There was a time in my life when everything felt uncertain, my confidence, my future, and even my sense of belonging. As a Black, gay, first-generation college student, I often found myself carrying pressures that felt heavier than I knew how to explain. I didn’t always have answers, and there were moments when I felt completely alone. During those times, my faith became the one place where I could rest, reflect, and regain strength. One of the greatest challenges I faced was learning how to believe in myself when the world seemed determined to question my worth. I encountered moments of doubt both internal and external where my identity and ambitions were minimized. Financial stress, academic pressure, and the fear of failing my family weighed heavily on me. I remember nights filled with anxiety, wondering if I was strong enough to continue or if I was trying to reach for something I wasn’t meant to have. In those moments, I leaned into my faith not because everything suddenly became easier, but because faith reminded me that I did not have to face everything alone. Prayer and reflection became grounding practices for me. They allowed me to quiet the noise of fear and reconnect with a deeper sense of purpose. My faith taught me patience when progress felt slow and courage when I felt unsure. It reminded me that struggle does not mean defeat and that growth often comes from discomfort. One specific moment stands out when I felt overwhelmed by self-doubt and exhaustion. I questioned whether continuing my education was worth the sacrifices I was making. Instead of walking away, I chose to trust that there was meaning in my perseverance. I leaned on faith to help me push forward, believing that my journey even with its challenges was unfolding exactly as it needed to. That belief gave me the strength to keep showing up, even when I didn’t feel confident. Through relying on my faith, I learned how to surrender control while still taking responsibility for my actions. I learned that faith is not about avoiding hardship, but about finding peace within it. It helped me embrace who I am fully and unapologetically, understanding that my identity is not a mistake but a purpose. Today, my faith continues to guide me through uncertainty. It reminds me that setbacks do not define me and that resilience is built through trust, reflection, and hope. Relying on my faith during challenging times has shaped me into someone who moves forward with intention and strength. It taught me that even when the path is unclear, believing in something greater than fear can carry you through.

Being a first-generation college student means prevailing not only beyond my family’s standard, but beyond the expectations often placed on Black people who dare to pursue higher education. It means carrying hope and pressure at the same time. I walk a path no one in my family has walked before, often unsure if I am doing things “right,” but determined to keep going anyway. There were moments when I felt lost, overwhelmed, and afraid of failing not just myself, but everyone who believes in me. As a Black, gay, first-generation student, I have had to navigate spaces where I did not always feel seen or understood. I’ve faced financial stress, self-doubt, and the quiet fear of not belonging. There were times when I questioned whether I was smart enough, prepared enough, worthy enough. Without a family guide to college life, I learned through trial and error. I made mistakes, learned hard lessons, and slowly built confidence through persistence rather than certainty. What kept me moving forward was purpose. Growing up, it took me years to find a makeup shade that truly matched my skin tone. That experience stayed with me because it made me feel invisible. Instead of ignoring that feeling, I held onto it. It became the root of my dream to create an inclusive beauty brand that centers self-love, representation, and authenticity. Beauty, to me, is not about perfection it is about being seen and accepted as you are. This scholarship would ease more than just financial stress; it would give me room to breathe. It would allow me to focus on my education without constantly worrying about how to make ends meet. More than that, it would affirm that my journey matters and that someone believes in my potential. As a first-generation student, support like this feels deeply personal it reminds me that I do not have to carry everything alone. My dream is bigger than personal success. I want to build something that reflects people who have been overlooked, underestimated, and unheard. I want to prove that our stories, identities, and ambitions are worthy of space and investment. Being first-generation means I am creating a future without a safety net, but also without limits. With this scholarship, I can continue my journey with courage, purpose, and the belief that where I come from does not define how far I can go.

I’m beautiful, and many people hate that. But I absolutely do not apologize for it. I know who I am, and I embrace it fully. Being a Black, gay individual has not always been easy, but it has been essential in shaping my voice, my confidence, and my ambition. These experiences are the foundation of my passion for beauty and my determination to redefine the industry as a space of inclusion, empowerment, and authenticity. Obtaining a business degree will profoundly impact my life by giving me the tools to transform this passion into sustainable change. For me, beauty is far more than makeup. It is a form of self-expression, self-love, and resistance against systems that exclude and overlook marginalized communities. Growing up, it took me two years to find a foundation shade that truly matched my skin tone. That experience was not just frustrating, it was eye-opening. It revealed how major corporations often prioritize one narrow standard of beauty while ignoring people who exist beyond it. Instead of internalizing that exclusion, I turned it into motivation. I began to see beauty not only as an art but as an industry in need of disruption. A business degree will allow me to understand how industries operate, how markets are shaped, and how I can strategically intervene to create meaningful representation. My long-term goal is to build a beauty brand that centers self-love and inclusivity, especially for communities that have historically been marginalized. Makeup can sometimes be used to hide insecurities, but I want my company to send a different message: beauty begins within. Through a business education, I will gain essential knowledge in finance, marketing, operations, and entrepreneurship skills that will enable me to launch, manage, and grow a company that is both impactful and profitable. This degree will teach me how to balance creativity with structure and vision with execution. I have often encountered people who tried to downplay my confidence or questioned my comfort in expressing my true gay self. These moments could have silenced me, but instead, they sharpened my resilience and leadership skills. Navigating spaces where I was misunderstood taught me how to advocate for myself, think critically, and remain composed under pressure, qualities that are invaluable in the business world. A business degree will strengthen these traits by providing formal training in leadership, ethical decision-making, and strategic planning. Ultimately, obtaining a business degree will impact my life by empowering me to create opportunities not only for myself but for others. I want to build a company that creates jobs, uplifts communities, and redefines success beyond profit alone. With a solid business foundation, I will be able to turn lived experience into leadership and personal passion into professional influence. Beauty is not just what we apply to our faces; it is how we honor ourselves, embrace our identities, and stand confidently in who we are. By earning a business degree, I will gain the tools to ensure that my voice, values, and vision are not temporary but lasting, allowing me to reshape the beauty industry into one that truly sees, celebrates, and empowers everyone.