EARLY EXPERIENCES There is only one way to describe my life journey: extreme. For two decades I sat on the sidelines watching my husband's career flourish. As an excellent athlete with exceptional talents, he rose to prominence while defying the odds. He was a closet intellectual who scored a perfect 1400 on his SATs. He would run on the beach every morning to train, which supported his career interests to become a professional athlete. Using rationale and a long-term strategy he accomplished his goal, becoming an award-winning track star who excelled in college on a full scholarship. His commitment to education resulted in a full academic scholarship to attend one of the nation's leading Ivy League universities in Southern California. Our journey together began while he was traveling the country on assignment for a leading west coast publication to cover the Final Fours. Watching his career take on monumental forms, he was determined to broaden his scope by engaging in coverage for all sports, local and national, for his publication. My husband would eventually land a leading role as a sports columnist covering football before authoring a nationally recognized, best-selling book. I have always admired his passion for sports. COMMUNITY SERVICE While visiting major towns across America I always managed to find time to visit the local attractions, often discovering unique perspectives that inspired me to take action. As a fashion designer I have had been nominated to serve on two boards of directors to lead community-based initiatives. I have had the opportunity to rediscover the passion that brewed quietly beneath. While being married for twenty years was exciting, however, finding a voice within my community is equally as fulfilling. I will remain dedicated to serving my community as much as possible because I understand how it impacts others. IMPACT I live in a county that represents a vibrant cultural enclave representing a diverse population of more than thirty-three cultures from around the world. In this area there are a limited number of museums (only two that I can think of) in the local vicinity. There are two stadiums to serve one million residents. As I look around there are numerous opportunities to make the experience of this area of the world representative of a cultural destination not just a suburban enclave. After serving on two boards of directors, I have learned to embrace the challenges my community faces. Recently I attended two city council meetings to collect first-hand on the region’s most pressing issues. After submitting requests, within 8 months I noticed results. This to me signals a tremendous need for residents to work with city council to voice their concerns. ACHIEVEMENT Returning to school after the age of 40 has been a tremendous challenge. An education in business leadership empowers me with the ability to make an impact. As an award-winning influencer and designer, I am poised to make a difference. With less than a year to complete my doctorate, The Debra S. Jackson New Horizons Scholarship ensures the community hears my voice. SCHOLARSHIP Similar to Mrs. Jackson, I have volunteered for my community, fostered educational initiatives to support professional development for project managers, and donated to many charities to support others. This scholarship supports an ambitious strategy to forge a new life for myself and those around me. By remaining focused on the horizon, I may someday reach my goal. As clearly as the sun shines before me, thanks to generous people like you, I may stand in the presence of greatness using the skills I have obtained to make a difference. Education is my passion.

"Sew Sleek, So Chic! How Fashion Makes the World a Better Place" In the garment industry everyday images appear in magazines featuring swaths of clothing accumulating in areas of the world which are signaling a global clothing crisis. In Ghana, for instance, manufacturers have arbitrarily used the country as a dumping ground for waste. Clothing in general often pollutes waterways let alone the pollutants caused by washing them. According to an article on the environmental ramifications of the clothing industry, New England Woolens.com reports approximately ninety-two million tons of waste are generated from over consumption which amounts to landfills littered with non-biodegradable clothing. Not only is the global supply chain of clean water compromised, but synthetic fibers found in fast fashion (sportswear) contribute to the quality of the earth's soil, marine life found in oceans, water scarcity, and hunger. Clothing is filling landfills, thrift shops, oceans, and water pipelines leading to massive destruction. Some retailers have even gone as far as to accept worn clothing back to address this need. Similarly, washing synthetic fibers in found in clothing contributes to microplastics formed as a byproduct which threatens our waterways. One simple piece of technology, a sewing machine, can solve the global crisis the fashion industry is experiencing due to overconsumption. My background in business leads me to believe there are several causes contributing to this modern dilemma. The most common one I can think of is the ability (or inability) to forecast a wardrobe that works for both the short and long-term needs. Today consumers can now tailor their clothes to accommodate lifestyle changes. There are also websites that offer alternatives to throwing away or thrifting unwanted items. Savvy online boutiques offer solutions to this ever-evolving problem. The Real Real(therealreal.com) and 1stDibs (1stdibs.com) are just two examples of retailers seeking to address this phenomenon. As the United Nations convenes to discuss the 2030 global sustainability goals technology plays a vital role in empowering everyone to embrace new ways to solve environmental challenges leading to water scarcity, poverty, global warming, and potentially poverty. If everyone considered the long-lasting implications of their purchases, not only would we have a more fashionable community, doing so could lead to an improved quality of life. "So a man thinketh in his heart, so is he". If we could envision a fashionable society then the potential exists to make the world a better place for all.

When asked the proverbial question, “So, what do you want to become when you grow up?” I answered, "I want to become a fashion designer, travel the world, and live an extraordinary life as a creator." As a sixteen-year-old high school student I would spend every millisecond of my downtime exploring pathways into the art world, fashion more specifically. I enjoyed spending my weekends visiting the nation’s most celebrated museums on the mall in Washington, D.C. with my mother, an avid patron of the arts. She would insist on the family spending summer days at the National Mall where we would visit the Smithsonian Museum and walk the grounds of the mall discussing world history, art, and culture. My father enjoyed photography and often photographed family outings. I have fond memories of standing in front of The Lincoln Memorial and The Jefferson Memorial on any given summer day. I was always fascinated by how art, history, and culture co-mingled in a way to visually communicate the stories of phenomenal people who contributed to the fabric of our society. As an impressionable teenage girl, I recognized the need to tell my story as the history of the city left me with a void that somehow forms my view of the world from my own unique perspective. Throughout my career I have garnered tremendous insight from the world’s leading luminaries in my field. I have studied under the leadership of Donna Karan. I have visited Paris, France to explore the latest technological advances in textile design. I have traveled to distant lands to explore the latest business trends in design, sourcing unique fabrics, and forging relationships with suppliers. As complex as the world is, so is the fashion industry. To combat those challenges, I pursued higher education in business leadership and development. I have witnessed first-hand trials of making an impact on the fashion industry. It is as dynamic as it is challenging. The ecosystem is comprised of many talented designers, artists, illustrators, craftsmen, investors, and exporters. When understanding how shifts in supply and demand dictate customer buying preferences. Successful business leaders must embody a keen understanding of global business, politics, leadership, and the economy. Successful leaders must embrace change, should also have an ability to forecast emerging developments, and exhibit a commitment to fostering innovative solutions. As thought leaders, they should live in the present, celebrate the past, and imagine the future. As a doctoral candidate I have received recognition from the Honor Society for my development work exploring innovative business strategies. Early in my career, I was recognized by Who's Who of American Women in Business and served as the only minority American designer on a distinguished panel. Nominated by LinkedIn as a Top Influencer, I have leveraged my understanding of the world of design to foster change. With the "Pursue Your Passion" Scholarship I could continue breaking barriers, fostering change, and building equitable bridges that will impact future business leaders, policymakers, economists, and educators.

It is through conflicts that my soul just opens up. For many years I have been intrigued by business leaders: individuals who strive to make a difference in the world in which we live. Innovators, designers, illustrators, idea generators, change-agents, financiers, and visionaries - these are the people who make the world a better place. During times of hardship society flourishes. Throughout the history of the world from ancient civilizations through today, the one constant variable is innovation after times of economic turmoil. In Europe, for example, the Great Depression was preceded by the Rennaissance. The Dark Ages were followed by many inventions that influenced society in ways that fostered rapid progress that still benefits society today. Similarly, during the global pandemic, the world paused for a moment as we pivoted our focus to solve a global health crisis. Now, more than ever, society has become focused on solving world challenges at a rapid pace because the severity of the situation somehow made us more aware of the need to preserve humanity through focused initiatives to promote change. Environmental changes manage to bring out the best in society which often leads to new developments. Education is derived from edu-care, which means to draw out, extract, data. Hence, one might assume the process of educating others means to pull concepts from someone out to the surface in order to engage in the educational process. After traveling to various parts of the world I quickly learned to embrace the importance of the lessons world history has taught us over time. During periods of uncertainty, the best architects of finance and economics have the ability to impact society by sharing the lessons of what has occurred during past times of economic downturns. Just as the arts flourished after the Great Depression, so has society become more focused on continuously fostering improvements during this post-pandemic era. As retailers pivot their business strategies to incorporate more products that cater to health and well-being to their shelves and as pharmacies partner with grocery stores to ensure life-saving products are available for mass distribution through improved access to technology, life in America continues to advance. Through internet technology stores are now less likely to remain open when there is an environmental threat or challenge. Through improved drop-shipping strategies and use of drones to deliver food and medicine to areas where the roads are not as fully developed in certain countries, people are able to improve the quality of life by benefitting from advances in technology. In healthcare, for example, patients without access to transportation were once unable to receive care due to lack of dependable transportation. Today that has changed. Now, through tele-health technology, doctors now provide valuable information through virtual appointments. Additionally, medical experts now facilitate distribution of much-needed medications through advanced call-in procedures which has saved many lives by improving access to prescriptions from under-served populations who traditionally may have suffered from a lack of access to medications. These are just a few examples of how one pandemic preceded rapid improvements in education, medicine, health care and retail. As we move into 2025, let's embrace education for all who have the desire to impact the lives of others through a shared commitment to serve in a way that creates solutions to today's complex, environmental challenges. I have learned it is during these challenging times that we must remain cognizant of the fact that we are all in this together. Education has taught me how to apply insight to specific situations in order to facilitate progress with the mindset, E Pluribus Unum (Out of many, ONE).

The life of my dreams started in 2002 when I traveled to China, France, Hawaii, Italy, and Taipei exploring the market for products intended for export to the United States market. I thoroughly enjoyed meetings with dignitaries from other countries with various interests in business. During one year of rigorous travel and research I realized how there was so much more to international business development initiatives than I had ever discussed with my colleagues, clients, others in my inner circle or industry. When I was in China two decades ago, I jetted from international airport to private plane to meet my clients. My life was filled with business adventures spanning three continents often involving travel monthly which was an incredible global experience in international business education. A personal chauffer ensured I made it to each destination without any problems. I effortlessly transitioned from an obscure life as a fashion designer to meeting high-profile clients to present ideas and collaborate. Within a short time-frame I traveled the globe to attend events in Paris and New York, the fashion centers of the world. With only a passport and ideas I was awarded free reign into a world far-removed from anything I had experienced during my lifetime. It was an absolutely life-changing experience; one in which I will always treasure. Although life unfolded for me in disproportionate ways, I found myself perplexed at the notion that I had only obtained a standard, four-year education. I met with business leaders without experience in business. I traveled to foreign lands without speaking the language of my counterparts. I engaged in business research without a traditional education in development. Relying solely on a limited education I was granted the opportunity to produce and present a fashion collection independently in collaboration with twelve other fashion designers who would someday become recognized as the first cohort of fashion designers to launch Vietnam's first-ever fashion week conference. Within less than a week of activities, the country would become known as an avenue to explore uncharted territory. I met with shoe designers, sportswear manufacturers, independent jewelry designers, skilled basket weavers, website designers, exporters, importers, childrenswear manufacturers, textile mills, and skilled craftsman of every discipline. Business leaders, large and small, embraced my presence. Shared their stories. Engaged in conversations about art, culture, trade, and traditions. It was an amazing exchange of cultural expression framed within a formal context of international business and commerce My mornings were filled with meetings over coffee to discuss short-term and long-term projects. Each goal or objective was framed with illustrations, presentations, techniques, and conversations about how and why certain processes are relevant to different body types, cultures, markets, lifestyles. One discussion on embroidery led to more detail-oriented discussions on technical specifications, engineering, fabrications, and styling. Completely engrossed in the creative process from morning to night, I embraced the experience holistically, realizing that I had no formal education in design. The demand for new data superseded the limitations that I once felt could impede upon my ability to communicate with a design team in a foreign country with different processes, procedures and approaches to design. I was not hindered by language or cultural barriers nor did attitudes or local tastes and preferences detract from the experience. As the first African American designer to ever achieve global recognition for doing so, I decided to further my education in order to return to the world stage in a way that allows me to contribute on a global scale to make a difference. As a doctoral candidate, I realize the life of my dreams is within reach!