Today we’d like to introduce you to Jayla Morgan
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My name is Jayla Morgan. I am a Senior studying Clinical Psychology at the University of Central Florida. I am from Broward, Florida but finished high school in Orlando. This transition was a bit difficult for me and it made it difficult to be myself and make friends. Especially once the Covid-19 Pandemic hit. Although that was a difficult time, it was also a moment of self discovery. Tiktok was a huge outlet and helped me to discover more Queer individuals, ways to express myself and connected me with a new community. Growing up as an only child in a Black Christian household made it nearly impossible to truly break out of my shell until college. Once I stepped foot on campus, I began to experiment with my personal style and learn more about who I am. I joined many clubs but none of them were able to bridge the gap between my identity as a Black woman and a Bisexual woman. So I decided to create my own. A space where intersectionality is taken into consideration and conversation are had about inclusion and representation. I am proud to say that it has been 3 years since I came up with the idea and ColorMeQueer is thriving! I have been able to leave a lasting legacy and I am extremely excited to see where we go from here.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has definitely not been easy. Especially because I had no foundation and was on my own in the beginning. I had to create the Constitution, form an Executive Board, raise funds and all of the tedious tasks that come with creating an RSO. I also had the added pressure of knowing that there were many individuals that did not believe the space was necessary. They believed that it would mean “segregation” in the Queer community on campus. This was not at all the goal The goal has always been to bridge those gaps of understanding and work with the current LGBTQ+ organizations on campus to encourage diversity. I am extremely proud of myself and those that also believed in the cause, for refusing to back down from the fight to create this organization. It has truly been worth it.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a student at the University of Central Florida studying Clinical Psychology. I am working to become a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner in the future. I love the field of medicine and currently work as a Certified Nursing Assistant.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
The quality most important to my success has to be integrity. Staying true to myself at all times and remaining consistent with my goals. If I don’t hold high standards for myself, how do I expect to grow and thrive?
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cmq.ucf?igsh=MXZjNng2OTVoeDl4bQ==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/129SragzU56/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Image Credits
Zakaria White
