days. The allure of television commercials, magazine ads, billboards, and social media campaigns became a source of inspiration. My fascination wasn't fixated on models or actors; instead, I was drawn to the masterminds behind the scenes – the creators shaping ideas and narratives. This curiosity led me to analyze and evaluate different advertising campaigns, dissecting their key messages, methods, strengths, and flaws. As a child, I noticed a glaring weakness in the industry – the lack of diverse representation. This realization became more pronounced throughout my college years and more prevalent following the pandemic. The heightened awareness of media consumption during lockdowns allowed me to empathize with consumers and observe how brands adapted their advertising strategies. Diversity and inclusion became a focal point, especially in targeting Black Americans. However, witnessing some brands fall short of authentically representing diversity fueled my determination to make a positive impact. Seeing established companies attempt to embrace diversity evoked mixed emotions. The little girl in me, who once yearned for representation, smiled at the overdue inclusion. However, as an adult who advocates being in creative spaces, I wince at the apparent lack of authenticity. I noticed many advertising oversights like improper language use, frizzy edges, and implicit messaging that could have been addressed if someone who shared the identity of the target audience was part of the decision-making process. After graduating high school, I was at a crossroads, uncertain about my future. Opting for a gap year, I used the time to travel, meet new people, and research colleges and universities that could help me navigate conflicting feelings about my identity. Having attended predominantly White K-12 schools, I lacked a community to share and empathize with the struggles I had faced. This realization fueled my desire to seek an experience at a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) where I could find a supportive community and explore my identity. As an undergraduate student at a small, public HBCU in Texas, one of the states where legislation has passed to remove diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) incentivizes me to attend a graduate program that prioritizes inclusion while working to reach my goals. When I decided to attend college, I sought perfection, resulting in many long or sleepless nights. Although I received A’s on assignments, I learned I needed additional skills through collaborations with others, networking on LinkedIn, and participating in multiple fellowships. Shortly after came the unexpected lockdown. The COVID-19 pandemic allowed me to expand my creativity and shift my mindset. Over the ensuing years, I accumulated graphic design training and digital marketing certifications, volunteered, participated in extracurricular activities, and completed various internship opportunities. These experiences equipped me with technical skills and fostered the development of soft and transferable skills crucial for personal and professional growth. Attending an HBCU allowed me to amplify my voice in design by crafting a community for myself and allowed me to use my talents. This has been reflected through volunteer projects I have completed like The Ezekiel Project, where I curated a high-resolution logo along with a visual brand and style guide that focused on purposeful color pallets, intentional typography, and other graphic design elements for print and digital communications materials over 12 weeks. This was a very impactful project for me because it worked directly with community building. This non-profit organization was a company that resonates with me deeply because it's located by the Great Lakes, where I was born, while also focalizing interfaith communities. A mission to bring a multitude of various religions together to uplift/build the community and give back. I plan on continuing this work to give brands a voice and helping the world with representation.

In addition to HBCUs educating many of the leaders that we have today, I wanted to experience the rich history and roots that my HBCU had to offer. Prairie View A&M University (PV) was established in 1876. This makes PV the second oldest university in Texas, second only to Baylor University and is the fourth largest HBCU in the nation with a state-of-the-art architecture facility that supports the digital arts program. HBCUs provide a unique opportunity to gain a quality education while fostering a strong sense of community, not just between myself and my peers but also with the faculty and staff. I felt a sense of home the moment that I stepped on campus for the tour. I continued to feel supported during the application and registration process. While on campus, it is amazing to see Black people celebrated daily, experience a football game where a top 10 band performs, and be immersed in ongoing change. I created a voting campaign on campus with a message of why the Black vote matters that continues the legacy of social justice and activism to make a positive impact on the world. I was encouraged to enter Target's Black Voices campaign by my professors. I am pleased with my decision to attend an HBCU because I am positive that I would not have gotten the experiences, support, and encouragement from people who understand the culture, traditions, and values of uplifting underrepresented populations.