Jaliyah Goodlow, a sophomore economics major and environmental Science minor with a passion for environmental activism, has been awarded the Inaugural Spotlight Award by The Spelman Blueprint and her Spelman peers. The Spelman Blueprint’s Spotlight Award was created to showcase Spelmanites who are making a positive impact in their community.
Jaliyah has spent her time at Spelman College becoming heavily involved in her community and engaging with her peers. Only a sophomore, Jaliyah has made quite the mark on not only her community but her peers as well. She is involved in the Social Justice Associate Program, the United Nations United Academic Impact Millennium Fellowship Program, the HBCU Green Fund, the Collegiate 100 Trailblazer Chapter and the Sustainable Environmental Justice Advocate Program, among other organizations, all while maintaining a 3.7 GPA in the Ethel Waddell Githii Honors Program. Environmental justice is a topic that’s valuable to her, and keeping her peers in the know is one of the many ways that she displays that. She is truly a hardworking changemaker!
Initially, when Jaliyah came to Spelman, she faced moments of self-doubt. Coming from an underfunded, predominantly Black public school, there were periods that Jaliyah felt uncertain of her time at Spelman, being in such a different environment surrounded by new people with different experiences. That moment was extremely short-lived because when Jaliyah became acclimated to the new environment, she flourished. With how rigorous Spelman College can be, it can become hard to notice the accolades that you have accomplished because you’re surrounded by others doing amazing work as well.
A piece of advice that Jaliyah wants to give to others following in her footsteps is that “Comparison is the thief of joy. You have your own unique perspectives and attributes that make you great.” It can be hard to see all the greatness in yourself when you’re focused on others. “When I came into college, I felt that you had to be a certain way or know certain things, when it’s not really like that!” she reflects.
Speaking with Jaliyah was such a pleasure because you could see what it meant to her to be spotlighted and noticed by her peers and how passionate she is about her cause. She says, “To really see that my hard work isn’t going unnoticed and just being myself..with others. They noticed it! I am very grateful and thankful” she says. Through her efforts in environmental activism, she wants to be an example of “Black excellence” in the way that she spreads awareness on the issues that plague marginalized communities like Atlanta. Jaliyah doesn’t see herself working the typical nine to five corporate job, but instead sees herself taking her knowledge to the next level by pursuing a fellowship or going to graduate school for environmental justice.
Jaliyah’s kind, sensitive spirit has led her down a path of humanitarianism. She’s discovered a passion of hers is helping others and saving the environment. When she was younger, she had a vision where she saw herself in a community space helping children. From there, she realized her passion for helping others. Her vision is slowly coming into fruition as she involves herself in different programs and internships, expanding her network. She received the competitive merit-based Gilman International Scholarship. With this scholarship, she will be able to study abroad and produce a video documentary of her experience.
Jaliyah wants her peers to remember to “Stay organized and optimistic. Stay resilient even when you do get rejected because there is something that is meant for you!” Her unwavering commitment to environmental change and compassion for others shows that she’s not just making a difference, she is leading one.
