Life and Arts

In May, Juan Valles, a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipient, walked the virtual stage to receive his degree in biology. Valles said as a DACA recipient, he faced financial and political barriers different to those U.S. citizens face, and as a result had to work twice as hard to complete his college education.

Typically, incoming students attend an in-person orientation where they stay in dorms, participate in information sessions, attend social events and register for classes. Because of the pandemic, this year’s orientation is occurring virtually, and the price was cut in half. 

The Daily Texan spoke with supporting actress Alexis Chikaeze to discuss the pageant, the importance of celebrating Black beauty and the power of releasing this film on the 155th anniversary of Juneteenth. 

At 11 years old, Ya’Ke Smith watched “Boyz n the Hood” for the first time. He said the way the film rewrote the negative stereotypes about African American men sparked his own interest in the world of filmmaking.