Hello Everyone! My name is Cierra. How are you? I am in my third year here at Rowan University. I plan to graduate with a bachelors in Journalism , a minor in Africana Studies, as well as a minor in Arabic. I have always had a passion for writing, but I didnt feel a true sense of direction for my pen until I started attending Hip-Hop concerts. I loved coming home and telling my friends about different experiences at concerts , listing the different songs performed, as well as painting the command the artist has over the crowd. As a result my urge now is to tell your favorite rappers story.

In 2012 when Trayvon Martin was murdered, the course of the trial and the public interaction had a massive effect on me. At my young age, it was my first time watching such a disposition unfold. It was my first time experiencing the emotional weight of rallies, societal anger, and the other movements that arose. I remember how unfair I belived the outcome to be. It is from this interaction, I became interested in Africana Studies. I wanted to better know and understand my history, as well as become an activist for the Black community. These reasons, coupled with my family history of Arabic speakers, and some exposure to their practices of Islam, have also led to my interest of a minor in Arabic.

I became interested in customizing sneakers in highschool, I hated seeing the same sneaker everywhere so I began watching videos on youtube about different techniques, the do’s and dont’s, and what materials I should have to do customizations. When I turned 16, I was working in Dietary at a Nursing home and I would use my checks to buy different sneakers and customization material. I only collect sneakers that I like, I dont really feed into the Hype and No, I dont wear Yeezy’s.