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September Note from the Executive Director: Scholar Stories

 

This month, I’m delighted to share an excerpted interview with LEDA Cohort 18 Scholar, Summer Institute Resident Mentor and Career Institute Mentor, Omar Dixon. Omar is a first-generation college student and Jamaican from Dallas, GA. Omar is in his third year at Brown University.

September traditionally marks back-to-school season, and as another academic year gets underway, we wanted to take the opportunity to kick off a new initiative here at LEDA. Beginning this month and throughout the year, I will be using this monthly note as a chance for you to hear directly from our LEDA Scholars and Career Fellows. Our goal is to showcase the incredible achievements of the young people involved in our programs, and to offer some insights into the work LEDA does to support Scholars, Career Fellows and Alumni throughout the year.

 

Omar, right, with other LEDA Scholars

 

On his experience applying to LEDA:

At first, LEDA felt like a dream—I actually applied on one of the last days before the deadline, not expecting to get in. But I advanced to Part 2, the interview stage, and eventually received my acceptance letter. I was so grateful. Until Cohort 21 [summer of 2025], no one else from my high school had attended LEDA. That changed when Munachim (shoutout Munachim!) joined LEDA this year. Serving as a resident mentor [an on campus near peer advisor during the Summer Institute], I had the pleasure of meeting them, and I hope they inspire more students from our school to join LEDA and share in that uplifting experience.

On the most beneficial resources LEDA has been able to provide to Omar:

One of the most impactful resources LEDA provided was the combination of career and social support. After my freshman year, I reconnected with a friend at the LEDA Career Fellows Program. They introduced me to ColorStack, an organization for Black and Latino students interested in tech. Through ColorStack, I earned a scholarship to attend the AfroTech Conference for free, which was a blessing.

AfroTech taught me the importance of networking and connections—it really is more about who you know than just what you know, like my mom always said. At that conference, I gained a mentor and even secured an externship at Wayfair.

 

Omar with his dance team, OJA! Modern African Dance

 

On how LEDA’s support has evolved over the course of Omar’s academic career:

Now that I’m a college junior, I feel the support I’ve received from LEDA has grown with me. Early on, LEDA was a huge source of empowerment. Alongside support from family, friends, and my local college planning program, LEDA helped me believe in my potential and secure a full-ride scholarship to an Ivy League school—the first in my family to do so.

Over time, LEDA has continued to open my world through the people I’ve met and the resources I’ve accessed. I still benefit from the academic and career support, but now I also value the community aspects, like working with Resident Mentors and LEDA staff this past summer and connecting with LEDA Scholars on Brown’s campus (shoutout Leslie!).

On how he sees LEDA continuing to be a resource after graduation:

Looking toward life after Brown, I see LEDA’s resources and network continuing to play a big role in my journey. I feel blessed to benefit from the connections and opportunities LEDA provides, and I believe they’ll help me break into tech or pursue opportunities such as grad school.

At the same time, I want to pay it forward. Just as LEDA Scholars and staff have supported me, I hope to support future Scholars who reach out.

 

Omar, thank you so much for sharing your story! We look forward to sharing more stories from LEDA Scholars in the months ahead. Thank you for making stories like Omar’s possible.

 

With gratitude,

David Garza

Executive Director

Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America

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