Help Ari get to Grad School

Hi my name is Arianne Payne, a 2020 graduate of Elon University and an emerging Black writer. This fall, I am blessed to have have the opportunity to follow my passions, move to Virginia, and pursue my Masters of Fine Arts at George Mason University.

As a first-generation college graduate, this opportunity to further my writing career is one that I have fought for despite not always being financially stable. Why? Because I come from an incredibly resourceful single mother who has taught to never let what I may lack prohibit me from pursing my goals—because what is meant for me will find its way to me.

As such, I am leaning on my community and asking for help because moving is expensive. Your support will help furnish my new living space, ship my belongings across the country, get supplies for the school year, handle other moving expenses, and ultimately allow me to begin this next chapter in a more secure way.

Furthermore, please know that your investment in me is also an investment in Black community at large. My aim as a writer has always been to explore, analyze, and document Black culture and society while giving back to community with the skills I cultivate along this journey. I currently do community work with Free Root Operation in the form of weekly food delivery runs to Black and Brown Chicagoans in need and content support. I plan to continue to enhance this work with the tools I gain from my studies. 

If you are able to donate anything at all, I am grateful. I also welcome you to share this campaign across all social media platforms if you are able.

I would not be here without the continuous encouragement from my community and I wanted to take time to say I am so grateful for each of you who have and will support me.