My passion for fashion ignited early. I remember the mornings when I helped my mother choose my school outfits, sometimes telling her "that's not fashion,” when the outfit didn’t speak to me. Even then, I understood that clothing was more than fabric. From those moments, I knew fashion was the path I wanted to pursue. I began my studies in fashion merchandising at community college, but soon realized that sales wasn’t the right fit for me. What I did discover though, was invaluable: success in fashion is not about making a profit, but about solving a problem and building connections. At the same time, I’ve always been creative and loved the feeling of contributing to a team. For someone who once preferred solo projects, my experience in the National Art Honors Society showed me that collaboration makes us stronger. There is no “I” in team. Through this journey, I found the way to align my passion with my purpose: marketing. For me, marketing is about promoting self-expression and empowering individuals through personal style. I aspire to become a brand marketer who collaborates with teams to bring creative ideas to life, expanding a brand’s image, story, and impact in original ways. Two brands that inspire me are Loewe and Jacquemus. In the first quarter of 2025, Loewe was named the world’s hottest brand, with a 38% increase in global search interest. Likewise, Jacquemus has significantly increased its brand presence in 2025 so far, aiming for €500 million in annual sales. Both brands have evidently reframed how we approach fashion marketing. High-end luxury fashion brands have captured my attention through the immense creativity in their marketing campaigns. What excites me is how a brand’s vision aligns directly with each collection. The use of diverse mediums means campaigns don’t have to follow traditional paths, giving teams the freedom to be both imaginative and experimental. “Fruits,” Loewe’s 2018 ad campaign embraced fruit-themed products and sustainable materials made from citrus. While “Tomato Leaves,” Loewe’s 2020 ad campaign took a playful approach to luxury, drawing inspiration from a meme. Loewe’s fruit inspired campaigns highlight how marketing can blend storytelling with everyday luxury. By emphasizing something as familiar as fruit, Loewe creates relatability while also building brand association. So much so that even something as ordinary as a tomato can spark recognition of the brand. I am especially inspired by how brands expand visibility through digital presence. While many luxury houses keep their social media minimalist, brands like Jacquemus use it to create value. In its 2023 bag campaign, the brand used surrealist CGI to send giant handbags rolling through the streets of Paris. This striking concept caused a 900% surge in searches within a day, representing a seamless integration of online and offline experiences that engaged the audience on both emotional and visual levels. What drives me most is creating campaigns that feel like experiences, bringing collections to life so consumers feel part of the story. Behind every campaign is a voice: one that communicates identity, inspires confidence, and connects people to something bigger than themselves. This scholarship will help ease the financial stress of continuing my education at a four-year university. With this support, I will be one step closer to creating campaigns that blend creativity with purpose, building authentic connections to consumers through my team’s innovative visions. Ultimately, marketing is more than visibility, it is about influence and impact. I want to be that voice: the one that makes people pause, reflect, and feel confident expressing themselves with authenticity and individuality.

In my world, most students go from high school to a four-year university, to their career. It’s simple and straightforward. My journey, however, has been slightly different. One of the hardest moments for me came when my parents told me that I would be responsible for funding my own college tuition. Faced with this reality, I made the practical decision any student in my position might make: I enrolled in community college. Unfortunately, living in a higher middle-class family meant that financial aid would be limited, so I began paying my tuition by working full-time as a Teacher’s Assistant. Balancing school and work was not what I had envisioned for my college experience, but it taught me lessons I couldn’t have learned in a classroom alone. As a Black girl who always dreamed of immersing myself fully in the fashion industry as a fashion marketing manager, I often felt discouraged when reflecting on my path. At a young age, I wanted to be a leader, but my personality did not always match that aspiration. I was quiet, reserved, and found comfort in the familiar. Fashion and art, however, have always been my creative outlets, spaces where the confidence I lacked found expression on the page and on my body. During my time at Middlesex College, I have gained far more than academic knowledge. Here, I realized my desire to shift from fashion merchandising to fashion marketing. With a 3.94 GPA and a spot on the Dean’s List, I’ve shown my dedication to my coursework. Balancing a full-time job strengthened my resilience and taught me how to manage competing responsibilities. Even while working, I kept my passion for fashion alive by reading fashion and branding books nightly and exploring industry trends. Through that, I saw myself differently: more disciplined, courageous, and bold. These qualities led me to pursue fashion marketing and prepare to leap from quiet beginnings to one of the fashion capitals of the world. As a future fashion marketer, my goal is to promote self-expression and empower individuals through personal style. Fashion helped me come out of my shell, and I want to create that same sense of connection for those still finding their voice. I hope to craft campaigns that resonate personally with others, encourage confidence, and celebrate individuality. LIM College, my dream transfer school, was always my ideal first choice. Located in New York City, it represents the land of opportunity and connections, a savior. Yet, I quickly learned that opportunities are not handed to anyone. You must have the courage to put yourself out there and the perseverance to seek opportunities actively. This is especially important in a competitive industry like fashion where countless students are pursuing the same openings. Sometimes, success is less about your background and more about your passion, initiative, and willingness to take risks. Watching my classmates at Middlesex pursue internships and leadership roles inspired me to step out of my comfort zone and advocate for my own growth. I used to feel pressured to follow everyone else’s blueprint to success, but I’m now proud of my journey. My most valuable lesson is that I am the captain of my own path and capable of creating opportunities. These experiences have prepared me to bring essential qualities: organization, problem-solving, and leadership into my dream career as a fashion marketing manager. Yes, my timeline may be different, but I strongly believe that it has uniquely prepared me to make a meaningful impact in the fashion industry.

“You become unstoppable when you work on things people can’t take away from you. Things like your mindset, character, and entire being.” As Black people, our skin color, hair textures, and history are important aspects of us that we can never change. What we can change are our minds by elevating them through education and recognizing our power by breaking out of this checklist of false beliefs: □ My Black identity is a limitation. □ I have to work twice as hard to get half as much. □ I am not good enough or knowledgeable enough. □ Other people cannot afford my work. Rather than falling victim to these ideas, we can embody a whole new mindset that affirms: ☑ I will not let the challenges I face based on my race diminish my accomplishments. ☑ I am worthy of my position and the success that comes with it. ☑ My voice is a powerful tool I can use to share my ideas, insights, and experiences with others. ☑ I am deserving of knowledge, I am capable of growth, and I use both to make an impact. Education and community are key to breaking these barriers. With limited representation of Black people in these competitive industries, access to education can change our lives. I plan to use my transfer to LIM College as a stepping stone to unlock opportunities in the business of fashion. Alongside the rigorous curriculum, internships are a graduation requirement, giving students real-world experience. A Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Marketing, combined with internships, will help me strengthen my resume with qualities beyond my physical characteristics. I believe that community, both digital and physical, is one of the most powerful forces in a world of racial division. Together, we can help each other’s dreams become reality through connections, words of affirmation, and financial support, such as this very scholarship. Applying for this scholarship gives us the opportunity to relieve financial burdens and bring us one step closer to our dreams. I admit, it’s easy to feel discouraged when others label your dream as unrealistic. At times, I start to believe them. Yet, I want to use my education to empower my Black community and prove what is possible. Knowledge is power, and I plan to share it, whether it's through academic insights or guidance on navigating through the business and fashion worlds. In today’s world, digital presence is essential. I want to utilize social media as a platform to mentor and guide others, especially those who may not see themselves represented in the fashion industry. Advice resonates more deeply when delivered by someone who reflects your background and experiences. Representation builds belief. When I see a successful Black woman in fashion, it reassures me that my dreams are attainable. It’s encouraging to see someone who looks like me achieving what I once only imagined. With education as my credibility, I can help others access resources, make connections, and open doors they thought were closed. Once I earn my degree, I will be able to provide others with guidance and a clearer path toward success. To me, a degree is not just a paper with my name, it's proof of the knowledge and experience that no one can take away. It represents resilience and excellence. Too often, we are told to play small, but I refuse. I want to show the world what Black excellence truly is: overcoming systematic obstacles and excelling. We are more than capable and that’s why barriers exist to keep us out. But, when we gain access to resources, we become unstoppable.

Confidence is not something that comes naturally for most people; it’s built over time through experience, resilience, and practice. It’s the courage to put yourself out there and that doesn’t always mean facing your biggest fears. For me, my confidence has grown through art and fashion, my most powerful forms of self-expression. This matters because when you’re unsure about who you are and what you bring to the table, it deeply affects your emotions and mindset. As an African American woman, I have had my share of feeling uncertain of who I am or who I am meant to be. Standing out was certain in any environment that I entered, but I wanted it to be for reasons that weren’t my skin color or my hair texture. Which is why I have chosen to pursue art as my career because it allows me to transform my feelings into physical form. Wanting to feel understood in a world that often isn’t willing to listen is what drives me to use art, where I don’t need words to express myself. Art is limitless in its expression, and that freedom excites me most, especially within fashion marketing, my chosen path in the arts. I’ve experimented with a wide range of mediums including drawing, painting, sculpting, sewing, and creative writing. These experiences have helped me grow artistically. Like any skill, practice and taking initiative is how you expand your craft. This field also allows for collaboration that creates stronger works capable of inspiring others and telling powerful stories. In fashion marketing, I bring my creativity to life both physically and digitally as the world continues to evolve. My experiences inspire every piece that I create and help me connect with others who may have faced similar challenges. Like Mcristle Ross, I believe that art is not only a reflection of the human spirit but a necessary force for connection and expression. With each piece I’ve created, I truly believe that my passion for art has shaped my identity and given me purpose. My journey is not as I envisioned, working a full-time job as a Teacher’s Assistant while in school. But I’ve learned that passion and determination are powerful forces that will open doors that I only once dreamed of. Although I have had the financial burden of fully paying my tuition, support like this helps students like me stay committed to our creative paths, even when the odds are stacked against us. What often goes unrecognized is just how influential art can be, especially when it’s created by those who are deeply admired. My goal is for others to experience my art and feel a sense of hope, a reminder that there is purpose in the process. I especially hope to inspire other Black women who carry a strong desire to create and leave a lasting impact on the world.

7:00 AM – wake up, journal. 9:00 AM – pilates. 10:00 AM – get ready. 10:30 AM – make breakfast. 11:00 AM – organize goals. By noon, most “it” girls are juggling careers, creativity, or school... all while looking effortlessly put together. Pilates class, $35. Organic meals, $30. The outfit prices vary, but nonetheless, her day is expensive and for a middle-class Black girl with a dream, that lifestyle seemed unattainable. I always viewed an “it” girl as someone who has it all... luxury, designer labels, and a perfect schedule. Social media made me believe that I had to imitate this lifestyle to be considered one myself. In reality, an “it” girl doesn’t need to have everything right now. She creates everything with all that she has. To me, an “it” girl is someone who’s confident, someone who has the courage to show up authentically, making the most of where they are. Ms. Tamika Nurse states in her book, The It Girl Rules: It’s Getting Haute In Here, “Each of us reflects God’s masterful creation... I advocate dressing the person you are today.” Although she speaks of clothing, this applies to any obstacle: to begin with what you have, and trust that it’s enough to start. This philosophy reflects my journey as a Black girl with a lifelong dream of working in fashion. That dream felt more distant when I learned I’d be funding my own tuition. The challenges of Black woman in fashion fuel my drive to make this dream a reality. Currently, I am working full-time as a Teacher’s Assistant while taking online courses at community college. It’s not the path I imagined. I realized feeling discouraged would not get me to where I wanted to be, so I took control of my narrative and evolved into my own version of an “it” girl. College courses alone didn’t feel fulfilling, so every night I read fashion history, studied industry icons, explored textiles, and watched fashion shows. I enrolled in extra courses and immersed myself in the fashion world. I made it real before it became reality. This brings me to rule #10 from Ms. Nurse’s book, “Fake it until you make it.” In this industry, that means showing up with confidence, owning the spaces I aim for, and embodying the mindset of the professional I want to be. Even without the job title or connections yet, I’ll continue carrying myself like a fashion leader, until my visions become reality. Many women don’t realize that being a work in progress is a beautiful journey. As Ms. Nurse writes, “It’s a marathon and not a sprint.” My life may not be perfect, but I’ve created a routine that drives me forward. With faith, I learned to love the life I live, so I can live a life I love. Despite financial barriers, earning this scholarship would make attending LIM College a reality. It’s rare to see a successful Black woman in fashion, and I hope to become one, not only for myself, but to inspire others. I want to turn my passion into purpose and be the “it” girl young women admire simply by being myself. Rule #9 states, “Whatever style statement you choose, put your personal signature on it.” Dare to stand out. Success in fashion often comes from daring to be different. I want my work to reflect who I am, not anyone else. This is the essence of my journey. Style is eternal, and so is authenticity. Being an “it” girl isn’t defined by where you end up, but by who you become along the way.