I am Jalil, a first-generation African American high school senior born in Maryland. I've grown up as a child of an American-born parent born in Côte d'Ivoire. I've learned what I've learned—and what responsibility has been given to me to accomplish it. My people have done more for me than words can say, and giving back is not something I do but who I am. Some ways I give back and volunteer are by volunteering to do events for the Islamic Society of the Washington Area. I help with helping to organize and perform events there that bring people together, help senior citizens, and provide a good sense of family. I also volunteered as a teacher's assistant in the local taekwondo school and student intern for my own high school. These have taught me patience, leadership, and the value of continuing to be there for others, especially youths who need good role models. Volunteering is essential to me as I have seen firsthand how much of a difference it can make. I struggled with my faith and identity as a teenager. But then the COVID pandemic hit, and I just happened to see one of these motivational Islamic videos, and I kid you not, it really did alter my mindset and make me want to be more spiritual and more community-oriented. It has been my duty ever since then to motivate others, particularly disenfranchised or lost youth. I understand, since I had also felt that way before, and wish to be the person to create and make others feel loved. Other than volunteering, I was also a part of my high school senior year wrestling team. In my first year in the team, I earned my way into varsity by working hard and with dedication. Wrestling also taught me discipline, perseverance, and by example. I now plan to take my involvement in the sport to the collegiate level, and someday I plan to provide my children with a wrestling heritage so that I can pass along to them what I got out of the sport—mental toughness, humility, and personal growth. In the years ahead, I will be pursuing further studies as a way of empowering myself and my community. College will provide me, I believe, with the tools to give back on higher levels—whether through mentorship, professional leadership, or social activism. Yet as a minority and economically disadvantaged member of society, college tuition is still one of my biggest hurdles. That is why this scholarship means the world to me. It is not just about being able to afford school—it is about looking at students like me who are trying to make a change despite everything. I would love to be able to follow in the footsteps of Shepherd E. Solomon by still serving others, giving back, and helping to build a future where more kids from underprivileged backgrounds feel empowered to rise up.

My name is Jalil, and I was a varsity wrestler for my school team in the 2024–2025 season, which coincidentally was also my very first year wrestling in my whole life. Being a senior was not so optimal—I lacked experience, technique, and conditioning, to say the least—but I put everything into it. I got to practices early, lingered late, rehearsed tapes, and absorbed every bit of the criticism from the coaches and players. All those efforts were worthwhile when I landed on the varsity team. The lesson learned here is that perseverance and determination can compensate for inexperience. Wrestling struck me directly and irreversibly as a person. It taught me how to take physical pain, mental fatigue, and emotional desperation. Cutting weight taught me discipline. Losing taught me humility. And bouncing back from losing taught me resiliency. These are lessons that have influenced the way I approach adversity, not just in sports, but in life. Most of all, wrestling is something that I want to remain a part of. I plan on remaining active in the sport in college and later. Whether intramural wrestling, helping coach younger wrestlers, or being a mentor to beginners, I would like to give back to the sport that gave so much to me. Later, I would like to have children with a wrestling background so they can also enjoy the rewards of the lessons of discipline, work ethic, and mental toughness. As a first-generation American with roots in Côte d’Ivoire, I’ve always been driven by a desire to honor the sacrifices my family made and uplift those around me. That drive has led me to volunteer at events, serve as a student intern, and work as a teacher’s assistant. I’ve learned that leadership isn't always about being loud or flashy—it’s about showing up, working hard, and leading by example, just like wrestling teaches. The legacy of David "Beefy" Alderfer resonates deeply with me. He inspired wrestlers, sure, but he built them up, made them self-assured, and revealed to them their inner strength. That is my hope for life. In wrestling, perhaps, in mentorship, yes, or possibly someday as a father, I wish to bring out the potential in others, as wrestling brought out the confidence in me that I have been able to cultivate in others. It would be an immense honor to be awarded this scholarship. It would pay for my education while still enabling me to continue playing an activity that has become such a large part of who I am. And yet, it would do even more than that; it would enable me to become a part of Beefy's legacy of selflessness, giving, and dedication—values that will stay with me for the rest of my life.

My name is Jalil, and I am a first-generation American born to an Ivorian immigrant father who came to the United States more than 20 years ago. I was raised significantly on the values of resilience, service, and faith, transmitted to me by my family and fostered within my extended community. These values carry through into my academic work and commitment to community service. My father's stay in the United States was not only about the future for him but also about birthing an Ivorian Muslim community that will be discovered still thriving and very much alive today. It taught me that success is nothing if one does not utilize it to make others touch heights above themselves. I have spent many years planning barbecues, concerts, and various fundraising activities towards our ultimate goal of constructing a mosque for our community. This has provided me with the experience to build leadership and communication skills that I now apply to all aspects of my life. Outside of my own cultural community, I have endeavored to contribute on several fronts. I have volunteered extensively at Masjid ISWA (Islamic Society of the Washington Area), which was founded by Guyanese Muslims. Being raised in this Caribbean-rooted Muslim space made me part of a larger, more diverse network where I’ve had the opportunity to serve as a teacher, office assistant, and event organizer. I have instructed self-defense classes within my Taekwondo dojang to the underprivileged children, given away food to starving families, typed letters for the Imam, and even assisted in gardening to have fresh vegetables and fruits available within the neighborhood. Being exposed to service work during this early phase shaped me to be someone who does not believe in giving back as an obligation, but as a responsibility. Academically, I have learned how to turn challenges into growth. My first AP class was AP Modern World History, which was a tough start, and the pressure of a teacher predicting that I would fail only motivated me more. I studied relentlessly, passed the exam, and proved to myself that no one else could determine my limits. That victory gave me the confidence to tackle more advanced classes like AP English Language and Composition and earn college credit in multiple subjects. I plan on majoring in business finance because I want to continue creating opportunities not only for myself but for the communities that I serve. I have experienced firsthand how ignorance of financial skills can keep a family in this cycle of poverty. I desire to break the cycle, not just for my family but also for immigrant and underserved communities like mine. With a degree in finance, I aim to start nonprofit initiatives that provide financial literacy and small business development programs to youth and immigrant families, empowering them with the tools to become self-sufficient and successful. I believe I am an ideal candidate for the Mark Green Memorial Scholarship because I embody the values of resilience, determination, and education that Mark Green lived by. My background, my service, and my education all express a strong sense of pulling people up with me as I rise. Being awarded this scholarship would not only enable me to reach my goals in college—it would be an investment in a future leader who will pay back tenfold the benefits received from his community.".

As far back as I can remember, I have understood the value of paying forward. Being a first-generation American, born to an immigrant father from Côte d'Ivoire, instilled in me a strong sense of responsibility. My father immigrated to America in search of opportunity, not just for himself, but for his generation and subsequent generations. That act of giving of one's self planted within me the concept of service, and later in life, it grew to be a vital part of what I am. I spent a large part of my teen life volunteering for community service at my hometown masjid, the Islamic Society of the Washington Area (ISWA), which was begun by Guyanese Muslim community activists. What was otherwise tagging around with older siblings proved to be actual service; from assisting in teaching Quran and Islamic studies to planning food drives, community dinners, and event planning. The masjid taught me that service does not necessarily have to be loud or heard; it's also sweeping, chair-setting up, or teaching a younger child to read Arabic. My efforts eventually extended beyond the mosque. I began to volunteer in my father's Ivorian Muslim community, where he has dedicated over 20 years to coordinating events and fundraising efforts. The tight-knit community has long desired its own mosque for over a century. From concerts, BBQ fundraisers, and family picnics, I've attempted to raise money and awareness for this cause. It has illustrated the power of enduring, persistent effort to pursue community goals. I also give back to my community through physical education. I am a first-degree black belt in Taekwondo. I help teach self-defense classes aimed at African American youth of low-income status. My abilities are not only utilized for teaching discipline and athleticism but for empowering others to have the confidence to defend themselves, not just physically but mentally. All these encounters—spiritual, cultural, and physical—have prepared me to see the world. I've learned that creating a legacy that lasts is not being a hero. It's about showing up, being reliable, and being open to serving, even when it's hard, even when nobody's watching. I plan to continue making a difference by pursuing business finance at the college level. I would like to learn about systems of wealth so that I am in a place to help underprivileged communities learn about and navigate those systems. Whether helping small immigrant-owned businesses, managing community organization funds, or eventually funding other's scholarships like mine, I want to apply financial knowledge as empowerment. Through and in faith, family, and service, I have been given so much. And now, I think, it is my turn—and my mission—to pay it forward. The scholarship would help me to be able to further my studies so that I might build a career based on compassion, justice, and long-term service. I would strive to be the sort of person who, like the sort this award celebrates, leaves the world in a better condition than I ever knew it.

Being a Second-generation African immigrant myself, my story begins with that of my father, an Ivorian who parted from Côte d'Ivoire for America to secure a brighter future for his children. He not only settled here but planted something larger, too. Along with the rest of the other Ivorian Muslims, he and others came together to form a community that has endured for more than 20 years. They've worked relentlessly towards a common goal, that of a mosque to belong. Having lived in this Ivorian Muslim community my entire life, I learned early on what it's like to serve others. I've been a part of so many projects put on by the community, ranging from barbecues and food drives to benefit concerts and charity runs. I knew that everything was a stepping stone to something greater than myself. Those moments weren't simply service, they were manifestations of our culture: one of oneness, self-denial, and grit. My service to the Ivorian community did not remain at that point. What I did there offered the motivation and example to help other individuals also. At ISWA (the Islamic Society of the Washington Area)—a mosque founded by Guyanese Muslims—I teach weekend classes in Arabic and Islamic studies to adults and youth. I also teach self-defense classes to low-income children at my taekwondo dojo. From planning events and helping with mosque activities to cleaning bathrooms and taking care of interfaith gardens, I've earned over 1,000 student service learning hours—not because I was told to, but because I wanted to. Through these experiences, I have redefined my understanding of education. From my immigrant family, I've learned that education is the key to stability, growth, and influence. But I have also learned that opportunity access is imbalanced. It is mostly people in my community—both African and Caribbean—who fail not because they are not trying their best, but because they have limited access to resources. Through this experience, I was motivated to pursue a college education and career in business finance, an area I see as central to economic empowerment. The path has not been smooth. Taking AP Modern World History as my first college course was one of the most intimidating hurdles I had to overcome in high school. The material was challenging, and my teacher doubted me. But I tapped into the grit that I had learned from my community and persevered. I passed the AP test and earned college credit for free. That victory encouraged me to overcome and pass the AP English Language and Composition exam as well, saving the cost of my future academic endeavors. Those triumphs instilled in me the knowledge that I could work through challenges with resilience and tenacity, practices rooted deeply in my Ivorian heritage. Being awarded the Dr. Soronnadi Nnaji Legacy Scholarship would be essential to funding my college education and future career in STEM. As a business finance student, I plan to specialize in financial consulting and economic development, equipping immigrant families with the skills necessary to move through complex financial systems, build wealth, and plan for their future. This is part of the legacy of Dr. Nnaji in using education to power and uplift communities. This scholarship would not only relieve economic stress, it would also validate the commitment and sacrifices of my community and family. It would enable me to go even further in school and professionally. With it, I will continue to pay forward, not just to the Ivorian community, but to any community in need that needs someone who understands the power of heritage, service, and determination.

Honoring My Heritage, Shaping My Destiny Raised in the Islamic Society of the Washington Area (ISWA), I was immersed in a Caribbean community teeming with Guyanese Muslim existence. Our mosque, founded by Guyanese immigrants, was not just a place of worship; it was a second family, a cultural center, and a community center. It was here that I was taught to teach, to mentor, and to offer and accept nothing in return. This Caribbean tradition, passed down through generations and witnessed in daily deeds of charity, selflessness, and devotion, has molded me and shaped me and made me what I am and wish to be. Being part of the Guyanese Muslim community has taught me endurance. Most of ISWA's older men and women—friends and family—flew out of America with no more than faith, family, and a determination to build a life. I observed them as they worked multiple jobs, held tight to their spirituality, and managed to give back as well. My beloved Uncle Seymour Philippe was one of them. Despite him having passed away too soon, his dedication and willingness to help continue to inspire me. He taught me that one does not necessarily have to spend money to make a difference—you only have to be there, willing, and available. To me, being part of a Caribbean community means carrying on that legacy. It means holding my head high, staying grounded in faith, and lifting up those around me. Whether it was teaching self-defense to local youth at my taekwondo dojo or leading weekend Arabic and Islamic studies classes at ISWA, I’ve always used my skills to help those around me—especially low-income families and children who need guidance and support. But I do know, too, that my potential is more likely to be greater if there is good schooling. I want to go to college because I want to be a change agent—not just at my mosque, but globally. I am going to study business finance and one day will be a financial consultant or advisor who works specifically with under-served communities like Latino and Caribbean communities. There are simply too many people within our communities making paycheck to paycheck not due to a lack of work ethic but due to their lack of understanding and ability about money. I want to create that difference. I want to teach families about budgeting, investing, saving, and accumulating wealth. College is the way I continue creating that vision into a reality. I've already demonstrated that I'm not afraid of hard work—I've already taken two AP exams for a seat, accumulated over 1,000 hours of student service learning, and overcome every obstacle that has ever gotten in my way. I don't give up, no matter what the world tells me to do. And I'm not motivated by accomplishment, but by service. I want to bring honor to my family. I want to pay tribute to Uncle Seymour's memory. And I want to demonstrate to the world that young people such as myself in the Caribbean are capable of more than merely surviving—yes, we can inspire, lead, and create a difference. With this scholarship, it will be possible. I will live my heritage—name and deed. I will continue to lead, serve, and construct a future that honors the past and opens up new horizons of possibility for those who come after me.

Building Sustainable Futures through Economic Education and Empowerment I learned the value of service early in life. I grew up in a faith-in-action community and spent hundreds of hours volunteering at my neighborhood masjid (Islamic Society of the Washington Area), teaching Arabic, distributing food, and helping to manage weekend classes for children and adults. I didn't do it for permission—I did it because it was something that I am. I was taught to think that volunteering your time to your community is a service to yourself. In the process, these experiences did more than create hours; they created purpose. Since I am pursuing a degree in business finance, I am keen to utilize my education towards the bridging of opportunity gaps and the long-term financial and environmental transformation—most importantly, for Black and Brown communities such as mine. Over the next five years, I aim to focus on sustainability and financial literacy, utilizing finance as a tool for empowering marginalized groups and building their environmental resilience. This is what I intend to do. In the community, I intend to work with youth organizations, masjids, and community centers to offer free financial literacy courses. Some of the families I grew up with—and mine—struggle under the burden of student loan debt, credit debt, or an inability to achieve wealth. I want to be a part of ending that cycle. By teaching students about skills like investing, budgeting, and credit, I hope to equip young people with the information to make smart financial decisions. I will also address topics like green banking and sustainable investing to encourage eco-friendly financial habits. Globally, I will create online materials—social media, infographics, and videos—to make financial knowledge and environmental literacy available to communities of color youth. Social media is a versatile tool, and I've personally seen the effects when a lone inspirational tweet realigned the path of my life during the pandemic. I hope to provide others with that same moment, empowering them through the language of finance. Within the next five years, I would ideally have completed college with a degree in business finance and sustainable or ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) investing certifications. Down the line, I would like to initiate a consulting program for Black and Brown-owned small businesses to implement fiscally sound and sustainable measures, waste-to-energy, and energy-efficient budgets. Sustainability and finance are not opposing entities; they go hand in hand with one another. Struggling communities tend to be most hit by environmental problems, and through proper financial planning, we can make them more resilient. All of this, though, wouldn't be occurring if not for the foundation I've already laid. It was either helping aid in leading classes at my Taekwondo school, volunteering at interfaith community gardens, or beating the odds through passing AP exams after everyone told me I wasn't going to succeed, but I've proved that when the going gets rough, I don't give up. I keep going—and I bring others with me. This scholarship would not only allow me to continue my education; it would kindle vision. I'm not just trying to be successful for myself. I'm trying to make success available, viable, and possible for every individual in my community and the global population at large.

It has not always been difficult to give back to society—it has been something that comes from the individual that I am and how I was brought up. Over the years, I've done my best to serve people around me, low-income families, and at-risk kids in my neighborhood. In teaching self-defense and teaching knowledge of my faith, I've tried to make a positive impact with the skills and experience that have been bestowed upon me. The experience enriched my community and shaped me into a more self-controlled, self-conscious, and purposeful person. One of the most apparent ways in which I volunteer is by teaching self-defense classes at my local Taekwondo school. As a first-degree black belt, I put my years of training and experience into teaching free or low-cost African American kids from my community. These are the kids for whom confidence, safety, and self-discipline cannot be guaranteed. In Taekwondo, I don't merely teach them kicks and blocks—I teach them about values like respect, perseverance, and self-control. Watching my students grow in skill and self-assurance has been the best part of my life. Apart from physical training, I also give my time voluntarily to teach Islamic studies, current events, and Islamic history classes at my local mosque. These lessons strengthen the bond of Muslims in their early lives with Islam, providing them with a platform where they can inquire, learn, and develop spiritually. Education, at a personal level, is one of the most powerful tools of empowerment, and to be in a position where you can impart it to other people is a role that I take very seriously. These acts of service have accumulated to over 1,000 hours of student service learning—time that has deepened my commitment to community building. But more than the hours, what matters most to me is the impact. I’ve seen students who walked into class unsure of themselves leave with a sense of pride. I’ve seen young people ask questions about their identity and find clarity through faith and knowledge. These experiences rekindled my passion to perform this work years after graduation. After college, I expect to continue my service in all directions. My dream is to pursue a career in which I will be able to speak for marginalized communities in my voice in law, education, or the non-profit sector. I plan to set up or partner with organizations that provide low-cost self-defense and educational programs to minority and low-income youth. I also plan on continuing to volunteer at my masjid and other centers, giving back my experience to assist young people in dealing with the issues that I have realized.