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AT&T Rising
Future Makers
AT&T is committed to supporting the rise of students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
Take your dreams to new heights
Meet the Rising Future Makers
Class of 2023
Creating greater possibility for their communities and beyond (select any name).
Amber Anderson
Aspiring Education Lawyer
Amber Anderson is a senior at Hampton University majoring in Strategic Communication. Inspired by her educator parents, she’s been empowering Black girls across the country through mentorship programs that create a sense of community. Her nonprofit, Black Is Gold, helps girls get both career and college ready, assisting them in gaining scholarships. She aspires to be an education lawyer while continuing to run Black Is Gold.
Amyia White
Aspiring Accountant
Amyia White is a junior at Florida A&M University pursuing a career in business. Since a young age, she’s had an entrepreneurial spirit. In college, she realized her talent with numbers and began majoring in Accounting. To continue building her business savvy, she’s leaning into tech and coding classes. In 2021, she interned at one of the country’s biggest financial institutions. She is also using her talents to empower and advise small business owners on campus.
Andre McClain
Aspiring Graphic Designer
A third-year Graphic Design student at Florida A&M University, Andre McClain is already exceeding his dreams by helping others pursue theirs with his designs. He was a chairman in his student senate and a member of one of the most esteemed national fraternities. After college, he plans on helping the world’s largest companies tell their stories in unique and refreshing ways.
Christopher Johnson
Aspiring Educator
Christopher Johnson is a sophomore at North Carolina Central University majoring in Mass Communications. He is currently serving his campus as the Special Events Chair for the Student Activities Board. His passions lie in empowering the youth, especially the ones at his own school. That’s why his ultimate goal is to pursue a PhD in Higher Education to work within the Student Engagement and Leadership Department at NCCU.
Cyrai Young
Aspiring Forensic Pathologist
A freshman at Prairie View A&M University, Cyrai is a proud Jasper Scholar and student of the Undergraduate Medical Academy. Inspired by her love of crime shows, she’s pursuing a career as a forensic pathologist. She believes there are many ways to save lives, and plans to do her part by giving grieving families the closure they need to heal. Outside of her studies, she is passionate about art and activism.
Don'Neisha McFadden
Aspiring Forensic Psychologist
Entering her third year as a Psychology major, Don’Neisha McFadden has served as Miss Freshman, Miss Sophomore and Miss Junior at Bethune-Cookman University. Active in the Inspirational Gospel Choir, the Department of Chaplaincy, and the Association of Black Psychologists, she is committed to women’s health, wellness, and empowerment. Her dream is to become a forensic psychologist. Above all, Don’Neisha is devoted to shining as an example of faith and grace.
Iyana Marie Beachem
Aspiring Pediatric Medical Student
As a junior at the illustrious Fayetteville State University, Iyana majors in Race and Public Health with a double minor in Chemistry and Data Science. After graduation, she wants to pursue her Master's Degree in Public Health, with the hopes of being a pediatric medical scientist. In the meantime, she’s a maternal and children's rights activist and works to increase the civic awareness of the youth – both on and off campus.
Jaivien Kendrick
Aspiring CEO
Jaivien Kendrick is a Marketing major at Bowie State and is currently running the most popular fashion brand on campus – More Life. He built the brand to inspire his community to follow what they believe in. When he’s not designing clothes, he serves as the President of the High-Level Conversations Club. His biggest goal in life is to make More Life a billion-dollar company that empowers the Black community.
Jocelyn Poppy Johnson
Aspiring Entrepreneur
A first-semester graduate student at Prairie View A&M University, Poppy Johnson balances motherhood and small business ownership with a passionate pursuit of her Master’s in Business Administration. She also has a deep desire to connect with and entertain people as a host / digital media creator. Her goal is to build her business and brand and become a host of a TV show.
Jordyn Allen
Aspiring Lawyer
Jordyn Allen is a senior Marketing major at Howard University and hails from Florida. At a young age, theater helped her discover the power of her voice. Now, she’s using it to help others find theirs. She serves as Executive President of the Howard University Student Association and has received 16 esteemed national speaking titles. Her goal is to one day become an attorney and empower those disenfranchised by the system.
Justin Lamar Collins
Aspiring Musician
Justin Lamar Collins is an honors sophomore attending Prairie View A&M University and majoring in Mass Communication. But first and foremost, he’s a musician. His ultimate goal is to use his passion for music to empower others – especially the youth in his hometown of Chicago. His long-term vision is to organize a nonprofit on the South Side that mentors the youth in music, entrepreneurship, and mental health.
Kalaya Sibley
Aspiring Lawyer
Kalaya Sibley is currently pursuing her Bachelor's degree at Dillard University. She has served as both a senator and vice president for her school and has been recognized as a White House HBCU scholar. She aspires to attend law school post-grad with hopes to intersect her media and legal education to open her own communications and legal affairs firm. Advocacy and human rights are her main passions. Her dream is to make a table with seats for everyone.
Kayla E. Willis
Aspiring Philanthropist
Kayla is a senior at Fisk University studying Political Science. She serves her campus as the founder of Going Against the Grain, a social awareness club, President of one of her campus’ leading sororities, and Chapel Assistant. She has also served as her class’s Vice President and Senator. Kayla finds her purpose in advocating for others. She created a nonprofit, More Than Numbers, to support Black students. With this, she’s been able to raise scholarships that aid the next generation.
Makira Burns
Aspiring Lawyer and Judge
Makira (Kira) Burns is a fourth-year Political Science major minoring in Pre-Law. She is a proud first-generation college student. Her upbringing inspired her to create change in her community by taking the lead. She’s doing that as a Thurgood Marshall College Fund McDonald’s Black & Positively Golden Scholar and her school’s Student Body Vice President. Her aspiration is to truly create impact in the world by becoming a lawyer and judge.
Mia Bennett-Jones
Aspiring Filmmaker
Mia Bennett-Jones is a junior at Howard University studying TV, Film, and Photography. At Howard, she serves as Vice President for the Black Women for Themselves organization, which she co-founded with three former classmates to empower girls like them. She’s the Marketing Manager for the Howard University Film Organization, and the Social Media Manager for the Howard University Photography Club. Both get her closer to her dream of being a filmmaker.
Nadiya McLean
Aspiring Physician-Scientist
Nadiya McLean is a senior Biology Pre-Medical student at North Carolina A&T State University. Nadiya aspires to become a physician-scientist and receive her MD-PhD. Her research interests include neuroscience, cell biology, and the gut-brain connection. Nadiya is a peer health educator at the campus health center and is Mental Health First Aid Certified.
Nina Giddens
Aspiring Senator
Nina Giddens is a senior studying Public Health at Xavier University of Louisiana. She is a self-proclaimed voters’ rights, HBCU, and reproductive justice advocate with a strong history of activism. Currently, Nina represents over 3,500 students on her campus as Miss Xavier University of Louisiana and as a student representative for the Board of Trustees. Her dream is to become a U.S. Senator who promotes accessible and affordable healthcare for marginalized communities.
Rachel Motley
Aspiring Creative Leader
Rachel Motley is a multidisciplinary artist pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing at Howard University. Her creativity knows no bounds – she illustrates, customizes clothing, creates logos, and teaches her craft through an art blog and how-to videos. She’s created work for high-fashion brands and national sports teams. Her goal is to create a career out of creating whatever she wants.
Rayna Carter
Aspiring Mechanical Engineer
Rayna Carter is a junior Mechanical Engineering major and a Mathematics minor at Howard University. She plans to develop devices that are less harmful to the environment by utilizing renewable sources of energy. Her goal is to attend graduate school where she will receive a PhD in Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in sustainability and autonomous systems. Aside from her deep passion for STEM, she enjoys drawing, painting, and sculpting.
Sárah Lee
Aspiring Media Mogul
Sárah Lee is an emerging rising media talent and is one to watch in the industry. She’s currently a senior at Hampton University majoring in Journalism with an emphasis in Broadcast. From a young age, she’s been using the power of her voice to open doors. And now, she wants to use her voice to give rise to others. Her long-term goals include launching a podcast and working for a Black media company.
Skylar Kennedy Warren
Aspiring Business Leader
Skylar is a third-year Business Administration scholar on a five-year MBA track. A born business leader, Skylar is pursuing a career in marketing management while growing her entrepreneurial empire “Sky Kennedyy LLC Content Creation.” She is also the founder and president of FAMU’s Tristate Club and a member of the social media committee for social justice on her campus.
Tamon Frisby
Aspiring Media Influencer
Tamon Frisby is a senior at Delaware State University studying Mass Communications. He will be the first college graduate in his family. Throughout his college matriculation, he has consistently made both the President’s and Dean’s List. He considers himself a jack-of-all-trades who can do anything he puts his mind to. Tamon hopes to bring his many skills to life and inspire others as a social media influencer.
Tariah Hyland
Aspiring Lawyer and Politician
Tariah Hyland is a sophomore studying Political Science at Howard University. Growing up, Black female politicians served as an inspiration for her to create her own change. She helped pass a bill in her home state of Delaware that mandates Black Studies in the K-12 curriculum. As the Director of Student Advocacy at Howard University, she is intentional about cultivating spaces for Black students to thrive. She aspires to be a lawyer, and one day, a politician.
Tiara C. Simms
Aspiring Biomedical Engineer
Tiara C. Simms is a senior Electrical Engineering major at Norfolk State University. She is currently serving as a presidential intern and a student ambassador at NSU. Her dream is to become a biomedical engineer who innovates new healthcare technology that sparks change for the Black community. Content creation is also her passion. She’s working on a podcast that will feature a wide variety of topics, from college advice to self-defense, to uplift her community.
Zachary Bell
Aspiring Entertainment Executive
Zachary Bell is continuing his family’s legacy at Florida A&M University. He serves as the Student Government Association President, a university trustee, and is a two-time Thurgood Marshall College Fund Leadership Institute Scholar. He’s also interned with one of the biggest names in entertainment. This sparked his dream to become an entertainment executive who brings to life stories for the whole world to see.
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