2025 marks the five-year anniversary of the Point Foundation BIPOC Scholarship, launched in 2020. This initiative addresses racism and bias in education for LGBTQ students who are Black, Indigenous, or People of Color.
Every year, our BIPOC class grows. This year alone, we’re welcoming 143 new BIPOC Point Scholars to our community. Since our first class, we’ve supported more than 600 students through this scholarship.
Meet Point BIPOC Scholars changing the world.
This year we're looking to support even more students. Applications are now open for the next class of BIPOC scholarship recipients. Apply or share the application with amazing students you know.
What is college like for LGBTQ BIPOC students?
In 2023, Point worked with the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law to study LGBTQ BIPOC student’s experiences in education. LGBTQ BIPOC students were 2x as likely as LGBTQ white students to report that anti-LGBTQ discrimination hurt their academic success and were 3x more likely to pick a school far from home to get away from family.
[Read the full study here]
Point BIPOC Scholars Making a Difference
To celebrate this milestone, here are stories of the vital work being done by current Point BIPOC Scholars.
Cassandra Ellis returned to school after spending 25 years working in healthcare. Cassandra’s goal is to complete her social work degree at the University of Cincinnati. As a survivor of domestic violence who also experienced homelessness, she hopes to one day open her own transitional housing with in-house supportive services.
Alex Perry is a trans, nonbinary PhD student studying sociology and sexuality at the University at Albany, SUNY. As an undergraduate at Ithaca College, Alex played varsity golf and advocated for LGBTQ athletes. In October, Alex published an article titled “'I’m the Kind of Trans They Don’t Care About': Experiences of Trans-Masculine Athletes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association” in the Sociology of Sport Journal.
Benjamin Magana is studying neuroscience at UC Berkeley with the goal of becoming a doctor. This year, in addition to leading a student taught class at UC Berkeley on Autism Spectrum Disorder, Benjamin also serves as the Outreach Associate for the LGBTQ+ Committee of Unidad en Educacion, creating community advocacy for the Latine and LGBTQ communities.
BIPOC Alumni & The Future of Higher Education
Point Foundation is committed to increasing LGBTQ representation in every sector of society. An important step toward this goal is celebrating the LGBTQ leaders in postsecondary education who teach, inspire, and empower LGBTQ students.
Camaron Miyamoto has served as the Director of LGBTQ+ Center at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa for over 20 years. Camaron was a founding board member of the Hawai‘i LGBT Legacy Foundation and the founding co-chair of the Hawai‘i Safe Schools Coalition. In 2024, Camaron completed his EdD in Educational and Professional Practice at Antioch University.
Bri Sérráno is the Assistant Dean of Students and Director of the Queer Resource Center at Pomona College. He completed his PhD in Education and Human Resource Studies at Colorado State University last year. Bri’s research focused on the experiences of transgender higher education staff experiencing harassment.
Danie Marshall completed her PhD in Education Policy Analysis at Georgia State. She started as an elementary school teacher in the Cobb County School District, and after six years in that role, decided to pursue a PhD. She now serves as a researcher at the United Negro College Fund and as a freelance educational consultant.
Support BIPOC Students' Dreams
Point BIPOC Scholars recognize the importance of providing solutions to the problems facing our world today. With your support, these students are making an impact as out and proud LGBTQ leaders.
Your generosity helps Point BIPOC Scholars like Cassandra, Alex, Benjamin, Bri, Danie, and Camaron pursue their dreams and serve as LGBTQ BIPOC role models for the next generation. Donate today to ensure the next cohort of Point BIPOC Scholars have the support needed to succeed. Together, we can continue to grow this program and ensure students have the tools they need to build a better future for us all!
If you are an LGBTQ BIPOC student who is looking for support to achieve your postsecondary educational dreams, apply before March 13.