Hello, my name is Asemahle Mgayi. I was born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa, and I discovered the power of poetry as a way to process grief, love, and identity. What began as a private practice has grown into a calling—I’ve been fortunate to win first place at the Dr. Sue L. Kimball Creative Writing Competition and second place at my university’s talent shows with poems celebrating Black womanhood and navigating loss.

As a first born who'd been the first in their family to be afforded education abroad through numerous scholarships, it felt like my duty to take the practical route and stick to doing law. Though even as I studied Political Science with the intention of becoming a lawyer, writing kept pulling me back. By my senior year, I knew I wanted to fully commit to poetry and creative writing. With the support of professors and friends, I applied to MFA programs—and was accepted to my dream school, The New School in New York City, with a 55% tuition scholarship.

This is an incredible opportunity to grow as a writer and share my work with a broader audience. But I need help to bridge the financial gap. I am fundraising $43,000 by June 2026 to cover:

    •    Remaining 45% of tuition

    •    Housing costs in New York

    •    One-way flight and visa expenses

Every contribution, no matter the size, brings me closer to this dream. Your support is not just helping me get an MFA—it’s investing in a voice committed to telling Black, queer, South African stories that deserve to be heard.

Thank you so much for believing in me and my journey.