While @hope4dorian may be new to streaming, she is off to a great start. Her college has an incredible esports program and community — and this JBL Quantum Grant winner is also learning all aspects of the entertainment industry by studying film and more. You can also find her on Instagram at @hopey.doodle.

What is your dream in gaming and/or esports? 

I’m still new to streaming, but it would be great to work in the gaming industry on the business development side of RPG open-world story games and fun multiplier player games. I would also love to have a small community on social media to play games with.

How will this award from the 1,000 Dreams Fund help you reach your goals? 

It will help me buy better technology for streaming and it will also help with school expenses.

What does being a 1,000 Dreams Fund – JBL Quantum Grant recipient mean to you? 

Being selected really makes me feel like I’m part of this community — even though I’m newer to esports — and it inspires me to not give up and work harder to do great things.

Women are underrepresented in gaming and esports. What can we do to change this? 

We need to not give up. Be loud and proud. Learn as much as we can and support each other to become recognized professional players — or just to enjoy the video game medium as much as anyone else.

What are some of the challenges you have faced along the way? 

Some of the challenges I’ve faced include being bullied online by trolls for not being very skilled or having the best tech. My parents even believed I shouldn’t be gaming so much which made me step away from the community for a while. I also haven’t been able to play a lot of multiplayer games until recently, because of cost-prohibitive memberships.

What advice do you have for women who want to work in the gaming or esports industry? 

Follow your dreams! Do your research and find a community of people who want to pursue similar dreams so you can learn from one another.

How do you stay motivated and focused on your goals? 

I allow time for self-care, and I follow my heart. There are so many things that require you to think and lead with your head when it comes to schoolwork and more. By allowing myself time to recenter and indulge in the things I love (like hanging out with friends, playing games, watching movies, and planning out my day!), I clear my mind, remember what truly matters, and organize what steps I need to take to achieve my goals.