Scholarship
Illustration by Jaida Salmon.
Media can seem like an exclusive world.
We aim to change that.
We created a grassroots scholarship that is currently looking for a sponsor or partner in order to continue. Here is the background on how it got started:
In 2019, Media Girlfriends launched its first scholarship to encourage and support young women and gender diverse students to study a major related to media, with a career in journalism or storytelling in mind.
Part of the reason this scholarship has done so well is because it’s a grassroots, community funded scholarship, and a direct investment into diversifying Canadian media.
Winners receive their awards upon acceptance or return to a university or college program, and are invited to receive mentorship from members of the wider Media Girlfriends network. Our inaugural scholarship fund for 2020 raised $14,000. In 2021, we raised more than $30,000 and added a scholarship for a Black high school student of any gender. In 2022, we raised just over $30,000 and introduced a scholarship for Indigenous high school, college, or university students of any gender.
Thank you for supporting our mission!
2022 WINNERS
Mira del Prado, ON
High School Recipient
Mira del Prado is enrolled in the Film Studies program at York University. An arts student from Richmond Hill, Ontario, Mira is a leader and activist with a passion for equity and justice who is already paying it forward and lifting others up as she climbs. The judges felt she demonstrated great wisdom and depth in her essay about filmmaking and its power to connect, heal and inspire. Of her work, Mira says, "Vulnerability through my films allows me to give something genuine to the world.”
Taliah Lyons, ON
University / College Recipient
Taliah Lyons is enrolled in the Bachelor of Information Technology (BIT) & Advanced Applied Arts Diploma Joint Interactive Multimedia and Design program at Carleton University and Algonquin College. Taliah applies a community-centred approach to both her areas of study and her extensive extracurricular activities. She also leads the Talk Overdose project, an opioids education initiative which has reached hundreds of high school students. The judges were moved by Taliah’s tenacious spirit and drive to move past personal adversity and create space for other young people to do the same.
Christina Gervais, SK
Indigenous High School Student Recipient
Christina Gervais is enrolled in the Indigenous Journalism and Communications program at First Nations University of Canada. Christina's dedication to uplifting her community - whether through producing Dakota language podcasts or by helping neighbouring Indigenous communities search for better internet connectivity - is what stood out most clearly to the judging panel. "I recognized her outstanding natural abilities as a strategic communicator and storyteller," Shannon Avison, Assistant Professor of Indigenous Communication Arts at First Nations University of Canada wrote in a reference letter. "I also realized how passionate she is about rediscovering and promoting her Lakota language and culture." Christina’s determination to continue her education with three young children is inspiring, and we hope this award supports her education, work, and family.
2021 WINNERS
Alyssa Reid, ON
High School Recipient
Alyssa Reid has already proven herself as a leader. She’s participated in many activities and clubs, including dance, piano, steel pan and sign language, and she helped to organize her high school’s first Black History Month assembly. As a writer, she possesses a lively, vivid voice and a strong point of view, which will serve her well as she pursues her goal of creating an online platform by and for Black women. In their recommendation letter, her teacher cited her dedication and determination, writing “despite what she goes through in life, Alyssa has the drive and resilience to persevere and achieve what she aims for.”
Erika Morris, QC
University / College Recipient
An award-winning journalism student at Concordia University, Erika Morris is a radio host and writer with a deep interest in investigative and solutions journalism. Recognizing the economic barriers facing aspiring journalists and the general wage disparity within the industry as a whole, Erika led a student strike against unpaid internships in 2019. Her reference letter describes her as “a tenacious and thoughtful reporter who is committed to the fight to make the Canadian media landscape more equitable and inclusive.”
Jada Wallace, ON
Black High School Student Recipient
Jada Wallace’s application displayed captivating storytelling, her sense of purpose, and her clear desire to shape the future of media. She brings an impressive set of multi-disciplinary talents, from filmmaking to her own podcast. "In a class of bright ambitious students, Jada stood out," wrote CTV senior producer Elizabeth St. Philip in her reference letter. "Her contributions to the class about the role of journalism demonstrated a wisdom beyond her years and a deep commitment to social justice issues." Jada's commitment, tenacity and passion will serve her well.
2020 WINNERS
Aaliyah Dasoo
University Scholarship Winner
A member of the Dean’s Honour List at Ryerson University, where she is enrolled in the journalism program, Aaliyah Dasoo demonstrates a strong commitment to mentoring writers in her role as an editor. She is confident, ambitious and strongly believes in empowering other young women through her work with Girls E-Mentorship. “The journalism industry isn’t perfect,” she writes, “in fact, I think it has a long way to go in terms of showing empathy to one another. Time and again, I’ve seen the way that a lack of empathy can discourage a reporter from doing their best work. My generation of journalists won’t let that happen.”
Alenne Adekayode
High School Scholarship Winner
Driven, talented and wise beyond her years, Alenne Adekayode is already a leader and a bridge builder in her communities. She is a coach, a member of her student council, and an advocate for youth of colour. On her way to Concordia University to study communications, she writes “I’ve found my true passion lies in creative direction, specifically in film,expressing my values of community, leadership, and social justice in my creative process and through my unique perspectives. There's something admirable and vibrant about my community that has reflected upon my character as a person. I aim to reflect this vibrancy in what I create in my career in media.”