Leela Shah "Be Bold" Womens' Empowerment Scholarship

Without my mother, I truly don’t know where I would be. She is the backbone of my life, the quiet force that has shaped me into the woman I am today. After her divorce, my mom raised me and my twin sister. Despite the emotional and financial challenges, she remained steady and strong. She taught us the fundamentals of life—cooking, cleaning, hygiene, and self-respect. More than that, she modeled resilience, grace, and unconditional love. When I was accepted into North Carolina A&T State University and my twin sister into UNC-Greensboro, my mom made the ultimate sacrifice—she packed up everything and moved to Greensboro. She didn’t want us to experience our college years without the comfort of family nearby. She wanted to make sure we had not just an education, but an enjoyable experience that felt like home. Her selflessness continues to inspire me daily. Even now, as I pursue my graduate degree in Human Resources Management, she remains my biggest cheerleader. From my academic pursuits to my love life, and especially with my nonprofit, Destined 4 Success, she’s always there—listening, encouraging, and sometimes pushing me to dream even bigger. My mom doesn’t just believe in me; she invests in me with her time, her wisdom, and her unwavering presence. If awarded this scholarship, I would invest the funds directly into Destined 4 Success, a nonprofit organization I co-founded to uplift and empower youth from low-income communities. Our mission is to support children—educationally, mentally, emotionally, and physically—through initiatives that make life easier for families in need. From Pre-K to 12th grade, we serve students and families by hosting programs, workshops, and community-wide events that promote growth and unity. We have several events on the horizon that would greatly benefit from additional funding. Our Annual Back-to-School Drive provides hundreds of students with school supplies, hygiene kits, and backpacks, ensuring they return to school prepared and confident. Our upcoming Community Field Day is another major initiative aimed at uniting families through fitness, fun, and access to essential resources. We also have youth enrichment programs like “STEM Destined 4 You,” financial literacy workshops, and empowerment sessions led by guest speakers and community mentors. Receiving this scholarship would not only lighten the financial load for my education, but it would also allow me to pour more into the youth who remind me so much of myself. Children who, like me, come from hardworking, loving families that just need a little help. I am proud of many things, but what I’m most proud of is having a mom who never gave up on me—and in her honor, I choose to never give up on others. I have a strong support system, but my mother is my foundation. I know without a doubt, no matter what life throws my way, I can always count on her.