Photo by Amanda Stankiewicz.
Strategic Communication junior Ibrahim Vicks was named an Estee Lauder Point Scholar by the Point Foundation, the largest scholarship foundation for LGBTQ students. Vicks is one of 36 students nationwide who received the scholarship in 2015.
Vicks grew up in North Philadelphia. His family did not accept his sexual identity, but Vicks decided that who he loves should not determine the quality of his life. He then became involved with the Attic Youth Center and other community organizations. “My story is very much one of just self-preservation of ego and not allowing others to define me,” he said.
Vicks transferred to Temple this fall after he earned his associate’s degree at Community College of Philadelphia. While searching for scholarships to fund his studies at Temple, he stumbled across The Point Foundation.
The Point Foundation is competitive and has a rigorous application process. To qualify, students must demonstrate leadership and involvement in the community, strong academic achievement, a commitment to bettering the LGBTQ community and financial need.
Vicks said he went through four rounds of interviews over the course of five months, which concluded in Los Angeles for the final picking process. He said he was surprised to make it to the final round. “I just tried to put my best self forward,” he said. I kept saying, if they like me, they like me; if they don’t, then I guess they don’t.”
As part of the scholarship, Vicks was paired with a mentor to help him develop his leadership and career skills. He was happy to learn that he would be paired with fellow Owl, Malcolm Kenyatta (SMC ’12). “We both are Temple Owls, live in Philly and even found out we have similar connections,” Vicks said.
Kenyatta, who ran for student body president, was homecoming king and started Babel, a performance poetry group at Temple, has big plans for Vicks. “I want to help ensure that he is sticking to all the fantastic things he wants to do at Temple and beyond,” Kenyatta said. “Sometimes we need people in our lives to be a check and balance, people who hold us accountable.”
Kenyatta said he is looking forward to assisting in the building of the next generation of gay, black men due to the little support for gay minorities within their community. He said it is often challenging to feel at home anywhere, but believes it is up to him to share a positive space for Vicks to teach him to the importance of building powerful and meaningful relationships.
Vicks, who interns with the Elton John AIDS Foundation to provide education on HIV/AIDS and homelessness, wants Kenyatta to help him balance school and community work. “I want to learn how to be busy, but not sacrifice efficiency,” he said.
Vicks said that without the Point Foundation’s assistance, he would have not been able to continue his education. He advises other students in his position to apply for any scholarship they qualify so they can afford their education.
The Point Foundation is now accepting scholarship application for the 2016-2017 school year.