My name is Jaiden Powers, and I’m a first-generation college student from Norwalk, California. I’m currently attending Long Beach State, majoring in Business Management, with plans to transfer to a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) to continue my education and specialize in Sports Management. As an African-Mexican American student from a working-class background, I’ve grown up knowing the importance of resilience, hard work, and staying grounded in my values. To help support myself, I work part-time while attending school full-time, every dollar I earn or receive in aid plays a vital role in keeping me on my academic journey. This scholarship would not only ease the financial pressure on my family and me, but it would also allow me to focus more deeply on my studies, leadership development, and service to others. I’ve always envisioned myself thriving at an HBCU, a place where I can learn in an environment that affirms my cultural identity and prepares me to lead in my field. HBCUs represent a legacy of excellence and empowerment, and being part of that tradition would be a life-changing opportunity. My long-term goal is to work in professional sports as a general manager or in player development. I want to be a voice for young athletes, especially those from underserved communities who may not have the guidance or resources they need to succeed. My ultimate dream is to open a sports training and academic center that provides mentoring, career readiness, and athletic development for youth who, like me, have big dreams but face big challenges. A defining moment in my life came during high school when I suffered a significant injury as a track athlete. I had trained for years and had aspirations of competing at the college level. However, the injury not only took me out physically, it challenged me emotionally. I felt isolated and unsupported by my coaches during my recovery, and I began to question my worth and direction. That period was one of the lowest points in my life. But instead of giving up, I used the setback as motivation to find a new purpose. I shifted my focus from competing to leading, stepping into roles where I could still make an impact. I started volunteering at local youth sports camps, helping younger athletes grow both on and off the field. Through that, I discovered that my love for sports wasn’t just about competing, it was about inspiring others, creating opportunity, and building community. Receiving this scholarship would mean more than financial support, it would be a symbol of belief in who I am and who I’m becoming. I am committed to making a difference, not only for myself but for the communities I aim to serve. Your investment in me would help turn that commitment into a reality.

My name is Jaiden Powers, and I’m a first-generation college student from Norwalk, California. I’m currently attending Long Beach State, majoring in Business Management, with plans to transfer to a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) to continue my education and specialize in Sports Management. As an African-Mexican American student from a working-class background, I’ve grown up knowing the importance of resilience, hard work, and staying grounded in my values. To help support myself, I work part-time while attending school full-time, every dollar I earn or receive in aid plays a vital role in keeping me on my academic journey. This scholarship would not only ease the financial pressure on my family and me, but it would also allow me to focus more deeply on my studies, leadership development, and service to others. I’ve always envisioned myself thriving at an HBCU, a place where I can learn in an environment that affirms my cultural identity and prepares me to lead in my field. HBCUs represent a legacy of excellence and empowerment, and being part of that tradition would be a life-changing opportunity. My long-term goal is to work in professional sports as a general manager or in player development. I want to be a voice for young athletes, especially those from underserved communities who may not have the guidance or resources they need to succeed. My ultimate dream is to open a sports training and academic center that provides mentoring, career readiness, and athletic development for youth who, like me, have big dreams but face big challenges. A defining moment in my life came during high school when I suffered a significant injury as a track athlete. I had trained for years and had aspirations of competing at the college level. However, the injury not only took me out physically, it challenged me emotionally. I felt isolated and unsupported by my coaches during my recovery, and I began to question my worth and direction. That period was one of the lowest points in my life. But instead of giving up, I used the setback as motivation to find a new purpose. I shifted my focus from competing to leading, stepping into roles where I could still make an impact. I started volunteering at local youth sports camps, helping younger athletes grow both on and off the field. Through that, I discovered that my love for sports wasn’t just about competing, it was about inspiring others, creating opportunity, and building community. Receiving this scholarship would mean more than financial support, it would be a symbol of belief in who I am and who I’m becoming. I am committed to making a difference, not only for myself but for the communities I aim to serve. Your investment in me would help turn that commitment into a reality.

To me, being a student at North Carolina A&T State University means stepping into purpose, not just for myself, but for my family, especially my twin brother. We’ve shared everything: a bedroom, second-hand shoes, late nights studying after work, and the weight of being the first in our family to chase college degrees. Growing up in Norwalk, California, we didn’t have much, but we had drive and each other. We pushed one another through setbacks, celebrated small wins, and kept a shared vision alive, one where education isn’t just a path, but a way to build a legacy. Now, this next chapter at NC A&T is about honoring where we came from and building the future we always dreamed about. As an African-Mexican American and first-generation college student, I carry pride in my roots and power in my vision. NC A&T is so much more than a school to me, it’s a home where culture, ambition, and identity are celebrated. It’s a place where I don’t have to explain myself and where the values of excellence and resilience are part of the air we breathe. I want to grow into a leader who embodies these values, not just for personal success, but to serve and uplift others who look like me and share my background. My goal is to work in sports management and create youth programs that use sports as a launchpad for success, teaching kids discipline, leadership, business skills, and financial literacy. I was once that athlete with big dreams but little guidance. My injury took me off the track, but it never took away my drive. I want to be the person who shows the next generation how to turn passion into purpose, especially in underserved communities like the one my brother and I grew up in. My twin brother and I have always said, “If one of us makes it, we both do.” That mindset will follow me to A&T and beyond. I plan to take full advantage of student organizations, mentorship opportunities, and leadership programs to build the skills I’ll need. I’ll carry the lessons I learn with me, honoring Aggie Pride by leading with integrity, giving back, and holding the door open for others. Being an Aggie means more than earning a degree. It means joining a legacy of excellence and community that stretches beyond campus. It means rising to the challenge, owning my purpose, and using my education to create lasting change, not just for me, but for my family and the generations to come.

I grew up in Norwalk, California, in a home where hard work wasn’t optional, it was survival. My twin brother and I learned early on that if we wanted something, we had to earn it. We split our time between school, sports, and part-time jobs, not because it looked good on a résumé, but because it was necessary. That’s where my love for business began — not in a classroom, but in real life. Watching how money, opportunity, and leadership (or the lack of them) shaped the world around me made me ask: why can’t we build better systems for people like us? As an African-Mexican American and first-generation college student, I’ve seen firsthand how limited access to financial knowledge and opportunity can hold entire communities back. But I’ve also seen what happens when someone gets a chance, when one door opens, it creates a ripple. That’s the kind of impact I want to make. My goal is to combine business innovation with community empowerment, especially through sports. I want to create programs that teach leadership, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy to underserved youth — using sports as a tool, not just for competition, but for transformation. I’ve been that kid who felt lost after an injury took me off the track. I’ve worked shifts after school and come home drained but determined. None of that makes me a victim, it makes me prepared. I understand the grind, but more importantly, I understand the potential in it. That’s why I’m majoring in Business Management, with plans to focus on sports management and community development. I want to build ventures that give young people real skills, real access, and real belief in themselves. Economic empowerment isn’t just about money, it’s about agency. It’s about giving people the tools to create their own paths, not just follow someone else’s. I don’t want to climb the ladder just to say I made it. I want to widen the steps and hold the door open. That’s the heart behind my career goals, and the reason this scholarship means so much. It would give me more than financial support, it would give me more room to focus, to build, and to lead. I’m not asking for a boost because I’m struggling, I’m asking because I’m ready. Ready to take what I’ve learned, where I’ve been, and where I’m going, and use it to spark something bigger than myself.

I grew up in Norwalk, California, in a home where hard work wasn’t optional, it was survival. My twin brother and I learned early on that if we wanted something, we had to earn it. We split our time between school, sports, and part-time jobs, not because it looked good on a résumé, but because it was necessary. That’s where my love for business began, not in a classroom, but in real life. Watching how money, opportunity, and leadership (or the lack of them) shaped the world around me made me ask: why can’t we build better systems for people like us? As an African-Mexican American and first-generation college student, I’ve seen firsthand how limited access to financial knowledge and opportunity can hold entire communities back. But I’ve also seen what happens when someone gets a chance, when one door opens, it creates a ripple. That’s the kind of impact I want to make. My goal is to combine business innovation with community empowerment, especially through sports. I want to create programs that teach leadership, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy to underserved youth, using sports as a tool, not just for competition, but for transformation. I’ve been that kid who felt lost after an injury took me off the track. I’ve worked shifts after school and come home drained but determined. None of that makes me a victim, it makes me prepared. I understand the grind, but more importantly, I understand the potential in it. That’s why I’m majoring in Business Management, with plans to focus on sports management and community development. I want to build ventures that give young people real skills, real access, and real belief in themselves. Economic empowerment isn’t just about money, it’s about agency. It’s about giving people the tools to create their own paths, not just follow someone else’s. I don’t want to climb the ladder just to say I made it. I want to widen the steps and hold the door open. That’s the heart behind my career goals, and the reason this scholarship means so much. It would give me more than financial support, it would give me more room to focus, to build, and to lead. I’m not asking for a boost because I’m struggling, I’m asking because I’m ready. Ready to take what I’ve learned, where I’ve been, and where I’m going, and use it to spark something bigger than myself.