Scholarship Winners Seek to Improve Communities and Workplaces
Scholarship Winners: Archelle Taylor, Rachel Silva, Destiny Brown
Archelle Taylor
Breaking Down Barriers and Advocating for Inclusivity and Opportunities
Archelle Taylor is on a quest to make a difference for underrepresented communities. A graduate of The University of New Orleans with a degree in psychology, Archelle is now pursuing a law degree at Southern University Law Center and looks forward to advocating for diversity, equity and sustainable solutions and breaking down barriers to success.
“Growing up, I saw firsthand how inequities impact people’s lives,” says Archelle, who graduated from Chalmette High School. “My drive to make a difference stems from a commitment to amplifying marginalized voices. I aim to create a lasting impact in spaces where diversity and equity are needed.” She said Southern’s program is dedicated to training lawyers who are committed to justice and community impact.
A focused and engaging student, Archelle has a strong work ethic and has worked since the age of 14. She is teaching high school while in law school, and when it comes to doing challenging things, she tells her students, “If I can do it, you definitely can.”
Archelle said she admires The 431 Exchange for empowering adult learners. “This mission aligns with my journey as a working law student, proving that education can transform lives and communities. I admire The 431 Exchange’s dedication to breaking barriers and creating equitable opportunities for lifelong success.”
Rachel Silva
Fostering Positive Change by Helping People Reach Their Potential
Challenges and opportunities have shaped Rachel Silva’s life, making her the mature and grateful person she is today. The self-reliant first-generation college student is accustomed to charting her own course.
“I was born to Brazilian immigrant parents who emphasized the importance of hard work and perseverance,” says Rachel, a graduate of East Jefferson High School in Metairie who has a bachelor’s degree in biology from LSU and is currently pursuing a business degree at Delgado Community College. She plans to eventually earn a graduate degree in industrial organizational psychology. “I understood that education was the pathway to success, but I faced obstacles,” she shares, noting that she has often had to figure things out on her own, such as applying to colleges and and filing taxes.
Losing her father to cancer when she was 15 was one of the hardships that changed her life, “motivating me to pursue my dreams and create a legacy of my own.”
She hopes that legacy will include creating and transforming work environments for greater employee wellbeing and improved organizational efficiency, to create positive environments where “individuals and organizations thrive.” Delgado’s Organizational Behavior and Management program combines her interest in human behavior and practical management skills, offering a foundation in leadership, team dynamics and organizational culture, she says.
Rachel appreciates The 431 Exchange’s dedication to empowering underserved communities through education and support. “The focus on long-term impact and creating opportunities for growth resonates with my own values of fostering positive change and helping individuals reach their full potential in meaningful ways,” she says.
Destiny Brown
Planning A Career in Public Service to Help Underrepresented Communities
Following the lead of her mother and other exceptional African American women leaders who inspire her, Destiny Brown hopes to eventually obtain a law degree so she can advocate for the working class and economically disadvantaged.
A graduate of The Willow School in New Orleans who also attended Southern University, Destiny is now working toward a bachelor’s degree in communications and philosophy at Tulane University. She demonstrates concern for the community and shows great maturity when she talks about her goals and the women who inspired her.
Her mom was the first person in the family to earn a doctorate. She is now a teacher at Ben Franklin in New Orleans.
“She is a single mother,” Destiny explained. “Watching her put herself through school taught me there are no limits except the ones you put on yourself.”
Destiny gained public service experience serving on the New Orleans Youth Corps and is interested in a career in public service after obtaining her law degree. She hopes to one day serve in the United States House of Representatives, “drafting and championing policies that make this country a better and more equitable place for all.”
She credits The 431 Exchange with “empowering the community through education” and sharing her belief that “education should be for all.”