This year’s Mane Achievement Scholarship has recognized three exceptional students who have not only embraced their natural hair but have also used their personal journeys to inspire others.
Meet Derrick J Bradley II, Oksana Shropshire, and Amina Blount—three talented individuals from HBCUs whose stories are as unique and powerful as the hair they cherish.
Derrick J Bradley II: Crafting a Legacy with Landscape Architecture
Derrick J Bradley II is an incoming freshman at North Carolina A&T from Dallas, Texas, majoring in Landscape Architecture. Beyond his academic pursuits, Derrick gets involved in student government and service organizations.
He first discovered the Mane Achievement Scholarship on Instagram and felt an immediate connection.
“I’ve always known my hair had a story,” Derrick shares. His video submission was more than just an entry—it was a testament to his journey, creativity, and the challenges he’s faced.
Winning the scholarship was a moment of pure joy for Derrick, who sees it as an opportunity to build a legacy as the first male in his family with the Bradley name to attend college.
Derrick’s advice? "Your hair is what you make it. It’s not defined by others, but by you." With dreams of owning his own architecture studio and starting a nonprofit to support the homeless, Derrick is determined to make his mark on the world, one design at a time.
Oksana Shropshire: Finding Confidence in Every Curl
Oksana Shropshire, a sophomore Theater major at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) from Atlanta, Georgia, embodies creativity and resilience. She also found out about the scholarship on Instagram and knew she had to apply.
Oksana’s journey with her natural hair has been filled with ups and downs, but winning the scholarship gave her the confidence she needed. "This scholarship means ‘CONFIDENCE,’" she says.
For Oksana, the process of creating her video submission was an opportunity to showcase the depth and meaning of her natural hair, even incorporating the significance of the CROWN Act.
Her message is simple yet powerful: "Be unapologetically yourself." Oksana’s video stood out because it broke away from the norm, reflecting her authentic self.
With dreams of becoming a television and film actress, this scholarship allows her to explore college life without the constant worry of student debt.
Amina Blount: Redefining Beauty and Breaking Barriers
Amina Blount, a senior at North Carolina A&T State University studying Health Services Management, originally from Columbus, Ohio, and now based in Charlotte, North Carolina, is no stranger to leadership and advocacy. She found out about the scholarship through a friend’s Instagram page and felt it was a perfect fit for her long-standing advocacy against texturism.
Winning the scholarship was a significant moment for Amina, who had faced challenges in securing scholarships in the past.
Her video submission was deeply personal, reflecting on her experiences as the only Black woman at her internship and her journey to embrace her natural hair. "I wanted to inspire Black women to embrace their hair at every stage," she says.
With plans to enter the field of medical device sales and eventually become the CEO of a counseling facility focused on eliminating generational trauma within the African American community, Amina is determined to make a lasting impact.
Final Thoughts
The Mane Achievement Scholarship has done more than provide financial support—it has given these students a platform to share their stories and inspire others. Derrick, Oksana, and Amina have shown us that our hair is not just a part of who we are; it’s a powerful expression of our identity and resilience.
Stay tuned for more stories from the Mane Achievement Scholarship, and don’t forget to follow their journey on social media. Let their stories inspire you to embrace your natural beauty and pursue your dreams with confidence!