Black, Gifted & Whole: Empowering the Next Generation of Black Queer Leaders Through Education and Advocacy
.
October 21, 2024 — [Washington, DC] For Immediate Release — Black, Gifted & Whole (BGW) is proud to announce the selection of its 2024-2025 cohort, comprised of some of the nation’s most promising Black Queer students and change-makers. This year’s cohort represents a dynamic and diverse group of scholars, innovators, and advocates dedicated to uplifting their communities while striving for academic excellence, leadership, and social justice.
Founded to address the unique challenges faced by Black Queer students, BGW empowers scholars to become the next generation of trailblazers. The 2024-2025 cohort includes scholars from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other institutions, all committed to creating lasting impact in their respective fields, from public health and education to business and the arts.
“We are incredibly excited to welcome this year’s cohort,” said Guy Anthony, Founder and CEO of Black, Gifted & Whole. “Each of these young leaders exemplifies the resilience, brilliance, and commitment to community that our organization stands for. Their stories testify to the power of education, identity, and empowerment, and we are honored to support them on their journeys.”
Meet the 2024-2025 BGW Scholars:
Meet Ambassador Braxton Milner:
🎓 North Carolina A&T | Freshman
🔧 Mechanical Engineering Major
🌟 Building ideas from vision to reality
💡 Driven to innovate & make a difference
👑 Overcoming barriers as a Black man in STEM
📍 Empowering future creators
Instagram handle: @itzbraxtonmilner
Braxton Milner is a freshman at North Carolina A&T majoring in Mechanical Engineering. From a young age, he has been driven by a passion for creating and bringing unique ideas to life. Braxton's goal is to use his creativity to positively impact the world through engineering and overcome barriers as an African American in STEM. His love for innovation and problem-solving fuels his pursuit of making a meaningful difference.
Meet Ambassador Jaxon McCowan:
🌟 Jaxon McCowan | Sophomore Biz Major
📍 Dallas, TX | Future mogul
👑 Building a legacy inspired by his parents
🎓 Advocate for success through knowledge
🖤 Black, Gifted & Whole | Inspiring authenticity
⚡️ Committed to uplifting his community
Instagram handle: @theejaxon
Jaxon McCowan is a sophomore Business Management major from Dallas, Texas, attending Morehouse College. Inspired by his parents and a desire to build a legacy, Jaxon views higher education as a critical step toward becoming a transformative leader in his community. He is driven by the belief that each generation should strive to surpass the previous one, and he takes pride in creating a path that reflects his unique identity. Jaxon is Black, Gifted, and Whole because of his authenticity and ability to inspire others, embracing the uniqueness that sets him apart and committing to a fulfilling life.
Meet Ambassador Kai Reid:
✨ Kai Reid | Sophomore PR Scholar @ FAMU
🎓 First-Gen | Empowering family & peers to value higher ed
🤝 All about building connections & support networks
🖤 Embracing vulnerability & the power of emotion
🎨 Every project reflects love, care, & their authentic self
Instagram handle: @loverboy.kai
Kai Reid is a second-year Public Relations student at FAMU and a first-generation college student. They are passionate about helping their family and peers see the benefits of higher education, and values building meaningful connections. For Kai, creating networks and support systems is key to self-discovery and personal growth. Kai is Black, Gifted, and Whole because they embrace vulnerability, wears their heart on their sleeve, and approaches every project with love and reflection. They view themselves as a mosaic of the people who have shaped their journey.
Meet Ambassador Nathaniel Tripp Folsom:
📚 Political Science Major | Freshman
🎓 Howard U | Passionate about learning
💡 Building connections through thoughtful discussions
🌍 Driven to shape positive change
Instagram handle: @_nathaniel.tf
Nathaniel Tripp Folsom is a freshman attending Howard University. This ambassador, hailing from Portland, has grown up witnessing the impacts of the fentanyl crisis and normalized substance use. He is dedicated to developing a clinical practice that studies the effects of drugs, alcohol, and intoxicants on the body, to help those suffering from substance use disorders. By pursuing a Political Science degree, he aims to drive positive change in drug reform through policy work and become a catalyst for meaningful progress in this critical area.
Meet Ambassador Princess Jauan Durbin:
🎓 Health Equity Grad Student | Meharry Medical College
💡 Advocate for HIV prevention & PrEP access
✊🏼 First Black, Gifted & Whole HBCU Ambassador
👑 First openly queer Mr. HBCU | Championing inclusivity
💜 Empowering LGBTQ+ leaders in the Kiki Ballroom Scene
⚡️ Passionate about sex ed & community-driven change
✨ Building a more equitable world through activism
Instagram handle: https://www.instagram.com/princessjauan/
Jauan Durbin is a 26-year-old global health leader focused on sexual health and wellness, advocating for HIV prevention and PrEP accessibility. Their advocacy began at 17 as the first ambassador of Black Gifted & Whole and continued through leadership roles at Morehouse College, where they made history as the first openly queer Mr. HBCU. Princess has worked to empower LGBTQ+ student leaders and established a community health center at Morris Brown College. Currently pursuing graduate studies in Health Equity at Meharry Medical College, Princess also works with SisterLove in Atlanta and leads the Atlanta Kiki Leaders Collective (AKLC) Fellowship, which provides leadership training, HIV education, and community engagement for young leaders in the ballroom scene.
This year’s cohort will participate in a series of workshops, mentorship programs, and community initiatives, gaining critical skills in leadership, advocacy, and personal
development. As a part of BGW’s mission to support Black LGBTQ+ college students, scholars will also have opportunities to engage with leaders in social justice, health equity, and the
arts.
Comments