Student Story: Annaya Baynes

Annaya Baynes stands out not only for her academic achievements, but also for her commitment to expanding educational opportunities for underrepresented students. The Newark native is a 2023 graduate of Spelman College, one of UNCF’s member HBCUs. She was a recipient of the UNCF/Mellon Mays Undergraduate Research Fellowship, which is awarded to juniors at UNCF-member institutions who plan to pursue doctoral studies in the humanities.

For Baynes, the UNCF fellowship was significant to her educational career: “Without UNCF, I would not have believed that I truly had a space in academia. I would not be living my dreams of engaging with scholarly thought at the graduate level,” she said. Her trajectory through undergrad is a testament to how UNCF helped shape her academic and professional path.

At Spelman, Baynes majored in English and French. Thanks to the financial and professional development support of the fellowship, Baynes was able to participate in unpaid programs that she otherwise might have had to pass up. For example, during her senior year, Baynes served as a mentee in Girls Write Now, a free writing mentorship program, where she developed her creative writing skills and gained valuable experience that helped prepare her for the next phase of her professional journey. She is currently a fellow at Girls Write Now, “helping young people find their voice through writing,” she said.

UNCF played a significant role in Baynes’ admission into NYU Tisch School of the Arts. The fellowship stipend from UNCF gave Baynes financial support to take the GRE, which was a key factor in her acceptance. UNCF also helped secure her place in NYU’s Martin Scorsese Department of Cinema Studies program. As Baynes explains, “My writing sample for the program was an excerpt from my thesis, which I was only able to complete with the support of UNCF.” Her ultimate goal is to become a professor.

Baynes’ experience brings to life UNCF’s impact. UNCF supports students and HBCU institutions, both nationally and regionally. Each year, the organization releases impact statements that highlight its support of institutions and students. In New Jersey alone, more than $1 million has been awarded to students between the 2023 and 2024 academic years, illuminating the organization’s commitment to academic success. UNCF continues to support students’ educational pursuits in the Newark region and beyond, providing a pathway to achievement and success.

 “I want to thank UNCF for clearing the way for me and others to achieve our wildest aspirations,” Baynes shared.