Hi there! As you may already know, @slppoc is an account meant to increase access to resources, representation, and information in speech-language pathology (SLP) for People of Colour.

Last year, I created the Brightness Award with the aim of starting an annual scholarship for a Year 1 and Year 2 student in SLP who identify as a person of colour. This award aimed to provide some support for POC students financially and to support their academic portfolio. Additionally, it symbolizes how the POC community in SLP support and appreciates one another.

Thanks to all the generous donators, we were able to successfully award two deserving students with the Brightness Award! I would love to do the same for two students this new school year.

The application process: The goal is to open applications in the Fall or Winter with students submitting a transcript and personal statement. Roughly 3+ [poc] SLPs will review the applications to ensure a fair decision. No donations will be used or distributed outside of the scholarships. Recipients of the award will be highlighted on the @slppoc page.

I sincerely hope you will consider supporting this initiative! Those in the field understand how needed and valued diverse SLPs are, and it would mean the world to a POC student to feel supported and welcomed in the field. Any little bit helps!

Thank you so much!