Malikah Stafford, Communication Studies

Malika Stafford — **Malikah Stafford**
School of Arts & Humanities

Malikah Stafford has a passion for storytelling.

The Egg Harbor Township student’s classes in the Communication Studies major, paired with experiences with Stockton’s Theatre Club, coursework in the Africana Studies minor, and work with Stories of Atlantic City, have helped her develop her talent.

“It’s something that’s always come naturally to me. I’ve been writing for as long as I could read. I started writing scenes when I was 8 years old. So, that’s when the inkling started,” she recalled.

“My experiences have shaped me into not only an informed media professional but also a better creative. I plan to use everything I learned to inform both my writing as well as the decisions that I make as a media professional. I’m forever grateful for what I’ve learned here at Stockton,” she added.

“As a Black storyteller, it is of utmost important to educate myself on the history of my culture. The knowledge that I've gained from my Africana Studies courses has been empowering; the information that I learned from those courses, I will carry with me,” she said about the Africana Studies program and being inducted into the National Council for Black Studies Ankh Naat Wedjau Honor Society.

Stafford is an active student on campus, but that doesn’t mean that she doesn’t have her own challenges – including, herself.

“The biggest recurring obstacle in my life that I have overcome and have had to encounter time and time again is – me. I get in my head. I get in my own way. I overthink way too much,” she explained. However, in past instances and even more now, I’m learning to just throw caution to the wind and go after the things that I want in my life.”

And go after she did. Stafford shared some of her favorite moments and unique opportunities that she had here on campus.

As a Black storyteller, it is of utmost important to educate myself on the history of my culture. The knowledge that I've gained from my Africana Studies courses has been empowering; the information that I learned from those courses, I will carry with me.

“I’ve had the opportunity to travel to Greece during my sophomore year. Also, I had my own original television sitcom entitled, Mixed Up, produced on the Stockton PAC stage. UBSS’s Black Gala was the talk of the town back in February. I loved getting dressed up and just seeing my peers have a good time given the current times,” she said.

Stafford is now on her way to her next adventure: New York University’s MFA in Dramatic Writing program. She hopes to write for television one day, and maybe even incorporate some astrology into one of her next series.

“Everyone who knows me personally knows that I’m an astrology nerd! I won’t shut up about it—and never will.”

Although Stafford will be moving on to the next chapter in her life, she will not forget the amount of love and support that she has received during her undergraduate career.

“Without the attentiveness of my professors, I would not have been able to succeed here at Stockton. Therefore, I would like to say a huge thank you to Dr. Donnetrice Allison, Professor David Reiser, Professor Aaron Moss, Professor Toby Rosenthal, Professor Christina Noble and Dr. Cynthia King. You all have contributed greatly to my development here at Stockton and I’m forever grateful for your guidance during my time at Stockton!”