In 2024, Point Foundation experienced significant growth and accomplishments alongside our scholars and alumni. The Point community remains dedicated to advocating for LGBTQ inclusion and equality. Point Scholars and Alumni are actively pursuing legal protections against discrimination, creating art that resonates with our shared humanity, and highlighting the importance of connection. We are incredibly #PointProud of the work we've achieved together, and we’re excited to share some highlights from this year!
We began the year by announcing our support for 192 scholarships for Point Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) during the spring semester— EIGHT times the number of our first class of BIPOC Scholars, just four years ago. This rapid growth of Point’s BIPOC Scholarship program has only been possible because of the generosity of our donors, who believe in its impact. Together, we are addressing the longstanding effects of racism and the systemic challenges faced by BIPOC LGBTQ students as they navigate their education and pursue successful careers.
Point Alum Graciela Cain participated in the March 2024 panel “Out in Higher Ed – Despite Anti-LGBTQ/DEI Policies,” hosted by Point in partnership with LGBTQ Leaders in Higher Education. Graciela is completing a BA in Africana Studies at Georgia State University this academic year. As a former Point Community College Scholar and Point BIPOC Scholar, Graciela is also a DJ and the founder of Duval Folx, a dance party and community program that centers on BIPOC LGBTQ individuals in Jacksonville, FL.
In May, Point Scholars, Alumni, Staff, and Board members attended a performance of Point Alum Adil Mansoor’s one-person play. Amm(i)gone started its national tour at Washington, DC’s Woolly Mammoth Theater. This play focuses on the relationship between a queer Pakistani man and his devout Muslim mother, as the two work together to translate Antigone into Urdu.
Mentorship is a vital component of the Point Scholarship. This May, Point Alum Bridgette Davis received an award for her commitment to mentoring young adults at the University of Massachusetts. A two-time Point Flagship Scholar, she earned her PhD at the University of Chicago, Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice, in 2022. Bridgette mentored fellow Point Flagship Alum Jehlani White and is now an Assistant Professor at UMass Amherst, where she founded the Equitable Transitions to Adulthood Lab and received the 2024 Outstanding Mentor Award.
As the number of Point Scholars continues to grow, we’ve transitioned to a group mentoring module this year that empowers Point mentors to work with small groups of LGBTQ students over a four-week period each semester. You can become a Point Mentor and make a different in the lives of LGBTQ students by applying online!
Our new Chief Program Officer, Tina Kim, started in August, just in time to welcome our largest class of Point Scholars ever! Tina has an impressive background in program leadership and was most recently the Deputy Director of Workforce Program at California Volunteers Fund. Tina grew up and currently resides in Los Angeles and is very happy the Dodgers won the World Series in October!
Point Flagship Scholar Kelsey Parker and Point BIPOC Alum Safara Malone were named to GLAAD’s “20 Under 20” list in September. Kelsey, founder of ThinkBlack—a digital platform connecting customers with over 10,000 Black-owned businesses nationwide—studies agricultural business at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and represents the Greater Baltimore Chamber of Commerce. Safara, a trans community advocate, spoke out against anti-trans legislation in Texas during high school. She is now the Trans Justice Policy Intern at the ACLU and a sophomore at Harvard University.
In October, Point celebrated our fourth annual Out in Higher Ed Week, during which we amplify LGBTQ voices in higher education. This year, we spotlighted Point Alumni and Scholars working to empower young LGBTQ voters this year and for years to come. Point Alumni Isaac James and Ranen Miao partnered with Point Scholars Jo Lew and Jenna Smith to launch OutVote, a nonprofit dedicated to “building a youth-led culture of LGBTQIA+ civic engagement to create electoral power, protect our community, and elect leaders.”
Jo, a Point BIPOC Scholar, serves as the Director of Coalitions and Outreach while pursuing a graduate degree in human rights at Columbia University. Jenna, a Point Flagship Scholar studying international comparative studies at Duke University, is the Director of Programming. To learn more about their work, check out, “Uniting to Fight for LGBTQ Equality in Modern America,” to learn more about their work!
Finally, after the election we surveyed our Point Scholars to see what impact the national and local results may be having already. In response, 91% of students believe LGBTQ rights are now in jeopardy, 83% feel less safe than they did a year ago at this time, and 2/3 are concerned that their educational institution may reduce or eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and protections. That’s why it’s more important than ever that Point provides community as well as financial and professional development opportunities. We must ensure that our scholars continue to be treated equally, fairly, and are part of an inclusive world that embraces them.
As we look toward 2025, Point is committed to supporting even more LGBTQ students next year! Together, we can ensure each Point Scholar can achieve their academic and leadership potential—despite the obstacles often put before them—to make a significant impact on society. Join us in committing to a brighter future for LGBTQ Americans by making a year-end gift today!