In all honesty, one of the most important lessons I have learned recently is how to rely on my faith rather than my own understanding. One of the biggest obstacles I faced was figuring out how I would be able to pay my Fall 2025 student bill in order to continue my education at the illustrious North Carolina A&T State University, which I now consider my home away from home. Coming from a single parent household, I grew up with a constant fight or flight mentality. It was not until I entered college that I realized I had been living in survival mode for most of my life. While I have always believed in and loved God, I began to recognize that despite my faith, I was still underestimating His power and capability. What I struggled to understand was why nothing seemed to work in my favor financially. I am a recurring Dean’s List student, the captain of the Golden Delight Auxiliary, a member of three service organizations, actively pursuing my real estate license, and a dedicated and hardworking student. I found myself questioning why my character, commitment, and involvement did not seem to open certain doors or lead to the opportunities I had hoped for. Over time, I realized that I could not continue leaning on my own understanding or personal plans. Instead, I needed to trust God fully and become comfortable knowing that He would sustain me, even when the outcome was unclear. This realization marked a pivotal moment in my personal and spiritual growth. I found peace in understanding that God would not forsake me and that what is meant for me will never pass me by. As I continued searching for ways to cover my student bill, I made a conscious effort to include God in every decision I made. I did not know how, when, or where the funds would come from, but I trusted that a way would be made. Holding onto my faith and relying on His love and grace allowed me to remain hopeful during a very uncertain time. What followed truly felt like a blessing. With support from various sources, I was ultimately able to cover my student bill. The first thing I did was thank God, because my faith was what kept me grounded when I did not know how things would work out. This experience taught me that perseverance, faith, and trust are just as important as hard work and achievement. It reminded me that while I can plan and prepare, I must also trust the process and the purpose God has for my life. This lesson continues to guide me as I pursue my education, my goals, and my future with confidence, gratitude, and unwavering faith.

Access; that is how economic empowerment and business innovation uplift underrepresented communities and create lasting change. I’ve seen firsthand in my own community how one opportunity, just one chance at access, can completely transform someone’s life. That belief drives me. It’s the reason I chose to major in Business Administration: to help bring my vision to life by creating businesses that positively impact others and help our community grow and evolve. As a rising sophomore at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, my career goals are deeply rooted in the passions that matter most to me. I envision opening a dance studio that not only provides high-quality training but also fosters a positive environment, promotes self-confidence, and offers a safe, creative space that keeps youth engaged and inspired. More than just a place to dance, it would be a source of opportunity and empowerment. Creating a place where young people can express themselves, build discipline, and gain a sense of belonging. Dance has been a powerful force in my life since the age of 3. I used it as an outlet and way to connect with others through the movement of my body. Not only as a form of expression, but also as a source of motivation and confidence. I want to pass that on to the next generation, especially to those who may not otherwise have access to such spaces. My studio would serve as both a creative outlet and a mentorship hub, offering guidance and support to young people navigating life’s challenges. In addition to the studio, I hope to launch a real estate brokerage that focuses on helping people, especially those in underserved communities, find homes and properties where they can truly thrive. Stability is foundational to success, and I believe that everyone deserves to live in an environment where they feel safe, supported, and set up for long-term growth. By helping families secure homes, I would be contributing to stronger, more stable communities and promoting generational wealth. Both of these business goals have the power to create lasting change. By providing access; whether through real estate, creative expression, or economic opportunity. They become tools for business innovation and economic empowerment. Through them, I hope to help underrepresented communities not just survive, but succeed and lead. My purpose is to be a changemaker: someone who opens doors, inspires others, and uses business to build a better future physically, socially, and economically.

I plan to make my the world a better place, community by community. I believe you must start small to achieve an even bigger goal. My goal is to help empower the youth mentally and physically to grow into even better adults. It is crucial to positively impact the youth because they are the future of our world. Therefore, by pouring into them, it is setting up success for communities to flourish. I consistently give back to my community through ways I find myself passionate about. My love for mentoring girls in youth has only grown since my first semester of college at North Carolina A&T State University. As a dancer since the age of 3, I feel the need to share my craft and passion with younger girls in my community between the ages of 11 and 17. In this, I believe it is important to focus on instilling a level of unwavering confidence and drive in the girls at this age. I am eager to help them develop their skills in dance, while simultaneously building a strong mental foundation. Additionally, I give back to my community by volunteering at the Gateway Center Homeless Shelter, Open Hand Atlanta, Hosea Feed the Hungry, and the Atlanta Food Bank. Through volunteering, I find myself connecting with the individuals I encounter. From my experience thus far, sometimes the people in need just want a listening ear, to feel heard, or simply loved by another individual. So, I am thankful to be put in a position where I can volunteer and help those who are around me currently. After college, it is my hope to continue to make an impact on the younger generations. As someone who struggled with mental health at a young age, I understand the importance of pouring into the youth at a pivotal age. This is why I care so much about the individuals I encounter and how I may leave an impact on them. Simple tasks such as: praying over someone, being a listening ear, giving advice, or instilling confidence in someone can change their life forever. I hope by pouring into younger individuals, it is creating change for the future of our communities and world. Ultimately, it is my hope that I am being a light to others within my community through my actions. I hope to make an impact on the individuals I talk to, mentor, and help. As I am learning about myself through my college journey, I am also learning about people and how important it is to care for your neighbor. "In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you" (Matthew 7:12 NIV)

After reading about the legacy Harriet Russell Carr left behind and the heart she had for her community, I immediately felt drawn to her story. Like Harriet Russell Carr, I find myself being a natural nurturer and server to my community. I consistently give back to my community through ways I find myself passionate about. My love for mentoring girls in youth has only grown since my first semester of college at North Carolina A&T State University. As a dancer since the age of 3, I feel the need to share my craft and passion with younger girls in my community between the ages of 11 and 17. In this, I believe it is important to focus on instilling a level of unwavering confidence and drive in the girls at this age. I am eager to help them develop their skills in dance, while simultaneously building a strong mental foundation. Additionally, I give back to my community by volunteering at the Gateway Center Homeless Shelter, Open Hand Atlanta, Hosea Feed the Hungry, and the Atlanta Food Bank. Through volunteering, I find myself connecting with the individuals I encounter. From my experience thus far, sometimes the people in need just want a listening ear, to feel heard, or simply loved by another individual. So, I am thankful to be put in a position where I can volunteer and help those who are around me. To exemplify excellence, I focus on my consistency, quality, and commitment to the things I do on a daily basis. I am currently a part of Mentoring 4Her, Women of Deese College of Business, and the Golden Delight Dance Team at North Carolina A&T State University, with that comes a demanding schedule. So to ensure I am putting in maximum effort to producing excellence I remain extremely focused, driven, and always remind myself of my core values. This takes me devoting time daily to show up as my best self for each organization I am a part of. I believe this is an extremely important trait to have because I want to pour back into organizations that have developed and helped me exponentially! It is my hope that I am being a light to others within my community through my actions. I hope to make an impact on the individuals I talk to, mentor, and help. As I am learning about myself through my college journey, I am also learning about people and how important it is to care for your neighbor. "In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you" (Matthew 7:12 NIV)

Entrepreneurship goes deeper than having an idea and making it a business. I discovered entrepreneurship to be a mindset rather than an action. An entrepreneur possesses being a risk-taker, courage, hardworking, and comfortable with trial and error. I realized that I obtained all these qualities over the years, and have many ideas to make a business from, so then the question becomes, what am I truly passionate about? That question is easy for me to answer. My passion since the age of 3 has been dance and will continue to be for years to come. Dance has given me an outlet, purpose, and sense of belonging. So, my plan to create a legacy in the future is to create a dance studio for young individuals to perfect their craft, build confidence, learn self-worth, and learn new things. One thing I have noticed about the studios I have trained at in the past is losing focus on creating an environment for young people, specifically, to learn confidence, self-worth, and body positivity. Furthermore, the dance world can be extremely cutthroat. When I was 10, I developed body dysmorphia and, later, an eating disorder because of the dance environment I was in at the time. My goal is to prevent this from happening to other dancers, and instead instill an unwavering confidence and advocate for mental health in dancers. So, it is important for my business to create a cultivated environment for students to feel comfortable expressing themselves, as well as build up their mental strength through dance. Additionally, as an entrepreneur, I do not have to be constrained to one thing. In the future, I would also like to become a successful real estate agent and investor. Investing in things that matter to me, and real estate that can add to my legacy. I'd like to have multiple streams of income to sustain myself and the generations to come. Currently, I let my light shine through the confidence I have when I walk into a room, how expressive I am through dance, the uplifting conversations I have with people, the volunteer work I do within my community, and by simply being my authentic self, trying to leave a mark on this world. By attending North Carolina A & T in the Fall, studying Business Management- Entrepreneurship, I believe that I will build on my knowledge of entrepreneurship and begin my journey for my business, wealth, and legacy.

As a dancer who once struggled with body dysmorphia and developing an eating disorder, I feel that it is my mission to help other young girls in my community with their self esteem, confidence and body image. I have been dancing since I was 3 years old, and allowed unwanted comment/suggestions of my body to not only alter how I viewed myself, but I also allowed a self hatred to be created at the age of 10. This went on for about 6 years, with an eating disorder following. That was an extremely dark period for me, and I felt like I didn't know how to dig myself out of the hole I was in. This is why I knew my junior year, I wanted to begin helping other girls who might suffer from this or at risk of suffering from something similar. I feel that the preteen stage is a pivotal moment for a child's development, which is why I knew I wanted to work with girls around that age to uplift them. At that age it is easy to believe things you hear, especially when it comes from someone you look up to or admire. This is why I decided to volunteer to assist with dance classes and clinics at a local middle school. I hope that each girl I encounter is reminded of her worth and becomes even more confident within herself. This topic goes deeper than dance for me. I remember looking in the mirror and hating what reflected back at me. I wouldn't wish that feeling on anyone else. I want to prevent the start of body dysmorphia and eating disorders because many times you don't even realize what's happening until it's too late. I want to exemplify a positive role model who cares for these girls inside and outside of dance. I feel that I am helping my community by showing these girls that I care for them and about them. I want them to grow to be successful, confident, and courageous. My ultimate goal is for them to have a different story than I did. I want them to enjoy dance, while also building an even stronger mindset that is not easily altered. Furthermore, I want my goal to become ever broader. My goal is to use my education to help build a mental health platform that is easily accessible to women of all ages who may struggle with self-worth and body dysmorphia. I want to channel my own hardships into creating something good that could help others in my community, as well as reach individuals nationally. My journey through adversity will stand as proof of the strength we each possess to overcome challenges and redefine ourselves.

Tuesdays gave me anxiety. I was agonized by the thought of Tuesday from 10 to 16 years old. Ironically, my disdain for said day stemmed from what I value most; my outlet....my passion…my purpose…dance. I began dancing at the age of 3, and it quickly became an integral part of who I am. Dance provided me insight into the intricacies of our complex world. It offered me a safe place, dance was my sanctuary…until that fateful Tuesday. For years, I nurtured my dance journey in a studio that felt like my second home. When I turned 10, I moved to the advanced level dance class. My excitement was short-lived as I realized certain girls consistently landed lead roles, auditions, and spotlight moments. Initially, I believed these opportunities were earned based on the dancers’ abilities. I quickly learned the truth and dark side of Tuesdays. Every Tuesday I had ballet and pointe class. On this particular Tuesday, I arrived at the studio excitedly, just like any other Tuesday. As I made my way to the dance floor, I noticed something peculiar. There was a weight scale by the speaker. Moments later, our instructor explained we would begin weekly weigh-ins under the guise of “health monitoring.” Initially, I was unfazed. I was a 10-year-old, 89-pound girl and viewed my body as average. To my surprise, my instructor recorded the number on the scale and proceeded to spew critiques about my body. Immediately, all of these foreign thoughts filled my mind. Her words planted seeds of insecurity and doubt in my head. Over time, the weigh-ins had a greater impact on my mental health. The scale started to dictate my worth, and my self-confidence dwindled. With every lost pound, the praise from the dance instructors became an unfulfilling reward. As a result of someone else’s standards, my passion for dance began to fade. My confidence dwindled, my appetite diminished, and I despised my own reflection. I allowed someone else's unsolicited judgment to not only shape my self perception, but rob me of my most prized possession. Dance. After leaving my studio, my battle with body dysmorphia and newly developed eating disorder continued until my sophomore year of high school. I decided to try out for the school’s dance team. I missed my first love and prayed to find the passion I once felt. Despite my fear, I put my best effort forward. After the first couple of months of being on the team, I found my way back. Not only did I fall back in love with dance, I gained a new understanding of it. I rejected societal negativity and baseless judgments, wholeheartedly embraced self-acceptance and learned that my worth surpasses any numerical gauge. This personal transformation set the stage for my final chapter of high school. Now, I proudly stand as the co-captain of the very dance team that revitalized my spirit. It is an honor to be able to contribute to the same environment that once nurtured me. I've internalized the lesson that I am worth much more than any number on a scale. Confidence now exudes from me and I spread positivity anywhere I show up. My determination to thrive and unlock my full potential remains unwavering, regardless of the obstacles that may arise. Above all, I strive to leave my mark, not just on the places I visit, but on the lives I experience. As for Tuesdays, they've shed their once anxiety-inducing weight. They now symbolize an opportunity to illuminate, inspire, and fulfill my purpose.

The biggest obstacle I have overcome is my battle with body dysmorphia from ages 10-16. This stemmed from what I value the most; my outlet…my passion… my purpose…dance. I began dancing at the age of 3, and it quickly became an integral part of who I am. Dance provided me with insight into the intricacies of our complex world. It offered me a safe place. My safer place was disrupted when my dance instructor began to do weekly weigh-ins under the guise of health monitoring. The commentary and unwanted judgment from someone I looked up to began to cause my confidence to dwindle. The scale started to dictate my worth, and my self-confidence dwindled. With every lost pound, the praise from the dance instructors became an unfulfilling reward. As a result of someone else’s standards, my passion for dance began to fade. My confidence dwindled, my appetite diminished, and I despised my own reflection. I allowed someone else's unsolicited judgment to not only shape my self perception, but rob me of my most prized possession. Although I struggled for a few years with these doubts, thoughts, and an eating disorder, I knew I needed a change. So, my sophomore year of high school, I built up the courage to try out for the school’s dance team. I missed my first love and prayed to find the passion I once felt. Despite my fear, I put my best effort forward, and ended up making the team! I was excited to see what this new chapter would unlock. After the first couple of months of being on the team, I fell back in love with dance and I gained a new understanding of it. I rejected societal negativity and baseless judgments, wholeheartedly embraced self-acceptance and learned that my worth surpasses any numerical gauge. This personal transformation set the stage for my final years of high school, and being able to help others on my team who experienced similar thoughts or unfortunate situations. Currently, I proudly stand as the co-captain of the very dance team that revitalized my spirit. It is an honor to be able to contribute to the same environment that once nurtured me. I've internalized the lesson that I am worth much more than any number on a scale and in each interaction I make it my intention to instill this same lesson into my teammates and peers. I envision leaving behind a nurturing haven where potential is celebrated, and each person's creativity flourishes, free from constraints. I am blessed to be in a space where I can share my story, uplift others, and collaborate in crafting a future illuminated by resilience and authenticity.