Help Cherish McNeil Move to LA for Grad School

Hi, my name is Cherish McNeil, and I’m a first-generation college graduate, filmmaker, and storyteller from Cleveland, Ohio. I’m reaching out to ask for your support as I take the next big step in my journey: moving to Los Angeles to attend graduate school at Loyola Marymount University (LMU)!

As someone who was the first in my family to graduate from college, getting to this point has taken grit, sacrifice, and unwavering belief in the power of storytelling. I’ve always used creativity as a way to make sense of the world, whether through writing, directing, or amplifying voices that often go unheard. My work centers Black lives, healing, and transformation, and I’m committed to telling stories that matter.

But getting to LA is not cheap.

Between moving costs, housing, transportation, and living expenses, the financial burden is significant, especially for someone coming from a working-class background. I’ve done everything I can to earn scholarships, apply for aid, and work multiple jobs, but I still need help bridging the gap.

Your support will go directly toward:

• Moving expenses to LA

• Transportation (flights, Ubers, public transit)

• Basic necessities to get started in a new city

Every dollar helps, and if you can’t donate, sharing this campaign with your friends, family, or on social media is also deeply appreciated.

As a first-gen student, I’m not just chasing a dream, I’m breaking generational cycles, creating space for people like me in rooms we’re often kept out of, and showing others that it is possible.

Thank you for believing in me and being part of this next chapter. Let’s tell better stories together.

With love and gratitude,

Cherish