SANIYAH AS-SALAAM

Xavier University of Louisiana

ELEMENTARY EDUCATION

Saniyah As-Salaam is a dynamic student-leader and dedicated community servant who has held leadership roles including captain of her cross-country team, secretary of concert choir, and treasurer of her Jack and Jill of America chapter. Passionate about service, she has led school-wide initiatives in mentorship, tutoring, and fundraising, while also volunteering extensively across shelters and donation drives. Inspired by her upbringing in an educator’s home, Saniyah plans to pursue a degree in Elementary Education, aiming to use teaching as a powerful tool to build equity, bridge gaps, and inspire lasting change.

 

 

BAYLEI BEST

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

ENGINEERING

Baylei Best is an aspiring engineer driven by a passion for purposeful innovation and a mission to elevate the voices of young Black women in STEM. She views engineering not just as a career path, but as a platform to solve real-world challenges while breaking barriers in underrepresented spaces. Fueled by resilience and ambition, Baylei embraces her identity as a superpower that motivates her to lead, inspire, and mentor. She is committed to making higher education more accessible and transparent for those following in her footsteps. With every step forward, Baylei carries the legacy of those before her and lights the way for the next generation of changemakers.

 

 

KOBE BROWN

Richard J. Daley College

PSYCHOLOGY

Kobe Brown is a second-year Psychology student at Richard J. Daley College, dedicated to becoming a licensed therapist who supports others through life’s most difficult challenges. With a heart for healing and a vision to create safe, compassionate spaces for those in need, Kobe is deeply committed to his academic and professional journey. This scholarship brings him one step closer to fulfilling his calling, allowing him to remain focused on his education and future impact.

 

 

 

INDIA CULPEPPER

University of Illinois-Chicago

THEATER

India Haddiya Culpepper is a talented African American singer, actress, and model from Chicago. Currently enrolled at the University of Illinois Chicago, India showcases her artistic talents through roles in television, film, and numerous school productions in musical theater. Alongside her academic pursuits, India is dedicated to caring for her beloved older brother, Martwon. In her leisure time, she finds joy in exploring various forms of art.

 

 

 

ZION DAWKINS

North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University

NURSING

Zion Dawkins is a first-year pre-nursing student at North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University, originally from Chicago, Illinois. Inspired by her grandmother and driven by a passion for helping others, Zion has become actively involved in service, academics, and leadership on campus. She proudly serves as Miss WEvolve on the executive board of WEvolve, an organization dedicated to advocating for mental health among college students.

 

 

 

ARDON FIELDS

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

JOURNALISM | PSYCHOLOGY

Ardon is a vibrant high school senior and incoming journalism major at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, with a minor in psychology. As lead anchor of the Bulldog Dispatch, Vice President of the National Honor Society, and student council president, he blends leadership with humor to inspire and uplift his peers. Driven by a passion for understanding people and making meaningful change, Ardon aims to explore industrial-organizational psychology and use storytelling to promote well-being and joy in everyday life.

 

 

 

LANDYN HAYWOOD

Xavier University of Louisiana

SPANISH | PRE-MEDICAL STUDIES

Landyn Haywood is a proud graduate of Plainfield East High School and an incoming freshman at Xavier University of Louisiana, where she will study Spanish and Pre-Med with a minor in psychiatry. Her passion for mental health and community service is deeply rooted in years of leadership and volunteerism—including twelve years as a Girl Scout, service with The Answer, Inc., and her participation in Dr. Rubin’s Mini Medical Clinic. Landyn aspires to become a psychiatrist and is committed to bringing compassionate, quality care to underserved communities; she is honored to be a recipient of the Bud Billiken Scholarship, which supports her journey toward that vision.

 

 

HUNTER HOLLEY

Howard University

BROADCAST JOURNALISM | SPORTS ADMINISTRATION

Hunter Holley is a junior at Howard University, majoring in Broadcast Journalism and minoring in Sports Administration. He is passionate about media, mental health, and service, and is a Spring 2025 initiate of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Hunter serves on the School of Communications Student Council in the Health & Wellness Department and aims to use storytelling and advocacy to make a positive community impact through his love for sports.

 

 

 

 

KELSEY HOWARD

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

MARKETING

Kelsey began his journey at St. Matthias Catholic School in Chicago after moving from Texas, where he discovered his passion for community service. Currently, Kelsey serves as President of the Evanston Kappa League, enriching his community through volunteerism and leadership.

 

 

 

 

 

MAKENZE HUMPHREY

Howard University

LEGAL COMMUNICATIONS

Makenze Humphrey is a Legal Communications major at Howard University, combining advocacy and storytelling to promote public service. A Chicago native and founder of BeSpoken, she empowers youth to advocate for change and co-authored the children’s book *Cartwheels and Courage*. With leadership roles in Jack and Jill of America and involvement in student government and speech and debate, Makenze aims for a law career focused on uplifting underserved communities through mentorship, policy, and media.

 

 

 

 

CAYEN MARTIN

Columbia College Chicago

COMMUNICATIONS

Cayen Martin is a rising junior at Columbia College Chicago with a passion for creative expression through videography, photography, skating, and songwriting. With a dynamic spirit and love for storytelling, he continues to sharpen his craft both behind the lens and on the stage. Cayen aspires to become an A-list actor, with his dream role being none other than Spider-Man.

 

 

 

 

KIRSTEN MARTIN

Georgia State University

BUSINESS MANAGERIAL SCIENCE

Kirsten Martin, a first-generation Honors student at Georgia State University, majors in Business Managerial Science with a focus on Management Consulting. She founded Kay Kontoured, a beauty initiative providing free makeovers for women facing financial and emotional challenges. With a 3.9 GPA, Kirsten is committed to advocacy, mentorship, and community entrepreneurship, aiming to create spaces that foster confidence, creativity, and purpose.