March 05, 2021

Fashion Design first-year and Westphal BRIDGE Scholar, Jazminé Morrow, is a recipient of the Black Talent in Design & Fashion Fund Scholarship, a one-time scholarship of $500 to academically successful students who are studying the fashion industry. The Black Talent in Design & Fashion Fund is an initiative set to directly support Black students studying to enter the fashion and/or footwear industry. By pledging to support students throughout their journey, the fund is broadening the pool of students for companies to recruit and addressing the lack of diversity in these industries. With support of Institutional Advancement, the Westphal College had the opportunity to provide a $500 scholarship to match Jazminé’s scholarship.

Alicia Pinckney, Global Women's Senior Apparel Designer at Timberland and Founder of the Black Talent in Design & Fashion Fund, is excited to nurture and support Black designers within Westphal College. "It's important to support Black designers because there is a huge lack of representation in the fashion industry. If we can support them financially and through mentorship, we can encourage them to keep going," said Pinckney.

Jazminé has been an active participant in the Westphal BRIDGE Program since its launch in September 2020. The Westphal BRIDGE Scholars is a welcoming, inclusive learning community designed to enhance the success of underrepresented minority and first-generation college students, including their recruitment and supporting their ability to graduate with a Drexel degree. The Westphal BRIDGE Scholars program is modeled after LeBow College's BRIDGE Program, created in 2012 to foster a sense of belonging, engagement, and empowerment for Drexel students.

"Jazminé embodies the brilliance and tenacity of ‘Ambition Can't Wait,’ said Denise Marie Snow, Westphal BRIDGE Program Director. “She regularly participates in BRIDGE events and activities. Jazminé continues to amaze and impress people she meets with her creativity and fashion acumen."

Jazminé has also been working weekly with the AEI (Advocate Educate Innovate) Design Program and a mentor with Target’s Corporate Design Team. AEI Design Initiative aims to further the growth and development of Black design students within the design sector. When speaking about these exciting accomplishments, Jazminé noted, “I’m super honored to be a part of all of this, and I am so grateful to the people who stand beside me and help me constantly build connections. I really do love Westphal, and this is only the beginning.”

Learn more about the Black Talent in Design & Fashion Fund and Scholarship here, and learn more about the AEI Design Program here.

In order for our BRIDGE program to succeed, Westphal College has undertaken an initiative to secure additional funding for the future. Donations support the pillars of our program, which are critical to giving more students access and help accelerate their success. If you would like to support Westphal BRIDGE Scholars and make an immediate impact, you can make a gift here.