For DonorsFor Applicants
user profile avatar

Amaiya Sanders

2,535

Bold Points

1x

Finalist

Bio

Hello! My name is Amaiya Sanders and I'm the artist in a family full of nurses, military, and educators. I'm also my family's go-to photographer. The school I've chosen is Columbia College Chicago to major in photography. Because the resources they have, it would allow me to grow within my craft. Some of those resources would include access to camera equipment, hands-on learning during my first year (most colleges do that your junior and senior year), internships, and the artistic community within Chicago. I'm seeking scholarships to help cover the rest of my tuition that financial aid can't cover for my upcoming school year. I will also have to make sure I prepare for my second year of school if I don't receive enough or even less.

Education

University of North Carolina School of the Arts

Bachelor's degree program
2018 - 2020
  • Majors:
    • Film/Video and Photographic Arts

Enloe High

High School
2014 - 2018

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Bachelor's degree program

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

    • Film/Video and Photographic Arts
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Photography

    • Dream career goals:

      Creative Director

    • Photographer

      Shoott
      2020 – Present4 years

    Arts

    • UNCSA

      Visual Arts
      The Old Man
      2019 – 2019
    • UNCSA

      Visual Arts
      Spread Amung Us
      2020 – 2020

    Public services

    • Volunteering

      ArtistCorps - UNCSA — Member - Community Engagement
      2020 – 2020

    Future Interests

    Advocacy

    Volunteering

    Entrepreneurship

    WCEJ Thornton Foundation Music & Art Scholarship
    Imagine creating images that represent those who are unrepresented. The word "representation" gets tossed around a lot and sometimes it loses its meaning. Representation is not just showing a black boy or black girl, it's showing the beauty of their individualism because we are not all the same. I plan on showcasing how versatile the black community is through images and collaborations with other artists who can help highlight those qualities through hair, makeup, fashion, and design. I had a conversation with a friend who's a screenwriter, and we talked about the issues concerning the film industry as far as having black characters/storylines who end up falling into these typical stereotypes. For example, the black boy from the hood gets out by becoming a professional football/basketball player. Yes, it is important for that story to be told, but it's also important for other stories to be told as well. We can be nerds, astronauts, cowboys, superheroes, mermaids, doctors, and whatever else in the media which can translate in real life. It's important for me to capture this because I realized how much influence I had on my brother. He picked up a guitar, attempted to make music, dabbled in photography, and is now on his loc journey, just like me. Imagine influencing a generation of young black kids that they can be whatever they want to, and that their individuality is enough. I would like to thank the WC & EJ Thornton Foundation for taking the time to read my essay, and for providing for the artistic community.