Cincinnati, Ohio: The LaGRANT Foundation Scholarship
In May, I was one of just 55 recipients selected to receive a share of more than $170,000 in scholarships from The LaGRANT Foundation (TLF). As part of the scholarship, we traveled to Cincinnati ("Cincy"), Ohio, to accept our awards and participate in four days of professional development at Procter & Gamble's international headquarters.
Holding my scholarship award check with TLF alumnus and presenter.
It was one of the first times I'd been in a room surrounded by marketing, public relations, and strategic communications professionals. Huge for me, as a recent undergraduate and former stay-at-home mom still discovering which communications niche I want to pursue.
TLF 2026 cohort and mentors.
The LaGRANT Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to increasing representation in marketing, advertising, and public relations. While the conversation often begins with race and ethnicity, diversity extends far beyond that. It includes socioeconomic background, gender, sexual orientation, hometown, educational experiences, professional pathways, and the many perspectives that shape how we see the world.
Why does that matter?
Diverse perspectives help us tell more nuanced stories that resonate with broader audiences. Different lived experiences allow us to communicate in ways that are more authentic, relatable, and impactful.
Diversity creates opportunities to challenge assumptions and generate better ideas. When paired with curiosity and mutual respect, differing perspectives can create meaningful conversations, stronger collaboration, and more creative problem-solving.
Exposure to experiences outside our own broadens our understanding of the world. It increases our awareness of challenges and opportunities that exist outside of our silos, leading to more thoughtful decisions and greater innovation.
Representative teams build stronger organizations. Bringing together people with different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives better reflects the communities we serve and increases our reach and impact.
At the P&G international headquarters archives.
The two-minute video below is a compilation of some of the professional development events I participated in and the insights I gained as part of the 2026 LaGRANT Foundation cohort.
