b'94 |WENTCHER FOUNDATIONSejahari Saulter-VillegasKenwood Academy, 2017New York University, Tisch School of the Arts, B.A. Drama, Anticipated Spring 2022SejahariSaulter-VillegasisasenioratNYUs TischSchooloftheArts majoringinDrama.Upongraduation,heplanstomovetoLondonandbeginhisMarshall Scholarship while pursuing two masters degrees.A native of West Humboldt Park and Kenwood Academy alum, Sejahari has used his Chicago upbringing to inspire his artistic journey at NYU. In addition to creating space for Black and Brown students to get free and express themselves through the arts, Sejahari has written, acted in and directed plays during his time at NYU. His latest work titled Pretty Boy, serves as his thesis project which will answer questions about perfectionism in Black people and the sensationalism of Black death. Pretty Boy is a film that intertwines Sejaharis love of fashion with his Blackness. The story follows a young man who moves to New York City in hopes of becoming a famous writer. Struggling financially, he quickly finds that his face and body can provide a lifestyle for him that his words cannot, and so he decides to pursue modeling. In his modeling career, the main character encounters colorism, sexual harassment, and unfair compensation. Sejahari is excited to bring his vision to life as this is the first time he will be acting and directing in a body of work that he has written himself.In addition to his educational pursuits, Sejahari will continue working on his own clothing line God of Gold, inspired by his daughter Zanairo.We asked Sejahari what he has learned from his experiences at NYU. To create art through struggle, he said. Artists in educational institutions will grow through their relationships with other artists and the injustices they endure and fight against through their work.'