2. What made you decide to pursue doing this work?

I was given the opportunity to produce my own project at Wide Angle Youth Media and I wanted to do something that would help create a lasting impact in my community. I am a sophomore at the Baltimore School for the Arts, and my school relies on adjunct faculty to provide students with a free professional arts education. Under the current budget, I was told my school is facing a cut of over 90% (from $1.2 million to just $38,000) in the amount of money apportioned to adjunct faculty salaries. These cuts would devastate what makes my school a treasure. I am willing to do everything in my power to show the importance of investing in the education of Baltimore’s future leaders.

3. Who have been some of your biggest influences and inspirations?

One of my biggest inspirations would be former President Barack Obama. President Obama not only led the Race to the Top education initiative which granted over $4.35 billion to reform state and local district K-12 education, but he also comes from a similar background. He, too, was not born with a silver spoon in his mouth, but he did not let that prevent him from obtaining and utilizing his education to help others. Mr. President grew up and worked as a community advocate for the Chicago’s Southside, and I aspire to live up to the words he once said: “From the moment students enter a school, the most important factor in their success is not the color of their skin or the income of their parents; it’s the person standing at the front of the classroom.”

4. What would it take for you to consider this endeavor a success?

Being that our officials have still not come up with a solution to the deficit, I would consider this endeavor a success if everyone could share our video and support us in the fight to save our education. We must all unite together to combine our individual voices into one big powerful voice that will produce change.