Todd’s Grad School Fund

THANKS TO YOU, I'M ON MY WAY!

UPDATE: I am at +450 with Venmo/cashap donations.

First of all, thank you so much for taking the time to click this link and read a little bit more about me and my academic jourey.

Secondly, I got into Vanderbilt University’s Quantitative and Chemical Biology PhD program!!!! I am asking for your financial assistance in this momentous transition. Your donations will help me with transportation to an entirely new state, finding and furnishing an apartment, and school supplies, including books and the software necessary to study on a graduate level. No donation is too small and all are greatly appreciated!! 

In addition to my transition into graduate school I have embarked on a professional endeavor which will put me on a platform to effect change on a larger both in my community and similar communities across the nation. Through the expansion of  my network and development of critical social and professional skills I will be able to improve the quality of life through a medium completely independent of my biomedical research.

I was raised in a community known for its expressive, diverse and rich culture; however, resources with which to cultivate this culture are scarce as is and continue to disappear. Due to the extreme lack of exposure in Oakland, my mother (pictured) pushed me to excel beyond the barriers placed on me in school and in my community. However, the lack of academic exposure for young students leads to vast inequalities in educational opportunities for inner-city children. I aim to rewrite the narrative of young minoritized students to show the possibilities of academia, and not the seemingly imminent incarceration or perpetual discrimination.

One of the most pervasive issues in our communities of color is the struggle against statistics; such as the one that plagues me to this day: almost thirty percent of Black men are in jail or dead by the age of twenty-five. In order to counteract this daunting fact, it is important to create an opposing statistic to show how dreams can be realized regardless of origin or adversity. Graduate school and this program will put me on a larger stage with a wider reach, where I not only can advertise the different possibilities, but I can create them as well, and present a realm of academia never before shown to minoritized students. This program is a crucial step in developing me into a greater scientist, connecting me with peers of different backgrounds and exposing me to the mentorship of brilliant minds.

Thank you, again! This really is a dream come true and I look forward to sharing my story with all of you as it continues. If you’d like to hear more about my research interests and/or professional goals please feel free to reach out. My email is [email redacted].

If you would rather donate to me directly to avoid GoFundMe fees, that would be highly appreciated and I will update the total amount here in the caption!

CashApp: $toddblakely

Venmo: @Todd-Blakely-1

PayPal: @toddblakely

I also have Zelle and ApplePay for those who have my phone number!