As a 20-year-old Black woman aspiring to build my own business, my vision for economic empowerment and business innovation is rooted in the belief that access, ownership, and opportunity can transform communities from within. I’ve seen firsthand how systemic barriers—like lack of capital, underrepresentation in leadership, and generational wealth gaps—limit the potential of Black and Brown communities. But I also believe that business, when led with purpose and equity, can be a powerful tool for liberation. My dream is to build a company that doesn't just succeed financially but creates pathways for others to succeed, too. I want to model what it means to be a founder who hires locally, invests in youth development, and builds supply chains that support other Black-owned businesses. By doing so, I hope to create a ripple effect—where one business becomes a network of opportunity, and where innovation is used to uplift rather than exclude. Economic empowerment starts with ownership. When we own businesses, we control narratives, generate wealth, and reinvest in our communities. I want to build a company that provides not just jobs, but mentorship, financial literacy training, and leadership opportunities—especially for young Black women who may not see themselves represented in traditional business spaces. Representation matters, and I want my journey to signal to others that they, too, can dream big and build boldly. Innovation is also key. I believe that underrepresented communities have always been creative and resourceful, often out of necessity. I want to harness that spirit and build a business that’s tech-forward, socially conscious, and scalable. Whether it's through e-commerce, sustainable products, or community-focused platforms, I aim to challenge traditional models and create something that reflects our values and voices. My career goals in business are deeply tied to social equity and justice. I’m not just chasing profits; I’m building for purpose. I want to study entrepreneurship, connect with mentors who understand impact-driven business, and learn the financial and strategic skills necessary to thrive as a CEO. Every lesson I learn will be reinvested—not just into my company, but into the community that raised me. In the end, I want to be part of a generation of changemakers who redefine what success looks like. We don’t have to choose between doing well and doing good. Through business, I believe we can do both, and in doing so, leave a legacy of empowerment that lasts far beyond our own lifetime.

One of the most significant obstacles I have faced in pursuing higher education is the lack of financial support through scholarships. Despite applying for numerous scholarships, I have not been awarded any. Each rejection was discouraging, but it was tough knowing that, unlike some of my peers, I could not rely on grants or scholarships to lighten the financial burden. The only assistance available to me has come in student loans, which has created a heavy sense of pressure as I navigate college life. Rising tuition, books, and living expenses make it easy to feel overwhelmed. Taking on large amounts of debt could have long-term consequences, but giving up on my education was never an option. Instead, I decided to work part-time while attending school full-time. Balancing work and academics has been challenging, but it has also taught me resilience, time management, and the value of hard work. I’ve taken on jobs ranging from tutoring to retail, always to contribute to my tuition and reduce the amount I have to borrow. Although I still have not received a scholarship, I remain persistent in applying every semester and continue working to support myself. I apply every semester because I am trying to get the education that I need to advocate for my career, not just a job, but a career. This path hasn’t been easy, but it has strengthened my determination. I have learned how to advocate for myself, budget, and stay focused on my long-term goals even when the short-term seems daunting. Throughout this journey, my biggest supporter has been my parents. They haven’t been able to help financially, but their constant encouragement and emotional support have kept me going. Whenever I felt discouraged or doubted my path, they reminded me of why I started and how far I’ve come. Their belief in me fuels my belief that I can and will achieve my goals, no matter the financial hurdles. This experience has taught me that success isn’t always about your resources, but how resourceful and determined you are with what you’ve got. I am working hard to earn my degree and do so with as little debt as possible. And I hope I can obtain some scholarships soon, even winning one scholarship or even a low amount scholarship will be so helpful to me and my family. The road is tough, but I know it will be worth it.

@bri.bebri

Adversity is literally just a fancy word for “my life sucks". We all go through hardships in life to get to that moment of great happiness. Good things require going through obstacles so you can see that beautiful rainbow in the sky or get your dream car you have been wanting forever but wasn’t financially stable earlier on in life. Let me tell you my great adversity that only led to greater. Picture this: a 16-year-old without a license nor money looking online for her dream car. A car that she can call hers. Now this 16-year-old has always wanted a mustang ever since she was 6. This little girl didn’t know much about cars all she knew was that her car had to be a mustang. As she was scrolling through all the cars on the car website, she found it. A 2016 Ford Mustang and it was even in her favorite color: red: Saying, “This is my car". She had to have it but when she looked at the price it her joy went away fast. The car cost about 20,000 dollars with no job getting that car looked like a really far away dream. This girl wasn’t no regular girl. She was strong, resilient, and most of all determined. And still is. She didn’t let not having a job stop her so, after looking at the car website she started looking online for jobs and began applying to jobs hoping to get a call back. Waiting for so long can make anyone anxious and worried but she was a woman of God and knew that her faith will get her through. After waiting for 2 months not only did, she get 1 call back but also 3 call backs from the jobs she applied to. She thought it over and only accepted two of the jobs that called her back. She worked the two jobs for a year and a half by that time she saved all the money she earned and was able to finally purchase her dream car and was able to call it her own. This woman is me I worked my butt off to get my dream car. And since I was able to get one of my dreams, I wanted to help other be able to accomplish their dreams as well. So, I gave some of the money I saved after buying my car and gave it to those in need. This was my adversity and I managed to help others overcome theirs. I want to help my community more by obtaining a higher education.

Paid, overachiever, strong, and Godly with all my dreams turning into a reality.