 Hello, my name is Raimi Patterson-Davidson and I have been selected to receive a special sessions scholarship for new students. I would like to thank Dr. Anthony Chow, the Student Awards and Scholarships Committee and the entire School of Information faculty. This scholarship affords me the opportunity to enhance my talents and skills as I pave a way toward a new career in librarianship and information sciences. More importantly, I know that representation matters, maybe even now more than ever. And as a Black woman, my goal is to help bring diversity to traditionally white settings as well as to create and facilitate safe and welcoming spaces that encourages people, especially from Black, Brown and Indigenous communities to access information, data, research and knowledge. Being selected for this scholarship fills me with the hope I need to move forward with this goal. I am filled with gratitude and once again, I thank you.