Malik
Brighter Horizon Scholar
Meet Malik
As part of my time in the foster care “system”, I was misdiagnosed with various mental health disabilities such as bipolar disorder and ADHD. So, I made a promise to myself. In high school I would learn everything I could about mental health. Then I would major in Psychology in college, work as a psychologist for a few years, and eventually become a Psychology professor. Brighter Horizon is one step towards that goal.
Our Scholars
The Brighter Horizon Foundation is driven by the unique stories of each individual student. We recognize the passion and perseverance of our scholars and provide the support and resources necessary, so they can overcome any challenge. We invite you to meet our scholars and hear their inspiring stories.
Meet Malik.
Malik is a senior at Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School residing in Northeast Philadelphia. In 2013, Malik was adopted after living through six foster homes. His legal parents have provided him with the resources to thrive and place him on the road towards being the first in his family to attend a four-year college.
His past has inspired his passion for therapy and teaching, and he plans to double major in psychology with a minor in sociology. His goal is to be a professor in psychology.
Malik’s list of colleges include: American University, Howard University, Penn State, Syracuse, Ohio State, UPENN, Georgetown, University of Pittsburgh, and Yale University.
Our Success Stories
Zybreana
Zybreana
“I will be the first in my family to receive a college degree and that means a lot. I’ve always wanted a career in law and Brighter Horizon is helping make that happen. Brighter Horizon has helped with my financial hardships and allowed me to remain at my dream HBCU.”
Amira
Amira
“I am the first one in my family to attend a university so this would be a major accomplishment for me. I was inspired to pursue a career as a Registered Nurse when two of my family members passed away from cancer. Brighter Horizon will help me achieve my career goal.”
Amira graduated from Eastern University Academy Charter in 2019. She is attending Gywnedd Mercy University pursuing her passion for nursing, and playing collegiate volleyball!
Jamie
Jamie
“Being a first generation college student, I have navigated the process of applying for aid and scholarships without much insight. This opportunity will help me pursue my education without the burden of financial hardships, and attend the school of my choice.”
Jamie graduated from Abington Friends School, and is the recipient of the Ronald A. Hammond Scholarship, one of the University of Miami’s highest academic honors! Jamie will start at ‘The U’ in the Fall, and plans to pursue a dual major in Business and Computer Science with minors in African Studies and Spanish.
Barry
Barry
“No one in my family has attained a college degree, and it would be one of the biggest accomplishments of my life. Brighter Horizon will help me remove the barriers hindering achieving my goal of becoming a Computer Engineer.”
Barry is a freshman at Temple University majoring in Computer Science
Safiyyah
Safiyyah
“Being a Brighter Horizon Scholar is an opportunity of a lifetime, and I am grateful for the financial assistance to realize my dream to have a career in Construction Management.”
Safiyyah is a freshman at Cornell University majoring in Civil Engineering.
Michaeya
Michaeya
“I want to become a Veterinarian or a Veterinarian technician, because my passion is to save animals who are sick or abandoned. This has been my dream since I was a young girl. Brighter Horizon will give me the best chance of being able to complete my degree so I can pursue my goals.”
Michaeya, a resident of West Philadelphia, is a senior at Bodine High School for International Affairs.
Darien
Darien
Giselle
Giselle
“My parents immigrated from El Salvador to allow me to have a better future and career. Being a hispanic first generation student I want to be successful and show that anything can be done. Brighter Horizon has given me the opportunity to follow my dreams of becoming a lawyer, and being the first in my family to graduate.”
Myles
Myles
“I learned at an early age the benefits that a college education can provide. For me, it means an opportunity to grow as a person, become independent and live a successful life. I will be able to pursue a career I’m passionate about instead of working a job to make ends meet.”
Myles is a freshman at Penn State University majoring in Civil Engineering.
Aiden
Aiden
Kyla
Kyla
“To me, being a part of brighter horizons means that I will be able to show my younger siblings that regardless of our financial issues and other varying barriers, it is possible to attend and graduate college. Secondly, I am a person who feels that I have a lot to contribute to society and with the help of the foundation I feel more confident that I can successfully achieve my goals.”
Ruqayyah
Ruqayyah
“Being a Brighter Horizon Scholar means having a support system that believes in me enough to want to invest in my future, and my personal goals. As I embark on a new journey of pursuing a higher education, I hope to give back to others in need of help gaining knowledge or being heard in some way. I look forward to obtaining a degree in journalism and using my voice to speak up for others, and to create awareness of prevalent issues in society.”
Ruqayyah is a Freshman at Howard University.
Beatriz
Beatriz
“As a first generation student, higher education is completely new to me. Having to adjust to new rigorous classes and a life away from home is challenging. However, as a Brighter Horizon student the experience becomes much easier as we are provided with several resources such as our mentors, tutors, and financial help. Knowing that I have support from both my mentor and Brighter Horizon is comforting because I can focus on my academics without worrying about the financial aspect of college education. Most importantly, I know I can ask my mentor even the smallest of questions, which helps form a more personal connection that I feel is not offered elsewhere. “
Carlos
Carlos
“I’m glad to be a Brighter Horizon scholar and be able to attend college without having the fear of my financial problem. Being a scholar is a great accomplishment for me, as well as a big help. I plan to use this opportunity to the limit so that I can prove to everyone that being a scholar from Brighter Horizons is worth it.”
Camya
Camya
“Neither of my parents have graduated from college and as a result, it was hard for them to provide for their children. I watched my mother struggle to take care of us, and I don’t want to experience those same struggles. I love my parents with all my heart, but I want to give myself and my family a different life, and being in this program will make that possible.”
Camya is a senior at Hill Freeman World Academy, and would like to pursue a career in healthcare.
Nasir
Nasir
“I live my life by the Maya Angelou quote, “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.” Brighter Horizon is helping me do that, because I could not do it on my own.”
Aisha
Aisha
“To pursue a successful career in the healthcare industry, I know that attaining a college education will be essential. Being the first individual to go to college in my family, Brighter Horizion’s guidance will be critical to help me navigate this process and enable me to achieve my dream.”
Aisha is a senior at Jules E. Mastbaum and plans to pursue a career in nursing.
Vonyeh
Vonyeh
“The opportunity to be able to attend college is amazing. College sets you up not only for the next four years but for the rest of your life. It’s the place where I will be able to find myself and ensure my future success.”
Vonyeh is a senior at Burlington High School in Burlington, New Jersey. She plans to major in Business.
Jaymaba
Jaymaba
Jaymaba will graduate from The Philadelphia High For Girls in 2021. She is involved in many programs that grow from her passion and interest in STEM, healthcare, and higher education. Jaymaba is the Co-founder of College and Career Readiness at her school and participates in the Girls’ One Diaspora internship. She plans to pursue a career as a physician, along with venturing into Public Health.
Tatiana
Tatiana
“To be in the Brighter Horizon program means an opportunity to make my dreams a reality. Navigating the college application process on my own proved to be quite daunting. Knowing that I have people who will help me thrive makes me feel like success is just over the horizon.”
Tatiana is in the class of 2021 at Julia R. Masterman.
Anna
Anna
“As a Brighter Horizon scholar, I’ve witnessed kindness in action every time I interact with anyone in the organization. Everyone is willing to help. The opportunity to see this is valuable for me because it motivates me to do whatever I can to spread kindness to others in the future as well. Kindness is contagious. I learned that from my experience as a Brighter Horizon scholar. Brighter Horizon is one of a kind— if not to anyone else, at least to me, it will always mean a lot.”
Keith
Keith
Michelle
Michelle
“Being able to go to college will help me achieve my goal to pursue a career in the medical field. College will also help me grow as a person and experience new things so that I can one day help others who are in my shoes. No one in my family has been able to attend college and I pride myself in being the first.”
Jacob
Jacob
“Being able to get a higher education is one of my cornerstone values. I value my education very highly, and college is definitely the best way to expand upon that. I’d also be the first member of my family to attend a university. Brighter Horizon will help me to achieve my dream job as a traveling zoologist/ wildlife biologist.”
Cashmere
Cashmere
“Going to college has always been a goal of mine, but it seemed intangible as I knew my family couldn’t afford it. Being a Brighter Horizon Scholar has eliminated that obstacle for me. Brighter Horizon has given me the gift of post-secondary education, and that’s one of the greatest gifts one could receive.”
Asmaa
Asmaa
“To me, being a Brighter Horizon scholar means that I can have the opportunity to break barriers in my family by being the first to not only have a chance to go to college, but to also graduate college and become very successful in my future.”
Skye
Skye
“As a Brighter Horizon scholar, I have been given the opportunity of a lifetime to attend the college of my choice and become the first in my family to attain this goal. It will enable me to pursue my dreams without the worry of financial hardships and give the help I need to navigate my future.”
Christine
Christine
“This opportunity means that I can grow into an independent and strong young woman. It also gives me a great opportunity to get a higher degree without worrying about the financial hardship. With Brighter Horizon’s help I know they will guide me toward my goal.”
Kaiyn
Kaiyn
“The opportunity to become a Brighter Horizon Scholar means that I will be given the chance to become the first person in my family to go to college, graduate, and succeed in a career of my choice. As well as be able to travel, see the world for myself, and become independent.”
Benjamin
Benjamin
“My parents were not able to make it to college because of lack of education, their own disabilities and lack of economic means. I have seen my father struggle hard to provide for our family. If I am the first in my immediate family to make it to college, it would be not only the achievement of my own dreams but much more than that. It would mean I would be setting an example for my younger sisters to do the same and this is something I feel very responsible for. Furthermore, I would be reaching for the stars as my father wants for me to do. I want to do this for him and for my mother. It would be a victory not just for me but a triumph for my whole family!”
Jada
Jada
“Being a brighter Horizon scholar, to me means having support to be able to move forward in life. It means being able to pursue the career that you want and knowing you can do it. Being a first generation is an inspiration to the rest of my family, it tells them not to ever give up and to keep going no matter what. My family has struggled and worked their way to where they are now, becoming the first college student, I will be making myself proud and my family proud. I am confident that I will be one step closer to my dream with the support of my family, friends and the Brighter Horizon Foundation behind me!”
John
John
“As the first in my family to receive a huge opportunity like this, it is a huge honor to me. As a Brighter Horizons scholar, I have the opportunity to be able to know of many opportunities around me and be provided with the assistance to be able to receive an education at my dream school. Being a Brighter Horizon Scholar is a huge honor, it gives me the opportunity and hope that I will be able to achieve my dreams.”
Emily
Emily
Aiden
Aiden
“Being a Brighter Horizon scholar means not only accomplishing my personal goals of obtaining a college degree, but also making my family proud and setting a good example for the younger generation of my family. My grandmother always taught us to help others as much as we can, so becoming a veterinarian will help me continue her legacy.”
Charity
Charity
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My mother has always ingrained into me that furthering my education and attending a university that is suited for me is the only way to be successful. However , the idea of going off to university has always been completely unfathomable because of the cost. Being a Brighter Horizons Scholar is the opportunity of a lifetime for me. I am now able to imagine a future for myself that is very bright. Being a scholar will set my up for success and allow me to study what I am most passionate about, neurology. Most importantly, it will let me set a great example for my little sister!”
James
James
“Being a BH scholar means the world to me because not only do they help me be able to peruse my dreams but also they give you mentors who are like your best-friends. One of the best things ever.”
Astan
Astan
“My parents immigrated from West African to give me better opportunities and chances at success. Going to college is important to me because it is the next step towards expanding my knowledge and entering a career path. Being apart of Brighter Horizons Foundations means that I will get much needed guidance to help me navigate college; as well as taking away the financial burden.”
Sean
Sean
“Being the first generation college student means a lot to me having this opportunity to succeed and change my life for the better is like a dream come true .”
Xiomara
Xiomara
“Even as a kid, I was always thinking about my future and wanted to go to college. However, I realized that college is expensive and pursuing a further education could put me in debt. Brighter Horizon will allow me to reach my goal and pursue a college degree without financial difficulties.”
Malea
Malea
“Being a part of Brighter Horizon I’m one step closer to attending college. A college education brings one step closer to pursuing a career in law, business, or culinary arts, or even all three. With Brighter Horizon’s guidance, they make that all possible.”
Jonax
Jonax
“Brighter Horizons is a life-changing opportunity that I have been blessed with. Both my mom and dad were not able to attend college. Whether it was due to my mom having to take care of my big sister at a young age, or the trauma and guilt my father experienced due to his mother’s death causing him to run away from home. They both tried but couldn’t do it. These circumstances did not let them achieve their dreams. I want to be the first to graduate not so only that accomplish my dream but also so I can carry their unfinished dream with me. I’m happy that brighter horizons is there to support me all the way through so that can get the best out of my college years.”
Yohelia
Yohelia
“As someone who has no idea what career I want to pursue, only that I want to be the best at it, having a support system like this one is such a huge relief. I’m a Hispanic female and I will be the first person in my family to graduate from college. Thank you for giving me a chance!”
Ja’Maiya
Ja’Maiya
“Brighter Horizon is amazing to me because it allows me to have an advantage on opportunity that I need to help me be successful in life. This program is going to help with get in my dream school and my future career.”