CINCINNATI — An Ohio nonprofit is hoping to spark new ideas by tapping into some young, diverse minds. 

What You Need To Know

  • Huenited Collective recently awarded $140,000 in scholarships to 10 regional students pursing careers in the design industry

  • Funding prioritizes applicants from underrepresented populations with a goal of increasing diversity

  • Autumn Fletcher is the only scholarship recipient from the Arts Academy of Cincinnati

Back and forth — it’s a repeated motion Autumn Fletcher continued as she worked on a project for her letterpress class. 

“Just coming in here and making it a physical product is very interesting. You get your hands in it but also your mind is constantly going in the creative process,” Fletcher said.  

She’s a student at the Art Academy of Cincinnati and one of more than 200 enrolled for the current academic year pursing a bachelor’s degree. According to AAC's admissions page, 100% of students receive an entrance scholarship. 

In 2022, African Americans made up just over 7% of degrees earned in Visual and Performing Arts nationally, compared to 51% of white individuals, according to DATA USA. 

“As a designer and as a person of color, you have multiple interests and multiple impacts. Your breath is everywhere,” Fletcher said.

To help bridge the gap, local nonprofit Huenited Collective recently awarded 10 regional students $140,000 through their first-ever "Inclusive Artists Scholarships." The funding prioritizes applicants from underrepresented populations in areas like art, interior design, and marketing.

“When we have people from different backgrounds and experiences around the table it helps create an even richer, diverse, and creative opportunity for solutions,” Huenited Collective Co-Founder Tyson Betts said. 

“We recognize headwinds. We also recognize that there’s disinvestment happening for students who look like them and have the same cultural footing as them. We want to come in and inspire them that they are seen and that they are heard,” Huenited Collective Co-Founder Sean Rugless said.  

Huenited Collective’s work is broken into three pillars: strengthening recruitment, building partnerships and increasing awareness.

Co-Founder Tyson Betts said many hands coming together makes light work, as they don't desire outcomes but change.

“None of us are truly able to pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps. We have a responsibility and an obligation to really help mentor, train, and develop leaders within the industry,” he said.  

Reflecting on being one of the chosen scholars, Fletcher said the $14,000 she was awarded will help with the costs of classroom materials and give her the opportunity to stay in school to get one step closer to her dreams. 

“Being able to take something from an idea, whether its a brand on a product, turning it into its own identity and putting it out for consumers, business, and others to enjoy is my long-term plan,” Fletcher said.  

Seventy-five percent of graduates are still employed in fields related to their major, compared to the national average of 27%, accoording to the Arts Academy of Cincinnati and Inside Higher Ed.

Beyond financial assistance, Huenited Collective also offers a mentoring program and various internship opportunities for students.

Scholarships funds were made available thanks to corporate donors. 

To get involved with the nonprofit's work or to find out more information, click here.