Student Stories: Mahogony Jules
How UNCF Scholarships Empower Students: One HBCU Student’s Journey to Entertainment Law
UNCF is proud of current students and alumni who have received scholarships that help them continue their education and graduate from university. These scholarships are invaluable to students. We are always accepting donations to support students like Mahogony Jules in their academic endeavors. Donate today, and read on to learn about one scholar’s journey.
Mahogony Jules, a senior majoring in political science at UNCF-member Bethune-Cookman University (BCU), one of UNCF’s member HBCUs, received the UNCF Social Justice Scholarship. The scholarship opened in October 2024 and can be found on UNCF’s Scholarship Application page by searching for “social justice.” The merit-based scholarship awards undergraduate juniors and seniors in New York, New Jersey, Vermont or Connecticut who are majoring in criminal justice, political science or pre-law. Students are eligible if they have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA.
The social justice scholarship holds a special place in her heart. “It aligned perfectly with my advocacy work, such as promoting fiscal responsibility and education in underserved communities, and supported my academic journey in political science,” Jules said. “It reinforced my commitment to empowering others and pursuing a career in entertainment law to champion artists’ rights.”
“Social justice is the main reason I wake up in the morning,” she continued. “It’s the driving force that pushes me and helps me gain perspective. What’s the best career path that can represent who I am and satisfy the needs of the people? Political science [gives me] the knowledge and abilities I need to combat structural inequalities and advance equality.”
From Upstate New York to Bethune-Cookman University
UNCF’s social justice scholarship enabled Jules to transfer from Alfred State College in Upstate New York to BCU in Daytona Beach, FL. Alfred State College “was in the countryside, so it was a very different experience for me,” Jules explained. “It’s a predominantly White institution, so I was in a culture outside of my own. I’m grateful for that experience, but they didn’t have political science as a major there. And I understood that there was more opportunity for me [at BCU] and fabulous opportunities with UNCF.”
She was applying to schools at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and wondered what an HBCU lifestyle was like. “It was hard to see life at school during COVID,” she said. “I remembered the Black Common App from high school. I’m a first-generation [college graduate], so I really only had myself and Google to search.”
Two weeks before school started, Jules typed “Bethune-Cookman University” into Apple Music. The first song that came up was “Hold Fast to Dreams,” and Jules started crying because it seemed like a good sign. At BCU, she took summer classes to graduate with her class and participated in several academic organizations, including model United Nations.
Jules aims to bring constructive change to her community and beyond. Having family members incarcerated in the system, she was inspired to study political science and pre-law to help her understand the nature and structures of government, as well as sociology behind behaviors.
Advocating for Social Justice Through Creativity
Being a creative, Jules plans to combine advocacy and art in what she calls “poetical advocacy”—rapping and singing while pursuing justice.
“I’ve never seen a rapping or singing lawyer like me,” she explained. “I’m going to law school in the future with an intent to practice intellectual property law. Staying true to who I am will make me the best in entertainment law.”
“So many artists feel they have to choose one side of who they are,” she continued. “But I’m paving that lane—you can nurture both sides.”
Jules was also accepted into UNCF’s K-12 Fellowship, a leadership and talent development initiative building a pipeline of high-achieving African Americans engaged in education reform. Jules wrote about her dream of opening a performing arts school in Queens, NY, called Stargazing Academy where students can learn diverse art forms from various backgrounds.
“My parents were never able to put me into a dance school,” Jules explained. “The only time I was able to dance was when it was a dance class [in school] and then I had to go back to the regular curriculum. The social justice aspect of [this academy] is you don’t have to have a certain level of prestige to get into a school like this.”
As part of the UNCF K-12 Fellowship, she had to complete an education-related internship as well. “I was in a cohort of mostly education majors,” she said. “But also, some were dancers, writers, aspiring movie directors—there was so much creativity.”
Jules shared her dream of creating an arts academy with her teachers and fellow students, who seemed interested in working at such a school. “It felt good to share out my vision,” she said.
Through her heart and tenacity, Jules is leading the vanguard of new paths for college students and their professional dreams. A passionate social justice advocate and future entertainment lawyer, she is paving the way for other creatives.
“UNCF scholarships and programs have been transformative for me, especially during times when my family and I faced significant challenges,” Jules said. “These opportunities not only helped alleviate financial burdens but also connected me to a supportive network that inspired me to continue striving for excellence despite obstacles.”
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