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.

Growing up, I watched my mother embody the true meaning of selflessness and sacrifice. As a mom of four, she dedicated her entire being to raising us, supporting my father, and keeping our household running smoothly. Whatever dreams she may have had for herself were quietly placed on the back burner. Her job was not just to provide financially, but to pour into us emotionally, spiritually, and mentally. She gave us everything she had, and even when things were tight, she somehow made sure we never went without. There were no extravagant vacations, but there were warm meals, school supplies, and the comforting knowledge that we were loved and supported. I didn't understand the full extent of her sacrifice until I became a mother myself. I now see how hard it is to put someone else's needs above yours every day, and I admire her more than ever for doing it so graciously. What inspires me most is what my mother did later in life. After over 20 years at the same job, she decided it was time to do something for herself. She stepped out on faith and left the comfort and stability she had always known. She returned to school, earned her paralegal degree, and started in a new field. Watching her make such a bold move reminded me that it is never too late to chase your dreams. Now, as a mother myself, I want to continue that legacy of strength and sacrifice, but I also want to push it even further. My goal is not just to provide for my son. I want to set him up so he never has to make something out of nothing. While my parents did their best and gave me a solid foundation, sometimes we had to stretch every dollar and make do with what we had. I want more for my son. Not just more things, but more opportunities, more access, and more support to chase whatever dreams he may have. I am working hard to build a future where my son has choices. I want him to know that success is not something you stumble into. It is something you plan for, fight for, and believe in. Receiving these funds would be a major step in helping me create that future. I would use them to invest in my education and professional development to help me build a stable career that offers financial security and personal fulfillment. My mother taught me what it means to love unconditionally, to work hard without recognition, and to be brave enough to start over. Her story is one of quiet strength, and it shaped me into the woman I am today. I carry her lessons with me in every decision I make as a parent. Now, it is my turn to take a leap of faith, not just for myself, but for my child. And just like my mother did, I will do whatever it takes to ensure he has everything he needs to thrive.