Black Excellence Scholars

Pronouns: He/They 
Hometown: Tucson, AZ
Major: Architecture
Year in School: First Year
Anticipated Graduation Semester: Spring 2027

When I think of Black excellence, I think of thriving. I think of standing up against all odds and still succeeding despite them, which can sum up the Black Experience. Thriving is what Black people have been doing since before slavery and we still stand strong despite all the barriers put before us – we stand in spite of all that is against us. We demonstrate Black Excellence everyday by keeping our story alive, from talking about the Black heroes who paved the way for us to stand where we are to even sharing the personal accomplishments we make in our day to day life.

Pronouns: She/Her
Hometown: Tucson, AZ
Major: Physiology and Medical Sciences
Minor: Journalism
Year in School: Sophomore
Anticipated Graduation Semester: Spring 2026 

Black excellence is not solely about how much you can do in this moment, but it encompasses the steps you take towards growth both at an individual level and for the community. It is through this mindset that allows for greatness regardless of the field, study, or stage in life, because we all recognize the importance of growth along the way and have the strength to continue that growth despite the odds against us.

Pronouns: She/Her 
Hometown:  Douglasville, GA
Majors: Neuroscience & Cognitive Science 
Minors: Vocal Performance and Studio Art

Black excellence to me means genuine love and the sophistication of our divine roots. The proclamation of excellence is a fact and our history defines itself time and time again. When I hear the phrase "Black Excellence," it evokes a sense of elegance and instills hope for a brighter future. The term celebrates the history of those who came before, defining their excellence by what they did for generations to come, not just for themselves.

Pronouns: She/Her
Hometown: Tucson, AZ
Major: Communications and Political Science
Year in School: Sophomore 
Anticipated Graduation Semester: Spring 2026

Black excellence is striving to do your best possible. It means to be good and to do good as a person. It means living your life proud and confident to be Black, and to work hard but also play hard.

Pronouns: She/Her 
Hometown: DC Suburbs  
Major: Africana Studies and Law 
Minor: French 
Year in School: Sophomore
Anticipated Graduation Semester: Spring 2026 

Black excellence is a high level of achievement but is also success despite the multitude of systemic and institutional system, prejudices, and roadblocks made to keep us down from the beginning. As long as there are steps forward, there is excellence.

Pronouns: He/Him 
Hometown: Queen Creek, AZ 
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Minor: Spanish and Health and Human Values
Year in School: Sophomore
Anticipated Graduation Semester: Spring 2026

Black Excellence means going for what you want and what is already yours with no remorse or regret despite the opinions and expectations of others. Black Excellence is going out to achieve those dreams we hold dear to our hearts in a world where more people would like to see our dreams fit their own box than see us move outside of our own. Black excellence is here, black excellence is now, and it will not stop.

Pronouns: She/Her 
Hometown: Charlotte, NC 
Major: Journalism
Year in School: Junior 
Anticipated Graduation Semester: Spring 2025 

I believe that every black person has the potential to let their black excellence shine in a way that speaks to them. It takes strength to carry yourself unapologetically and accept all risks. Instead of diminishing oneself to fit where one might not belong. Having Black excellence means you have the strength to overcome anything to get where you want to go.

Pronouns: He/Him 
Hometown: Atlanta, GA 
Major: Architectural Engineering
Year in School: Sophomore  
Anticipated Graduation Semester: Spring 2026

Black excellence is having pride in the advancement of the Black community. W.E.B. DuBois and the Talented Tenth believed in the advancement of the Black community through academic excellence. I like to think of Black excellence as my family’s intergenerational history where each generation betters the livelihood of the next generation.

Pronouns: She/Her 
Hometown: Waterloo, IA 
Major: Environmental Studies and Water Resource Economics
Year in School: First Year
Anticipated Graduation Semester: Spring 2027

Black Excellence to me is striving to create the best image of yourself and for your community. Whether that is academically, athletically or politically, Black excellence can be on a large or small scale as long as it is prompting a positive image of who you want to be. I keep in mind how I want other people to see my community and that also motivates me to be the best version of myself.

Pronouns: He/Him 
Hometown:  
Major: 
Year in School: Senior  
Anticipated Graduation Semester: Spring 2024 

Black excellence is a form of greatness originated within the African American community that has been passed on for many generations in many forms. Black excellence can be characterized through the hardships that the community had to face, only to blossom with excellence at the end. Not giving up, not backing down. Black excellence is resilient.

Pronouns: She/Her 
Hometown: Queen Creek, AZ
Major: 
Year in School: Senior
Anticipated Graduation Semester: Spring 2024 

Black excellence means uplifting our community. Black Excellence means presenting oneself in the manner at which they hope to see in others. The phrase “be the change you want to see” rings true as one cannot expect change in their world without setting an example for what they want their world to be like.

Pronouns: She/Her 
Hometown: Phoenix, AZ 
Major: Pre-Nursing
Minor: Africana Studies
Year in School: Sophomore
Anticipated Graduation Semester: Spring 2026

Black excellence is a lifestyle. It represents the joy, grace, and honor that Black people exhibit on a daily basis. We strive for the best, knowing that we will always be confronted with a world that has ignored our brilliance for centuries. Without the need of approval, we continue to demonstrate our greatness when it has been ignored and ridiculed. Black excellence is Me.