CIAA Scholarship Statement
By Jordan Baker

I stepped onto the sidewalk and gazed across the street at Myers Hall, a freshman dorm at Johnson C. Smith University. The nerves that filled my entire body soon became non-existent when I met the resident assistants who welcomed me with open arms. I quickly learned that family can exist even after move-in day. I became enchanted by the amount of organizations, events and games that filled the university. My introversive personality soon blossomed into a vibrant and inquisitive one. For the first time, I felt encouraged to be myself. That is why I am proud to call myself a Smithite.
Johnson C. Smith University also gave me the gift of sight on issues that I would seldom notice when I was in grade school. I first learned the value of an education from a historically black college and university (HBCU), when I entered my African American Literature Studies course. The professor walked into class. Every student became stone when she spoke. Her words left a mark in the mind and hearts of her students. Personal stories from professors, faculty and students resonate with every soul on campus. This professor had a great deal of good and bad in her life, but when she related the textbook to “real life,” I understood. It became clear as to why students choose to attend Smith. That feeling was never formulated in my high school. That is the beautiful thing about an HBCU. Students learn how to challenge the norm, make a change in the environment and expand their knowledge of issues that plague the world.

The issues that plague the world play a large role in Charlotte, NC. Protests and activism are constant subjects discussed among students. Those who were passionate about a subject were never shy to discuss it with supporters and naysayers. That confidence was inspiring, and it encouraged me to find my own voice in expressing the issues that are of interest to me. The student newspaper, The Bull’s Eye, allowed me to elaborate on topics that are not always addressed in the community. As a contributing writing for the paper, I began writing features and opinion pieces. A professor at the institution challenged me to expand my usual concentration and look at writing hard news. Since then I have continued to write stories on basketball tournaments, a local shooting and stories relating to human and women’s rights. The education received from my undergraduate years allowed me to excel at outside publications. The writing, speaking and comprehension skills that I have obtained are greatly noted from professionals in the news and media field, and those skills were polished because of this university.

In the fall, I plan to attend the Graduate School of Communications at American University and receive a M.A. in Strategic Communication. The purpose of this program is to advance students in the field of Communications by learning new ways of social media marketing, writing for public relations and media management. This scholarship will allow for the advancement of my education in the field of Communications.


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	"Keep exploring. Keep dreaming. Keep asking why. Don’t settle for what you already know. Never stop believing in the power of your ideas, your imagination, your hard work to change the world." —President Obama Tagged by Ralph White on 04/09/2015
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