Grand Oaks Enterprises LLC Scholarship

Getting to this point in my life has been a winding road of personal growth, determination, and the unwavering support of my family. I was born and raised in an intimate community where the values ​​of tolerance, unity and education were encouraged from an early age. My journey has been shaped by the challenges we face as a family, the determination to overcome them and the belief that education is the key to unlocking a brighter future. Growing up, my family faced financial hardship and the road to academic success was often full of obstacles. However, despite limited resources, my parents emphasized the importance of education to break the cycle of generational struggle. Their sacrifices and dedication became the driving force behind my knowledge and personal development. HBCUs, historically black colleges and universities, have deep meaning for me. It is a choice rooted in both cultural pride and a desire for a supportive and empowering academic environment. HBCUs have a rich heritage of promoting academic excellence, cultivating leadership, and fostering a sense of belonging for students of color. When I step onto an HBCU campus, I see more than just a college; I see a community that values ​​and celebrates diversity and provides an environment where I can thrive academically and culturally. Being a member of an HBCU means connecting with the legacy of pioneers who fought for educational opportunity during a time of discrimination and segregation. It is a tribute to the tenacity and brilliance that have defined black scholars and leaders throughout history. Attending an HBCU is not just about getting a degree; it means embracing our heritage, advocating for our heritage, and being part of a community that understands the unique challenges and triumphs that people like me face. My chosen field of study, Social Work, is a testament to my commitment to impact both my family and community. Social work is my calling—the opportunity to act as a catalyst for positive change, especially in underserved communities. My family and experiences of economic hardship and lack of available resources fueled my passion to address social inequality and advocate for those who may not have a voice. I try to be a sign of hope for my family with my activities and studies. Doing social work means I gain knowledge and skills to deal with the systemic problems that have affected us. I want to create opportunities for others to overcome obstacles similar to my families, whether through community action, mentoring programs, or advocacy for political change. In addition, my commitment to impact on the family extends to the wider community. I envision using my education and experience to develop and implement programs that address the unique challenges of marginalized groups. This includes promoting better access to quality education, affordable health care and social services that can uplift individuals and families. HBCUs provide me with a platform to connect with like-minded people who share a commitment to social justice and community empowerment. It provides an environment where I can work with peers and mentors who understand the nuanced struggles of marginalized communities and are committed to making positive changes. Finally, my journey has been a tribute to the transformational power of education and the resilience instilled in me by my family. Attending an HBCU is a deliberate decision to be a part of a community that supports diversity and empowers individuals to overcome historical obstacles. I hope to make a significant difference in my family and community by tackling systemic issues and pushing for positive change through my pursuit of social work. My experience exemplifies the concept that education is more than simply a personal triumph; it is also a tool for collective upliftment and empowerment.

I am currently a Freshman at North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University majoring in Social Work. I was recently inducted as a member of the Freshman Honors Society, Alpha Lambda Delta and I made the Dean’s List for the fall semester. I also am a member of a natural hair appreciation group on campus called NAPS. As a high school student, I was a member of many organizations both in and outside of school. For example, I was Treasurer of the SGA and the Treasurer and Social Media Manager for a non-profit group called Kimberly’s Touch. I also challenged myself with rigorous coursework starting with honors classes in my freshman year to undertaking the IB Diploma Program in my junior and senior years of high school. Upon graduating, I received the President’s Award and hosted a food truck rodeo service project for Kimberly’s Touch. To me attending an HBCU means community and culture enrichment. When people think about attending an HBCU they think of just a college with a lot of black people attending in STEM fields, but an HBCU is much more than that. When you attend an HBCU you are instantly mixed with a lot of different cultures and you are given the privilege to interact and learn from all these different types of people on your campus. At an HBCU we are given a lot of opportunities that we may not have received if we went to a PWI because there is a focus and concern with advancing black leaders, doctors, engineers, social workers, speech pathologists, etc. of tomorrow. Whereas if we went to a PWI instead the opportunities may not be as tailored to us because there is no one there to look out for us and role models who share the same experiences and aspirations as we did and have to navigate the world as we (black people) do. I plan on making a difference for my family and families like mine in the community through children. I will be able to create a brighter future for others by working with kids and their families to give them better opportunities to succeed in life. Kids are an important part of society, not only do they have a massive influence on society, but they determine how society works in the future. A child’s development plays a very important role in this. If a child grows up in a harmful environment it can negatively affect a child’s physical, moral, psychosocial, and cognitive developmental stages (according to popular developmental theorists like Kohlberg and Piaget) and one misstep in any stage of development will affect other stages of a child’s development. If a child grows up in a positive environment the opposite is true, and the child will grow up reflecting the positive environment they came from into adulthood. As a social worker, I can have an impact on the types of environments children live in. This will allow me to place children in a positive environment or help their parent(s)/ guardian(s) provide a better life for them. I believe that children are our future, and they are heavily affected by the world around them and if we want to build a brighter future, we must start by surrounding children with positive ideals, values, and goals. My goal in my future career is to help surround children with positivity. As a social worker, I can put children into better living situations if they are currently in one that is unsuitable/ harmful or help their parents so that they don’t have to be removed from their homes. I can help keep families together by helping parents find low-cost or free daycare so they can work because some parents can’t work/ work many hours because they don’t have childcare. I can not only influence kids that I work with, but children in my community as well. I can support programs like the Boys and Girls Club to help keep kids out of trouble and promote academic and social success or I can work with leaders in my community to plan and implement local events for children so that they can socialize, and it also gives them a chance to spend time with their families. I want to leave a positive impact on everybody I encounter in life, but I must complete my educational goals to succeed in my career.