Sophia Orama is a former foster youth and NJFC Scholar who used embrella’s services during her time at art school, Maryland Institute of Contemporary Art. She graduated in 2020 with a specialization in animation and a minor in illustration.  

Sophia’s mother struggles with alcoholism, and her addiction and relationships with men led the pair to move from location to location, from New Jersey to Florida to Georgia and back before Sophia entered foster care at age sixteen.

Sophia was a parentified child. She remembers frequently taking care of her intoxicated mother, lying beside her to make sure she fell asleep safely.

Throughout her turbulent childhood and teen years, Sophia was grateful to have art as an escape and an outlet. As she says “[she] was born with a paintbrush in her hand”

It seems as though she has a similar connection with nature.

We met on a warm early autumn day, and she led me through her foster family’s garden with an air of grace and calm.

She quietly communicated with the garden, finding tomatoes, peppers, and figs tucked beneath the leaves.

Sophia has found strength and grace within herself and is working as a designer for DCP&P. With her talent and self-awareness, we cannot wait to see where she ends up next. Stay tuned for a more in depth look at her story.