After a 16 year hiatus I am finally returning to my NYU graduate program to finish my degree in Drama Therapy. At 52 years old, this is not something I thought I would ever want to do. My goal when I started the program was to learn how to use the expressive and performing arts as a modality for healing people in low income and violence affected community struggling to find peace. I also wanted to create a safe space for folks needing to heal from the impact of fighting for social justice and acceptance. Naturally the arts have always been a conduit for people to express the depths of their emotions and in their sharing of those gifts, they have inspired and uplifted many people. However the engagement in such endeavors generally require for someone to have a particular talent in order to create such works. Community level arts programs allow for people to feel invited to explore various levels of self expression regardless of talent or skill level. Becoming a licensed creative arts therapist ( LCAT) would afford me the skills and foundation to guide the process of arts exploration in a way that can positively impacts an individual’s mental and emotional health and well being.
When I left the program, I was struggling with my own mental health issues, feelings of imposter syndrome, alienation, and dealing with racial microaggressions as the only Black person in my cohort. Part of the reason I think I struggled is because even though I had been accepted into this amazing program, I was extra motivated to get in due to an abusive relationship I was in.
My grad school journey started in 2000. I was a college drop out and struggling actress trying to figure out how to create value in the world through the arts. In my youth I had been part of a youth organization that used the arts as an empowerment tool to help young people overcome adversity. It was that experience I reflected on when I discovered Drama Therapy. Once I set my mind to go to grad school, I knew I had to return to college to finish. On May 29th 2003, the day after my 30th birthday, I received my BA degree in Psychology. A found work with a social services organization to gain experience working with youth in wrap around program and foster care. After 2 years I finally applied to NYU for the MA program in Drama Therapy. While striving towards a better life, I was also fighting for my life. My relationship that I was in that time had turned verbally abusive. The man that I thought loved me treated me with hate. Yet every time I tried to leave the relationship, he would not let me go. Through verbal intimidation and threats, he kept me locked in fear of what would happen to me or my family if I tried to leave him. When I applied to NYU, he was only supportive because he had planned to move to New York with me if I was accepted. However on my first attempt, I was waitlisted and later rejected. I sunk into a deep depression afterwards and allowed this man to further abuse me by isolating me from all of my friends and family. The relationship slowly became physically abusive. First it was seemingly accidental shoves, rough playfighting, then complete physical aggression. The first time he punch me in the jaw I was stunned. It got so bad that one night, I went to my garage, closed the garage door, and started my car, That was my lowest moment. Somewhere deep in my, that same energy I had to go back to school and finish my BA welled up in me. I turn off the ignition and made a determination do whatever I needed to do to get out of Los Angeles and out of that relationship.
I attended the Drama Therapy conference in Portland Oregon that summer and became reinvigorated about getting into grad school. It was also there that I learned about the cycle of abuse and that I was in an abusive relationship. I was also encouraged my the NYU representatives to apply again for the program for the Fall 2006 semester which I did and got immediately accepted!
I played the dutiful girlfriend to this abusive man until I had actually moved to New York and was settled into my apartment. That is when I finally broke up with him. He did not have my address so I figured he would not be able to find me. I ended up having to move 9 months later.
Although I was in New York, the hardships did not stop. I had no family or friends here and found it hard to relate to my class cohort as I was the only Black person in the cohort and about 10 years older than everyone. I realized later that I had been so focused on running away from my circumstances that once I got to where I was, I could not find my comfort level. I struggled with imposter syndrome and dealt with racial microaggressions. In 2009, I dropped out of the program.
It took me years to find myself, gain strength, and find community. Living through Covid and social justice movement that followed around the killing of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter protest, I felt that nudge to do something and realized that thing I needed to do was to finish what I started years ago. Through my faith in Nichiren Buddhism and chanting Nam Myo Ho Renge Kyo everyday for the happiness of myself and others, I have overcome the challenges that were holding me back. I am ready to return to the program and determined to graduate with the class of 2027.
I am currently enrolled in Summer school and will start class tomorrow on 6/9/2025. This summer intensive class cost $7,269. Although I am currently working full time, I do not make enough money to cover the cost of my tuition for the summer.
I am asking for assistance in covering the tuition for my summer class. Although I am not certain what to do yet for the 2025/26 school year, I am taking things one day at a time and hopeful to qualify for student loan since I have been diligently working on increasing my credit score. Any amount that can be contributed towards by goal would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!!!

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