Meet the Scholars
Imahni Cheeks
Hometown: Oakland, California
Major: Sociology
Career aspirations: I want to become a lawyer so that I can fix the corrupt justice system from within. I want a world where we are all united and I want people to know justice for its true meaning and not for the justice that we settle for today.
Proudest Accomplishment: Although I have had many significant accomplishments throughout my life, my proudest accomplishment was giving my high school graduation speech. This moment allowed me to understand my drive and ambition to work hard and get ahead.
Bria Cooper
Hometown: Fresno, California
Major: Performing Arts and Social Justice Major (Theatre Concentration)
Career Aspirations: With my degree, I want to control the narrative and challenge the way the world views the Black community. I want to have a career in the entertainment industry to facilitate important conversations that can help me convey messages that are culturally sound and equitable on stage and screen.
Proudest Accomplishments: My proudest accomplishment is being chosen for the Black Scholars Program.
Khari Dawson
Hometown: Fort Washington, Maryland
Major: English (Creative Writing Concentration)
Career Aspirations: My aspiration is to become a successful short story writer, credited with pushing literary boundaries and experimenting with unused literary devices.
Proudest Accomplishment: One of my proudest accomplishments is being commissioned to create a short film for the Kennedy Center's Art Under a Minute series.
Hanna Hearn
Hometown: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Major: Politics
Career Aspirations: I plan on completing college with an education dedicated to the studies and excellence of Black Americans along with other diverse groups of people that I am passionate about helping. Additionally, I hope to one day attend law school and eventually start my own business.
Proudest Accomplishment: My proudest accomplishment is being the first member of my family to leave home for college and move across the country.
Ariana Jaiteh
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Major: Psychology
Career aspirations: I want to become a clinical psychologist and open up my own practice. I would like to break the stigma of therapy by showing people my age and those within my community that the emphasis on mental well-being allows for overall success.
Proudest Accomplishment: My proudest accomplishment is becoming a Black Scholar and earning a full scholarship to the University of San Francisco.
Kyler Parker
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Major: Politics
Career Aspirations: I would like to be a Defense Attorney to expand the 2% margin that Black Women currently occupy in this field. In particular, I’d like to focus on capital punishment because, statistics show that if Black and Brown people had better legal counsel, they wouldn’t be put to death and I want to be able to protect their rights.
Proudest Accomplishment: My greatest accomplishment was creating my non-profit, KylerKares LLC. An organization dedicated to helping break the stigma surrounding homelessness as well as providing relief to homeless women and children in my hometown of Roswell, Georgia.
Atanas Patterson-Ianev
Hometown: Madrid, Spain
Major: Computer Science
Career Aspirations: I would like to be a software engineer and a beacon of hope for Black communities in spaces where they may not feel represented.
Proudest Accomplishment: My proudest accomplishment is becoming a Black Scholar and an educated, determined man after all of my hard work and perseverance.
Christy-Ann Pierre
Hometown: Boston, Massachusetts
Major: Nursing/Health Professions
Career aspirations: I aspire to be a Nurse by helping disadvantaged individuals that are facing barriers such as the social determinants of health, that inhibit many within our community from accessing the healthcare that they are entitled to. I specifically want to be a travel nurse so I can maximize my influence by helping various groups of people, in all different regions.
Proudest Accomplishment: My proudest accomplishments include being the recipient of the Golden Knight Award. I was selected into the very selective Step Up to
Excellence Program and finished Top 10 in my class with a 4.2 GPA. I am proud to be a first-generation student pursuing higher education while continuing to be a leader in both my school community and family life here at the University of San Francisco.
Talib Spearman
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Major: Engineering
Career Aspirations: I aspire to use a degree in civil engineering to create a long-lasting impact on the world and change our environments to protect and maintain systems for Black communities.
Proudest Accomplishment: I made the principals list all four years of high school. This accomplishment allowed me to lay a distinct foundation for myself in building a strong GPA and work ethic which I maintain today.
Ayana Tasby
Hometown: Fort Worth, Texas
Major: Nursing
Career Aspirations: After receiving my BSN, I’d like to explore the many different opportunities available in the nursing field. A specialty in Pediatrics, a career in travel nursing, and eventually advancing my education to become a Nurse Practitioner are all aspirations I hold that will enable me to greater help the Black community.
Proudest Accomplishment: My proudest accomplishment is that I attend a University in the city I’ve dreamed of living in since I was a child, and being a Black Scholar while doing it.