I was placed in foster care when I was six months old while my mother, who was only seventeen, worked to get stable. I was returned after five months, but those earliest months, when infants form primary attachments, left a quiet mark on me. I learned early that bonds can be fragile and that the world doesn’t always offer a steady hand. At age six I went to live with my grandfather when my mother became incarcerated. He loved me, but he struggled with severe alcoholism, and that love came mixed with anger, unpredictability, and sometimes abuse. Growing up in that environment didn’t give me a clean model of security, but it taught me how to read people, adapt to shifting circumstances, and take responsibility when no one else could. Those lessons shaped how I move through life. I learned to notice small changes in tone, to plan for the unexpected, and to keep going even when the ground felt uncertain. I worked full time from age sixteen to help my family and to make sure bills were paid. I balanced jobs, athletics, and school because survival required it. Those responsibilities matured me quickly and taught me how to make practical decisions under pressure. They also convinced me that stability is a skill worth creating deliberately. Its not something that simply happens. That is why I chose to major in Business Finance with a concentration in Supply Chain Management. Business offers tools to design structure: systems, processes, and strategies that make organizations reliable and resilient. Supply chain work, in particular, appeals to me because it’s about ensuring everything flows even when resources are strained; planning for disruption, optimizing scarce resources, and connecting people and goods so communities can function. In many ways, it’s the work I wish my family’s systems had done for us. After I graduate, I plan to enter operations or logistics in a firm that values both efficiency and social responsibility. I want hands-on experience managing real-world systems and building the financial discipline to support my family. Long term, I hope to start programs or a small enterprise that helps young people from unstable homes gain job training, mentorship, and financial literacy; practical supports that can interrupt cycles of poverty and incarceration. My experience in foster care as an infant and the instability of my childhood didn’t break me. They taught me how to hold grief and responsibility at once. I learned to be self-reliant without closing my heart, to lead without dominating, and to ask for help when that was the stronger choice. Those traits shape how I approach teamwork, leadership, and problem solving. I’m not seeking to erase my past; I’m using it. I want my education to be a tool that transforms lived lessons into systems that help other people avoid the harms I experienced. I want to build structures that offer predictability where unpredictability once ruled. That’s what business can do, and that’s what I intend to build with the life I’m planning.

My name is Isaiah Rosenberg, and I am a Black Christian, a student-athlete, and a senior at Pittsburg High School. My faith has shaped how I understand the world, the choices I make, and the way I approach both challenges and opportunities. Growing up in a family affected by generational incarceration and poverty, I learned early that life can be unpredictable and that perseverance, integrity, and trust in God are essential to navigating hardship. My faith reminds me that my circumstances do not define me, and that through discipline, education, and compassion, I can create a life that honors my values and my family’s legacy. I grew up with a parent in prison, a grandfather who struggled with alcoholism, and a family grappling with cycles of poverty and addiction. These experiences could have defined me, but I chose to see them as motivation. I have worked a job since I was sixteen to support my family, balanced school and athletics, and developed the discipline and resilience needed to pursue my goals. My commitment to education comes from a desire to break these generational cycles, to show myself and my community that I can build a life of stability, leadership, and purpose. I plan to major in Business Finance with a concentration in Supply Chain Management. I am drawn to this field because it allows me to combine strategy, problem-solving, and innovation to build systems that are efficient, fair, and sustainable. I want to use my degree not just to succeed professionally, but to create opportunities for communities like mine: communities where resources are limited and stability is rare. My faith informs this goal: I believe that service, stewardship, and integrity are as important as financial success, and that the best leaders use their skills to lift others up. Pursuing higher education is more than a personal milestone; it is a way to honor my family, my faith, and the opportunities I have been given. I will be the first in my family to graduate high school, the first to attend college, and the first to pursue a life outside of incarceration. I want to show others who have grown up in similar circumstances that they can chart a path of their own, guided by discipline, compassion, and vision. I believe that education is a tool to create both personal and communal transformation, and I am committed to using my skills and knowledge to make a lasting impact. Beyond academics, I aim to grow as a responsible, emotionally intelligent, and compassionate man. I want to lead by example, mentor others, and demonstrate that faith, hard work, and perseverance can transform not only individual lives, but entire communities. My ultimate goal is to build systems, both in business and in life, that combine efficiency, equity, and empathy. I want to leave a legacy of opportunity, hope, and resilience for those who come after me. In all that I do, I am guided by my faith, my values, and my belief in the power of hard work and education. My experiences have shown me that life is rarely easy, but with purpose, discipline, and trust in God, it is possible to rise above circumstances, to break cycles, and to build a future that is both meaningful and impactful.

To me, “Black excellence” is the act of striving for greatness in spite of obstacles, of cultivating strength, integrity, and leadership while remaining true to yourself and your community. It is about turning history, circumstance, and struggle into motivation, and using your skills and voice to uplift others along the way. Black excellence is not just recognition of achievement; it is the daily choice to rise, to persist, and to embody the values of responsibility, resilience, and integrity, even when no one is watching. I embody Black excellence in my everyday life by facing challenges head-on and using them to shape my character and my future. I am the child of a mother who has been incarcerated since I was six, and I grew up in a family shaped by cycles of poverty, addiction, and incarceration. Despite these circumstances, I have dedicated myself to education, personal growth, and the creation of opportunity for myself and my family. Every day, I work to balance school, athletics, work, and family responsibilities, understanding that excellence is not a single achievement but a consistent practice of discipline, focus, and integrity. Black excellence also means recognizing the responsibility that comes with opportunity. I take seriously the fact that I will be the first in my family to graduate high school, the first to attend college, and the first to build a life outside of incarceration. These milestones are not just personal victories; they are steps toward breaking generational cycles and creating a legacy of possibility. I strive to embody excellence by being disciplined in my academics, committed in my athletic pursuits, and intentional in how I interact with my community. I seek to lead by example, showing others who share my background that resilience, hard work, and vision can create real change. Mentorship is another way I live Black excellence. I learn from those who guide me: my mother, coaches, teachers, and community leaders; and I actively look for opportunities to mentor younger peers. Whether through helping classmates, encouraging teammates, or supporting family members, I see excellence as relational: it grows when we lift others up, model integrity, and open doors that others may not yet see. Black excellence is not achieved in isolation; it is about strengthening and inspiring your community as much as it is about personal accomplishment. Ultimately, Black excellence is a commitment to rise above expectation, redefine what is possible, and use your success to make a tangible impact. For me, it is waking up each day with purpose, showing up fully in every role I inhabit, and choosing to turn challenges into lessons. It is proving that history, circumstance, and hardship do not define you, but can be the foundation from which you build. I carry Black excellence in my work ethic, in my ambition, and in my dedication to breaking cycles of generational hardship. In every decision, every effort, and every act of leadership, I strive to honor the excellence of those who came before me while creating new paths for those who come after. Black excellence is not just a concept, it is a practice, and I live it every day through resilience, determination, and an unwavering commitment to growth and community.

I have worked a full-time or part-time job in the food service industry since I was sixteen, helping to support my family and keep our household stable. Growing up with a parent in prison, a grandfather struggling with alcoholism, and a family burdened by poverty and addiction, I quickly learned that responsibility is not just about personal goals; it is about helping those around you survive and thrive. My work experience taught me the importance of reliability, communication, and problem-solving under pressure. There were days when I had to navigate difficult customer interactions, manage tasks I had never done before, or step in when coworkers or supervisors were unavailable. Each challenge reinforced that showing up consistently, asking the right questions, and learning from mistakes are critical skills both on the job and in life. Beyond work, I have sought out mentors who have guided me and helped me see the bigger picture. My mother, even while incarcerated, has been one of my most important mentors. Through letters, phone calls, and structured parenting programs, she taught me how to think critically, set goals, and lead with emotional intelligence. Teachers and coaches have also played a huge role in my development, challenging me to perform at my best and reminding me that discipline, perseverance, and self-reflection matter as much as talent. Their guidance has shown me that mentorship is not just advice; it’s a living example of how to navigate challenges, take responsibility, and continue growing even when circumstances are difficult. Looking ahead, I want to continue building on the lessons I’ve learned. I plan to pursue a degree in Business Finance with a focus on Supply Chain Management, and I hope to develop systems that bring efficiency, fairness, and opportunity to businesses and communities alike. More importantly, I want to grow as a person: to become more responsible, emotionally intelligent, and compassionate. I want to be a mentor to others who, like me, have faced family instability or the challenges of growing up in under-resourced environments. I want to show them that circumstances do not define your future; resilience, hard work, and learning from others can. In reflecting on my life so far, I’ve seen that growth comes from paying attention, embracing responsibility, and seeking guidance. Working and having solid mentors have taught me that challenges are opportunities to practice leadership, patience, and empathy. I hope to continue applying those lessons, both in my career and in my community, building a life that demonstrates that even when your past is complicated, your future can be intentionally, deliberately, and positively shaped.