My name is Divine Luhere, and I am currently a sophomore at Samford University, majoring in Interior Design. As a Black woman, I have faced unique challenges and opportunities that have shaped my journey and aspirations. Growing up, I was always fascinated by how spaces could influence people's feelings and interactions. I would spend hours rearranging furniture in our small living room, dreaming of creating beautiful and functional spaces that could bring joy and comfort to others. Pursuing a degree in Interior Design has been a dream come true, but it has not been without its hurdles. As a first-generation college student, I have had to navigate the complexities of higher education largely on my own. My family has been incredibly supportive, but financial constraints have always been a concern. The cost of tuition, supplies, and living expenses can be overwhelming, and I have had to balance part-time work with my studies to make ends meet. Receiving the Concrete Rose Scholarship Award would be a tremendous blessing. It would alleviate some of the financial burdens that have been a constant source of stress and allow me to focus more on my studies and creative projects. With this support, I could dedicate more time to developing my skills and exploring new design techniques, which are crucial for my growth as an interior designer. Moreover, this scholarship would provide me with the opportunity to participate in design workshops and internships that are often unpaid but invaluable for gaining real-world experience. These experiences are essential for building a strong portfolio and establishing connections within the industry. As someone who is passionate about creating inclusive and sustainable spaces, I am eager to learn from professionals and incorporate these values into my work. My ultimate career goal is to start my own interior design firm that focuses on affordable and sustainable housing solutions for underrepresented communities. I believe that everyone deserves to live in a space that is both beautiful and functional, regardless of their socio-economic status. This scholarship would bring me one step closer to making this vision a reality by providing the resources I need to excel in my education and future career. In addition to the financial support, being a Concrete Rose Scholar would connect me with a network of like-minded individuals who are also striving to make a positive impact in their fields. This community of scholars and mentors would offer guidance, encouragement, and inspiration as I continue to pursue my dreams. In conclusion, the Concrete Rose Scholarship Award would have a profound impact on my journey as an interior design student and aspiring professional. It would not only ease my financial burdens but also empower me to pursue opportunities that will shape my future. With this support, I am confident that I can achieve my goals and contribute to creating spaces that uplift and inspire. Thank you for considering my application.

I have a dream. My dream is to one day build caretaking facilities for orphaned or homeless children. I love children and therefore believe that they all deserve the best out of life, despite their race or background, because at the end of the day we're all human after all. Having grown up in Africa, not rich or even in the middle class, I know that there are those who are experiencing even worse conditions than I did. And if there is one thing that I’ve managed to learn in this life so far is to not be selfish. I see many kids on the streets, especially in third-world countries like mine-- the DRC, where children are left to fend for themselves in the midst of wars and food shortages. Which is why building a home and a hope for these children is my biggest dream and a dream that I hope to achieve with the help of education. My goal is to receive a BFA in Interior Design at the end of my four-year education here at Samford University. I also hope to minor in Entrepreneurship so that I can hopefully open my own firm one day to which I can then partner up with philanthropic organizations ,and even other firms, in order to help fund and complete many projects. Philanthropic organizations are crucial as they will help provide funding and certain advantages, and other firms, as well as mine, will be beneficial in providing design expertise which is needed to create facilities that are necessary for children of all ages. I want the spaces of the facilities to be vibrant and lively so that the children do not feel out of place or as though they are in a sort of "prison". I want them to feel at home. My overall goal is to purchase large plots of land in many third-world countries where orphaned or homeless children will be kept and taken care of. The facilities will include a school, living quarters, and multipurpose/extracurricular spaces. Food and clothing will be offered, and most importantly by having the children all live together in shared spaces they are given the opportunity to make life-long friends and feel part of a family. The main objective of these facilities won't be for the sake of getting the children adopted but to rather raise them up as good citizens so that once they reach the age of eighteen they are able to go out into the world with friends and people close to them who will be able to help, guide them, and offer various opportunities to them in order for them to live good, happy lives. I know that to some my dream may seem impossible but I truly believe that in a selfish world such as our current one, having a bit of selflessness is all that is needed along with an ambitious heart to make any dream that seems impossible, possible. I know that this dream of mine is going to come with a lot of challenges and will need a lot of hard work, which I am willing to give in excess, in order to make it come true. However, at the end of the day, my hope and trust is in the Lord. In God I trust.

biggest dream is to one day have my own orphanages or caretaking facilities for orphans or homeless children. I love babies and children and truly believe that they all deserve the best. I didn’t grow up rich or even middle class, yet there are those who have worser conditions than I did. If there is one thing that I’ve managed to learn in this life is to not be selfish. I see many kids on the streets especially in 3rd world countries like mine, the DRC, where children are left to fend for themselves. Which is why building a home and a hope for these children is my biggest dream and it is a dream I hope to achieve with the help of education. They say that education is power and I agree, which is why I am willing to work hard in order for me to achieve my dreams. I won’t only be going to school for myself but I will also be going to school for all those out there whom I will one day cross paths with. Me attaining a degree in Architecture won’t only be for my benefit or the benefit of my family but also for the benefit of all those kids as well. I hope to use my knowledge to build homes and futures for people, because home is where we spend the most time, it is where most of us grow, it is where we spend time with those we love. Which is why I think being an architect is an important job, because I won’t only be designing homes based off of conveniency but also based off of those who will be residing in those homes. I hope to not only help build homes or buildings by to help build hopes and futures, and my first step towards achieving this goal will be by designing and building my own buildings where all sorts of children from all corners of the world can be taken care off. I hope to have multiple facilities all around the world which will be built on large compounds where children can play and learn together. My goal is not to seclude them from the rest of the world but to allow for them to have family-like bonds and connections with one another as well as being immersed in their communities. I know that to some my dreams may seem impossible but I truly believe that in a selfish world such as the one we have today, having a bit of selflessness is all that is needed along with an ambitious heart to make any dream that seems impossible possible.

My name is Divine and I am from the DR of Congo. I remember when my family first migrated to the U.S. the first thing I noticed was how secluded and separated the people were. Everyone lives so far away from each other and most things aren’t a walkable distance. These among other things were a shock to me because in Africa what we had was the complete opposite. I still notice it even til this day, just how separated America is. There is not really any sense of community, instead it is all about individuality. There is also no support in anyway and everyone seems to just be doing their own thing. I admit, America isn’t the only country like this however it is unique in of itself. There are times when I miss Africa and my old neighbors. In fact, back in Africa was the very last time I ever knew or spoke to my neighbors. Instead I now live next to people who I don’t really know and have never really seen. I even get homesick sometimes when I think about my old life in Africa. I might have not lived the most luxurious life but I was happy. I remember always laughing and playing with my friends and my neighbors. I remember all the fun things we did and all the crazy places we’d go. In Africa we didn’t have phones and tablets and all this technology, nor did we have fancy cars or any of the fancy things that Americans have; yet, I was happier there than I have been here. I admit, America is a great place to live but it is also a very lonely place. It’s hard for people not to be lonely in a secluded and separated place such as America. In Africa I never felt lonely, I mostly experienced joy and happiness even with the little that we had. However, with all things considered I think that all of this goes to show that sometimes money doesn’t equal happiness and that there are those who live in poverty in third world countries; yet, live more happy and fulfilling lives than those who live in first world countries. Non the less, I miss the only African life. I miss the neighborhood games after school. I miss the to and from school walks. I miss the laughter. I miss the games. I mise the friends. I miss everything.

My biggest dream is to one day have my own orphanages or caretaking facilities for orphans or homeless children. I love babies and children and truly believe that they all deserve the best. I didn’t grow up rich or even middle class, yet there are those who have worser conditions than I did. If there is one thing that I’ve managed to learn in this life is to not be selfish. I see many kids on the streets especially in 3rd world countries like mine, the DRC, where children are left to fend for themselves. Which is why building a home and a hope for these children is my biggest dream and it is a dream I hope to achieve with the help of education. They say that education is power and I agree, which is why I am willing to work hard in order for me to achieve my dreams. I won’t only be going to school for myself but I will also be going to school for all those out there whom I will one day cross paths with. Me attaining a degree in Architecture won’t only be for my benefit or the benefit of my family but also for the benefit of all those kids as well. I hope to use my knowledge to build homes and futures for people, because home is where we spend the most time, it is where most of us grow, it is where we spend time with those we love. Which is why I think being an architect is an important job, because I won’t only be designing homes based off of conveniency but also based off of those who will be residing in those homes. I hope to not only help build homes or buildings by to help build hopes and futures, and my first step towards achieving this goal will be by designing and building my own buildings where all sorts of children from all corners of the world can be taken care off. I hope to have multiple facilities all around the world which will be built on large compounds where children can play and learn together. My goal is not to seclude them from the rest of the world but to allow for them to have family-like bonds and connections with one another as well as being immersed in their communities. I know that to some my dreams may seem impossible but I truly believe that in a selfish world such as the one we have today, having a bit of selflessness is all that is needed along with an ambitious heart to make any dream that seems impossible possible.