Cliff Richards Memorial Student Activist Award for Students Attending a Historically Black College or University
Ve
Howard University
Ve, a journalism major at Howard University, is driven by the mission to use their journalistic skills to amplify marginalized voices and fight for social change. As a Black-Trinidadian American of Indian descent, and a nonbinary person living in South Florida, Ve witnesses first-hand the increasing threats to the rights and visibility of LGBTQ-plus people of color. This personal experience fuels their commitment to spread awareness of these injustices and work toward ending them.
A dedicated humanitarian, Ve is passionate about equality and believes in the power of storytelling to effect positive social change. Through their podcast, “Happy Black Narrative,” Ve highlights and uplifts the experiences of Black, queer women and nonbinary individuals, creating a platform that empowers those whose voices are often silenced. One of their most impactful contributions to activism was attending a protest outside the Capitol following the overturn of Roe v. Wade. Leveraging their journalism skills, Ve interviewed activists and published their stories on the podcast to raise awareness about how this issue disproportionately impacts people of color and other marginalized communities.
At Howard, Ve is also involved with the unofficial chapter of Action Activists, a nonprofit organization that empowers youth activism. Currently, they are working with the group to organize protests in support of Palestine, collaborating with other campus organizations to further the cause. With Howard’s prime location in Washington, D.C., Ve and their peers plan to take to the streets, ensuring their voices are heard on the national stage.
Ve’s secular identity aligns closely with the mission of the Secular Student Alliance, as they believe in the importance of creating a space where individuals can express their identities freely. For Ve, secularism is about more than individual freedom — it’s about fostering collective liberation. By advocating for human rights through journalism and activism, Ve continues to build a future rooted in diversity, inclusion, and respect for all identities.
FFRF thanks the estate of Cliff Richards for this scholarship for HBCU students.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is a national nonprofit organization with 40,000 members across the country. Our purposes are to protect the constitutional principle of separation between state and church, and to educate the public on matters relating to nontheism.
The Secular Student Alliance is the only national organization dedicated to atheist, humanist, and other nontheist students. It empowers secular students to proudly express their identity, build welcoming communities, promote secular values, and set a course for lifelong activism.
