Tyler Cox

Connect What inspired your most recent tattoo?

My most recent tattoo was inspired by one of my favorite songs and my cultural identity as a Harlem girl. Bamboo earrings are a Harlem/NYC girl staple. A way for us to proudly and boldly display our names and other affections we may be called. “Pure Gold “ by the Clark sisters says “though we are tried, like silver in the fire, we come out as pure gold.” My tattoo reminds me of what I’ve been through and where I come from. What I’m becoming. And at my core who

If your ink could speak, what would it say?

If my ink could speak, it would say that my body is my own. It would say I deserve to take up space. My ink would tell the stories of my loved ones who are no longer here in the physical, but are with me in the spiritual. My ink would tell the story of me as a 17 year old getting a shitty tattoo at a stranger’s apartment in the Bronx, and making me fall in love with tattoos. On myself and on others. My ink would tell my story.

What would you do with the $25,000?

In the fall, I will be attending Columbia University’s School of Social Work for my Master’s. It is my dream to attend this school and further my career centering love and liberation for all people. I would use this money to help pay for my education. It would make a significant difference and contribution to the cost of my education. It would allow me to significantly decrease my loan amount and allow me to focus on my studies.