Black Aspirations Matter: Talking with the Founders of the BAM Scholarship
BAM recognizes the complex relationship between the Black and Asian Pacific Islander Desi American communities, and is taking action to create a better future in solidarity with Black people.
By Inneract Project
Black Aspirations Matter (BAM) is a group started by five Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) friends and allies who were moved to action by the Black Lives Matter movement in support of the aspirations of Black students. BAM recognizes the complex relationship between the Black and APIDA communities, and is taking action to create a better future in solidarity with Black people. Recently, BAM established a scholarship fund to directly support Black college students in their academic and educational endeavors. They connected with Inneract Project (IP) as a partner, drawn to IP’s shared values of empowering Black youth and focus on design and technology education.
We spoke to the BAM team to learn more about their mission, the importance of supporting Black students, and the future they imagine for the scholarship.
This interview has been edited for content and clarity.
How would you describe BAM in 50 words or less?
BAM strives for a world where Black students are a priority, and opportunities for their educational advancement and success are structurally and systemically embedded in institutions’ culture and values. Our mission is to center and support the aspirations of Black students by providing financial support through creating a sustainable scholarship fund.
Who are the folks behind BAM?
BAM is made up of five APIDA [Asian Pacific Islander Desi American] friends and professionals: Pearl Chaolertyotin, Jennifer Dang, Judy Diep, Sophia Ho, and Nam Ung.
What brings us together is our commitment to fighting for a more just world where Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) can live full lives, thrive, and have access to resources. We care for the advancement of BIPOC, and especially for the advancement of Black people, given the history of this nation. Many of us have been doing advocacy and equity work for years so we were naturally moved to answer the call to action by the Black Lives Matter movement; and since last June, we’ve been working hard on developing this scholarship.
How did the IP x BAM partnership come to be? What makes IP an ideal partner for BAM?
To put it plainly, we believe deeply in Inneract Project and its work. Since we were first creating BAM, we had always intended to collaborate with a community organization that valued uplifting students who have been historically marginalized and excluded by educational institutions. Like IP, we at BAM believe in the talents, innovation, brilliance, and tenacity of Black students and seek to support their academic aspirations. IP currently does not have an established scholarship program, so partnering with IP allows us to collaborate with an organization that can amplify our reach and efforts. And in turn, we hope to help create a “blueprint” of sorts to encourage the creation of similar scholarships in the future. It’s also wonderful that IP can simultaneously help build the capacity of our scholarship recipients and connect them to resources about pursuing a career in design and technology.
Why do you feel it is important to support Black students specifically?
It’s important to support Black students, period. It’s that simple for us. The history of this nation and the ways in which white supremacy has institutionalized and systematized anti-Black racism for centuries is why it’s so important for us to uplift and support Black students.
Moreover, over the years, white supremacy has also forced BIPOC to fight amongst ourselves, and used each of our communities as scapegoats for all the wrongdoings and atrocities. Particularly, we see how white supremacy has orchestrated the tension and conflict that repeatedly plays out amongst the Black and Asian Pacific Islander Desi American communities, which created years of misunderstandings between us (e.g, the 1992 LA “riots”).
We are keenly aware of this issue and have much experience with it, and recognize the importance of building allyship and solidarity among our communities that bring us together, rather than tear us apart. This scholarship is an opportunity for us to build on our collective capacity.
Who should apply to BAM? Who is the ideal BAM student?
Any college student attending an accredited two- or four-year institution and identifies as Black and/or African American. There is no “ideal” BAM student because we wish to eliminate barriers to accessing this award. All Black students pursuing their education are ideal. What we care about is that we support Black students who have a need and are interested in pursuing a career in design and/or technology. Students attending a two-year institution are an important audience because research tells us that community college students are some of the most diverse and have pressing financial needs.
Can/should IP students apply?
Yes, absolutely! As long as they meet the eligibility requirements, please submit an application!
What does the scholarship cover?
We aim to provide at least 5 students with a $2,000 scholarship that will be directly paid to them so that they can use it towards their educational needs, however they deem most appropriate. As long as it’s used to support their educational journey, we have no interest in dictating how they should prioritize their expenses.
Take a moment to imagine the future of BAM. Where do you hope it will be in six months, a year, and five years?
In six months, we hope to have raised at least enough money to have awarded 5 students each with a $2,000 scholarship. We hope to have connected our awardees with IP, its networks, and its resources so that they can continue building their capacities within the field. In a year to five years, we want to see our students graduate and move closer towards their dreams. We hope to have an established fund that can continue awarding scholarships to Black students for years to come. That’s the ultimate dream. We want to create something that is sustainable, because supporting Black students is and should always be a priority.
The Black Aspirations Matter scholarship is open to Black full-time students attending an accredited two-year or four-year college. Students can apply or find more information here.
If you are interested in learning more about the scholarship or making a donation, please visit BAM’s Instagram page.
