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Aleka Graham

1,055

Bold Points

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Finalist

Bio

I am passionate about Fashion it was just recently that I fell in love with it all over again. I'm ready for whatever life throws my way because I know I'm strong enough to get through it. My hobbies are photography, video games, writing, animals, and creating wallpapers. My career and dream is fashion. I want my designs to make a mark on this world, I want to travel the world and experience different cultures. I want to help others share their stories and get back on their feet.

Education

The Art Institute of Atlanta

Bachelor's degree program
2023 - 2023
  • Majors:
    • Design and Applied Arts

Georgia Connections Academy

High School
2019 - 2022

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Bachelor's degree program

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

    • Design and Applied Arts
    • Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations
    • Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Apparel & Fashion

    • Dream career goals:

      World-known fashion designer and business owner

    • Internship

      Lydia Design Studio
      2023 – 2023
    • Store Team Lead

      Advantage Solutions
      2023 – Present1 year
    • Content Creator

      Frever
      2022 – 20231 year
    • Community Builder

      Frever
      2023 – 2023
    • Front Desk Receptionist/Student Worker

      The Art Institute of Atlanta
      2023 – 2023
    • Cashier

      Panera Bread
      2021 – 2021
    • Courtesy Clerk

      Kroger
      2020 – 20211 year

    Sports

    Soccer

    Club
    2014 – 2014

    Basketball

    Club
    2018 – 2018

    Arts

    • Drawing
      Present
    • Design
      Present
    • Photography
      Present

    Public services

    • Volunteering

      Church — Participator
      2014 – Present

    Future Interests

    Advocacy

    Volunteering

    Philanthropy

    Entrepreneurship

    Jameela Jamil x I Weigh Scholarship
    One time when my mom, my little sister, and I were coming from grocery shopping at Kroger we saw a homeless old man. The homeless old man had a white beard, and white hair, wore glasses, sat in a chair, had a cart full of his items, and he had two dogs. We were at the light about to leave when we all saw him my mom didn't have any cash to give him which broke our heart to see him like that. The only person who had cash was me and my little sister and we were going to use it to buy something. The type of person I am is good-hearted and I don't like to see others suffer. I told my mom to stop the car and roll down the window, and I gave the rest of my money which was around six or five dollars to the elder me. My little sister saw the choice I made and it encouraged her to give away her money to the elder man as well. The man seemed to be grateful and happy. My mom was proud of us and told us that God would bless us for helping him. I responded to my mom and told her that I didn't do it so God can bless me and that I just wanted to help the old man. She told me she knows that but regardless that I and my little sister did something good that would be rewarded. What I did for that elder man made me happy and made my day. Even today I and my mom sometimes see him but he doesn't have his dogs anymore and it breaks my heart that he is still on the streets. This is why I want to follow my dreams, never give up, and become successful so that I can help these homeless people to get back on their feet and to have a roof over their heads. There are so many wealthy people and celebrities out here who are blessing themselves constantly and not trying to help these people off the streets and bless them as God has bless them with their success and wealth. I never understood how wealthy people can just not give and pour back into God's kingdom and help these people who are suffering. Instead, they choose to commit indifference just like Elie Wiesel has said in his popular speech and they choose to turn a blind eye to other people's pain. I hope when I become successful that God will help me to remain humble and help me to pour back into his kingdom and help his people. I can't stand watching these people suffer and starve to death and that is why I, my family, and my church family try our best even now to feed them, clothe them, and give back to them. For example, we would volunteer at the Gateway Center in downtown Atlanta to help feed the homeless and hold church services for them, and just give them hope. I hope to someday do more for them and that is why I can't give up and I have to succeed. I have a photography page on Instagram called capturetruebeauty because the link is not working so I can't put it below.
    Endeavor Design Scholarship
    Ever since I was a little girl, my dream has been Fashion. I started to sketch dresses, purses, shoes, and all kinds of clothing. When we had a career fair in school I brought my whole binder of fashions to school along with my cardboard to show and tell everyone about what I wanted to pursue. The more people I told the more of them told me the fashion industry is dying, that I needed a backup plan, and that I might end up failing. For a while I didn't care but it started to get to me and it started to make me uncomfortable and I started to feel like I wasn't built for this type of profession. No matter how hard I tried to run away from my dream, my passion, and fashion it always seemed to pull me back in. I stopped running and I don't care what people say or if it makes me uncomfortable because I believe the things that make you uncomfortable and get you out of your comfort zone could be meant for you. I started to sketch again, fell back in love with Fashion, I have improved, I am not giving up, and I have already started making plans for my future in Fashion. The only thing I don't know how to do yet is sewing because my mom can't afford to get me stuff for Fashion right now. I can learn more in college and when I work towards my dream.
    Bold Hope for the Future Scholarship
    The one thing that gives me hope that the future will be better is God. Without him, I would not be here and I wouldn't continue to wake up to see another day. Some people would rather not be here and live to see another day because of what they are going through and what this world is like. I believe this world will get better and that we will see better days because of God and I have faith in him. Every day I see him make the impossible possible by healing people who were told they were incapable of healing, Changing people who were told they couldn't change, and blessing us beyond measures. We may think he is not working or when we pray to him he is not listening but he is. God does things on his time when he feels it is right. We look at the things happening in this world and society and only think the worst of it. We don't see the beauty of it and we choose to have no faith in it and think it will not get better. Everything happens for a reason and before this world can get better it has to get worse and go through its hardships. I have faith that things will change for the better and that God has plans for this world and his people. We can't only rely on him, we have to want to make the world better ourselves. We have to want to see a difference and put in the work to make the change happen or things will never get better. My mom is also someone who gives me hope that we will see a better future. She tells me we don't have to worry because God has our back. She motivates and pushes me to want to succeed and follow my dreams. She encourages me when I feel like giving up and lets me know that God has great plans for me and that I have a purpose to fulfill. She encourages me to not make the same mistakes as her and to learn from them and not let anyone stop me from succeeding.
    Youssef University’s College Life Scholarship
    If I had 1,000 dollars right now I would be using it to pay to go to college. I want to continue to pursue my education and get a degree in Fashion to follow my dreams. Even though it is possible to succeed in Fashion without earning a degree or pursuing further education, I find that it would be tough without education. It is essential to continue your education after graduation because it provides stability, and financial security, and it can protect you in this unfair society. To me, education is like insurance, and without it, you are not fully covered. Education pushes you to succeed and wants the best for you. Education is like another parent that we get annoyed by, but we know it is right because it only wants the best for us. Education provides us with financial stability because having possession of a degree can open new doors for you and increase your chances of receiving better career opportunities. The higher the degree the faster you will succeed. Having a good education and a degree provides you with higher-paying jobs and better benefits, therefore, providing you with financial stability. It increases your chances of getting promotions, therefore, promoting growth within you. The more you grow at your workplace the more your probability of securing your boss's job that you've always wanted increases. Times have changed for the worse so without education how can you truly survive and how will you stay covered.
    Endeavor Design Scholarship
    I am passionate about Fashion it was just recently that I fell in love with it all over again. It was just recently that I found myself again and I feel so alive and happy. I'm ready for whatever life throws my way because I know I'm strong enough to get through it. My hobbies are photography, video games, writing, animals, and creating wallpapers. My career and dream is fashion and this is what I was born to do. I know my designs will make a mark on this world, my voice will be heard, I will be seen, my name will be known, and I will use my success to help people who are struggling all over the world. I want to travel, see the world, try new things, and experience other people's cultures. I will help others to be seen and heard too.