Long before Tyra Zuri Hayes Beaman­­ graduated with honors from Spelman College in May 2016, she was working toward becoming a U.S. foreign service officer by studying abroad in Argentina, Uruguay, Haiti and South Africa.

The Richmond resident has received two new honors that bring her career goal into arm’s reach. She is a 2016 recipient of a prestigious Fulbright Fellowship and an equally prestigious Charles B. Rangel International Fellowship.

As a Rangel Fellow, Ms. Beaman, 22, is working on Capitol Hill for Congressman Gregory W. Meeks of New York. In September, she will be a teaching assistant in the Dominican Republic as a Fulbright Fellow. After her 10-month teaching fellowship ends, Ms. Beaman will return to Washington to pursue a master’s in foreign service at Georgetown University.

“My efforts to serve as a future foreign service officer will allow me to help show Americans that most nations worldwide can offer and teach us Americans so much more than” what is shown in the media, she says. “The world is such a magnificent place with beautiful people whose stories need to be illuminated and stories that need to be heard.”

Ms. Beaman’s interest in service, particular among diverse communities, started as a student in the International Baccalaureate program at Henrico High School with leadership roles in the Virginia NAACP Youth and College Division, voter education drives and working to help mentally disabled students become more fully involved in school activities.

Her work continued in Atlanta at Spelman, where she was a Spelman Social Justice Fellow, a Student Government Association officer, a Change Agent Fellow for the Joseph and Evelyn Lowery Institute and vice president of the Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance.

Ms. Beaman, who has received eight other fellowships and scholarships in addition to the Fulbright and Rangel awards, readily acknowledges the importance and impact that fellowships can have.

“Fellowships are access,” she says.“Throughout my time at Spelman, each summer I had a fellowship that not only introduced me to a new field or sector, but provided me with a community of like-minded individuals that I have continued to (connect with) along my journey.”

Her passion, ingenuity and ability to build bridges are among the strengths she brings to both fellowships.

In 2014, she initiated “Difficult Dialogues: Intercollegiate Discussion on Race, Class and Gender” between racially and socioeconomically diverse groups of college students in Metro Atlanta. She built transnational relationships through participating in several study abroad programs. Her experience led her to create Black Beyond Borders, a for-profit company to help prepare African-American students to travel and study abroad.

“Studying abroad and traveling are two of the most important things that a young person in college can do, especially if you’re a black American,” Ms. Beaman says. “It opens your eyes to not only the possibilities to serve and learn, but it helps offer another narrative to others” about how American identity looks and sounds, she says.

Ms. Beaman says “prayer and meditation” are key for helping to determine her place in life. She encourages anyone who is applying for a fellow to “surround yourself with other recipients of that fellowship.”

“So many black students I speak with about the Fulbright or Rangel fellowships say they would not have known about the programs had I not mentioned it,” she says.

“We historically have not been invited into the circles that will share, promote and support young people seeking these prestigious scholarships. Thus, we need to ensure that we insert ourselves when necessary and then start our own. Awareness is key.”

Meet this week’s scholarly Personality, Tyra Zuri Hayes Beaman:

Date and place of birth: Nov. 3 in Henrico County

Current residence: Washington, D.C.

Family: Parents, Liz Hayes Mackey and Brad Mackey; and grandparents, Frances Hayes and Joseph Hayes.

Alma maters: Bachelor of arts in international studies from Spelman College.

When I learned I was selected for the Fulbright Fellowship: I learned I was a Fulbright Fellow while driving home from my Senior Soirée during my last week of undergrad.

First reaction: I screamed in disbelief! Senior week was filled with so many blessings, love and positivity, and it was overwhelming to receive such an amazing honor.

Number of finalists selected from Spelman: Spelman had four finalists and each finalist became a Fulbright Scholarship recipient.

When I learned I was selected for the Rangel Fellowship: It was spring break during my senior year, and I had returned to my compound after exploring and learning about the plight of Haitian slaves during the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries at a former slave plantation along the coast of Haiti.

First reaction: I could not stop crying! After competing as a Rhodes Scholar finalist, I was a bit broken down after not receiving the Rhodes. However, receiving the Rangel Fellowship on that particular day, in that particular space, felt almost divine. Haiti was the first country I had ever visited outside of the United States during my freshman year at Spelman and one of my first personal interactions with a U.S. ambassador. My first experience in Haiti is truly the reason why I want to become a U.S. foreign service officer. In the words of Pamela White, “Haiti is too rich to be poor.”

Number of Rangel finalists selected from Spelman: This year, my Spelman sister Sadé’ Tuckett and I both received the fellowship.

Reaction of family: Curiosity and excitement! My Mom and Dad understood what receiving both of the fellowships would mean. However, a lot of my family and close friends were not sure what this meant for my future, my safety and security and my long-term plans and dreams. I do not have anyone else in my family who has worked abroad or for the U.S. State Department, so they have a bit of fear and anxiety. However, I explained to them that going abroad for the U.S. government is one of the safest ways of traveling, as well as the best way to serve my country and the world.

What is involved in the Fulbright Fellowship Teaching Assistant program: As a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant, I will be supporting an instructor teaching grammar and culture and sharing my experiences with students who seek to soon travel to the United States from the Dominican Republic for school.

What is involved as a Rangel Fellow: We are expected to

complete a fellowship on Capitol Hill, complete two years of graduate study in international or public policy and commit five years to the U.S. Foreign Service.

What I expect from them: I expect for the fellowships to remind me each day why I have chosen this career path. I know that sometimes my schedule will be hectic or I will suffer from some microagression that will shake me up. But essentially, each of those experiences, good and bad, will remind me why I, as a young black, American woman must be at the table making international policy decisions. It is my responsibility to be in these spaces, and I hope that my fellowships, directors and advisers will continue to support my desire and growth throughout the next few years.

Public service to me: Is empowering disenfranchised or underrepresented communities with the tools and the opportunities to be self-sustaining and self-succeeding.

What makes a good leader: Someone who surrounds themselves with individuals who are not only smarter than they are but individuals who the leader has empowered to also be leaders each day in their individual positions and responsibilities.

Three words that best describe me: Unifier, passionate and activist.

How I start the day: I always turn on NPR in the morning before I jump in the shower. It is important for me to wake up understanding the world and what may have changed overnight.

Hobbies: Spinning/cycling, playing tennis and shopping for heels. Best late-night snack: Spicy hummus.

Prized possession: Honestly, I do not have any physical prized possessions. I grew up never really attached to any physical things. I do have jewelry, clothes and electronics that I like a lot, but each of those things, at the end of the day, I could go without.

Nobody knows I’m: Preparing to train to be a spin instructor. I’m hoping to find the time to take the test before I go abroad or be a fitness instructor like my Dad.

The best thing my parents ever taught me was: lBeing vulnerable is not only OK, but it is necessary for your growth and development as a woman and human being.

The one thing I can’t stand: People who do not hold the door for whoever is behind them. People can be so rude sometimes! I try to remember, though, that everything is based on home training.

The person who influenced me the most: I know it’s a cliché, but my Mommy! People call me “Little Liz” because I’m pretty sure she raised me to be just like her! My greatest blessing is having her as a Mom. She would sacrifice the clothes off of her back for me and my success, and I truly will never have any way to fully thank her for what she has done and given up for me.

Book that influenced me the most: “Sister Citizen: Shame, Stereotypes and Black Women in America,” by Melissa Harris-Perry.

What I’m reading now: “Americanah” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

Next goal: Learn how to better communicate on the issues and concerns that I am most passionate about – equal rights, discrimination, sex trafficking, identity and (neo) colonialism – with individuals who may be dismissive of me and my opinions.