My professional goals are to become a successful film producer and teach inner-city youth how to create art through storytelling with film production. When I was younger, I always wanted to be a part of the film industry and, one day, bring my vivid imagination to audiences worldwide. As I grew older, I learned that film producers facilitate the creation of moving messages through thought-provoking and enlightening stories that include personal encounters and imagination. I believe inner-city youth need more access to professional film and television production behind the camera and in screenwriting. If I were to define what being black means to me, it would be a poem that I wrote: They call you black, like spilled ink, an accidental stain that can be wiped away. And that's OK; I know that black is the color of beginnings and never-ending. Before there was light, there was black. We are formed in black, a womb-sustaining life that grows tender, precious love, molds of self. Black is ancient, and its origin is innocent. It is the color of the past that echoes through time. I know that black is the realm's color where roots receive nourishment from black soil. Black shade from trees jutting from the ground, flowers full of sweet nectar, and nutritious food. Black gives life. When the light ends, it will still be. That is what being black means to me.

At age 43, I am considered a “nontraditional” student at Morehouse College. To put things into context, I became a single father right after high school, and my dreams of attending college had to be put off so that I could be the best father possible to my son. After my son got older and started his own family, I decided it was time for me to pursue my dream of going back to college to study film and television. By the grace of God and through my faith, I was accepted into Morehouse College in the film and television program. After being accepted, I exhausted my retirement account and sold everything I had to raise enough money to move to Atlanta to attend Morehouse College. Moreover, I decided to stay on campus because it was a financially sound option for a full-time student. As an older gentleman staying in the dorms, I had to endure many students listening to loud music late into the night while I studied, the horrors of community bathrooms and showers, cafeteria food, and my roommate’s intimate encounters. To overcome these obstacles, I have fostered a sense of community and mutual respect through many courageous conversations with students about the importance of being respectful and courteous. Some of the students continued their behavior, and with some, I was able to establish a rapport through mutually effective communication. Another obstacle I have endured is the stigma of nontraditional students wanting to be the authoritarians on campus. That is far from the truth; I see all of my Morehouse brothers as my peers in education and have no intention of voluntarily putting myself in a position of authority because of my age. To overcome this obstacle, I have joined multiple student-led organizations, such as the Morehouse Filmmakers Association and the Student Government Association, where individuals younger than my son hold high positions that I must answer to within these organizations. My journey to obtain my degree is a testament to my determination and perseverance, a considerable obstacle that I had to sacrifice so much to be able to pursue my dream. Attending college at an older age isn’t anything out of the ordinary; however, this challenging journey would prove to be a testament to my determination to pursue my dream of studying at such a prestigious institute. Finally, in my senior year of college, I overcame many challenges in and out of school. I will continue to face any obstacle with the same tenacity and enthusiasm that has gotten me to this point, knowing that every challenge is a lesson learned and a step closer to my dream.

First and foremost, to put the rest of the text into context, I am a “Non-traditional” student who decided to pursue higher education at the university level in my early 40s. I am writing to apply for a scholarship to attend Morehouse College, as I believe in the transformative power of education and the values that Morehouse instills in its students. I am particularly drawn to Morehouse’s commitment to excellence, community engagement, and empowering men to become leaders of positive change. With that being said, My personal and professional goals are to become a successful film producer and continue my studies to earn a Masters in education to teach inner-city youth how to create art through storytelling with film. Since I was a young kid, I always had a vivid imagination and often pretended to be in a movie. From pretending to be a gunslinging barefoot vigilante (Die Hard) to a sharp-dressed Miami detective (Miami Vice), I enjoyed playing out different scenarios of saving the day. I also would yell, cut and replay the same scene repeatedly until I felt it was suitable for the audience of my imagination. I loved pretending to be a movie creator and often wondered how cinema production came about. I have always wanted to be a part of the film industry by creating my visions and daydreams through the film medium to one day bring those visions to audiences worldwide. A film producer facilitates the creation of moving messages through thought-provoking and enlightening stories that include personal encounters and imagination. When it comes to film production, I am fascinated by every aspect of the process. However, my personal preferences would be the roles of producer, screenwriter, and director. The three allow an artist to orchestrate their idea into reality by taking a vision and putting it into motion to create a lasting experience for the audience. These three careers interest me because they are vital positions for making an idea come to life on the screen. My vision is to bring Black (fictional or non-fictional) stories to the masses, allowing audiences to peer into an alternate reality that is not an altogether white patriarchal view of what it means to be an African American Filmmaker. Equally as important, I want to give inner-city youth an outlet for their artistic ability. All too often, the youth in this demographic feel that the only way to become successful is to make music or become an athlete. There’s nothing wrong with that, but I believe there is more to this demographic than sports and Hip-hop. A whole generation is out there waiting for the creation of independent and major motion pictures to be ready at their fingertips. Receiving this scholarship would help me continue my education and to show people my age (40+ years) that there is always time to go to college and pursue your dreams. Once I graduate from college, I want to hone my craft to perfection. I want to bring visions of multicultural stories to life without the constant stereotypical ones pumped out to the masses. I want to uplift all minorities and give them a platform to show an authentic representation of our cultures and backgrounds and create a new generation of people of color that will become the new leaders and innovators of the film industry.

Since childhood, my mother encouraged me to pursue my dreams and aspirations despite what anyone may have thought. She told me stories of how my grandfather came from nothing to build his Auto Body Shop (the first black-owned in San Jose, California at the time) to almost becoming a real estate mogul in Denver, Colorado, despite adversity. My mother has had the biggest influence on my life and taught me the importance of having goals and following your dreams, which is why I am pursuing my degree. As I grew older, I developed a passion for storytelling and decided to become a filmmaker. Film creation is a way to communicate and educate ideas that influence the masses through stories. When it comes to film production, I am fascinated by every aspect of the process. However, my personal preferences would be the roles of producer, screenwriter, and director. The three allow an artist to orchestrate their idea into reality by taking a vision and putting it into motion to create a lasting experience for the audience. These three careers interest me because they are vital positions for making an idea come to life on the screen. My vision is to bring Black (fictional or non-fictional) stories to the masses, allowing audiences to peer into an alternate reality that is not an altogether white patriarchal view of what it means to be an African American, which is why my artistic skill as a Filmmaker sets me apart from the rest. Equally as important, I want to give inner-city youth an outlet for their artistic ability. All too often, the youth in this demographic feel that the only way to become successful is to make music or become an athlete. There’s nothing wrong with that, but I believe there is more to this demographic than sports and Hip-hop. A whole generation is out there waiting for the creation of independent and major motion pictures to be ready at their fingertips. Receiving this scholarship would help me continue my education and to show people my age (40+ years) that there is always time to go to college and pursue your dreams. Once I graduate from college, I want to hone my craft to perfection. I want to bring visions of multicultural stories to life without the constant stereotypical ones pumped out to the masses. I want to uplift all minorities and give them a platform to show an authentic representation of our cultures and backgrounds and create a new generation of people of color that will become the new leaders and innovators of the film industry.

As a member of the underrepresented African American population and nontraditional students attending universities, my identity and age have and will continue to significantly shape my path in pursuing my higher learning degree. I have faced unique challenges and adversity, but I have also gained a deep appreciation for the value of diversity and the power of representation and determination. Being part of two marginalized groups has instilled a strong sense of resilience and determination. My experiences as a member of the African American community have shaped my understanding of systemic oppression and the interconnectedness of various forms of discrimination. From watching white colleagues receive higher wages at work than I to being racially profiled by police without probable cause. This awareness has broadened my empathy and shaped my commitment to promoting inclusivity and addressing systemic inequalities in my community and throughout the Black diaspora. Furthermore, my age has influenced my perspective of older students continuing education and fueled my passion for representing students who want to pursue higher education for many years after high school. Pursuing a degree in higher education at 42 years old has motivated me to advocate for this underrepresented group and amplify the voices of those who are often overlooked because of their age. By embracing and celebrating our differences and life experiences, we can create a more inclusive and equitable society by addressing the social stigma of being too old to attend an institute of higher learning. My identity has instilled in me a deep appreciation for diversity's value and representation's power. I have witnessed firsthand the importance of seeing individuals who look like me in positions of influence and leadership obtain their higher learning degrees at an older age (actor Anthony Anderson). This awareness has driven my passion for creating a space for nontraditional students to feel comfortable attending a university. I am committed to advocating for change and amplifying the voices of those who are often unheard. Moving forward, I am determined to continue challenging stereotypes, breaking down barriers, and creating spaces where everyone's voices are valued and heard. After attending college, I aim to leverage my unique perspective to advocate for equity, mentor aspiring individuals from similar backgrounds, and actively work towards creating a more diverse and inclusive student body and society. In conclusion, my identity as a member of an underrepresented minority population has indelibly impacted my path. It has given me resilience, a passion for social justice, and a commitment to create positive change. I am eager to contribute to a better future, inspiring others to embrace their identities and celebrate the richness diversity brings to our world. By uniting our voices, we can create a society that embraces and uplifts every individual, regardless of ethnicity, age, or identity.

From a young age, I was exposed to various art forms. My mother, an artist herself, often took me to museums, movies, live performances, and church, establishing my faith and love for the arts. She also encouraged me to express myself through writing and to follow my dreams. This early exposure to the arts and faith helped me develop an appreciation for the power of the holy spirit and visual expression, which gave me the confidence to pursue my creative interests in film. In high school, I took technical theater and cinematography classes, challenging me to explore different styles and techniques for the stage and the screen. These classes helped me better understand the creative process, teaching me how to design stage sets and film concepts. They also gave me the opportunity to collaborate with other artists, which was a valuable learning experience. Immediately after high school, I became a single father and dedicated my life to raising my son Noah. My son, who plays the flute and piano, significantly influenced me. Even though we had little money for lessons, Noah found a way to pursue his passion for music. He taught me that following your passion for creating was not a fruitless endeavor. Through my art education and raising my son, I have learned that the creative process is a journey that requires dedication, perseverance, and a willingness to take risks. I have also learned that inspiration can come from many sources, including Noah and family members who share a passion for the arts. My mother and son have been a constant source of inspiration and support throughout my creative journey. Their love for the arts and encouragement to pursue my dream of becoming a filmmaker have helped me develop my own voice and find success in my creative endeavors. Without my mother’s guidance and Noah’s encouragement, I may not have pursued my craft with such passion and determination. In conclusion, arts education has had a profound impact on my life, shaping me into the person I am today. Through exposure to different art forms, formal classes, and the guidance of inspiring family members, I have learned the value of creativity and the power of self-expression. I am grateful for the opportunities I have had to explore my creative interests and hope to continue to grow as an artist in the years to come by obtaining my degree in film.

From a young age, I was exposed to various art forms. My mother, an artist herself, often took me to museums, movies, live performances, and church, establishing my faith and love for the arts. She also encouraged me to express myself through writing and to follow my dreams. This early exposure to the arts and faith helped me develop an appreciation for the power of the holy spirit and visual expression, which gave me the confidence to pursue my creative interests in film. In high school, I took technical theater and cinematography classes, challenging me to explore different styles and techniques for the stage and the screen. These classes helped me better understand the creative process, teaching me how to design stage sets and film concepts. They also gave me the opportunity to collaborate with other artists, which was a valuable learning experience. Immediately after high school, I became a single father and dedicated my life to raising my son Noah. My son, who plays the flute and piano, significantly influenced me. Even though we had little money for lessons, Noah found a way to pursue his passion for music. He taught me that following your passion for creating was not a fruitless endeavor. Through my art education and raising my son, I have learned that the creative process is a journey that requires dedication, perseverance, and a willingness to take risks. I have also learned that inspiration can come from many sources, including Noah and family members who share a passion for the arts. My mother and son have been a constant source of inspiration and support throughout my creative journey. Their love for the arts and encouragement to pursue my dream of becoming a filmmaker have helped me develop my own voice and find success in my creative endeavors. Without my mother’s guidance and Noah’s encouragement, I may not have pursued my craft with such passion and determination. In conclusion, arts education has had a profound impact on my life, shaping me into the person I am today. Through exposure to different art forms, formal classes, and the guidance of inspiring family members, I have learned the value of creativity and the power of self-expression. I am grateful for the opportunities I have had to explore my creative interests and hope to continue to grow as an artist in the years to come by obtaining my degree in film.

I am Continuing my education to show people my age (40+ years) that it is never too late to go to college and pursue your dreams. Once I graduate from college, I want to hone my craft to perfection. I want to bring visions of multicultural stories to life without the constant stereotypical ones pumped out to the masses. I want to uplift all minorities and give them a platform to show an authentic representation of their culture and backgrounds. Every person who reaches for their dream encourages more people to do so, which is what I intend to do.

My story: Since I was a young kid, I have always had a vivid imagination and often pretended to be in a movie. From pretending to be a gunslinging barefoot vigilante (Die Hard) to a sharp-dressed Miami detective (Miami Vice), I enjoyed playing out different scenarios of saving the day. I also would yell, cut and replay the same scene repeatedly until I felt it was suitable for the audience of my imagination. I loved pretending to be a movie creator and often wondered how cinema production came about. I have always wanted to be a part of the film industry by creating my visions and daydreams through the film medium to one day bring those visions to audiences worldwide. Fast forward to my late teens, I had my son Noah right after high school. The stereotype of young single black fathers is that they never stay around to raise their children. I did not want to continue perpetuating that stereotype, so I decided to stay in my son’s life and be a father. It was the best decision I ever made. I decided I couldn’t selfishly abandon him in pursuing my aspirations. So, I buried my dream in the recesses of my mind and pressed forward. Shortly after, I chose to work in education as a paraprofessional in Inner City schools. Through work, I gained a respectable reputation in the community from my hard work and dedication to the students and their families. Now that my son is 22 and out making his own adult decisions, it is time for me to follow my advice and pursue my dream of becoming a film and television producer/ writer. I am Continuing my education to show my son and people my age (40+ years) that it is never too late to go to college and pursue your dreams. Once I graduate from college, I want to hone my craft to perfection. I want to bring visions of multicultural stories to life without the constant stereotypical ones pumped out to the masses. I want to uplift all minorities and give them a platform to show an authentic representation of their culture and backgrounds. Additionally, I want to bring the knowledge I gain in college to the youth of my community to give them the tools to share their voice through the medium of film. Every person who reaches for their dream encourages more people to do so, which is what I intend to do.

My story: Since I was a young kid, I have always had a vivid imagination and often pretended to be in a movie. From pretending to be a gunslinging barefoot vigilante (Die Hard) to a sharp-dressed Miami detective (Miami Vice), I enjoyed playing out different scenarios of saving the day. I also would yell, cut and replay the same scene repeatedly until I felt it was suitable for the audience of my imagination. I loved pretending to be a movie creator and often wondered how cinema production came about. I have always wanted to be a part of the film industry by creating my visions and daydreams through the film medium to one day bring those visions to audiences worldwide. Fast forward to my late teens, I had my son Noah right after high school. The stereotype of young single black fathers is that they never stay around to raise their children. I did not want to continue perpetuating that stereotype, so I decided to stay in my son’s life and be a father. It was the best decision I ever made. I decided I couldn’t selfishly abandon him in pursuing my aspirations. So, I buried my dream in the recesses of my mind and pressed forward. Shortly after, I chose to work in education as a paraprofessional in Inner City schools. Through work, I gained a respectable reputation in the community from my hard work and dedication to the students and their families. As Noah grew up, I always supported him in his endeavors to greatness, from researching flight lesson costs in his 2nd-grade desire to become a pilot to helping late-night practices for his Highschool dream to play basketball. I have always encouraged him to reach for the stars and never abandon his aspirations. As an adult, Noah has now set his sights on becoming a Music artist and producer. I am not excited about the idea, yet I still support his endeavors to change the industry with his God-given musical talent. However, he has selflessly decided to put off college to work and help care for his mother (who has epilepsy) and his grandfather. Now that my son is 22 and out making his own adult decisions, it is time for me to follow my advice and pursue my dream of becoming a film and television producer/ writer. Continuing my education is to show my son and people my age (40+ years) that it is never too late to go to college and pursue your dreams. Once I graduate from college, I want to hone my craft to perfection. I want to bring visions of multicultural stories to life without the constant stereotypical ones pumped out to the masses. I want to uplift all minorities and give them a platform to show an authentic representation of their culture and backgrounds. Additionally, I want to bring honor to the Masonic order by promoting morality through film and practicing charity through philanthropy. Today I’m calling for your support. Please help fund my dream by donating or sharing this link to my Gofundme campaign (https://gofund.me/f08e3b08). You can share this link via social media, text, or email. Doing so will help me with tuition, on-campus housing, and books. Every person who reaches for their dream encourages more people to do so.

My story: Since I was a young kid, I have always had a vivid imagination and often pretended to be in a movie. From pretending to be a gunslinging barefoot vigilante (Die Hard) to a sharp-dressed Miami detective (Miami Vice), I enjoyed playing out different scenarios of saving the day. I also would yell, cut and replay the same scene repeatedly until I felt it was suitable for the audience of my imagination. I loved pretending to be a movie creator and often wondered how cinema production came about. I have always wanted to be a part of the film industry by creating my visions and daydreams through the film medium to one day bring those visions to audiences worldwide. Fast forward to my late teens, I had my son Noah right after high school. The stereotype of young single black fathers is that they never stay around to raise their children. I did not want to continue perpetuating that stereotype, so I decided to stay in my son’s life and be a father. It was the best decision I ever made. I decided I couldn’t selfishly abandon him in pursuing my aspirations. So, I buried my dream in the recesses of my mind and pressed forward. Shortly after, I chose to work in education as a paraprofessional in Inner City schools. Through work, I gained a respectable reputation in the community from hard work and dedication to the students and their families. As Noah grew up, I always supported him in his endeavors to greatness, from researching flight lesson costs in his 2nd-grade desire to become a pilot to helping late-night practices for his Highschool dream to play basketball. I have always encouraged him to reach for the stars and never abandon his aspirations. As an adult, Noah has now set his sights on becoming a Music artist and producer. I am not excited about the idea, yet I still support his endeavors to change the industry with his God-given musical talent. However, he has selflessly decided to put off college to work and help care for his mother (who has epilepsy) and his grandfather. Now that my son is 22 and out making his own adult decisions, it is time for me to follow my advice and pursue my dream of becoming a film and television producer/ writer. Continuing my education is to show my son and people my age (40+ years) that it is never too late to go to college and pursue your dreams. Once I graduate from college, I want to hone my craft to perfection. I want to bring visions of multicultural stories to life without the constant stereotypical ones pumped out to the masses. I want to uplift all minorities and give them a platform to show an authentic representation of their culture and backgrounds. Additionally, I want to bring honor to the Masonic order by promoting morality through film and practicing charity through philanthropy. Today I’m calling for your support. Please help fund my dream. Doing so will help me with tuition, on-campus housing, and books. Every person who reaches for their dream encourages more people to do so.

First and foremost, I'm excited to have the opportunity to attend college. I have recently been admitted into Morehouse College, a prestigious historically black college with one of the best cinema and television production programs in the United States. Since I was a young kid, I always had a vivid imagination and often pretended like I was in a movie. From pretending to be a gunslinging barefoot vigilante (Die Hard) to a sharp-dressed Miami detective (Miami Vice), I had fun playing out different scenarios of saving the day. I also would yell cut and replay the same scene repeatedly until I felt that it was suitable for the audience. I imagined that I was the movie's creator and often wondered how cinema production came about. I have always wanted to be a part of the film industry by creating my visions and daydreams through the film medium to one day bring to audiences around the world. I had my son Noah right after high school, fast forward to my late teens. The stereotype of young single black fathers is that they never stay around to raise their children. I did not want to continue perpetuating that stereotype, so I decided to stay in my son's life and be a father. I decided that I couldn't selfishly abandon him in the pursuit of my dreams. It was the best decision I ever made. The responsibilities of fatherhood were rough but seeing my son smile made it all worthwhile. Shortly after, I chose to work in education as a paraprofessional in Inner City schools. Through work, I gained a respectable reputation in the community from my hard work and dedication to the students and their families. As Noah grew up, I always supported him in his endeavors to greatness. From researching flight lesson costs in his 2nd-grade desire to become a pilot to supporting late-night practices for his Highschool dream to play basketball. I have always encouraged him to reach for the stars and never give up on his aspirations. As an adult, Noah has now set his sights on becoming a Rap artist and producer. I am not excited about the idea, yet I still support his endeavors to change the industry with his God-given music talent, hopefully. The boy is gifted. However, he has selflessly decided to put off college to work and help take care of his mother, who constantly has severe grand mal seizures. Now that my son is 21 and out of the house (with no kids, praise God), it is time for me to follow my advice and pursue my dream of becoming a film and television producer/ writer. The purpose of continuing my education is to show my son and people my age (40+yrs) that it is never too late to go to college and pursue your dreams. Once I graduate from college, I want to hone my craft to perfection. I want to bring visions of Black stories to life without the constant stereotypical ones that are pumped out to the masses. I want to uplift all minorities and give them a platform to show an authentic representation of their culture and backgrounds.

First and foremost, I have recently been admitted into Morehouse College, a prestigious historically black college with one of the best cinema and television production programs in the United States. Since I was a young kid, I always had a vivid imagination and often pretended like I was in a movie. I had fun playing out different scenarios of saving the day. I also would yell cut and replay the same scene repeatedly until I felt that it was suitable for the audience. I imagined that I was the movie's creator and often wondered how cinema production came about. I have always wanted to be a part of the film industry by creating my visions and daydreams through the film medium to one day bring to audiences around the world. I had my son Noah right after high school, fast forward to my late teens. The stereotype of young single black fathers is that they never stay around to raise their children. I did not want to continue perpetuating that stereotype, so I decided to stay in my son's life and be a father. It was the best decision I ever made. I decided that I couldn't selfishly abandon him in the pursuit of my dreams. Shortly after, I chose to work in education as a paraprofessional in Inner City schools. Through work, I gained a respectable reputation in the community from my hard work and dedication to the students and their families. As Noah grew up, I always supported him in his endeavors to greatness. From researching flight lesson costs in his 2nd-grade desire to become a pilot to supporting late-night practices for his Highschool dream to play basketball. I have always encouraged him to reach for the stars and never give up on his aspirations. As an adult, Noah has now set his sights on becoming a Rap artist and producer. I am not excited about the idea, yet I still support his endeavors to change the industry with his God-given music talent, hopefully. The boy is gifted. However, he has selflessly decided to put off college to work and help take care of his mother, who has epilepsy. Now that my son is 21 and out of the house (with no kids, praise God), it is time for me to follow my advice and pursue my dream of becoming a film and television producer/ writer. The purpose of continuing my education is to show my son and people my age (40+yrs) that it is never too late to go to college and pursue your dreams. Once I graduate from college, I want to hone my craft to perfection. I want to bring visions of Black stories to life without the constant stereotypical ones that are pumped out to the masses. I want to uplift all minorities and give them a platform to show an authentic representation of their culture and backgrounds. As far as my faith is concerned, it is being tested RIGHT NOW. God has given me the chance to attend Morehouse! However, the coffers are empty. I don't know how he will do it, and I'm on the precipice of giving up. But I was raised in the church, and I know that God will do what he said he would do, and I believe that God will come through. I just cant see it. So I'm praying that this test of faith will bring me through. I want my struggle to greatness to be my testimony to the masses of the grace of God.

First and foremost, I'm excited to have the opportunity to attend college. I have recently been admitted into Morehouse College, a prestigious historically black college with one of the best cinema and television production programs in the United States. Since I was a young kid, I always had a vivid imagination and often pretended like I was in a movie. From pretending to be a gunslinging barefoot vigilante (Die Hard) to a sharp-dressed Miami detective (Miami Vice), I had fun playing out different scenarios of saving the day. I also would yell cut and replay the same scene repeatedly until I felt that it was suitable for the audience in my mind. I imagined that I was the movie's creator and often wondered how cinema production came about. I have always wanted to be a part of the film industry by creating my visions and daydreams through the film medium to one day bring to audiences around the world. I had my son Noah right after high school, fast forward to my late teens. The stereotype of young single black fathers is that they never stay around to raise their children. I did not want to continue perpetuating that stereotype, so I decided to stay in my son's life and be a father. It was the best decision I ever made. I decided that I couldn't selfishly abandon him in the pursuit of my dreams. Shortly after, I chose to work in education as a paraprofessional in Inner City schools. Through work, I gained a respectable reputation in the community from my hard work and dedication to the students and their families. As Noah grew up, I always supported him in his endeavors to greatness. From researching flight lesson costs in his 2nd-grade desire to become a pilot to supporting late-night practices for his Highschool dream to play basketball. I have always encouraged him to reach for the stars and never give up on his aspirations. As an adult, Noah has now set his sights on becoming a Rap artist and producer. I am not excited about the idea, yet I still support his endeavors to change the industry with his God-given music talent, hopefully. The boy is gifted. However, he has selflessly decided to put off college to work and help take care of his mother, who constantly has severe grand mal seizures. Now that my son is 21 and out of the house (with no kids, praise God), it is time for me to follow my advice and pursue my dream of becoming a film and television producer/ writer. The purpose of continuing my education is to show my son and people my age (40+yrs) that it is never too late to go to college and pursue your dreams. Once I graduate from college, I want to hone my craft to perfection. I want to bring visions of Black stories to life without the constant stereotypical ones that are pumped out to the masses. I want to uplift all minorities and give them a platform to show an authentic representation of their culture and backgrounds. Three to four years down the line, my vision is to bring cinema production to inner-city youth by creating a program where kids have access to the tools needed to bring their imaginations to life.

First and foremost, I'm excited to have the opportunity to attend college. I have recently been admitted into Morehouse College, a prestigious historically black college with one of the best cinema and television production programs in the United States. Since I was a young kid, I always had a vivid imagination and often pretended like I was in a movie. From pretending to be a gunslinging barefoot vigilante (Die Hard) to a sharp-dressed Miami detective (Miami Vice), I had fun playing out different scenarios of saving the day. I also would yell cut and replay the same scene repeatedly until I felt that it was suitable for the audience. I imagined that I was the movie's creator and often wondered how cinema production came about. I have always wanted to be a part of the film industry by creating my visions and daydreams through the film medium. Fast forward to my late teens; I had my son Noah right after high school. The stereotype of young single black fathers is that they never stay around to raise their children. I did not want to continue perpetuating that stereotype, so I decided to stay in my son's life and be a father. It was the best decision I ever made. I decided that I couldn't selfishly abandon him in the pursuit of my dreams. Shortly after, I chose to work in education as a paraprofessional in Inner City schools. Through work, I gained a respectable reputation in the community from my hard work and dedication to the students and their families. As Noah grew up, I always supported him in his endeavors to greatness. From researching flight lesson costs in his 2nd-grade desire to become a pilot to supporting late-night practices for his Highschool dream to play basketball. I have always encouraged him to reach for the stars and never give up on his aspirations. As an adult, Noah has now set his sights on becoming a Rap artist and producer. I am not excited about the idea, yet I still support his endeavors to change the industry with his God-given music talent, hopefully. The boy is gifted. However, he has selflessly decided to put off college to work and help take care of his mother, who constantly has severe grand mal seizures. Now that my son is 21 and out of the house (with no kids, praise God), it is time for me to follow my advice and pursue my dream of becoming a film and television producer/ writer. The purpose of continuing my education is to show my son and people my age (40 yrs. old) that it is never too late to go to college and pursue your dreams. Once I graduate from college, I want to hone my craft to perfection. I want to bring visions of Black stories to life without the constant stereotypical ones that are pumped out to the masses. I want to uplift all minorities and give them a platform to show an authentic representation of their culture and backgrounds.

Through this semester, I have learned some insightful things about myself. As a student, my strength lies in wanting to do the best job possible. I have found that I'm willing to listen to instructions and apply what I've learned through my passion for writing. I'd also like to point out that it takes a certain kind of perseverance to try and complete all of the work as a full-time employee and student. On the other hand, I have experienced some of my shortcomings. Reaching out for help and wanting to figure it out myself has gotten in the way of my progression. As a writer, my strength lies within my zeal to paint a picture for the reader. When people read my work, I want them to feel a specific emotion, so I try my best to be as descriptive as possible so the reader can escape into a realm of imagination. I believe that my weakness as a writer is my lack of confidence and limited motivation when it comes to writing about a topic that I have no interest in. Finding the motivation to write about uninteresting things is like watching a person walk a cat on a leash (ok someone tell me why this is happening?). Additionally, meeting deadlines and finding a cohesive work-to-school balance has been a challenge for me since I can remember. The effectiveness of learning all of these things has brought me to a place of inner reflection, and I want to change. The purpose of continuing my education is to show my son and people my age (40 yrs. old) that it is never too late to go to college and pursue your dreams. Once I graduate from college, I want to hone my craft to perfection. I want to bring visions of Black stories to life without the constant stereotypical ones that are pumped out to the masses. I want to uplift all minorities and give them a platform to show an authentic representation of their culture and backgrounds.

The name of this piece is Portal, and it was inspired by Synthwave music and its iconic aesthetic. I often find myself feeling deep feelings of nostalgia for the 80s. For me, it was a simple time of innocence (being born in the 80s) and a time of limitless possibilities. Most of my art is quirky and fun; however, this piece is my favorite because it represents the bravery it takes to want to go into uncharted territory. In this piece, a person on a motorcycle is surrounded by luminous gridlines that look like a retro videogame. In front of this person is a portal that leads to another dimension of illuminated angles and bright colors. The Portal represents those limited possibilities I mentioned before, and once the person is through the Portal, there is no turning back. They will have entered a futuristic world of their imagination. I wanted to portray someone going to the next level. I wanted the viewer to think about willingly traveling into the unknown and the bright possibilities ahead. In these promising unknown possibilities, we find out who we are. By taking a leap of faith, we learn to cope with our new surroundings and grow into a new understanding of life. This is also true for me because I have never considered myself attending a four-year institution of higher learning outside of my home in Denver, Colorado. But now, I am applying for scholarships to attend school to hone my artistic skills. Background on Synthwave Music: Synthwave and its subgenres are a type of nostalgic music that was popularized in the early 2000s. This style of music often produces sentimentality for the 1980s with the overuse of synthesized melodies. Of equal importance, these genres of music include aesthetics from the 1980s and early 90s that aid in evoking nostalgia. For context, think Miami Vice and the popular 1980s arcade game Outrun. Through videogames and cinema, this New Retro style of music has gained significant popularity in music culture, inspiring Such artists as The Weekend, John Meyer, The 1975, and The Midnight to name a few.

First and foremost, I'm excited to have the opportunity to attend college. I have recently been admitted into Morehouse College, a prestigious historically black college with one of the best cinema and television production programs in the United States. Since I was a young kid, I always had a vivid imagination and often pretended like I was in a movie. From pretending to be a gunslinging barefoot vigilante (Die Hard) to a sharp-dressed Miami detective (Miami Vice), I had fun playing out different scenarios of saving the day. I also would yell cut and replay the same scene repeatedly until I felt that it was suitable for the audience. I imagined that I was the movie's creator and often wondered how cinema production came about. I have always wanted to be a part of the film industry by creating my visions and daydreams through the film medium. Fast forward to my late teens; I had my son Noah right after high school. The stereotype of young single black fathers is that they never stay around to raise their children. I did not want to continue perpetuating that stereotype, so I decided to stay in my son's life and be a father. It was the best decision I ever made. I decided that I couldn't selfishly abandon him in the pursuit of my dreams. Shortly after, I chose to work in education as a paraprofessional in Inner City schools. Through work, I gained a respectable reputation in the community from my hard work and dedication to the students and their families. Now that my son is 21 and out of the house (with no kids, praise God), it is time for me to follow my advice and pursue my dream of becoming a film and television producer/ writer.