Designing My Future by Courtney

Designing My Future by Courtney - February 2024 Scholarship Essay

I have always enjoyed storytelling and creating art since I was younger. These things served as creative outlets that allowed me to express myself freely in a fun way. Anytime someone asked me what I wanted to do when I grew up, I would answer fashion designer, animator, or writer. As I’ve gotten older, my love for storytelling and creating has grown, and it has inspired me to study graphic design as I feel that it is a great combination of all my interests. I believe I can use my creativity to make unique designs that will tell my stories and whoever requests that I help them express themselves.

Not only do I wish to use my creativity as a means of expression, but I also intend to leverage the knowledge gained from said major to drive positive change, specifically within communities like the one I grew up in. In 10th grade, I participated in a step show at my school’s Black History Month showcase to advocate for preserving black history. For years, there has been an ongoing effort to erase black history, leaving African Americans disconnected from their identity. In our step show, we aimed to keep our history alive by teaching the importance of stepping and the history of the Divine 9, the first 9 African American fraternities and sororities created at HBCUs for academic and social support and serving the community. This experience has inspired me to continue spreading positive change.

In the future, I plan to actively contribute by creating digital posters and presentations to raise awareness about current social issues. I aspire to collaborate with fellow students to ignite change. This transformation starts with faculty, staff, and students coming together to share perspectives and develop practical solutions, fostering a more equitable and inclusive campus environment. My confidence in who I am allows me to embrace others, recognizing that we are all human and deserving of equal treatment. On my journey of storytelling and promoting equality, I aim to create art that not only incorporates different cultures but also represents the diverse world we live in—a true mosaic.