Taylor Payton Celebrates Earning AT&T’s Rising Future Maker Designation

MEDIA CONTACT: Jonathan Saxon, [email protected], 301-860-3607

(BOWIE, Md.) - Taylor Payton, a senior business administration major with a marketing concentration, is on top of the world after becoming Bowie State University's latest AT&T Rising Future Maker,a distinction the telecommunications giant confers on bright, up-and-coming talent.

AT&T identifies the students through its Rising Future Makers Showcase which is a contest that provides eligible students with the opportunity to submit either a :30 to :60 second original video or a 150 - 500 word essay explaining how they are making history as a student at a HBCU, and why they should be inducted as a Rising Future Maker.

Along with character and personality, the criteria to be selected to the esteemed AT&T group includes authenticity, involvement in the HBCU community and achieved merit. "It's always been on my vision board," said Payton, a senior studying business administration with a marketing concentration. "I felt excitement, disbelief and being super proud of myself in the moment. It was definitely the number one thing I wanted to accomplish before I graduated."

An exceptional scholar, Payton has a long list of accomplishments since beginning her journey at Bowie State in 2021. She is currently a student ambassador for Adobe and an intern with BSU's Center for Financial Advancement. In the private sector, Payton has served as an apprentice in the Thurgood Marshall College Fund Readiness and Mentorship Program, an audit intern at Wells Fargo and a digital marketing intern at Caterpillar Inc.

Payton will receive a $5,000 scholarship from AT&T, mentorship connections and invites to industry exclusive networking events for her inclusion in this year's Rising Future Makers cohort. She's also going to be flown out to AT&T's headquarters in Dallas to meet with company representatives.

"I can't wait to network with everybody when I get there," said Payton, who will also be getting a phone and tablet as part of the swag package that comes with being selected. With the networking opportunities provided by AT&T, Payton will expand her professional network and add to the connections she's made already working three different internships and Fortune 100 companies.

"I said during my submission video I am an aspiring chief marketing officer," she said. "Those would definitely want to be the top people I want to meet."

Payton is grateful that her overall experience at Bowie State prepared her to earn her place among AT&T's rising stars. She's also proud of the fact that she'll be able to graduate debt-free.

"A $5,000 scholarship will definitely help me pay off my tuition and graduate debt-free, which is the goal."

Last year, fellow Bulldog Jaivien Kendricksheld the distinction of being recognized as a bright, up-and-coming talent by the telecommunications giant. But now it's Payton's time to raise the bar.

Since the start of the Rising Future Makers Program in 2021, AT&T has awarded $500,000 to 100 HBCU students.

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About Bowie State University
Founded in 1865, Bowie State University is the first Historically Black College/University (HBCU) in Maryland and one of the ten oldest in the country. As a leading institution of higher learning, Bowie State offers more than 65 bachelor's, master's, doctoral and certificate programs across arts and sciences, technology, business, education, healthcare and related disciplines. The university provides high-quality and affordable educational opportunities in a supportive environment that empowers students to think critically, make new discoveries, value differences and emerge as leaders in a highly technical, rapidly changing global society. For more information about Bowie State University, visit bowiestate.edu.

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