Help Support Karma and Azaria's UK Education Journey!

Hello, our names are Karma Johnson and Azaria Van der Stok-Smallwood, and we are reaching out as two students at Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) seeking assistance funding an incredible educational opportunity abroad. We are both juniors at RISD— Karma studying sculpture and Azaria studying apparel design. We are both steadfast in our shared goal to pursue the impactful, life-changing experiences that studying abroad has to offer. This dream is within reach as we are both accepted into the University of Arts London, London College of Fashion’s Fashion Contours course for Spring 2025, February 10th through June 20th, in the United Kingdom. We are both ecstatic to be offered this opportunity, but we need help to ensure we can fully immerse ourselves in the full breadth of learning possibilities. Funding this study abroad opportunity has posed a significant financial challenge. We have pursued every possible support structure offered by our home school, but there are still needs in which we would benefit from additional assistance. As low-income Black women navigating higher education, we refuse to allow our state of financial disadvantage to dictate or deny us access to our educational goals and study abroad opportunities.

We have independently supported the entirety of our college education and living expenses for the past three years. As students, we have both worked tirelessly to make all our college dreams a reality during that time. This meant working countless jobs and taking up student leadership to continue pursuing our passions. Karma currently works as a metal shop monitor, career services office assistant, global office assistant, and community spaces monitor. Azaria works as a teaching assistant and in the Watermark Café. Additionally, both Karma and Azaria have served as Residence Advisors (RAs) for the past two years. The RA position we both share has allowed us the space to grow our evolving friendship and get to know each other not only in a personal setting, but also in a professional setting. We have decided to take on this journey together, not only growing our individual careers, but growing our friendship. This incredible position has also meant that our housing and meals have been covered for the duration of each respective academic year as compensation for our work. However, since we are unable to remain in this role while abroad, our housing and meal security will not be guaranteed in the same way. We also will not be able to count on the numerous campus jobs that sustain incidentals during our academic endeavors when we are overseas. Due to the significant financial burdens attached to such an incredible experience, we are reaching out to our community to request any and all forms of support and mutual aid.

We are reaching out for your support in any areas you can offer, whether that be through the direct mediums of a donation or by sharing this campaign with the larger community. Your support would mean the world to us, and no manner of support is too small to assist us in bringing this dream to fruition. We thank you for your kindness, your consideration, and your support.