As a young black man living in the Washington, DC area, I have witnessed firsthand the adversities and challenges that surround me. The alarming rise in gun violence, especially among teenagers and young adults, has plagued our community, leading to numerous lives lost. However, I refuse to let these odds define me. Through hard work and determination in both high school and college, I am committed to changing these statistics and creating a brighter future for myself and others. Through my first year of college, I started off with a 3.3 GPA and by the end of the second semester, my GPA jumped to 3.97 and averaged out at a 3.6. With these grades, I was also able to make the Dean's list first semester and the Chancellor's list in the second. My academic journey steered me towards a deep-rooted passion for the agricultural industry, where I hope to make a substantial impact by addressing the specific needs and challenges faced by farmers on the focus of African American farmers, particularly agribusinesses, and other stakeholders. I have seen many disparities in communities of color when it comes to access and quality of food choices. The production and agriculture of food have often gone underserved in these communities by supermarket chains and development companies. This critical issue is affecting people's health, which is vital to the existence of humanity. As sophomore attending North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NCA&T), I am looking to pursue a bachelor's and master’s degree to become a subject matter expert that will lead and advocate on behalf of these communities of color and bring forth change. I would like to examine food production financing, marketing, and management. The price of food has increased, and it does not match the current cost of living. Preservatives and chemicals are added to what we eat, and this needs to be addressed on local and national levels. Finally, as a first-generation college student, receiving this scholarship and the opportunities and access it provides, will allow me to lessen the financial burden on my family. Despite being raised by a single mom, whom I witnessed daily struggling to provide for me and my 4 siblings, I never once let that deter me from my goals in life. In fact, I embodied my mom's determination and strength and made sure to stay focused in school and apply myself to maintain excellent grades. As a young African-American male, I am aware of the odds stacked against me, that’s why it is important for me to pursue and complete my education at NCA&T in Agribusiness. I am a leader who displays commitment and excellence in my studies and setting the path for more African-American students to impact in the field of agriculture.

Being raised by a single mom, whom I witnessed daily struggling to provide for me and my 4 siblings, I never once let that deter me from my goals in life. Just seeing my mom work so hard I didn't want to have to put more on her by paying for college. I saw how hard she worked raising me and my 4 siblings including my disabled brother who was involved in a hit and run. In fact, I embodied my mom's determination and strength to make sure I stayed focused in school and applied myself in every class in order to maintain honor roll status every semester. I am looking to obtain a Master’s degree in Agribusiness, I would like to examine the financing, marketing, and management of food production. This will allow me to provide healthy choices of food to communities of color which are critically needed. Through my first year of college, I started off with a 3.3 GPA and by the end of the second semester, my GPA jumped to a 3.97 and averaged out at a 3.6. With these grades, I was also able to make the Dean's list first semester and the Chancellor's list in the second. My academic journey steered me towards a deep-rooted passion for the agricultural industry, where I hope to make a substantial impact by addressing the specific needs and challenges faced by farmers on the focus of African American farmers, particularly agribusinesses, and other stakeholders. My ultimate goal is to contribute to the long-term success and growth of this industry, benefiting all individuals involved and fostering a brighter future for everyone. As a first-generation college student, I understand the immense responsibility that comes with being a role model for my family and community. By displaying commitment and excellence in my educational studies, I hope to inspire other African-American students to pursue careers in agriculture. Exposing middle school children to the field of agriculture and its various opportunities will lay the foundation for a more diverse and inclusive agricultural industry. By guiding and supporting the next generation, we can collectively work towards addressing the underrepresentation of black farmers and promoting their participation in the agricultural sector. As a dedicated advocate for farmers and communities of color, I aim to bridge gaps, foster innovation, and promote sustainable practices within the industry. By creating a platform for cooperation and knowledge-sharing, we can collectively address the social, economic, and environmental challenges faced by the agricultural community. This collaborative effort will not only enhance productivity but also create an inclusive environment where everyone has equal opportunities to thrive. In the face of challenging odds, my determination to create a more equitable and inclusive agricultural industry remains unyielding. By acquiring knowledge, fostering collaboration, dismantling systemic barriers, and empowering future generations, I aim to drive significant change within the sector. As I continue on my journey, I aspire to be a catalyst for transformation and a voice for communities of color. Together, we can revolutionize the agricultural landscape, bringing forth brighter futures for all involved and paving the way for a more just and thriving society.

As a young black man living in the Washington, DC area, I have witnessed firsthand the adversities and challenges that surround me. The alarming rise in gun violence, especially among teenagers and young adults, has plagued our community, leading to numerous lives lost. However, I refuse to let these odds define me. Through hard work and determination in both high school and college, I am committed to changing these statistics and creating a brighter future for myself and others. Through my first year of college, I started off with a 3.3 GPA and by the end of the second semester, my GPA jumped to a 3.97 and averaged out at a 3.6. With these grades, I was also able to make the Dean's list first semester and the Chancellor's list in the second. My academic journey steered me towards a deep-rooted passion for the agricultural industry, where I hope to make a substantial impact by addressing the specific needs and challenges faced by farmers on the focus of African American farmers, particularly agribusinesses, and other stakeholders. My ultimate goal is to contribute to the long-term success and growth of this industry, benefiting all individuals involved and fostering a brighter future for everyone. As a first-generation college student, I understand the immense responsibility that comes with being a role model for my family and community. By displaying commitment and excellence in my educational studies, I hope to inspire other African-American students to pursue careers in agriculture. Exposing middle school children to the field of agriculture and its various opportunities will lay the foundation for a more diverse and inclusive agricultural industry. By guiding and supporting the next generation, we can collectively work towards addressing the underrepresentation of black farmers and promoting their participation in the agricultural sector. To bring about substantial change, collaboration, and connections between different stakeholders in the agribusiness sector are paramount. As a dedicated advocate for farmers and communities of color, I aim to bridge gaps, foster innovation, and promote sustainable practices within the industry. By creating a platform for cooperation and knowledge-sharing, we can collectively address the social, economic, and environmental challenges faced by the agricultural community. This collaborative effort will not only enhance productivity but also create an inclusive environment where everyone has equal opportunities to thrive. In the face of challenging odds, my determination to create a more equitable and inclusive agricultural industry remains unyielding. By acquiring knowledge, fostering collaboration, dismantling systemic barriers, and empowering future generations, I aim to drive significant change within the sector. As I continue on my journey, I aspire to be a catalyst for transformation and a voice for communities of color. Together, we can revolutionize the agricultural landscape, bringing forth brighter futures for all involved and paving the way for a more just and thriving society.

As a young black man living in the Washington, DC area, I have witnessed firsthand the adversities and challenges that surround me. The alarming rise in gun violence, especially among teenagers and young adults, has plagued our community, leading to numerous lives lost. However, I refuse to let these odds define me. Through hard work and determination in both high school and college, I am committed to changing these statistics and creating a brighter future for myself and others. Through my first year of college, I started with a 3.3 GPA and by the end of the second semester my GPA jumped to 3.97 and averaged out at a 3.6. With these grades, I was also able to make the Dean's list first semester and the Chancellor's list in the second. My academic journey steered me towards a deep-rooted passion for the agricultural industry, where I hope to make a substantial impact by addressing the specific needs and challenges faced by farmers on the focus of African American farmers, particularly agribusinesses, and other stakeholders. My ultimate goal is to contribute to the long-term success and growth of this industry, benefiting all individuals involved and fostering a brighter future for everyone. As a first-generation college student, I understand the immense responsibility that comes with being a role model for my family and community. By displaying commitment and excellence in my educational studies, I hope to inspire other African-American students to pursue careers in agriculture. Exposing middle school children to the field of agriculture and its various opportunities will lay the foundation for a more diverse and inclusive agricultural industry. By guiding and supporting the next generation, we can collectively work towards addressing the underrepresentation of black farmers and promoting their participation in the agricultural sector. To bring about substantial change, collaboration, and connections between different stakeholders in the agribusiness sector are paramount. As a dedicated advocate for farmers and communities of color, I aim to bridge gaps, foster innovation, and promote sustainable practices within the industry. By creating a platform for cooperation and knowledge-sharing, we can collectively address the social, economic, and environmental challenges faced by the agricultural community. This collaborative effort will not only enhance productivity but also create an inclusive environment where everyone has equal opportunities to thrive. In the face of challenging odds, my determination to create a more equitable and inclusive agricultural industry remains unyielding. By acquiring knowledge, fostering collaboration, dismantling systemic barriers, and empowering future generations, I aim to drive significant change within the sector. As I continue on my journey, I aspire to be a catalyst for transformation and a voice for communities of color. Together, we can revolutionize the agricultural landscape, bringing forth brighter futures for all involved and paving the way for a more just and thriving society. If I am selected for this scholarship it will help me show other young men that despite your circumstances they should never give up and continue to pursue your dreams and make an impact in your community. Be persistent and aim with a purpose in life. Also, I will let them know that you don't get everything you want but always continue to have faith and believe in yourself. Finally, receiving this scholarship helps lessen the financial burden of my higher education and get me closer to being able to help communities in need of access to quality food choices, shelter, and clothing through my building a non-profit once I get out of college.