I, Imani Monet, am a second year BFA Dance major with a double minor in Africana Studies and Business of Entertainment, Media, & Technology at New York University (NYU). I have created a petition to shine a light on issues impacting students of color in New York University's Tisch School of the Arts.

Our leaders have often preached of Tisch and the greater NYU campus as a beacon of diversity and inclusion, but this does not match the experiences of the students of color who walk this campus feeling isolated every day. The apprehension regarding the lack of resources and support currently available to students of color has plagued my peers. It is imperative that students of color are provided with the support necessary to survive at a predominantly white institution like NYU. My desire is to implement programs that maximize the retention of students of color by eliminating financial instability and hostile learning environments.

My vision for change within Tisch includes a school-specific scholarship that is designated for students of color. It is also vital to require teachers and staff of every department within Tisch to receive diversity and sensitivity training that is intersectional.

I, amongst my fellow peers, often feel forgotten, overlooked, and unappreciated by Tisch and NYU. As creatives, the hardships faced in our community limit the growth of our artistic abilities. With your help, I hope to cultivate the positive change Tisch School of the Arts needs.