I'm Oluwatimileyin Sarah Alli-Brown. In Yoruba, my native language, oluwatimileyin means "God is behind me."My three brothers and I grew up on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois, but our parents were born and raised in Nigeria. I am a first-generation immigrant of Nigerian descent. The terms "hard work" and "tenacity". I am majoring in broadcast journalism at Southern Illinois University of Carbondale but recently have the opportunity to transfer to Florida A&M University (FAMU), and I have ambitious goals to become a news anchor or reporter. As a Black broadcasting journalist, my career aspirations are deeply rooted in the desire to use the power of storytelling to uplift and empower marginalized communities. I envision myself working in both traditional and digital media platforms, content that highlights the richness and diversity of the Black experience, also addressing important social, political, and cultural issues. Being Black to me means embracing and celebrating my heritage, culture, and resilience in the face of adversity. It means recognizing the struggles and triumphs of my ancestors and using their legacy as fuel to drive positive change in the present and future. Being Black also means standing in solidarity with other marginalized communities and advocating for justice and equality for all. I chose to attend an HBCU like Florida A&M University (FAMU) because I wanted to be immersed in an environment that celebrates Black excellence and fosters a sense of community and belonging. HBCUs have a rich history of nurturing and empowering Black scholars and leaders.

I'm Oluwatimileyin Sarah Alli-Brown. In Yoruba, my native language, oluwatimileyin means "God is behind me."My three brothers and I grew up on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois, but our parents were born and raised in Nigeria. I am a first-generation immigrant of Nigerian descent. The terms "hard work" and "tenacity" were an understatement in my household. In addition to working two jobs each to support my sibling and me, my parents also made sure we had all we needed, including help with extracurricular activities and schoolwork I am majoring in broadcast journalism at Southern Illinois University of Carbondale, and I have ambitious goals to become a news anchor or reporter.As of right now, I'm working toward my dreams of becoming a news anchor and reporter by creating and sharing stories on my news reel Instagram page, where I write, edit, and present my own stories as well as provide updates and analysis on current events taking place at SIUC.In addition, I provide content for my university while working on campus. In this capacity, I am in charge of creating engaging content for the university's social media accounts and representing SIUC on camera. My work doesn't stop there. In addition, I got to write interview questions and conduct alumni interviews for a series called Alumni Speaks, in which former students of SIUC talk about their accomplishments, viewpoints, and experiences. I also read radio books for the blind and visually impaired as a volunteer. This has made up the most of my efforts thus far in accomplishing my goal as a anchor or reporter. As a Black woman journalist, my identity and experiences shape my perspective on the world around me. I see journalism not just as a profession, but as a powerful tool for amplifying voices, challenging stereotypes, and sparking important conversations. My goal is to use my platform as a journalist to shed light on underrepresented stories and issues, to advocate for social justice, and to inspire positive change. By telling stories that often go untold, I hope to foster empathy, understanding, and connection among diverse communities. This scholarship would benefit me in several ways. Firstly, it would provide financial support, allowing me to pursue my education and career goals without the burden of excessive student debt. Secondly, it would offer validation and recognition of my potential and dedication to journalism, boosting my confidence and motivation to continue on this path. Finally, it would open doors to opportunities such as internships, mentorship programs, and networking events, which are crucial for professional development in the field of journalism. Overall, receiving this scholarship would not only empower me as an individual but also enable me to contribute meaningfully to the media landscape as a Black woman journalist, advocating for equity, diversity, and inclusion in storytelling.

I'm Oluwatimileyin Sarah Alli-Brown. In Yoruba, my native language, Oluwatimileyin means "God is behind me."My three brothers and I grew up on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois, but our parents were born and raised in Nigeria. I am a first-generation immigrant of Nigerian descent. The terms "hard work" and "tenacity" were an understatement in my household. In addition to working two jobs each to support my sibling and me, my parents also made sure we had all we needed, including help with extracurricular activities and schoolwork. Hardship came knocking on my door when, My dad was deported and returned to Nigeria in July 2016 due to his lack of documentation. Knowing that my father would not be able to see me graduate from eighth grade and that my mother was struggling to support my sibling and me despite her working 2 jobs a morning and night job. Having to get my twin little brothers ready for school was a big motivator for me to finish school and pursue my higher education. I kept up my strong grades and involvement in school throughout high school in the hopes of being able to attend college. At Southern Illinois University of Carbondale, I am studying broadcast journalism. My ultimate goal is to work as a news anchor or reporter and show that everything is achievable, regardless of challenges, upbringing, or life's events. I'm currently shooting, writing, editing, and presenting my own stories on my news reel Instagram page, where I also provide updates and analysis on current events taking place at SIUC. These are the things I'm going to work towards my dreams of being a news anchor and reporter.My job doesn't end there. I also had the opportunity to create questions and interview alumni for a series called alumni speaks where SIUC alumni discuss their experiences, perspectives, and accomplishments. In addition, I volunteer as a radio reader for the blind and visually impaired. Thus far, this has constituted the majority of my efforts towards achieving my objective as a new anchor or reporter. College is difficult when you don't have stable finances; you have to rely on the resources provided by the university or stand up for yourself whenever necessary. It's terrible not to be able to pay for books, tuition, or the same things your peers can.I'm often thinking about what life would be like if I weren't an immigrant's child and did not face this adversity. Would I be able to afford college and pursue my higher education goals? Despite this adversity, it didn't stop me from becoming involved and wanting to represent and lead as a student. I’m currently the Coordinator of Administrative Affairs (President) for The Black Affairs Council, (Black student union), and this job has given me the opportunity to support students, assist those in need, and have a sense of community. My work gives me a sense of purpose and fulfills a desire of mine to be the mentor I wish I had growing up with a single immigrant hard working parent. I enjoy what I do. Despite the difficult childhood I had and struggles, I frequently use it as motivation to keep going and to one day be the reason women like me can be news anchors and overcome everything they may face in life.

I'm Oluwatimileyin Sarah Alli-Brown. In Yoruba, my native language, Oluwatimileyin means "God is behind me."My three brothers and I grew up on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois, but our parents were born and raised in Nigeria. I am a first-generation immigrant of Nigerian descent. The terms "hard work" and "tenacity" were an understatement in my household. In addition to working two jobs each to support my sibling and me, my parents also made sure we had all we needed, including help with extracurricular activities and schoolwork. Adversity came knocking on my door when, My dad was deported and returned to Nigeria in July 2016 due to his lack of documentation. Knowing that my father would not be able to see me graduate from eighth grade and that my mother was struggling to support my sibling and me despite her working 2 jobs a morning and night job. Having to get my twin little brothers ready for school was a big motivator for me to finish school and pursue my higher education. I kept up my strong grades and involvement in school throughout high school in the hopes of being able to attend college. I am majoring in broadcast journalism at Southern Illinois University of Carbondale, and I have ambitious goals to become a news anchor or reporter and demonstrate that everything is possible, no matter what obstacles you face, your upbringing, or life throws at you. College is difficult when you don't have stable finances; you have to rely on the resources provided by the university or stand up for yourself whenever necessary. It's terrible not to be able to pay for books, tuition, or the same things your peers can. I'm often thinking about what life would be like if I weren't an immigrant's child and did not face this adversity. Would I be able to afford college and pursue my higher education goals? Despite this adversity, it didn't stop me from becoming involved and wanting to represent and lead as a student. I’m currently the Coordinator of Administrative Affairs (President) for The Black Affairs Council, (Black student union), and this job has given me the opportunity to support students, assist those in need, and have a sense of community. My work gives me a sense of purpose and fulfills a desire of mine to be the mentor I wish I had growing up with a single immigrant hard working parent. I enjoy what I do. Despite the difficult childhood I had and struggles, I frequently use it as motivation to keep going and to one day be the reason women like me can be a news anchor and overcome everything they may face in life.

I'm Oluwatimileyin Sarah Alli-Brown. In Yoruba, my native tongue, oluwatimileyin means "God is behind me."My three brothers and I grew up on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois, but our parents were born and raised in Nigeria. I am a first-generation immigrant of Nigerian descent. The terms "hard work" and "tenacity" were an understatement in my household. In addition to working two jobs each to support my sibling and me, my parents also made sure we had all we needed, including help with extracurricular activities and schoolwork. My dad was deported and returned to Nigeria in July 2016 due to his lack of documentation. Knowing that my father would not be able to see me graduate from eighth grade and that my mother was struggling to support my sibling and me despite her working 2 jobs a morning and night job. Having to get my twin little brothers ready for school was a big motivator for me to finish school and pursue my higher education. I kept up my strong grades and involvement in school throughout high school in the hopes of being able to attend college. I am a broadcast journalism major at Southern Illinois University of Carbondale, and I hope to one day work as a reporter or anchor. My mom is the most INFLUENTIAL person I have ever met. She never lets life's setbacks deter her from pursuing her goals. She is incredibly resilient, and I know that my father's deportation had a significant impact on her, but she never let it bring her down. Instead, she continued to encourage us and even gave us her last even though it meant she would have nothing left. Despite this hardship, it didn't stop me from becoming involved and wanting to represent and lead as a student. My mom is the reason why! I’ve seen how she constantly puts others' needs before her own and this was a way for me to pour what my mom has poured into me, into other students. I’m currently the Coordinator of Administrative Affairs (President) for The Black Affairs Council, (Black student union), and this job has given me the opportunity to support students, assist those in need, and have a sense of community. My work gives me a sense of purpose and fulfills a desire of mine to be the mentor I wish I had growing up with a single hard-working parent. I enjoy what I do. Despite the difficult childhood I had and my mom struggling, I frequently use it as motivation to keep going and to one day be the reason my mother smiles and is worry-free.

I'm Oluwatimileyin Sarah Alli-Brown. In Yoruba, my native tongue, Oluwatimileyin means "God is behind me."My three brothers and I grew up on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois, but our parents were born and raised in Nigeria. I am a first-generation immigrant of Nigerian descent. The terms "hard work" and "tenacity" were an understatement in my household. In addition to working two jobs each to support my sibling and me, my parents also made sure we had all we needed, including help with extracurricular activities and schoolwork. My dad was deported and returned to Nigeria in July 2016 due to his lack of documentation. Knowing that my father would not be able to see me graduate from eighth grade and that my mother was struggling to support my sibling and me despite her working 2 jobs a morning and night job. Having to get my twin little brothers ready for school was a big motivator for me to finish school and pursue my higher education. I kept up my strong grades and involvement in school throughout high school in the hopes of being able to attend college. I am a broadcast journalism major at Southern Illinois University of Carbondale, and I hope to one day work as a reporter or anchor. However, it hasn't been easy because I feel like my mom and family are depending on me. College is difficult when you don't have stable finances; you have to rely on the resources provided by the university or stand up for yourself whenever necessary. It's terrible not to be able to pay for books, tuition, or the same things your peers can.I often thinking about what life would be like if I weren't an immigrant's child. Would I be able to afford college and pursue my higher education goals? Despite this hardship, it didn't stop me from becoming involved and wanting to represent and lead as a student. I am currently the Coordinator of Administrative Affairs (President) for The Black Affairs Council, (Black student union), and this job has given me the opportunity to support students, assist those in need, and have a sense of community. My work gives me a sense of purpose and fulfills a desire of mine to be the mentor I wish I had as a first-generation immigrant student. I enjoy what I do. Despite the difficult childhood I had as an immigrant, I frequently use it as motivation to keep going and to one day be the reason my mother smiles and is worry-free.