Milan Alexander Memorial Scholarship

As a business major with a strong passion for entrepreneurship and innovation, I come from a family of small business owners, which has always fascinated me with the dynamics of running a successful enterprise. This background has instilled in me a deep appreciation for hard work, dedication, and strategic planning needed to thrive in the competitive business world. In my academic journey, I have excelled in management, finance, and marketing courses, further fueling my interest in business. This scholarship is essential for me to pursue my education and career aspirations. Financial constraints have been a significant challenge for my family, and this scholarship would ease a considerable portion of the financial burden associated with my studies. It would allow me to concentrate more on academic and professional growth without worrying about tuition fees and other expenses. Moreover, receiving this scholarship would validate my dedication, motivating me to strive for excellence in my field. My future plans involve creating a significant impact in the business sector by utilizing my skills to drive innovation and growth. In the short term, I aim to gain practical experience through internships and entry-level positions in reputable companies to understand the business world intricacies and apply theoretical concepts to real-world scenarios. In the long term, I aspire to establish my sustainable business focusing on social responsibility. I believe businesses play a crucial role in addressing global challenges like climate change and inequality. By integrating sustainable practices into my business model, I aim to contribute to a more equitable and sustainable future. Additionally, I plan to mentor aspiring entrepreneurs, providing them with guidance and resources to succeed, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in my community. Community service has always been significant to me. I firmly believe in giving back to the community and assisting those in need. Through various community service projects, I have gained insights into social responsibility. One impactful experience was volunteering at a local non-profit organization, teaching underprivileged children basic financial literacy, empowering them with essential financial skills to break the cycle of poverty. I have also participated in environmental clean-up drives, collaborating with community members to enhance local environments and foster a sense of collective responsibility. Additionally, I have been part of mentoring programs, offering academic support and career guidance to high school students, benefiting from their perspectives and challenges while motivating them to pursue their academic and professional goals. In summary, this scholarship signifies more than just financial assistance to me; it represents an investment in my future and a crucial milestone towards realizing my aspirations. With this backing, I can pursue further education, obtain invaluable experience, and make significant contributions to the business realm. My dedication to community service and enthusiasm for sustainable business approaches highlight my commitment to making a difference. I am resolute in utilizing the knowledge and expertise I gain to shape a brighter future for my community and beyond. Your consideration of my application is greatly appreciated.

Growing up as a low-income Black male in America, I’ve faced both unique challenges and powerful lessons that have shaped my identity and dreams. Living at the intersection of social and racial barriers has taught me to define myself in a world that often overlooks or misunderstands people like me. My journey hasn’t been easy, but it has taught me resilience, and I’ve developed a clear sense of purpose and ambition along the way. This essay is my chance to share the experiences that drive me to succeed and pursue my dream of becoming an entrepreneur. Coming from a low-income background has meant that many opportunities are not easily available to me. My family has always had to be resourceful, working hard and making sacrifices to ensure that I have a chance to pursue my goals. While some may take certain privileges for granted, I have learned to deeply value every opportunity, whether it’s education, a mentorship, or a scholarship like this one. Facing financial limitations has taught me to be adaptable, think creatively, and appreciate the power of hard work. Each experience overcoming obstacles has fueled my determination to rise above the limits society sometimes places on people like me. I want to build a future where I can support myself, honor my family, and lift up my community. My dream of owning a restaurant is about more than just business; it’s about creating a space that reflects the values of community, culture, and resilience that my family has instilled in me. For me, a restaurant represents a place where people come together—a gathering spot where they feel welcomed, connected, and celebrated. Growing up, my family prioritized sharing meals, whether we were cooking traditional dishes or experimenting with new flavors. I often watched my parents work hard to make even the simplest gatherings memorable, and it inspired me to create something similar. I envision a space that goes beyond serving food; I want it to be a hub for connection and a place where culture and community thrive. Through my restaurant, I hope to celebrate Black culture, honor my roots, and create a space where people from all backgrounds can come together. These goals are also fueled by my desire to address the inequalities I’ve witnessed. Even as a young person, I have seen the impact of economic and social barriers on those around me. I believe that entrepreneurship can be a way to uplift communities and foster change. By creating a welcoming space in my future restaurant, I hope to bridge gaps, promote understanding, and offer something positive and lasting to my community. This scholarship is a critical step toward achieving my dreams. It would allow me to focus on my studies, gain the knowledge I need to start a business, and prepare for a future where I can make a meaningful impact. I am determined to succeed, not just for myself, but for those who have supported me and for others who might see themselves in my story. By working hard, pursuing my education, and achieving my entrepreneurial dreams, I hope to honor my heritage and inspire others to rise above the limits society may place on them.

When I first got to the US, I was seven years old, and like every little girl, I dreamed of New York as a magical place. I would be like little girls playing outside in the snow and visiting each other's houses. June 28, 2013, was the day I left home with my mom to open the doors of the American dream with a dad I had barely seen and seven siblings I had just discovered. He brought us to a country where better opportunities were promised. Taking us out of the unfair system of violent crimes and weak education in the Dominican Republic, Eight kids with no knowledge of the English language now shared a one-bedroom apartment. A couple of days into our living in the US, I found it strange that my dad would leave Friday morning and come back Saturday at midnight, repeating the cycle over the weekends. Soon after, I discovered my dad had an alcohol problem, which explains most of his actions. Once school had started, I oversaw getting my siblings ready for school. I was held back by a grade. 'You don't speak our language, were the words of the school secretary. It stung a place within me. During class, kids would pick on me and laugh when I struggled to speak English. Everyone assumed I was just a " border hopper" or that I was just another black kid who was going to end up in the drug world. My little girl's heart was hurt piece by piece. Even though school became a place that hurt me, it fueled my passion for education—being an attorney. I started taking care of other people's children while I was a kid myself. I felt drained and destroyed, with no motive in life. This wasn't the life I envisioned for myself; I wanted to become someone who made an impact in this world instead of feeling like a teen mom of kids I didn't give birth to. On September 26, 2013, Child Services knocked on our door. After being locked out of our house with no belongings, my need for an education persisted. While in the shelter, education slowly illuminated my path into the future. Despite the situation, it was up to me to fend for myself and fulfill my needs. I went to school and brought books to read, and after just two months and a little, I could read and write English. This is where I knew what I wanted to do in life, I wanted to help other families who came to America looking for a better life but faced the sad backlash for their ethnicity. Being an attorney became more than just a dream. It became a passion. The path there wasn't going to be easy, I knew I was coming from a low-income family. Even after struggles, I persevered. Growing to be someone of my own brightens the light of realizing how unappreciated I am of the opportunities gifted to me in life. God put these obstacles in my path to broaden my scope of life and to use this experience as a lesson to be prepared for what the future can hold. One can never imagine what's happening around the corner, but I'll never lose the motivation to provide the world with my knowledge. I will continue knocking on doors to fulfill that passion and little girl's dreams. I started helping local families who didn't have a big support, I helped out at a senior house, helping the seniors in my community by playing games, walking outside, and many more activities.

One financial goal that I hope to accomplish in the near future is graduating college debt-free. Accomplishing this goal will take me one step closer to having freedom over my opportunities. Being able to focus primarily on my studies, I can work on veterinary studies, myself, and my art. My talents, abilities, and interests include my love for art, community activism, and animals. I have used my love of art to illustrate a children’s book for the Memphis Challenge organization about the importance of maintaining your mental health and appreciating those who positively affect your life. I am the founder of the Cartoonist Club at my high school. I have participated in many organizations that have helped me succeed socially and academically. As a Bridge Builder collaborator for six years, I am a leader who can lay aside individual, social, economic, and cultural differences to work for the benefit of all. I have participated in community-building activities such as feeding people experiencing homelessness, cleaning the community, speaking out against gun violence, etc. I have worked for Pet Hospitals for two years, providing insight into daily operations, including vaccinations, diagnostic testing, and animal emergency issues. I look forward to growing in teamwork, knowledge sharing, and life experiences. I know this will not be a walk in the park, but challenging myself to experience new things with new people will be priceless. I consider myself a leader who can lay aside individual, social, economic, and cultural differences to work for the benefit of all. I am a genuine person motivated to better myself and those around me. I am passionate about making a difference as a public servant and a role model, and I plan to pursue a career as a veterinarian to achieve this goal. As an African American, I am aware that we represent only 2.2% of veterinarians, while the majority of veterinarians are white women. Representation is crucial for our community, as many black families own pets, and we need more veterinarians who look like us to care for them. Veterinarians can educate communities about animal diseases that could affect public health. They also play a vital role in ensuring food safety by inspecting eggs, meat, and poultry. By increasing exposure and access to this profession, we can provide hope for young people with a passion for caring for animals. Using my platform to bring awareness to this field within my community can positively impact its growth. In addition to realizing my dreams, receiving this scholarship will alleviate financial stress on my mother. She has devoted so much to my life by ensuring I participated in various activities, strengthening my character.

Greetings! I am Kennedy Rowe a first year business administration scholar born in The Bronx New York. I attend Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in Tallahassee Florida. Pursuing higher education has alway been a dream of mine, but the financial burden associated with it can sometimes be the reason most people choose not attend a university for four years. This scholarship represents more than just monetary support; its an opportunity to achieve my academic careers and goals without the constant worry of financial issues. In the future, I dream to own my own hair business in different parts of the world, inspiring many young girls like myself to do the same. Since I was a little girl, doing hair has always been a passion of mine and something I have always been very good at. After college, I plan to attend cosmetology school to better my craft in doing hair. I have always been told I portray "boss like" qualities and that one day owning something of my own would be very fitting for me. Although I know owning a business is not easy, I'm ready to take on any challenges that come with it because it is something I am very determined and passionate about. Moving on, practically my whole life I have been a dancer so completing community service has always been pretty easy for me. I would preform my dance routines for nursing homes, marches for children with disabilities, and so on. Volunteering for children with disabilities can be a incredibly rewarding experience. It involves lots of support and companionship, helping with educational activities and sometimes assisting with physical therapy exercises. In my case, dancing for them was to try and inspire them to become more active and entertain them. By engaging in these activities our goal was to help them gain confidence and social skills. This type of community service not only benefited the children, but it benefited us in forming a deeper understanding and appreciation for the the diversity of human experiences. To conclude, the process of applying to this scholarship has already contributed to my personal growth. It had encouraged me to reflect on my goals, assess my strengths and weaknesses, and articulate my aspirations. These skills are essential for my overall development and will serve me well beyond my academic pursuits. This scholarship is not just a financial aid; it's a way to a brighter future. I am committed to making the most of this opportunity and giving back to the community in the future!

Hello! My name is Elijah Bruce-McCrommon. I am a rising Junior marketing major from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and I attend Howard University. The cost to attend Howard University has risen by over $5,000 for the upcoming semester, and in addition to that, Juniors and Seniors are not guaranteed on-campus housing, so on top of the risen cost, I will also have to pay monthly rent in an apartment in the already expensive city of Washington D.C. This scholarship would be of massive assistance to me and my family as we seek to figure out how to cover the costs. Being in the Howard University School of Business, I have seen so many successful individuals, whether it be corporate executives that come in to speak to us, or students who run successful businesses. I have been inspired by these people and reassured by them that I can indeed be one of those people as well, so I have ventured into my own personal endeavors and found that a few of them that have born fruit. The first is producing, which I started around a year ago but have recently started taking seriously. I have always been fascinated by music and started making beats last summer. Only within the past month have I started selling the beats and posting them on social media. The other endeavor is a clothing brand that me and my friends have started called silver sage gallery. We had been planning to start the brand for a while back and have recently began the early stages of designs, and are in contact with a manufacturer to create our first samples. We have collaborated with a local boutique store that we frequently shop at, and they are allowing us to sell our samples out of their store. My goals for the first venture is to push out at least 2 beats per week to advertise on social media with videos, and my goals for the second venture is to sell all 100 samples when I go back to Howard for the next semester. Some community service I have completed is the Howard University School of Business Day of Service, which took place in August of 2022 and 2023. In 2019 I completed a summer of volunteer work in my city at Monroeville Day Camp where I was an unpaid intern called a Junior Counselor. In 2021, I completed 3 days of community service at the Hindu Jain Temple in my city, Monroeville, PA, where I was a wedding server. Thank you so much for this opportunity!

“Why should there be hunger and deprivation in any land, in any city, at any table, when man has the resources and the scientific know-how…There is no deficit in human resources. The deficit is in human will.” - Dr Martin Luther King Jr. Obtaining a BS degree in Food Science & Technology from Florida A&M University would allow me to contribute to my community by addressing food and health disparities. I am passionate about the topic of Food Insecurity in the urban community. I plan to dedicate my career and education to solving this issue. I have hopes of one day working in public service at the US Department of Agriculture. This will allow me to be a change agent in the Food Industry. When I think of American grub, I imagine sizzling hot dogs doused in ketchup and mustard, burgers and fries dancing in salt. Unsurprisingly, health risks are climbing uphill for U.S. citizens, while vitality rates are plummeting downhill. Our country is the land of the free and home to overly processed foods. These inexpensive foods may appear as a good bargain; however, the risk is at the consumer’s discretion and comes with dire consequences. I have worked to reduce food deserts in poverty-stricken areas. In an effort to promote better nutrition and access, I planted vegetables including fresh tomatoes, carrots, and herbs in the urban center while partnering with the nonprofit organization The Greening of Detroit. When the vegetables are ready to harvest, they will go to local soup kitchens to prepare fresh meals for those in need. I have also volunteered with Focus Hope packing boxes of canned goods, fruits, vegetables, and beans. Working alongside team members, we packed food for each box quickly to be ready for delivery to various shelters and homes for senior citizens in the community. Participating in these projects was fulfilling because not only do I have empathy for those struggling with food hardships, but I also want to be a resource. My father was raised in a food desert on the east side of Detroit. Growing up in a densely populated area with little access to fresh produce or healthy foods for affordable prices undoubtedly influenced the foods he bought as an adult for my family. It was about survival, not about maintaining homeostasis in the heart and body. Similarly, many struggling American families who live paycheck-to-paycheck or without a steady income often must make this sacrifice: choosing affordability over health. This habitual choice is problematic and reduces the longevity of our communities. This scholarship is crucial to me, my family, and my journey. It would mean less student loan debt and the ability to remain focused on excelling in my academics. I am in a position where I was not provided with a substantial scholarship and I would have to take out several student loans. My goal is to graduate with zero debt, I am finding this to be a difficult challenge. However, I will continue to push to achieve this goal. I trust that God will make a way, he saw that I was accepted to Florida A&M University for a reason. This scholarship would not only support my education, but it will greatly impact millions of people in underserved communities by improving food health and safety and providing access where it does not exist today. I strive to solve food insecurities for future generations. I would also like to mentor incoming scholars and support them in their academic growth and career development.

I am Ryann Presley, a first-year transfer student studying Management Information Systems at Prairie View A&M University. I have an intense fascination with utilizing technology to increase company efficiency and address business challenges. For me, this scholarship is very important because it will help reduce the cost of my education. In addition to the high expenses of housing and books, recent occurrences like Hurricane Beryl and a car accident have made things even more financially challenging for me. I wouldn't be worrying as much about how I would pay for my school if I were to receive the Milan Alexander Memorial Scholarship. In the future, I hope to work in the corporate beauty industry. I currently work summer evenings at Ulta Beauty, and I adore it. My eyes have been opened to the intriguing opportunities in this field by this exposure, and I would love to continue growing with this company. My mission is to create innovative technologies that improve consumer experiences, promote business expansion, and assist beauty firms in operating more sustainably and productively. However, community service has always played a big role in my life. I tutored children in after-school programs at elementary schools while volunteering at my former institution. In addition, I took part in a number of service walks and wrote letters to new mothers experiencing postpartum depression. These encounters have deeply ingrained in me a sense of need to give back to my community. I intend to carry out these efforts at Prairie View A&M University by joining student organizations that emphasize community service and launching fresh projects to deal with local issues in Houston, Texas, and the neighboring areas in addition to Prairie View, Texas. Hurricane Beryl was a significant challenge that reinforced my commitment to community service. The hurricane caused severe damage to our home, including roof damage and water intrusion, which left us displaced for almost a week. The support from our community was overwhelming. My family provided us with temporary shelter, and people driving by would stop to ask if we needed help. These acts of kindness were incredibly reassuring and provided moral support during a stressful time. This experience strengthened my resolve to give back and support those around me. If I were to get this scholarship, it would be extremely beneficial for me to continue my study and advance my profession. I'm committed to changing the beauty industry for the better by applying my management information systems degree. The scholarship will enable me to fulfill my dedication to community service while also assisting me in achieving academic success. I appreciate your consideration of my application.

Greetings application team, I am excited to provide you with an overview of my desired career path and how this opportunity will support my goal of becoming an internationally renowned Museum Director. As a rising Spelman College Junior with a fascination and respect for archived historical documents and papers, this opportunity will provide further exposure to opportunities in my field. My love for history was discovered early in my education when I competed for Maryland History Day in middle school. My partner and I won locally and competed at the state level. Through this early experience, my recognition of artifacts and enjoyment of visiting museums caused me to ponder how to combine both into a career. Freshman year proved to be an exciting learning experience. Studying at this illustrious college and the exposure to the Art Collective as an Art History major with a minor in Curatorial studies and management is rigorous. It has allowed me to engage or be exposed to many venues. While completing the class Art History I: Pyramids to Cathedrals, I was employed as a Museum Assistant under the direction of Dr. Liz Andrews and Mr. Phillips. Being a Museum Assistant and taking my first Art History class helped provide a greater perspective on the daily museum operations and collections. I accomplished equally in my sophomore year as in my freshman year. I traveled to Bentonville, Arkansas, and New York City with the AUC Art Collective to immerse myself more in the art scene. I was also able to engage in a plethora of courses like Art History II: Renaissance to Contemporary, Mining the Museum, Entering the Art World: Culture and Context, the Black Female Body in Visual Arts, and finally, Introduction to the Object. Of many applicants, I was chosen to be a Co-Curator of the Inaugural student exhibition through the AUC Woodruff Library. Being selected to work on one of my first exhibitions is something that I will never forget. Over the summer of my sophomore year, I participated in a summer internship with the Getty Research Institute under the digital media and content strategy department. I was responsible for copywriting, filing metadata, and helping the other interns use Google Arts and Culture. Junior Year, I was a Library of Congress Junior Fellow under the Daniel A.P. Murray Collection, researching the American Colonization Society and its involvement with the country of Liberia. After graduating from Spelman, I want to pursue a master’s in Art Business and Library Science. In addition, I have also considered a law degree concentrating on copyright, historic preservation, or customs law, which relates to the transportation or conservation of art and artists. My decision to add management and organization to my art history major is to be worldly in protecting black, brown, and indigenous people’s artifacts in addition to teaching these same demographics of people how to use art and other luxury goods as wealth and assets. My other extracurricular interests include being a Lowry Institute Scholar, a Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated member, the Outreach Chair for LYTEhouse and Morehouse College, and a member of the AUC Art History and Curatorial Studies Collective. Please accept my resume and letter of recommendation as the first step in applying for this opportunity. Thank you for reviewing my application, and I look forward to speaking with you soon. Thank you, Vierra Queen, Junior Art History Major at Spelman College

Achieving your goals can be quite challenging, particularly if you come from a low-income family. It calls for effort, devotion, commitment, and the necessity of applying oneself. I will gain from this scholarship because I am aware of my financial struggles. Getting the reward will be a blessing even if it won't be enough to pay off my balance. Since the beginning of June, I have dedicated a significant amount of time to applying for scholarships. I haven't received one as of yet. I'm determined to finish my business degree at Savannah State. I shall keep requesting financial assistance from scholarship websites that can benefit me and my cost of attendance at Savannah State University. This is some background information about myself. I've always wanted to graduate from college and proceed across the stage. I can still picture myself lying in bed at night and visualizing receiving a degree. I applied to more than forty HBCUS and colleges during my final year of high school. I was accepted to over 27 colleges, and I was unable to decide which one to attend. When I eventually made up my mind to attend Jackson State University, I virtually tested out for their dance team and was accepted even though I was living in Georgia. My desire has always been to major in business management while dancing in college. Given that she is the only parent in our home, my mother was anxious about the financial status at Jackson State. I was sobbing myself to sleep, applying for scholarships and praying, not even aware that my grandfather was unwell. I had to pause for a second. After a week, Savannah State University was the final college to grant me admission. Since Savannah State would provide me with in-state tuition rather than Jackson State's out-of-state tuition, my mother advised me to look into the university. Although money has always been tight in my family, I've always worked hard to achieve outstanding grades so that I may please my grandparents and mom. I currently receive very little financial aid as a sophomore at Savannah State. Living on campus may be quite challenging, particularly if you don't have access to a job or any form of transportation. These days, companies back home prefer full-time employees, thus they do not want college students working during breaks. That being said, I work hard to hustle and make money any way I can, yet I also struggle with money due to trying to focus on academics. One of the dancing organizations on my campus is one that I helped start. We participate in numerous off-campus and community service events. Community service includes things like picking up litter on the streets and helping and connecting with the kids at the Boys and Girls Club. Also, my family and friends strive to feed the homeless with unused food and discarded clean clothing throughout the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. That being said, this scholarship will help my mother and me from having to pay $2,500 out of pocket. I've been putting in a lot of effort to raise my GPA this semester to above 3.0. I hope that ultimately everything will work itself out for me. After mentioning that, I will keep requesting financial assistance to help my mother and reduce her extreme stress. I'll also keep devoting time to improving my academic position and submitting applications for additional scholarships. It will be an absolute blessing and an honor for me to get this financial reward.

We all have stories of life's hurdles unexpectedly pushed upon us, often as a means of casting a shadow on our bright future. My hurdles started at birth as I was born with a webbed right hand (Syndactyly) which caused me to undergo several surgeries at a young age. My last surgery was in 2016. However, my family and I were determined not to allow this to be an excuse to curtail my development and enjoyment of life. This hurdle has allowed me to develop my leadership roles and has contributed to my academic success and social change endeavors. In my free time, I actively play the piano, soccer (my passion), and tennis (my future). I started playing soccer at four years old and continued throughout high school. I now teach the basic skills and fundamental of tennis to young people at the Salvation Army Kroc Center in Chicago, IL. My students are often amazed that I can play because of my hand. I continuously reinforce to them through my leadership that God has given everyone the ability to achieve utilizing their own special gifts. I aspire to be a Financial Analyst. At a young age, I knew that I wanted to have a career where I can utilize my analytical and mathematical skills. Overtime, I learned about the importance of money and investments. I have always excelled in my math classes. Throughout my academic journey, I have pursued and taken honors or advanced courses with success. The courses challenged me to study and apply what was learned. One of the most interesting experiences I had was taking a budgeting class for six months. Students were given real world scenarios to plan and budget around adult living situations like rent, car note, food, clothing, savings, etc. This really kept my interest as I wanted to learn even more about business, and I was engaged with the financial aspect and wanted to continue studying finances and budgeting. My next step is to continue obtain a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Finance at North Carolina A&T State University. I want to utilize this degree to continue learning more about business and then teach other youths how to manage and invest their money (just like I can teach youth early how to play tennis). It is best to learn how to manage and invest money at a young age before bad habits are formed. I want to especially share my learnings to others in my community. Community Service is key in my life. Whether it is giving time to teach youth or participating in service projects, I always try to give back in appreciation of the blessings that I have received. I have volunteered over fifty hours alone this year with feeding the hungry, tutoring, cleaning up neighborhoods, and so much more. During the Summer of 2023, I had the opportunity to start my journey working in Finance. I was employed as a Discovery 1 Intern with the Risk Analyst team at Deloitte where I collaborated with fellow interns to complete “real life” client projects. This internship increased my curiosity about Finance and where it can possibly lead me into the future. I am most humbled to be considered for this scholarship. My academic perseverance and dedication to education has prepared me for success. If selected to receive the prestigious scholarship, it would be a great blessing and an investment towards continuing my education. The funds would be used towards my out of state tuition, housing, and additional fees required for enrollment to ensure my continued educational success.