
Hobbies and interests
Dance
Church
Gaming
Jewelry Making
Baking
Cooking
James Northern
675
Bold Points1x
Finalist1x
Winner
James Northern
675
Bold Points1x
Finalist1x
WinnerBio
I am a hard working, passionate, community-oriented young man that graduated with a 3.8 GPA at one of the best high schools in the state of Pennsylvania. At high school, I play a vital role and do multiple things, including dance, Vice President of the African-American Student Union, and multiple affinity groups and cultural clubs. I always try hard to make school a comfortable place for everyone because community is important to me. During my time at Central, I’ve maintained honors, both Distinguished and Meritorious, since my freshman year. I have hobbies such as jewelry making and baking, which I turned into a small business to make some money. I also would say graphic design is another one of my hobbies, especially making flyers. Outside of school, I’ve been a mime at my church since 2019, which has been a great outlet for me where I found a little community within church. Now I am working to attain a degree in Business Administration at Arcadia University.
Education
Arcadia University
Bachelor's degree programMajors:
- Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other
Central High School
High SchoolMiscellaneous
Desired degree level:
Bachelor's degree program
Graduate schools of interest:
Transfer schools of interest:
Majors of interest:
- Business Administration, Management and Operations
- Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations
Career
Dream career field:
Business Supplies and Equipment
Dream career goals:
Top of the Business world. Owning my own businesses.
Owner/Founder
James’s Jewelry2022 – Present3 yearsOwner/Founder/Baker
JamesGotSweets2023 – Present2 years
Sports
Dancing
Club2022 – Present3 years
Awards
- No
Public services
Volunteering
Bridge Program — Big Sibling/Mentor2022 – 2023Volunteering
Central High School — Orientation Tour Guide2022 – 2024
Future Interests
Advocacy
Volunteering
Entrepreneurship
Edward Dorsey, Jr. Memorial Scholarship
With my business degree, I plan to open and own multiple businesses throughout my career. Entrepreneurship has always been something I am deeply passionate about, and I see it as not only a way to build financial stability for myself, but also as a means of creating opportunities for others. One of the first businesses I want to open is a baking business. Baking has been a passion of mine for years, and I want to transform that love into something sustainable that can serve my community. Food brings people together, and I envision my bakery being more than just a place where people purchase bread, pastries, or cakes. I want it to be a welcoming space where people feel at home, where they can gather, share stories, and build connections. My bakery will represent both hard work and creativity, and it will be the foundation of my journey as an entrepreneur.
After I establish myself and gain success in the business field, I want to use my resources and experience to give back to my community in a larger way. My long-term goal is to start a nonprofit organization here in Philadelphia, one that is built with multiple parts and purposes, but all tied together by one main focus: helping little Black boys get out of the streets and away from the cycles of violence. Growing up, I have seen how young Black boys often face stereotypes and lack the resources that could help guide them toward safer and more fulfilling paths. Too many times, guns, crime, and negative influences become the default options when there are not enough positive alternatives available. My nonprofit will be dedicated to changing that reality.
The organization will provide access to mental health resources, because I believe healing and emotional support are key to breaking generational struggles. Along with that, I want to create spaces where the boys can explore activities, hobbies, and potential trades. Whether it’s art, sports, music, cooking, coding, or learning skilled trades, I want them to have a wide variety of outlets that can spark their interests and open doors for the future. These programs will give them tools to not only survive, but to thrive. The nonprofit will also serve as a fun and safe environment—a place they genuinely enjoy spending time in and feel loved and supported.
Accessibility will be one of the most important parts of my nonprofit. I want it to be free, or at the very least highly affordable, for low-income families. No child should be denied opportunities simply because of their family’s financial situation. By making it open and accessible, I hope to eliminate as many barriers as possible.
Ultimately, my vision is to become a pillar in my community, someone who uplifts others and helps break harmful stereotypes. I want to show that success is not just about what you gain for yourself, but also about what you give back to others. By building businesses and later creating a nonprofit that focuses on empowerment and support, I hope to inspire change, offer alternatives, and create lasting impact in Philadelphia and beyond.
Aaron Libson Champion of Human Rights Scholarship
WinnerAs a young Black man from Philadelphia, I’ve always believed that real change starts with the next generation. Too often, I see young people around me growing up without the guidance, resources, or support they need to succeed. That’s why I’ve made it my mission to pour into the youth around me—especially those who come from environments where they’re overlooked or underestimated.
Right now, I’m doing that work in my own school and community. I take pride in being someone younger students can look up to—whether that’s through mentoring, giving advice, or just being present and supportive. I’ve built strong bonds with younger boys, like my “school nephew” Jay’veon, who see me as a big brother figure. Through relationships like this, I’ve learned how important it is for young people to have someone who listens to them, encourages them, and reminds them that they matter. I don’t take that responsibility lightly.
Outside of mentoring, I’m also a leader on my school’s step team. Step has allowed me to bring people together and create a space where we can express ourselves, build discipline, and support one another like family. Being a part of that has shown me the power of unity and the importance of having positive outlets for young people to grow and shine.
In the future, I plan to continue this work on a bigger scale. I want to attend Morehouse College and major in Business Administration so I can become an entrepreneur who not only builds successful businesses but also gives back to the community. I want to open businesses in areas like baking, fashion, and handmade jewelry—creative spaces that also serve as hubs for mentorship, job training, and personal development for youth.
My ultimate goal is to create programs that teach young people real-life skills like financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and emotional intelligence. I want to give them tools that schools don’t always provide and open doors they may not even know exist. Most importantly, I want to show them that their dreams are valid and reachable, no matter where they come from.
I believe that leadership is about more than just having a title—it’s about showing up, being consistent, and setting the tone for others to follow. That’s what I try to do every day, and that’s the kind of impact I want to keep making throughout my life. By investing in youth, I know I can help build stronger communities and a brighter future for everyone.
Love Island Fan Scholarship
In “Romantic Time Capsule,” couples will create a time capsule that represents their relationship and future aspirations. The challenge combines creativity, foresight, and collaboration, and aims to showcase how well couples understand each other and their shared dreams. Challenge Breakdown- Personal Artifacts: Each couple is given a box and asked to fill it with five items that symbolize their relationship. These could be anything from personal notes and small gifts to symbolic trinkets. They must explain the significance of each item in a short presentation.
Future Predictions: Couples will write letters to their future selves, predicting where they see their relationship in five years. They’ll also record a video message about their current feelings and hopes for the future. These letters and videos will be sealed in the capsule.
Memory Collage: Couples must create a visual collage from materials provided (e.g., magazines, markers, glue) that represents their journey together so far. The collage should capture key moments, emotions, and milestones in their relationship. Dream Map: Each pair will design a “dream map” illustrating their future goals and adventures together. This map should include both realistic and imaginative aspirations, such as traveling to specific destinations or achieving personal goals as a couple. Capsule Presentation: After preparing their time capsule, couples present their completed projects to the rest of the villa. They explain the meaning behind their chosen items, their future predictions, and their dream map. Scoring and Prizes- Personal Artifacts: 10 points for creativity and meaningful explanations. Future Predictions: 10 points for depth and alignment with each other’s visions.
Memory Collage: 10 points for visual appeal and emotional resonance.
Dream Map: 10 points for creativity and realism of future goals. The couple with the highest total score wins the challenge. The prize could be a special, romantic evening where they can use their time capsule as a backdrop, perhaps under the stars or on a private beach, reflecting on their journey together. This challenge is designed to offer a deep dive into the couples' emotions and future plans, allowing them to creatively express their relationship and showcase their long-term commitment.