Hi! My name is Erin Fouther, and I’ve just been accepted as a transfer student into Loyola Marymount University’s prestigious School of Film and Television—one of the top film programs in the country. I’ll be majoring in Screenwriting, a path that brings me one step closer to my lifelong dream of becoming a film director and storyteller whose work ultimately changes lives. Did you know? Less than 1.5% of film directors are Black women. Let’s help change that statistic!

Diverse stories in film are not just important—they are essential to shaping a more just and inclusive culture. Ground-breaking visionaries like Ava DuVernay, Issa Rae, Shonda Rhimes, Lena Waithe, and Nia DaCosta have proven that when Black women lead behind the camera, entire narratives shift. They’ve redefined genres, created new cultural norms, and opened doors for untold voices. Supporting me at LMU’s prestigious film school means investing in the next generation of storytellers who will reflect the full spectrum of our society with honesty, power, and heart.

Since I was a little girl, filmmaking has been my way of seeing the world, healing from it, and imagining something better. Now, I finally have the opportunity to learn directly from industry professionals, sharpen my craft, and join a powerful network of creatives who are shaping the future of film and television. But getting into LMU is only the beginning.

As honored and excited as I am, I’m facing a serious financial obstacle that could prevent me from enrolling this fall. Despite receiving some financial aid, there’s still a significant tuition gap my family simply cannot cover.

My father is the sole provider in our household and he manages chronic disease. He works tirelessly every day to keep a roof over our heads, and though he does everything in his power to support me, the burden of tuition is more than we can bear right now. As a whole, the middle class in America is being squeezed by increasingly burdensome administrative policies—like regressive tax loopholes and rising student loan costs—that disproportionately hit working families like mine, making it harder for students like me to pursue higher education and build a stable future.

We’ve been navigating financial hardship for years, and this opportunity—while life-changing—threatens to set us back even further.

That’s why I’m asking for your help.

With your support, I’ll be able to say yes to LMU and everything it offers: world-class mentorship, hands-on experience, and connections that can open doors for a young Black woman in a competitive and often exclusive industry.

This isn’t just about tuition—it’s about changing the trajectory of my life.

If you've ever believed in the power of storytelling… if you've ever rooted for someone with big dreams but limited means… if you’ve ever wanted to be part of someone’s success story—I’m asking you to be part of mine.

Every donation, every share, every word of encouragement brings me closer to sitting in a classroom this fall, not just dreaming about the future, but actively building it.

Thank you for believing in me.

With love and gratitude,

Erin Fouther