Growing up in a Haitian household, I watched people around me work long hours in industries that didn't do much for them in return. Hospitality jobs. The ones that keep hotels running, restaurants full, events happening. The ones that have historically offered low wages, little mobility, and a structure that pulls labor from black and brown communities without giving much back. That stuck with me. It's part of why I chose Howard and part of why I'm building toward a career in consulting, specifically around the hospitality sector. As a Howard Founders Scholar, I recognize that my education is a tool for community advocacy. My role as Secretary Staffer for the Consulting Club has allowed me to bridge the gap between corporate strategy and grassroots entrepreneurship, ensuring that innovation isn't a word reserved for Silicon Valley, but a reality for the businesses in Downtown Kissimmee and D.C. That's the space I want to work in. Through the Howard University Consulting Club, I conducted a market analysis for a local minority-owned catering business that identified a 15% leak in supply chain costs. Implementing a new inventory system wasn't just a class exercise, it was the difference between that owner taking a salary or just breaking even. Howard showed me that strategic support, when it's real and not just theoretical, can change what's possible for a small business. I want to do that kind of work for hospitality companies that are trying to compete without the same resources their larger competitors have. The two might seem unrelated but they're not. Hospitality is one of the biggest employers of underrepresented workers in the country, and a lot of those businesses, especially smaller, minority-owned ones, are running without the strategic infrastructure that larger companies have always had access to like real financial planning, an actual marketing strategy and operations that scale. These things aren't complicated, but they're often out of reach. The gap between a business that survives and one that builds generational wealth is usually not about effort. It's about access to expertise. There's also something practical about hospitality as an entry point for entrepreneurship in underrepresented communities. Hotels, restaurants, event spaces, these businesses are reachable. People start them with less capital than most industries require. But they hit ceilings fast without help, and that's where a consulting background matters. My goal isn't just a successful career. It's to do work that, ten or fifteen years from now, contributed to someone keeping their doors open, hiring from within, or finally having the margin to pay their staff more. I think the most direct route to that outcome runs through hospitality and consulting. I'm ready to start building it. Ultimately, my career in the intersection of hospitality and consulting is a pursuit of economic justice. By professionalizing the operations of underrepresented businesses, I am helping to transform hospitality from a sector of survival labor into a vehicle for generational wealth. When a local restaurant scales, it doesn't just feed a neighborhood, it provides stable, dignified jobs that pay a living wage.

My journey toward higher education and entrepreneurial leadership did not begin in a classroom. It began in a small, humid garage in Kissimmee, Florida. As a fourth-generation entrepreneur and the daughter of a resilient Haitian immigrant, my early life was defined by the inventory, logistics, and grit required to run a family business. I watched my mother, navigate the complexities of a new country to earn her Master’s degree and purchase her first home independently, all while managing a luxury resale startup. Her journey was my first lesson in economic mobility. She taught me that the distance between a dream and reality is bridged by discipline and technical excellence. Watching her turn a limited space into an engine for our family's survival gave me a front-row seat to the power of the entrepreneurial spirit. However, as I grew older, I realized that while my mother had the drive to survive, I wanted to build the systems that allow a community to thrive. To move from a garage startup to a global enterprise, I knew I needed an environment that provided both high-level technical training and a deep connection to my cultural heritage. This realization led me to Howard University. Attending an Historically Black College or University, specifically The Mecca, is the most pivotal decision of my life. For me, an HBCU is not just an institution of higher learning; it is a 158-year-old tradition of Black excellence that refuses to accept mediocrity. In my Business Management courses at Howard, I am not just a student. I am an architect of a future that has not yet been fully realized for many in my community. Being at Howard allows me to be surrounded by peers and professors who share my ambition, removing the burden of representation that many minority students feel in other spaces. This environment allows me to focus entirely on mastering my craft. Attending an HBCU means standing on the shoulders of giants who proved that Black brilliance can transform global industries, from finance and fashion to technology and real estate. I plan to make a difference for my family and my community by using my choice of study to bridge the gap between luxury commerce and social equity. My choice to major in Management is a strategic one. I am building a toolkit that will allow me to scale our brand, MaisonFleurant, into a premiere sustainable department store model. This venture will do more than sell products; it will champion the circular economy by extending the lifecycle of heritage goods and reducing environmental waste. Furthermore, I intend for this business to function as a physical incubator. My goal is to use my education to create a space where other minority entrepreneurs can find the mentorship and resources they need to scale their own dreams. My commitment to making a difference is already reflected in my actions. I did not wait for graduation to begin pursuing professional standards. I arrived at Howard as a PMI Certified Project Manager and an Intuit Certified Innovator. I am currently applying these skills in the 21CAP program, where I work on company-sponsored case studies for industry leaders like Boeing. Additionally, my experience in Real Estate Private Equity through Project Destined has sharpened my ability to underwrite deals and analyze market trends. These are not just lines on a resume; they are the technical foundations I will use to build the infrastructure my community needs. My plan for impact is physical and tangible. I intend to use my background in real estate underwriting to develop Green Storefronts. These spaces will provide affordable, high-tech retail environments for minority entrepreneurs who are often priced out of traditional commercial markets. By creating this infrastructure, I am ensuring that the legacy of entrepreneurship I inherited from my mother becomes a reality for dozens of other families. I believe that a successful life is measured by the stability and opportunity one provides for others. Ultimately, my ambition is to prove that technical excellence is the key to community liberation. Whether I am managing a real estate portfolio or advocating for sustainable retail, my actions are driven by a commitment to job creation and economic empowerment. With the support of the Grand Oaks Enterprises scholarship, I will be able to close the financial gap in my current tuition and meal plan. This support will allow me to focus entirely on my studies and my business ventures, ensuring that I become the leader my family and community deserve. I am not just pursuing a degree; I am engineering a legacy of opportunity that will shine for generations to come.

A Howard University education is more than an academic pursuit. It is a mandate for high-level leadership and a rigorous preparation for global impact. As a Management major concentrating in Entrepreneurship, I am not simply learning how to participate in the economy. I am learning how to re-engineer it. My time at The Mecca is equipping me with the technical expertise necessary to dismantle systemic economic barriers. By combining social consciousness with quantitative mastery, Howard is preparing me to lead a future where minority-led businesses are not just participants but the cornerstone of the global marketplace. As a Baby Bison, I have already begun to demonstrate that systemic change is possible by translating classroom theory into high-stakes financial analysis. During my Real Estate Private Equity internship with Project Destined, I conducted a comprehensive property analysis that required rigorous financial modeling and underwriting. By analyzing the natural value of multifamily assets, I proved that data-driven investment can be a tool for community stabilization. This experience showed me that when we master the language of capital, we gain the power to reshape the physical infrastructure of our neighborhoods. My involvement in the 21CAP program and the Howard Consulting Club further demonstrates my commitment to driving change through strategic collaboration and leadership. In 21CAP, I work on company-sponsored case studies for industry leaders like Boeing, navigating the same complex logistical and operational challenges faced by Fortune 500 executives. This program has refined my ability to think critically under pressure and develop solutions that are both profitable and socially responsible. Similarly, the Howard Consulting Club has sharpened my analytical muscles, allowing me to approach community problems with the precision of a professional management consultant. Looking beyond my graduation from Howard, I plan to launch a dual-purpose enterprise that combines high-end retail with community development. I intend to scale my family’s business, MaisonFleurant, into a premier sustainable department store model. This will not be just a shop, but a Circular Economic hub that promotes high-quality luxury resale while opening up new jobs. My vision for the future includes establishing a Real Estate Development firm specifically focused on the "Green Storefront" model. I want to use the underwriting skills I honed at Project Destined to acquire, continue developing my skills in Property Development and create commercial spaces that provide affordable, high-tech storefronts for minority entrepreneurs like me. I see myself as a systems architect for my community, using my degree to build the physical and financial infrastructure that allows other small businesses to thrive. I am not waiting for the future to become a change-agent; I am building the foundation now. Through my Project Management, Intuit certifications, and my current academic rigor, I am proving that a Howard student is a Maverick by definition. I am a leader who uses technical brilliance to illuminate a path for others. As a Black female who came from a small town in Florida, I am dedicated to making a big impact. This scholarship will help lessen the stress of due balances so I can focus on these goals. My education is the fuel for a career dedicated to job creation, economic equity, and the proof that with the right blueprint, any community can be transformed.

To create a legacy is to build something that outlasts one’s own presence, providing a foundation for those who follow. As a freshman at Howard University, my plan is to create a legacy rooted in the technical excellence and community empowerment. I believe that my legacy will not be defined by the profit margins I achieve, but by the number of doors I open for the minority community. By combining my background as a fourth-generation entrepreneur with the rigorous management training I am receiving at The Mecca, I am engineering a future where success is a shared resource. The business I hope to create is a physical evolution of my family’s luxury resale brand, MaisonFleurant. I envision a top-notch department store model that disrupts the traditional retail landscape. By specializing in high-quality vintage fashion and heritage goods, this business will promote sustainability while making luxury accessible. More importantly, I plan for this store to function as a business incubator. My long-term goal is to integrate a real estate development firm that helps minority entrepreneurs secure the storefronts they need to thrive and achieve their goals. In my daily life, I shine my light through a commitment to mentorship and leadership. I believe that knowledge is most valuable when it is shared. Having earned certifications as a PMI Project Manager and an Intuit Innovator, I shine my light by helping my peers navigate complex business concepts and professional development. Whether I am leading case study research for companies like Boeing in the 21CAP program or supporting fellow students in the Howard Consulting Club, I strive to be a source of clarity and encouragement. I aim to demystify the "technical" side of business, showing others that tools like financial modeling and project management are accessible to anyone with the grit to learn. Ultimately, my legacy will be a bridge. I am working to bridge the gap between a small Florida garage and a global retail empire; between financial insecurity and generational wealth; and between being a student and becoming a community pillar. By maintaining a 3.5 GPA and relentlessly dedicating my time to my management studies at Howard University, I am ensuring that my light is backed by the power of executive mastery. I am building a future where my success serves as a beacon, proving that with faith, discipline, and a heart for service, any vision can be brought into the light.

Determination is not something I learned in a classroom; it was the atmosphere of my home. My mother arrived in this country as a Haitian immigrant with a vision that far exceeded her circumstances. Growing up in a single-parent, low-income household, I watched her navigate the challenges of a new culture while independently earning her Master’s degree and purchasing her first home. She didn't just provide for our family; she launched a luxury vintage business from our garage. Watching her turn a small space into an engine for economic survival gave me a front-row seat to what true grit looks like. This family dynamic shaped my ambition. I realized early on that while I couldn't control my starting point, I could absolutely control my work ethic. This realization fueled my journey to Howard University, where I am currently a freshman Business Management major. Being a Bison at the School of Business is a responsibility I take seriously. I arrived on campus not just to get a degree, but to master the technical excellence required to scale my family’s legacy. To me, schooling is the training ground where I sharpen the tools I need to disrupt the retail industry. My determination is best reflected in my technical toolkit. I didn’t wait for my senior year to build a professional profile; I arrived at Howard already a Certified Associate in Project Management (PMI) and an Intuit Certified Innovator. I’ve balanced my coursework with high-stakes involvement in the Howard Consulting Club and the 21CAP program, where I solve complex case studies for companies like Boeing. My grit was further tested during my Real Estate Private Equity internship with Project Destined, where I learned to underwrite multi-million dollar deals. In every room I enter, I carry the same resilience my mother showed in our home garage. My future plans are focused on place-making and economic empowerment. I am working to scale our brand, MaisonFleurant, into a premiere physical department store model. I don’t just want to sell products; I want to create an infrastructure that provides jobs and storefronts for other minority entrepreneurs. Furthermore, I am committed to launching Cinderella’s Table, a non-profit dedicated to ending child hunger, ensuring that the next generation has the fuel they need to chase their own dreams. A successful life, to me, is one where my ambition serves my community. Grit is the ability to maintain your focus on a long-term goal despite the immediate obstacles of financial gaps or systemic barriers. Like a player on the field who keeps pushing for the end zone even when the clock is winding down, I am driven by a sense of urgency to build something that lasts. With the support of this scholarship, I will close the financial gap in my tuition and meal plan, allowing me to focus entirely on becoming the leader my community needs. I am ready to work, ready to lead, and determined to win.

Growing up in a low-income household led by a single mother taught me that resourcefulness is the ultimate form of intelligence. My mother, a Haitian immigrant, transformed our family garage into a luxury vintage startup to support us. Watching her balance the technical demands of a business with the financial pressures of a one-income home taught me that barriers are not stop signs; they are puzzles to be solved. This upbringing instilled in me a deep sense of perseverance because I learned early on that if the path to an opportunity is closed, I have the skills to build a new one. I plan to use my life experience to dismantle the same financial hurdles I faced by becoming an engine for job creation. My goal is to scale our family brand, Maison Fleurant, into a department store model that provides stable employment and mentorship opportunities for minority entrepreneurs. I want to prove that a business born in a garage can become a cornerstone of community growth, offering others the financial security my mother worked so hard to secure for me. Currently, I am actively pursuing this goal through technical excellence at Howard University. I am not just a student, I am a certified Project Manager and an Intuit Certified Innovator. I recently completed a Real Estate Private Equity internship where I learned to underwrite the very properties I plan to develop for future small businesses. By mastering the quantitative side of business now, I am ensuring that my future ventures are not just dreams, but sustainable systems that will support my community for generations to come.

Currently, I am a freshman at Howard University pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management with a concentration in Entrepreneurship. I chose this field because I believe that passion, while necessary, is insufficient for sustainable business growth. To scale a venture from a local startup to a global force requires a mastery of "Management Science" which is the study of organizational behavior, supply chain logistics, and financial modeling. My education at Howard is the laboratory where I am refining the technical skills needed to transform my family’s luxury resale brand, MaisonFleurant, into a premiere physical department store model. My path toward an entrepreneurial career was not a choice I made in a vacuum; it was a legacy I inherited. Growing up as a fourth-generation entrepreneur, I watched my mother, a Haitian immigrant, build a business from our family garage. Observing her resilience taught me that entrepreneurship is the most direct vehicle for community impact. I have planned an entrepreneurial career because I am driven by the idea that one successful business can provide the capital and infrastructure to support dozens of local jobs. My goal is to use entrepreneurship to build a bridge between luxury commerce and community economic development. The central question in business is why some succeed while many fail. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 20% of small businesses fail in their first year. I believe I will be successful where others are not because I have replaced guesswork with Technical Excellence. Most aspiring entrepreneurs wait until after graduation to seek professional credentials; however, I arrived at Howard as a Certified Associate in Project Management (PMI) and an Intuit Certified Innovator. These certifications mean that I view my business through the lens of systems architecture and "Design Thinking." While others struggle with unorganized growth, I utilize Work Breakdown Structures and data-driven market research to mitigate risk. My experience in Real Estate Private Equity with Project Destined has further sharpened my ability to underwrite deals and analyze market trends with a level of quantitative rigor that most small business owners lack. I do not just "run a business"; I engineer it for scalability. Finally, to me, a successful life is measured by the stability I can provide for others. It looks like a thriving community where minority entrepreneurs have access to the physical storefronts they need because of the real estate firm I have developed. It looks like the fulfillment of my mother’s dream through my non-profit, Cinderella’s Table, ensuring that child hunger is a thing of the past. A successful life is one where my technical skills are used as a tool for social equity. It is the peace of mind that comes from knowing that the journey which began in a Florida garage has culminated in a legacy of job creation, financial independence, and a roadmap for the next generation of Bison entrepreneurs.

Choosing Howard University wasn’t just a college decision to me. Tt was a commitment to my legacy. I grew up as a fourth-generation entrepreneur, watching my mother, a Haitian immigrant build a business and a life for us in Florida through nothing but resilience. While I learned the hustle at home, I knew I needed a specific environment to turn that drive into a global vision. I chose Howard because I wanted to be surrounded by people who look like me, dream like me, and challenge me to be the best version of myself. At Howard, I am not an outlier. I am the standard. There is a specific kind of power that comes from sitting in a classroom where the professors and the peers in the front row share my cultural background. It allows me to focus entirely on technical excellence. Being at The Mecca means I am walking the same halls as the leaders who paved the way for minority entrepreneurs. This experience means I no longer have to look far to find examples of Black success. Whether I’m collaborating on a case study in the School of Business or going to Annex with friends, I am constantly reminded that my goals are valid and achievable. Howard is giving me more than just a degree; it is giving me a community that understands my past and a network that will support my future. It is where my family’s Haitian roots meet the future of American enterprise.

Sustainability is often discussed in terms of energy and engineering, but in the field of Business Management and Retail, sustainability is the key to long-term economic and environmental survival. As a freshman Business Management major concentrating in Entrepreneurship at Howard University, I see the fashion industry at a crossroads. Traditional "fast fashion" models rely on high-volume waste and disposable trends, which currently account for nearly 10% of global carbon emissions. For the retail field to thrive in the future, sustainability must move from a corporate buzzword to a foundational pillar of the business model. In my profession as an entrepreneur, I believe the most effective way to prioritize sustainability is through the expansion of the "Circular Economy." My family’s business, MaisonFleurant, was founded on this very principle. By specializing in luxury resale, acquiring high-quality vintage fashion and heritage home goods like Royal Doulton, we are extending the lifecycle of products that were built to last. Resale reduces the demand for new resource extraction and keeps high-quality materials out of landfills. When we prioritize vintage luxury, we are advocating for "slow fashion," where quality and durability take precedence over mass-produced waste. Looking toward the future, I see myself helping to reduce environmental impact by scaling MaisonFleurant into a sustainable department store model. Most traditional department stores are built on a "linear" consumption model. Buy, wear, and discard. My goal is to disrupt this by creating a physical retail space that integrates "The Three R’s" of sustainable luxury: Resale, Repair, and Redistribution. As a future business leader, I plan to implement these strategies in three specific ways. First, I will utilize my technical background in Project Management (PMI) and Entrepreneurship (Intuit) to build a supply chain that prioritizes low-impact logistics. By optimizing how we source and ship vintage luxury items, we can reduce the carbon footprint associated with the "buy low, sell high" model. Second, I plan for my future physical storefront to act as a community hub for repair and restoration. By offering services that help customers maintain their luxury goods, we reinforce the idea that an item should be cherished for decades, not months. Finally, I see my role in Real Estate Development as a way to create "Green Storefronts." My training with Project Destined in Real Estate Private Equity has taught me that the physical buildings we inhabit matter. I aim to develop retail spaces that utilize energy-efficient lighting, sustainable building materials, and waste-reduction systems. This ensures that the business is environmentally conscious from the "foundation up." Sustainability in business is not just about the products we sell; it is about the legacy we leave. By proving that a luxury department store can thrive on a resale-first model, I will show that profitability and environmental stewardship are not mutually exclusive. My Howard University education is giving me the tools to build a business that doesn't just create jobs, but protects the world those workers live in. Through technical excellence and a commitment to the circular economy, I am building a future where luxury is synonymous with longevity.

The decision to pursue a Bachelor of Business Administration, with a concentration in Entrepreneurship, is not merely a choice of major; it is the blueprint for how I intend to build my life and, by extension, the lives of those in my community. For me, obtaining this degree is the critical next step in transforming a foundation of practical experience, from underwriting real estate deals with Project Destined to leading student consultancy projects for AdventHealth, into a sustainable, impactful career. The pursuit of business knowledge has already shaped my life. As an Intern Bank Teller at Addition Financial, I learned the crucial necessity of operational discipline and high-quality member service, consistently following procedures while delivering exceptional customer focus. More recently, my participation in the Project Destined Real Estate Private Equity program taught me the mechanics of valuation and the immense potential of property development, a deep interest of mine. These experiences, coupled with valuable certifications in Project Management and Entrepreneurship, and Small Business, have given me a robust set of initial tools and defined my trajectory. Now, the Howard University School of Business degree will supply the comprehensive architectural knowledge to effectively and ethically use it. First, the degree will instill a level of analytical rigor that is currently beyond my reach. The structured curriculum will move me from simply participating in an investment competition to mastering the complex financial modeling and risk assessment that underpins genuine, long-term value creation in property development. I want to build more than just physically sound structures; I want to structure economically viable solutions that revitalize underserved areas. This goes beyond simple capital deployment; it requires fluency in complex financial instruments, creative deal structuring, and a deep understanding of organizational management that only a formal BBA program can provide. My goal is to apply this knowledge to create sustainable economic ecosystems, not just isolated projects. Second, the program will expand my capacity for leadership and collaboration within a context rooted in service. As a student consultant who successfully led a team to develop a marketing plan for AdventHealth, achieving the goal of increasing Gen Z engagement with health professions, I understand the challenge of motivating and directing diverse teams toward a common goal. Beyond the classroom, the legacy and mission embedded within the Howard University environment, particularly through active engagement in the Howard University Consulting Club and the 21st Century Advantage Program will allow me to stress-test my nascent leadership style in diverse, high-stakes academic environments. The degree provides the framework for leading not just with ambition, but with profound ethical insight and a commitment to collective advancement. Ultimately, I expect this degree to impact my life by solidifying my role as a responsible entrepreneur. My objective is not simply personal financial success, but the persistent application of business acumen to solve systemic problems. Whether developing affordable housing solutions that empower communities or advising organizations on impactful strategic growth, the BBA is my credential for efficacy. My degree is the investment in myself, as a Haitian and Senegalese descent, that will yield returns not just in income and career advancement, but in measurable community legacy and long-term societal value. This is the opportunity I am determined to seize and maximize.

L'ecole, Lakay, L'eglise was always the unspoken rule in my family. My mother came from Lagonave, Haiti and raised me and my younger brother by herself. Her determination and faith inspired me to have the confidence that I can do anything I set my mind to. My mother owns her own business where she specializes in online retail. She came to this country when she was 18 and put herself through college where she earned her Fashion and Retail Management degree at the Art Institute of Tampa. Later, when I was 12, she earned her Master's in Public Administration at DeVry University making her the first person in her family to earn a degree period. Entrepreneurship runs in our family, so naturally being with my mother while she ran her business inspired me to be a businesswoman like herself. I worked hard in school maintaining straight A's and being involved in Track & Field and Taekwondo. My Highschool also has a Business program called 3DE where I have led many group projects to win case challenges everytime. In February of 2024, when I was a Junior, I managed a team of fellow students and we competed with other 3DE students to make our own business. Our group's business was called 'The KitSafe' which was a first aid kit but simply prettier and personalized to the buyer. We presented at a Market Expo where professionals would judge us based on feasibility, marketability and quality. Our team won Best Business to watch and I personally won Best Spokesperson. With that, the 3DE coordinators asked me if I would volunteer to be a guest judge at the 2025 Market Expo and I excitedly said yes! I love to volunteer. I sometimes volunteer at my local food bank which is called Second Harvest Food Bank which is in Orlando and I volunteer at the Boys and Girls club where I get to help kids and staff with managing those kids after school. I plan to give back to my community by becoming an entrepreneur so I can give jobs to the people in my community who are deserving of a second chance, less fortunate or just simply need a job. I plan to attend Howard University where I am majoring in Management with a concentration in Entrepreneurship. I have big goals for myself. When I say I want to own businesses, I mean plural. I want to take over my mother's business and open a jazz club. I would also like to help disabled children to exercise and adopting healthy lifestyles by opening a gym. I feel strongly that the Lord has called me to be a leader and solve problems. The qualities and aspirations I hold today as a person can all be traced back to my mother who is strong and raised me to the highest standard so I can achieve higher than what is asked of me. I am grateful to be a child of an Haitian American.