Who will walk the runway during New York Fashion Week and win $20,000? You decide.
Sidney Brown
Must be in the top 5 in their group to advance to the next round.
Voting for this round ends on August 11, 2026 at 9:00 PM EDT
About Sidney Brown
A creative from Mississippi with a blossoming career in medicine, I am the founder of a grassroots mental health project called "The Dakota Initiative." You can find me curating a new video on southern small towns or drinking a lavender matcha.
Learn More About Sidney Brown
What makes you the Next Runway Star?
What makes me the next Runway Star is not years of runway experience. It is the perspective I would bring. As a medical student, future geneticist, and mental health advocate, I have learned that confidence is not about being the loudest person in the room. It is about showing up with purpose, compassion, and a willingness to serve others. What truly sets me apart is the purpose I would bring to this platform. After losing my brother Dakota to suicide, I founded The Dakota Initiative to promote mental health awareness and reduce stigma through community outreach, educational events, and accessible resources. Fashion can be more than self-expression—it can be a conversation starter and a vehicle for meaningful change. I would love the opportunity to use the Runway Star platform to show that confidence and compassion can walk hand in hand, encouraging others to embrace both their individuality and their responsibility to uplift those around them.
What would this once in a lifetime experience mean to you and why?
This Runway experience would mean so much to me because it would allow me to experience a city I have admired for years. Growing up in a small town in Mississippi, I have always been fascinated by New York City's history, creativity, and artistic spirit. Experiencing that energy firsthand while meeting people from so many different backgrounds would be an incredible opportunity. At the same time, I would be honored to represent Mississippi. My home state has its own rich culture and talented creatives, and I would love the chance to share that pride while shining a positive light on where I come from. I hope to return home inspired with new ideas, new friendships, and a greater appreciation for both places. This experience would also be a chance to grow personally. I have always believed in pursuing opportunities that push me outside my comfort zone and broaden my perspective. Some of life's best lessons come from saying yes to something unexpected.
What are you most proud of about yourself or what have you overcome and why?
I am most proud of founding The Dakota Initiative in memory of my brother, Dakota. What began as a small passion project to promote mental health awareness has grown into something that continues to make an impact in my community. Through educational events, outreach, and advocacy, I hoped to start conversations that too often go unspoken. One of the most meaningful moments is still seeing students wearing the green ribbons I handed out years ago. Those suicide awareness ribbons remind me that even small acts can have a lasting effect. They showed me that meaningful change does not always happen through grand gestures. Sometimes it begins with simply giving people permission to start a conversation. That realization continues to inspire me to advocate for others, both now and as a future physician.
What would you do with the $20,000 cash prize?
If I were awarded the $20,000 prize, I would use it to help fund my medical education as I continue working toward becoming a physician specializing in medical genetics. Reducing the financial burden of medical school would allow me to focus even more on my training and the communities I hope to serve. My goal is to become both a geneticist and a patient advocate, expanding access to genetics care in communities where these services are often limited. I hope to educate families, improve access to genetic testing and counseling, and help patients navigate complex diagnoses with compassion. This investment would not only support my education. It would also help me build a career dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by rare genetic conditions.
Content from Sidney Brown
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Rise is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit that helps sexual assault survivors across the country and around the world. They’ve created the most successful legislative reform movement in U.S. history: 120 laws passed, 1 UN Resolution and 112 million people’s lives impacted by their efforts.
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