Romello's Transitionary Fund to DGSD at Yale University!

Romello Huins is organizing this fundraiser.

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Hi there, I'm Romello (aka Mell, Mello, Ro, Rome) and I NEED YOUR SUPPORT!!!

(As you may already know) I'll be continuing my education at Yale’s prestigious David Geffen School of Drama for my Master's in Scenic Design. The goal has always been this "I want to help show my people how beautiful they are. I want to hold up the mirror to my audience that says this is the way people can be, this is how open people can be." What a huge honor it is to continue that message once said by Alvin Ailey.

Without the love and support of my community, NONE of this could have been possible. It’s almost unbelievable that a small passion led me to many magnificent and unforgettable experiences, but this moment for me is special. It’s LEGACY. I’ll be the first person in my family to attend an Ivy League institution - breaking a generational gap that will reflect positively on myself, my family, my career, and other black & brown students (in the near future).

At the beginning of this process, I anticipated attending Grad School with no tuition debt. Thanks to a generous gift made by the David Geffen Foundation in 2021, this Fall I will attend DGSD tuition-free!! An immense amount of gratitude to the Yale Admission Committee for considering me for their upcoming cohort class.

This is a surreal opportunity!! However, the reality is, that affording the move and living expenses in New Haven is a hurdle in pursuing this incredible opportunity. Living as a black queer freelance designer in NYC has its challenges (believe me) and it has never stopped me from receiving the blessings that’ll keep me moving forward to new heights.

For the next three years, I will be financially and independently responsible for any expenses within my graduate program. Shoutout to my mom for covering my tuition cost for undergrad. This is where you come in!

Yale has suggested that all first-year Grad students have about $21,500 (max) for the first semester to cover living and other expenses. I’m raising $15,000-20,000 to help with the transitional costs for my first year at David Geffen (as well as $500 for GoFundMe withdrawal fees - totaling out to $20540).

This includes essentials like:

Monthly Housing: Secure a safe and comfortable place to live in New Haven.
Moving Expenses: Cover the logistics and costs of relocating from NYC (including the first month's rent and security deposit)
Books & Supplies: Invest in the necessary academic materials for my studies.
Travel: Accounting for transportation needs between NYC and New Haven (in the case of freelancing opportunities/gigs).
Food Expenses: Grad 30 Plan for 1st/2nd Semester
Local 829 IATSE: Keeping my union registration for the next three years while in school.

This is a pricey and slightly unexpected shift but your contribution, no matter how big or small, will provide financial security and a huge peace of mind during my process of transition into a crucial first year. It will allow me to focus on what truly matters - honing my design skills and contributing to the world of theater. I refuse to let this bump in the road dim my passion or expertise. With your support, I believe I can bridge this financial gap and fully immerse myself in this once-in-a-lifetime program.

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I LOVE YOU ALL SO DEEPLY! THANK YOU FOR ALL THE SUPPORT OVER THE YEARS! Please check me out and follow me on my design page via IG - @rdhdesign. Also, check out my past work at RDHDESIGN ! THANK YOU OVER AND OVER!

K, luv u - bye!