The reason for me to pursue my education at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, is to make college textbooks affordable for college students that are burdened with the costs of higher education. My goal is to ultimately help the college student community by easing the financial burden of higher education, and the African American community by becoming a business owner, as only 3.3% of the US' businesses are Black owned. My parents were hard workers; my dad owns his own DJ brand, while working a full-time job. My single mother also works full-time while fundraising and volunteering for community services. They worked hard to provide for me and bring me up in a healthy environment. They sometimes sacrificed what they wanted for my well-being and development. And they encouraged me to expand my comfort zone and go adventure out of my daily routine and break me out of my shell. They expected nothing less of me, and over time, I expected the same for myself. I recently lost a scholarship that would help carry me through my first two years of college, due to being one credit short for renewal eligibility. And with the past and upcoming year, I applied for student loans that I had almost no idea how to pay back. But unfortunately, it's African and Black students who either have to pick student loans or dropping out altogether. The youth are the next generation of families that need just as much support as we do now as adults. And reforming the way you enter into college, by offering more opportunities and financial assistance can be a good way to help ease the anxiety of becoming a college student.

I am someone who wants to find a way to give back to my community in college and close to home. The reason for me to pursue my education at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, is to make college textbooks affordable for college students that are burdened with the costs of higher education. My goal is to ultimately help the college student community by easing the financial burden of higher education, and to help the African American community by becoming a business owner, as only 3.3% of the US' businesses are Black owned. My parents were hard workers; my dad is an entrepreneur who owns his own DJ brand, while working a full-time job. My single mother also works full-time while fundraising and volunteering for community services. They worked hard to provide for me and bring me up in a healthy environment. They sometimes sacrificed what they wanted for my well-being and development. And they encouraged me to expand my comfort zone and go adventure out of my daily routine and break me out of my shell. They were my examples of service, sacrifice, and bravery; they taught me that I should demonstrate nothing less. At a fundraiser, I could see change happening before my eyes. The Backpack and Supply Giveaway was my chance to help underprivileged communities like African and Black communities, who may not have the funds or other resources to get their child the materials they need for a successful school year. “Meat Me in Texas” is something simpler: providing barbeque to the community. But there’s a lot that goes into a small business, and one of those things is inventory management. And that’s where I’d come in. Every week from July to October in the previous year, we’d have our “Meat Me in Texas” shirts on and sell barbeque to passing customers. And every time we ended, inventory management needed to be done. So, me and a friend would keep tally of our supplies and pass the results off to another team member. I recently lost a scholarship that would help carry me through my first two years of college, due to being one credit short for renewal eligibility. And I applied for student loans that I had almost no idea how to pay back. This was a tough time for me; even though I was in the beginning of my sophomore year, I was always told about the dangers of applying for student loans. But unfortunately, it's African and Black students who either have to pick student loans or dropping out altogether. Textbooks and programs are another portion of the financial stress you'll find as you attend college. And once you buy the program or book, you're stuck with it. And even if you sell it, you might get a trashy offer. The youth are the next generation of families that need just as much support as we do now as adults. And reforming the way you enter into college, by offering more opportunities and financial assistance can be a good way to help ease the anxiety of becoming a college student. The people are the ones who experience hardships such as financial stress and a lack of opportunity. And I think one of the key stakeholders that are needed to drive change, is the people.

I actually went through a depressive stage during my sophomore year, because I had fumbled and lost a scholarship that my mom and I were hoping would carry me through my first two years of college. And it seemed even more hopeless when I would apply for scholarships, ad would hear nothing back. My mom could see how this was affecting me emotionally, and she said that we're just going to tough it out. The one thing that was keeping me from quitting was knowing that my community needs someone with leadership skills, and college provides that chance to learn them. And so, I strive on. Mental health is an uncomfortable yet crucial discussion that is needed for just about everyone, because it can affect practically anyone. In some point in a person’s life will they experience a change in their mental health, because, and let’s be honest, no one is happy all the time. Factors such as your environment, difficulties in your life, and trauma can affect a person’s mental health. Your environment can be your physical environment like your bedroom or just your house period, but it can also include the people you hang out with or who you live with. If you’re stuck in the house all the time and not going outside to take a much-needed breather or to speak to a friend, you will feel things like anxiety (which happens mentally) because you are not engaging in any outside activity. Likewise, if you hang around or live with people who do not uplift you mentally but seem to bring you down (in short, soul-sucking vampires and parasites that take away joy), then you may experience a depressive mood all the time. Difficulties in your life can include the loss of family members, financial hardships, medical emergencies, and more. These are self-explanatory and may affect your mental health because they cause stress, grief, guilt, anger, and more negative emotions. It’s not to say you can’t experience these emotions, but if you are consumed by them, your mental health takes the toll of it. Trauma, regardless of what caused it, will affect you mentally. Trauma can cause low self-esteem, anxiety, anger, lack of trust, and more depending on the level of trauma. Now an addiction sounds terrifying, and it can be, but I like to remember it as an escapism from reality. That is the reason why people develop addictions, because they go through tough times in their lives and want to be relieved of them in some way, to make them feel good in the moment. I heard that expression from a teacher who goes in-depth of the mind that deals with trauma. Now what can we do to resolve these problems and reduce the likelihood of addiction in society? We can start by acknowledging any difficulty, environment, or trauma that is affecting your mental health. Then we go for talking about the issue with someone we, not only trust, but can actively help you get back on track. For example, suppose you deal with an alcohol addiction. You’d probably attend AA Recovery meetings, and you may be assigned a probation officer (depending on the circumstances of your recovery journey) whose job is to show a judge proof that you are attending these meetings and making an effort to become sober. It’s like having an accountability partner. All in all, the best way to recover from addiction and prevent its normality from spreading is to talk to someone you trust and can help you on your journey to recovery.

The one memory that inspired me to pursue my degree is when my parents would drive to the local Barnes and Noble and would take me just to read the books and destress from the day. My father would allow me to venture off on my own while I hunted for a new novel or comic. I have a deep passion for art and writing; the saying that the eyes are the window to the soul, I take that saying very seriously. Giving a person a positive image of themselves, can improve their mental state, and is very relieving for their soul. Books and art alike work to place yourself into the world of the story they are trying to tell. Using various methods, it can really feel like you are in the story as one of the characters. Sometimes even I have to pull myself away from the story to return back to reality (and to not make any weird facial expressions in public). When you read the life story of someone who has accomplished what some may deem to be impossible or difficult to achieve, that person's story has inspired you to place yourself in their shoes and to do the same. Various examples can be your parents, friends, or those that you can find some relation to like writers, artists, chefs, animators, fellow college students vlogging about their life, and more. The reason for me to pursue my education at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, is to make college textbooks affordable for college students that are burdened with the costs of higher education. Textbooks and programs are another portion of the financial stress you'll find as you attend college. And once you buy the program or book, you're stuck with it. And even if you sell it, you might get a trashy offer. And reforming the way you enter into college, by offering more opportunities and financial assistance can be a good way to help ease the anxiety of becoming a college student. My goal is to ultimately help the college student community by easing the financial burden of higher education, and to help the African American community by becoming a business owner, as only 3.3% of the US' businesses are Black owned. But on the side, as a hobby, I am an artist and a writer who is working to encourage and inspire others through my storytelling and every pencil stroke I make.

To be honest, I was always aware of my father keeping his old combat gear and his guns lying around the house, as well as medals that he won during his time in the Army. It was when I grew older that I learned the significance of being a child of a war veteran. My father has seen death and has been attacked in a way that resulted in injury; I have learned from my mom that he has certain triggers, such as large crowds and losing family members. I am someone who wants to find a way to give back to my community in college and close to home. The reason for me to pursue my education at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, is to make college textbooks affordable for college students that are burdened with the costs of higher education. My goal is to ultimately help the college student community by easing the financial burden of higher education, and to help the African American community by becoming a business owner, as only 3.3% of the US' businesses are Black-owned. My parents were hard workers; my dad is an entrepreneur who owns his own DJ brand, while working a full-time job. My single mother also works full-time while fundraising and volunteering for community services. They worked hard to provide for me and bring me up in a healthy environment. They sometimes sacrificed what they wanted for my well-being and development. And they encouraged me to expand my comfort zone and go adventure out of my daily routine and break me out of my shell. They were my examples of service, sacrifice, and bravery; they taught me that I should demonstrate nothing less.

I am someone who wants to find a way to give back to my community in college and close to home. The reason for me to pursue my education at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, is to make college textbooks affordable for college students that are burdened with the costs of higher education. My goal is to ultimately help the college student community by easing the financial burden of higher education, and to help the African American community by becoming a business owner, as only 3.3% of the US' businesses are Black-owned. My parents were hard workers; my dad is an entrepreneur who owns his own DJ brand, while working a full-time job. My single mother also works full-time while fundraising and volunteering for community services. They worked hard to provide for me and bring me up in a healthy environment. They sometimes sacrificed what they wanted for my well-being and development. And they encouraged me to expand my comfort zone and go adventure out of my daily routine and break me out of my shell. They were my examples of service, sacrifice, and bravery; they taught me that I should demonstrate nothing less. I recently lost a scholarship that would help carry me through my first two years of college, due to being one credit short for renewal eligibility. And with the past and upcoming year, I applied for student loans that I had almost no idea how to pay back. This was a tough time for me; even though I was in the beginning of my sophomore year, I was always told about the dangers of applying for student loans. And I'll be honest, loans scare me! But unfortunately, it's African and Black students who either have to pick student loans or dropping out altogether. Textbooks and programs are another portion of the financial stress you'll find as you attend college. And once you buy the program or book, you're stuck with it. And even if you sell it, you might get a trashy offer. But at a fundraiser, I could see change happening before my eyes. The Backpack and Supply Giveaway was my chance to help underprivileged communities like African and Black communities, who may not have the funds or other resources to get their child the materials they need for a successful school year. “Meat Me in Texas” is something simpler: providing barbeque to the community. But there’s a lot that goes into a small business, and one of those things is inventory management. And that’s where I’d come in. Every week from July to October in the previous year, we’d have our “Meat Me in Texas” shirts on and sell barbeque to passing customers. And every time we ended, inventory management needed to be done. So, me and a friend would keep tally of our supplies and pass the results off to another team member. The youth are the next generation of families that need just as much support as we do now as adults. And reforming the way you enter into college, by offering more opportunities and financial assistance can be a good way to help ease the anxiety of becoming a college student. This essay is an example of how women empowerment shouldn't immediately make you think of feminism; it should make you think of women being proactive and taking initiative in helping their communities, by using their skills and talents.

During the beginning of my sophomore year of college, I was short one class credit from the previous year and therefore could not have my scholarship renewed. This news devastated me. I panicked and shed tears over the news; what was I going to do now? I guess it hurt me a lot more, because I misunderstood the criteria of the award, and wasn't made aware of what credit hours were at the beginning of my college journey. So, I basically, unintentionally, screwed up my chances of being full ride through my sophomore year as well. I know my mom didn't want that for me, but I mostly didn't want her to have to deal with it. She is a single mother working to provide for her two children; I didn't want to add anymore financial burdens, especially since bills can take up a majority of someone's finances. I actually went through a depressive stage during this time. School didn't seem to matter anymore. How was I, a young freshman frantically searching for a job (that can be hard to come by) and applying for scholarships, going to pay off student loans that amounted to thousands of dollars, by myself? And this was just to take classes and attend my school! I'm not even including the textbooks and programs that may be required! And those are not any cheaper. Most of the time, I have to ask my mom to buy my programs and textbooks, which adds more guilt on my part. My mom could see how this was affecting me emotionally, and she said that we were just going to have to tough it out. It seemed absolutely impossible for any good to come from this. But I know the one thing that was keeping me from quitting was knowing that my community needs someone with leadership skills, and college provides that chance to learn them. And so, I strive on. Mental health is an uncomfortable yet crucial discussion that is needed for just about everyone, because it can affect practically anyone. In some point in a person’s life will they experience a change in their mental health, because no one is happy all the time. I think going through a depressive stage kind of strained my relationship with my mom, especially since I felt like I was failing most of the time and I couldn't see how my chances would change. It was more than likely frustration on her part and fighting to keep her own morale up. But I've worked, and still work, to move on from that stage as I head into my junior year. And I think this experience is what helped finalize my reason for going to college. At first, I just wanted to open a bookstore. I didn't really have anything in mind about the types of books that I'd be stocking. All I knew was that I wanted a similar experience to when my parents would take me to the Barnes and Noble at the mall and let me explore and find a book I'd enjoy. Then I would sit with them at a table and just read for 30 minutes to an hour, inhaling the coffee aroma from Starbucks and watching people walk through the bookstore to the main mall. The reason for me to pursue my education at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, is to make college textbooks affordable for college students that are burdened with the costs of higher education. Textbooks and programs are another portion of the financial stress you'll find as you attend college. And once you buy the program or book, you're stuck with it. And even if you sell it, you might get a trashy offer. My goal is to ultimately help the college student community by easing the financial burden of higher education, and to help the African American community by becoming a business owner, as only 3.3% of the US' businesses are Black owned.

During the beginning of my sophomore year of college, I was short one class credit from the previous year and therefore could not have my scholarship renewed. This news devastated me. I panicked and shed tears over the news; what was I going to do now? I guess it hurt me a lot more, because I misunderstood the criteria of the award, and wasn't made aware of what credit hours were at the beginning of my college journey. So, I basically, unintentionally, screwed up my chances of being full ride through my sophomore year as well. I know my mom didn't want that for me, but I mostly didn't want her to have to deal with it. She is a single mother working to provide for her two children; I didn't want to add anymore financial burdens, especially since bills can take up a majority of someone's finances. I actually went through a depressive stage during this time. School didn't seem to matter anymore. How was I, a young freshman frantically searching for a job (that can be hard to come by) and applying for scholarships, going to pay off student loans that amounted to thousands of dollars, by myself? And this was just to take classes and attend my school! I'm not even including the textbooks and programs that may be required! And those are not any cheaper. Most of the time, I have to ask my mom to buy my programs and textbooks, which adds more guilt on my part. My mom could see how this was affecting me emotionally, and she said that we were just going to have to tough it out. It seemed absolutely impossible for any good to come from this. But I know the one thing that was keeping me from quitting was knowing that my community needs someone with leadership skills, and college provides that chance to learn them. And so, I strive on. Mental health is an uncomfortable yet crucial discussion that is needed for just about everyone, because it can affect practically anyone. In some point in a person’s life will they experience a change in their mental health, because no one is happy all the time. And I think this experience is what helped finalize my reason for going to college. At first, I just wanted to open a bookstore. I didn't really have anything in mind about the types of books that I'd be stocking. All I knew was that I wanted a similar experience to when my parents would take me to the Barnes and Noble at the mall and let me explore and find a book I'd enjoy. Then I would sit with them at a table and just read for 30 minutes to an hour, inhaling the coffee aroma from Starbucks and watching people walk through the bookstore to the main mall. The reason for me to pursue my education at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, is to make college textbooks affordable for college students that are burdened with the costs of higher education. Textbooks and programs are another portion of the financial stress you'll find as you attend college. And once you buy the program or book, you're stuck with it. And even if you sell it, you might get a trashy offer. My goal is to ultimately help the college student community by easing the financial burden of higher education, and to help the African American community by becoming a business owner, as only 3.3% of the US' businesses are Black owned.

My dad and mom were hard workers; my dad is an entrepreneur who owns his own DJ brand, while working a full-time job. My single mother would take my brother and I on her many fundraising and community services. Enough to where it became a part of me to help whenever and wherever I could. Every fundraiser, whether I helped with a Back-to-School Backpack/Supply Giveaway or worked with the organization “Meat Me in Texas”, I could sense the approval from the community members, even if they didn't utter a word. The Backpack and Supply Giveaway was my chance to help underprivileged communities, who may not have the funds or any other resources to get their child the materials they need for a successful school year. The kids were running around playing, their parents watching them, some speaking to the members of the group. And it was a hot June or July Sunday, too. This was the perfect time and day to come and help support a community, by supplying their kids with the things they need, and give the parents one less thing to worry about. “Meat Me in Texas” is something simpler: providing barbeque to the community. But there’s a lot that goes into a small business, and one of those things is inventory management. And that’s where I’d come in. Every week from July to October in the previous year, we’d have our “Meat Me in Texas” shirts on and sell barbeque to passing customers. And almost every time we ended, inventory management needed to be done by me. So, me and a friend would keep tally of our supplies and pass the results off to another team member. And that way, we’d know to buy more items if needed. More recently, I’ve been involved with a local church group that has a Community Funds Drive almost every week, where we try to raise funds from compassionate folks, who are willing to give funds for the youth in our community. And there’s nothing else to it: the youth are the next generation of families, that will need just as much support. Having these experiences and influences growing up, definitely helped shape me into who I am becoming today. I am someone who wants to find a way to give back to my community in college and close to home. The reason for me to pursue my education at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, is to make college textbooks affordable for college students that are burdened with the costs of higher education. Textbooks and programs are another portion of the financial stress you'll find as you attend college. And once you buy the program or book, you're stuck with it. And even if you sell it, you might get a trashy offer. My goal is to ultimately help the college student community by easing the financial burden of higher education, and to help the African American community by becoming a business owner, as only 3.3% of the US' businesses are Black owned.

Now this semester took an interesting turn when I was short one class credit from the previous year and therefore could not have my scholarship renewed. This news devastated me. I panicked and shed tears over the news; what was I going to do now? It pained me because I heard stories about the trials that come with student loans. I know my mom didn't want that for me, and I didn't want that for her. She is a single mother working to provide for her two children; I didn't want to add anymore financial burdens. I actually went through a depressive stage during this time; school didn't seem to matter anymore, because realistically, how in the world was I, a young freshman with no job, going to pay off student loans? My mom could see how this was affecting me emotionally, and she said that we're just going to tough it out. The one thing that was keeping me from quitting was knowing that my community needs someone with leadership skills, and college provides that chance to learn them. And so, I strive on. Mental health is an uncomfortable yet crucial discussion that is needed for just about everyone, because it can affect practically anyone. In some point in a person’s life will they experience a change in their mental health, because, and let’s be honest, no one is happy all the time. Addiction is a result of poor mental health. And it doesn’t matter what addiction it is: alcohol, drugs like crack and fentanyl, sex even. Now how does your mental health get so bad to where you turn to something that can become an addiction, and mess up your relationship with family and friends, and even your physical health? Factors such as your environment, difficulties in your life, and trauma can affect a person’s mental health. Your environment can be your physical environment like your bedroom or just your house period, but it can also include the people you hang out with or who you live with. If you’re stuck in the house all the time and not going outside to take a much-needed breather or to speak to a friend, you will feel things like anxiety (which happens mentally) because you are not engaging in any outside activity. Likewise, if you hang around or live with people who do not uplift you mentally but seem to bring you down (in short, soul-sucking vampires and parasites that take away joy), then you may experience a depressive mood all the time. Difficulties in your life can include the loss of family members, financial hardships, medical emergencies, and more. These are self-explanatory and may affect your mental health because they cause stress, grief, guilt, anger, and more negative emotions. It’s not to say you can’t experience these emotions, but if you are consumed by them, your mental health takes the toll of it. Trauma, regardless of what caused it, will affect you mentally. Trauma can cause low self-esteem, anxiety, anger, lack of trust, and more depending on the level of trauma. Now an addiction sounds terrifying, and it can be, but I like to remember it as an escapism from reality. That is the reason why people develop addictions, because they go through tough times in their lives and want to be relieved of them in some way, to make them feel good in the moment. I heard that expression from a teacher who goes in-depth of the mind that deals with trauma. Now what can we do to resolve these problems and reduce the likelihood of addiction in society? We can start by acknowledging any difficulty, environment, or trauma that is affecting your mental health. Then we go for talking about the issue with someone we, not only trust, but can actively help you get back on track. For example, suppose you deal with an alcohol addiction. You’d probably attend AA Recovery meetings, and you may be assigned a probation officer (depending on the circumstances of your recovery journey) whose job is to show a judge proof that you are attending these meetings and making an effort to become sober. It’s like having an accountability partner. All in all, the best way to recover from addiction and prevent its normality from spreading is to talk to someone you trust and can help you on your journey to recovery.

I am someone who wants to find a way to give back to my community in college and close to home. The reason for me to pursue my education at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, is to make college textbooks affordable for college students that are burdened with the costs of higher education. My goal is to ultimately help the college student community by easing the financial burden of higher education, and to help the African American community by becoming a business owner, as only 3.3% of the US' businesses are Black-owned. My parents were hard workers; my dad is an entrepreneur who owns his own DJ brand, while working a full-time job. My single mother also works full-time while fundraising and volunteering for community services. They worked hard to provide for me and bring me up in a healthy environment. They sometimes sacrificed what they wanted for my well-being and development. And they encouraged me to expand my comfort zone and go adventure out of my daily routine and break me out of my shell. They were my examples of service, sacrifice, and bravery; they taught me that I should demonstrate nothing less. I recently lost a scholarship that would help carry me through my first two years of college, due to being one credit short for renewal eligibility. And with the past and upcoming year, I applied for student loans that I had almost no idea how to pay back. This was a tough time for me; even though I was in the beginning of my sophomore year, I was always told about the dangers of applying for student loans. And I'll be honest, loans scare me! But unfortunately, it's African and Black students who either have to pick student loans or dropping out altogether. Textbooks and programs are another portion of the financial stress you'll find as you attend college. And once you buy the program or book, you're stuck with it. And even if you sell it, you might get a trashy offer. But at a fundraiser, I could see change happening before my eyes. The Backpack and Supply Giveaway was my chance to help underprivileged communities like African and Black communities, who may not have the funds or other resources to get their child the materials they need for a successful school year. “Meat Me in Texas” is something simpler: providing barbeque to the community. But there’s a lot that goes into a small business, and one of those things is inventory management. And that’s where I’d come in. Every week from July to October in the previous year, we’d have our “Meat Me in Texas” shirts on and sell barbeque to passing customers. And every time we ended, inventory management needed to be done. So, me and a friend would keep tally of our supplies and pass the results off to another team member. The youth are the next generation of families that need just as much support as we do now as adults. And reforming the way you enter into college, by offering more opportunities and financial assistance can be a good way to help ease the anxiety of becoming a college student. The people are the ones who experience hardships such as financial stress and a lack of opportunity. And I think one of the key stakeholders that are needed to drive change, is the people.

The reason for me to pursue my education at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, is to make college textbooks affordable for college students that are burdened with the costs of higher education. My goal is to ultimately help the college student community by easing the financial burden of higher education, and to help the African American community by becoming a business owner, as only 3.3% of the US' businesses are Black-owned. My parents were hard workers; my dad is an entrepreneur who owns his own DJ brand, while working a full-time job. My single mother also works full-time while fundraising and volunteering for community services. They worked hard to provide for me and bring me up in a healthy environment. They sometimes sacrificed what they wanted for my well-being and development. And they encouraged me to expand my comfort zone and go adventure out of my daily routine and break me out of my shell. They were my examples of service, sacrifice, and bravery; they taught me that I should demonstrate nothing less. I recently lost a scholarship that would help carry me through my first two years of college, due to being one credit short for renewal eligibility. This was a tough time for me; even though I was in the beginning of my sophomore year, I was always told about the dangers of applying for student loans. And I'll be honest, loans scare me! But unfortunately, it's African and Black students who either have to pick student loans or dropping out altogether. Even though I developed my work ethic from my parents, it sometimes becomes my hubris whenever I stack too much on myself. An example of this is the beginning of my freshman year, when I signed up for 6 classes and eventually dropped 2, due to the mental toll, which cost me that one credit. Textbooks and programs are another portion of the financial stress you'll find as you attend college. And once you buy the program or book, you're stuck with it. And even if you sell it, you might get a trashy offer. I was once again stuck with the cost of my supplies that were outrageously expensive. I’m an online student who's also out-of-state, and so it costs almost twice as much to attend. But at every fundraiser, I could sense the approval from community members, even if they didn't utter a word. The Backpack and Supply Giveaway was my chance to help underprivileged communities like African and Black communities, who may not have the funds or other resources to get their child the materials they need for a successful school year. “Meat Me in Texas” is something simpler. Every week from July to October in the previous year, we’d have our “Meat Me in Texas” shirts on and sell barbeque to passing customers. And every time, inventory management needed to be done. So, me and a friend would keep tally of our supplies and pass the results off to another team member. And that way, we’d know to buy more items if needed. More recently, I’ve been involved with a local church group that has a Community Funds Drive almost every week, where we try to raise funds from compassionate folks, who are willing to give funds for the youth in our community. The youth are the next generations that need just as much support as we do now. And reforming the way you enter college, by offering more opportunities and financial assistance can be a good way to help ease the anxiety of becoming a college student.

The reason for me to pursue my education at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, is to make college textbooks affordable for college students that are burdened with the costs of higher education. My goal is to ultimately help the college student community by easing the financial burden of higher education, and the African American community by becoming a business owner, as only 3.3% of the US' businesses are Black-owned. My parents were hard workers; my dad owns his own DJ brand, while working a full-time job. My single mother also works full-time while fundraising and volunteering for community services. They worked hard to provide for me and bring me up in a healthy environment. They sometimes sacrificed what they wanted for my well-being and development. And they encouraged me to expand my comfort zone and go adventure out of my daily routine and break me out of my shell. They expected nothing less of me, and over time, I expected the same for myself. But at every fundraiser, I could sense the approval from community members, even if they didn't utter a word. The Backpack and Supply Giveaway was my chance to help underprivileged communities like African and Black communities, who may not have the funds or other resources to get their child the materials they need for a successful school year. “Meat Me in Texas” is something simpler: providing barbeque to the community. But there’s a lot that goes into a small business, and one of those things is inventory management. And that’s where I’d come in. Every week from July to October in the previous year, we’d have our “Meat Me in Texas” shirts on and sell barbeque to passing customers. And every time we ended, inventory management needed to be done. So, me and a friend would keep tally of our supplies and pass the results off to another team member. And that way, we’d know to buy more items if needed. More recently, I’ve been involved with a local church group that has a Community Funds Drive almost every week, where we try to raise funds from compassionate folks, who are willing to give funds for the youth in our community. The youth are the next generation of families that need just as much support as we do now as adults. And reforming the way you enter into college, by offering more opportunities and financial assistance can be a good way to help ease the anxiety of becoming a college student. And I think one of the key stakeholders that are needed to drive change, is the people. The people are the ones who experience hardships such as financial stress and a lack of opportunity. It gives you a new perspective on things; you may feel sympathetic about someone's situation, but it'll turn into empathy when you actually experience a version of what they've felt.

The BlueHill REI LLC and Harmony by EmmaSky Batana Oil, believe that education can be a path to independence, transformation, and purpose. And I'm someone who wants to find a way to give back to my community, both in college and close to home. The reason for me to pursue my education at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, is to make college textbooks affordable for college students that are burdened with the costs of higher education. My goal is to ultimately help the college student community by easing the financial burden of higher education, and to help the African American community by becoming a business owner, as only 3.3% of the US' businesses are Black-owned. My parents were hard workers; my dad is an entrepreneur who owns his own DJ brand, while working a full-time job. My single mother also works full-time while fundraising and volunteering for community services. They worked hard to provide for me and bring me up in a healthy environment. They sometimes sacrificed what they wanted for my well-being and development. And they encouraged me to expand my comfort zone and go adventure out of my daily routine and break me out of my shell. They were my examples of service, sacrifice, and bravery; they taught me that I should demonstrate nothing less. I recently lost a scholarship that would help carry me through my first two years of college, due to being one credit short for renewal eligibility. And with the past and upcoming year, I applied for student loans that I had almost no idea how to pay back. This was a tough time for me; even though I was in the beginning of my sophomore year, I was always told about the dangers of applying for student loans. And I'll be honest, loans scare me! But unfortunately, it's African and Black students who either have to pick student loans or dropping out altogether. Even though I developed my work ethic from my parents, it sometimes becomes my hubris whenever I stack too much on myself. An example of this is the beginning of my freshman year, when I signed up for 6 classes and eventually dropped 2, due to the mental toll, which cost me that one credit. And that's the root cause of why I want to sell, or "rent", affordable college textbooks. Textbooks and programs are another portion of the financial stress you'll find as you attend college. And once you buy the program or book, you're stuck with it. And even if you sell it, you might get a trashy offer. I was once again stuck with the cost of my supplies that were outrageously expensive. I’m an online student who's also out-of-state, and so it costs almost twice as much to attend. And it can be even worse when you come from another country, possibly undocumented, and have little to no resources to help you in your journey to higher education, despite having the passion to pursue a degree. But at every fundraiser, I could sense the approval from community members, even if they didn't utter a word. The Backpack and Supply Giveaway was my chance to help underprivileged communities like African and Black communities, who may not have the funds or other resources to get their child the materials they need for a successful school year. “Meat Me in Texas” is something simpler: providing barbeque to the community. But there’s a lot that goes into a small business, and one of those things is inventory management. And that’s where I’d come in. Every week from July to October in the previous year, we’d have our “Meat Me in Texas” shirts on and sell barbeque to passing customers. And every time we ended, inventory management needed to be done. So, me and a friend would keep tally of our supplies and pass the results off to another team member. And that way, we’d know to buy more items if needed. More recently, I’ve been involved with a local church group that has a Community Funds Drive almost every week, where we try to raise funds from compassionate folks, who are willing to give funds for the youth in our community. The youth are the next generation of families that need just as much support as we do now as adults. And reforming the way you enter into college, by offering more opportunities and financial assistance can be a good way to help ease the anxiety of becoming a college student. And I think one of the key stakeholders that are needed to drive change, is the people. The people are the ones who experience hardships such as financial stress and a lack of opportunity. It gives you a new perspective on things; you may feel sympathetic about someone's situation, but it'll turn into empathy when you actually experience a version of what they've felt.

Sgt. Albert Dono Ware gave his life because he wanted to protect and serve others, his service extending six years in the US military. And I am someone who wants to find a way to give back to my community in college and close to home. The reason for me to pursue my education at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, is to make college textbooks affordable for college students that are burdened with the costs of higher education. My goal is to ultimately help the college student community by easing the financial burden of higher education, and to help the African American community by becoming a business owner, as only 3.3% of the US' businesses are Black-owned. My parents were hard workers; my dad is an entrepreneur who owns his own DJ brand, while working a full-time job. My single mother also works full-time while fundraising and volunteering for community services. They worked hard to provide for me and bring me up in a healthy environment. They sometimes sacrificed what they wanted for my well-being and development. And they encouraged me to expand my comfort zone and go adventure out of my daily routine and break me out of my shell. They were my examples of service, sacrifice, and bravery; they taught me that I should demonstrate nothing less. I recently lost a scholarship that would help carry me through my first two years of college, due to being one credit short for renewal eligibility. And with the past and upcoming year, I applied for student loans that I had almost no idea how to pay back. This was a tough time for me; even though I was in the beginning of my sophomore year, I was always told about the dangers of applying for student loans. And I'll be honest, loans scare me! But unfortunately, it's African and Black students who either have to pick student loans or dropping out altogether. Even though I developed my work ethic from my parents, it sometimes becomes my hubris whenever I stack too much on myself. An example of this is the beginning of my freshman year, when I signed up for 6 classes and eventually dropped 2, due to the mental toll, which cost me that one credit. And that's the root cause of why I want to sell, or "rent", affordable college textbooks. Textbooks and programs are another portion of the financial stress you'll find as you attend college. And once you buy the program or book, you're stuck with it. And even if you sell it, you might get a trashy offer. I was once again stuck with the cost of my supplies that were outrageously expensive. I’m an online student who's also out-of-state, and so it costs almost twice as much to attend. And it can be even worse when you come from another country, possibly undocumented, and have little to no resources to help you in your journey to higher education, despite having the passion to pursue a degree. But at every fundraiser, I could sense the approval from community members, even if they didn't utter a word. The Backpack and Supply Giveaway was my chance to help underprivileged communities like African and Black communities, who may not have the funds or other resources to get their child the materials they need for a successful school year. “Meat Me in Texas” is something simpler: providing barbeque to the community. But there’s a lot that goes into a small business, and one of those things is inventory management. And that’s where I’d come in. Every week from July to October in the previous year, we’d have our “Meat Me in Texas” shirts on and sell barbeque to passing customers. And every time we ended, inventory management needed to be done. So, me and a friend would keep tally of our supplies and pass the results off to another team member. And that way, we’d know to buy more items if needed. More recently, I’ve been involved with a local church group that has a Community Funds Drive almost every week, where we try to raise funds from compassionate folks, who are willing to give funds for the youth in our community. The youth are the next generation of families that need just as much support as we do now as adults. And reforming the way you enter into college, by offering more opportunities and financial assistance can be a good way to help ease the anxiety of becoming a college student. And I think one of the key stakeholders that are needed to drive change, is the people. The people are the ones who experience hardships such as financial stress and a lack of opportunity. It gives you a new perspective on things; you may feel sympathetic about someone's situation, but it'll turn into empathy when you actually experience a version of what they've felt.

My name is Kimora, a college undergraduate who is pursuing a bachelor's in business administration, who brings her artistic creativity and analytical thinking into whatever she does. And I motivate myself with that goal, to finish pursuing my bachelor's while majoring in Management. I recently lost a scholarship that both I and my mother, would help carry me through my first two years of college. And with the past and upcoming year, I applied for student loans that I had almost no idea how to pay back. Sometimes the one thing that was keeping me from quitting was knowing that my community needs someone with leadership skills (as only 3.3% of the US' business owners are majority Black), and college provides that chance to learn them. My dad and mom were hard workers; my dad is an entrepreneur who owns his own DJ brand, while working a full-time job. My single mother would take my brother and I on her many fundraising and community services, enough to where it became a part of me to help whenever and wherever I could. Every fundraiser, whether I helped with a Back-to-School Backpack/Supply Giveaway, or worked with the organization Meat Me in Texas, I could sense the approval from the community members, even if they didn't utter a word. Their face beamed with hope as they saw a group of people willing to go the extra mile and raise funds that will benefit the community, and not our own pockets. Having these experiences and influences growing up helped shape me into who I am becoming today. But I can say that the two memories that inspired my business idea and my reason for attending a university, were going to the bookstore with my parents and going to a very fancy cafe with my older sister. I loved when they told me that we were going; I they took me so much to where I knew the layout of the bookstore by heart. My dad would let me run wild as I browsed the sections; my mom would stay by and jokingly laugh about how well I knew my way around the place. The bookstore seemed like a quiet place to hang out. I knew from that point, that I wanted to recreate that same experience for others. My sister and I decided to hang out at her favorite coffee shop called Nehemiah Coffee Co. There were two levels: one for the cafe itself, and the upper level for students who may want to study. It was nothing like the bookstore I was used to. Soon the new school year came upon me, and I was once again stuck with the cost of my supplies that were outrageously expensive. And then the idea came: a bookstore with college textbooks readily available for students, as well as brain food and drinks at their leisure. What sets me apart is my goal and drive to serve my community and improve it, and to inspire others to do the same and achieve greatness.

To be honest, I was always aware of my father keeping his old combat gear and his guns lying around the house, as well as medals that he won during his time in the Army. It was when I grew older that I learned the significance of being a child of a war veteran. For one, being the child of a veteran means that you get to know certain safety habits that are not taught to the public in a major way. What I mean by this is watching for danger and learning self-defense. One example of being watchful was when my dad and I would enter a restaurant; he would always sit in the direction where he could see the doors. He has told me this before, but when my mom explained that watching the door could help you see potential danger, that’s when I fully understood. Another impact in my life is learning about the events that a veteran has experienced while they serve. My father has seen death and has been attacked in a way that resulted in injury; I have learned from my mom that he has certain triggers, such as large crowds and losing family members. My first-hand experience of finding out about his PTSD, was when we watched the movie American Skin. The movie was about a father wanting justice for his son, who was killed by police brutality. And during the movie, my dad told me to turn it off for a minute; I was confused by his abrupt command. Then he told me that he was triggered, and that’s when I understood and got quiet, not exactly sure what else to do but turn the movie off until he was ready to continue watching it. Being a veteran’s daughter makes a person see other veterans differently, because you know the things that they have seen and understand the little things that some people may call or dismiss as “just being paranoid”. My dad and mom were hard workers; my dad is an entrepreneur who owns his own DJ brand, while working a full-time job. My single mother would take my brother and I to her many fundraisers. And when the idea of making money on my own was planted, I came up with business ideas and sold merchandise to my friends and family. The degree I am pursuing for this business to grow is a bachelor's in business administration, with a major in Management; I interpret Management as the foundation of being an entrepreneur. This tool is crucial to my career aspirations, as I plan on owning a hybrid cafe and bookstore/study area. I loved it when my parents told me that we were going to stop by the bookstore; they took me so much to where I knew the layout of the bookstore by heart. My dad would let me run wild as I browsed the sections; my mom would stay by and jokingly laugh about how well I knew my way around the place. The bookstore seemed like a quiet place to hang out. I knew that I wanted to recreate that same experience for others. Fast forward to my sophomore year, I was once again stuck with the outrageously expensive cost of my supplies. And so, the idea came into its fullness: a bookstore with college textbooks readily available for students who borrowed them, as well as brain food and drinks at their leisure. My goal is to improve and serve my community, inspiring others to do the same, just like a veteran of the military.

I was reading about the premise of the show, and came with the thought of: "hey, instead of coupling together to simply survive, how about a challenge where you have to escape from your own fears together?" I've always been fascinated with TV shows that showcase episodes where the character's worst enemy is themselves, and how the episodes show the physical manifestation of that concept. Most of the time, the challenge stems from the person's desires or regret, or even just their bad habits, that will eventually be their downfall or their motivation to continue going on the journey. And what better way to get to know each other than to battle together in order to fight, well, the worst version of you? The challenge would start where you'd land on the island and pair up with someone. Everyone gets the chance to inspect and really make their own decision, on who they think is their best choice. Unbeknownst to the contestants, random individuals would be watching them from the shadows. Picking up on their habits, gathering their information and history from who knows where. Basically, becoming a more sinister version of the contestants. The real challenge would start at dusk, when everyone is finally getting adjusted to the living quarters on the island, and getting to know their partner. Suddenly, the hidden individuals, dressed as the contestants, appear from the shadows and surround the living quarters. They tell the couples that they are "disappointed in them for their dishonesty" and will prevent them from leaving the island unless they complete a series of challenges that will satisfy the clones. Challenges like trust falls over raging rivers, fleeing from a clone in a mirror forest (where you and your partner have to share a fact about yourself every time you come to a mirror), clones providing a chance to "obtain their greatest hopes and desires" (at the expense of your partner's reputation and feelings). Challenges that bring out insecurities, traits like pride and greed, and just how much you're willing to endure with your partner before it gets too difficult. The last remaining couple who remains, having not been "eliminated" by the clones, wins the grand prize!

The first time I went fishing was with my dad, and I did not enjoy it. Mainly because I ate some mac and cheese that probably didn't sit well with my stomach. But the second time unlocked a new passion within me. I was with my mom, brother, and uncle and aunt when they took us out to a lake called Joe Pool. Me and my brother stood on the dock, our lines in the water, waiting for at least one fish to tug the line. At first, I got impatient when it seemed like the fish were taking FOREVER, but I grew to enjoy the warm afternoon, and the cool water, and simply waiting for a fish to come by. Me and my brother made it into a competition as far as who could catch the most fish (spoiler alert: I caught three and won!). Fishing is definitely a test of patience, as I figured out on the third time I went fishing; this time I didn't catch any fish and my brother caught at least 2 fish. But even though my ego suffered from that last time, the love of fishing didn't leave just because I couldn't catch anything. My name is Kimora, a college undergraduate who is pursuing a bachelor's in business administration, who brings her artistic creativity and analytical thinking wherever she goes and into whatever she does. When I came to understand the importance of caring for your community, I made it my personal mission to help improve my own. And I motivate myself with that goal, to finish pursuing my bachelor's while majoring in Management. I recently lost a scholarship that both I and my mother, hoped would help carry me through my first two years of college. And with the past and upcoming year, I applied for student loans that I had almost no idea how to pay back. Sometimes the one thing that was keeping me from quitting was knowing that my community needs someone with leadership skills (as only 3.3% of the US' business owners are majority Black), and college provides that chance to learn them. My dad and mom were hard workers; my dad is an entrepreneur who owns his own DJ brand, while working a full-time job. My single mother would take my brother and I on her many fundraising and community services, enough to where it became a part of me to help whenever and wherever I could: help bag food orders, sell beverages, or even holding up a sign to persuade people to come. Every fundraiser, I could sense the approval from the community members, even if they didn't utter a word. Their face beamed with hope as they saw a group of people willing to go the extra mile and raise funds that will benefit the community, and not our own pockets. Having these experiences and influences growing up helped shape me into who I am becoming today. What sets me apart is my goal and drive to serve my community and improve it, and to inspire others to do the same and achieve greatness.

My name is Kimora, a college undergraduate who is pursuing a bachelor's in business administration, who brings her artistic creativity and analytical thinking wherever she goes and into whatever she does. When I came to understand the importance of caring for your community, I made it my personal mission to help improve my own. And I motivate myself with that goal, to finish pursuing my bachelor's while majoring in Management. I recently lost a scholarship that both I and my mother, would help carry me through my first two years of college. And with the past and upcoming year, I applied for student loans that I had almost no idea how to pay back. Sometimes the one thing that was keeping me from quitting was knowing that my community needs someone with leadership skills (as only 3.3% of the US' business owners are majority Black), and college provides that chance to learn them. And so, I strive on. My dad and mom were hard workers; my dad is an entrepreneur who owns his own DJ brand, while working a full-time job. My single mother would take my brother and I on her many fundraising and community services, enough to where it became a part of me to help whenever and wherever I could. Every fundraiser, I could sense the approval from the community members, even if they didn't utter a word. Their face beamed with hope as they saw a group of people willing to go the extra mile and raise funds that will benefit the community, and not our own pockets. Having these experiences and influences growing up helped shape me into who I am becoming today. But I can say that the two memories that inspired my business idea and my reason for attending a university, were going to the bookstore with my parents and going to a very fancy cafe with my older sister. I loved when they told me that we were going; I they took me so much to where I knew the layout of the bookstore by heart. My dad would let me run wild as I browsed the sections; my mom would stay by and jokingly laugh about how well I knew my way around the place. The bookstore seemed like a quiet place to hang out. I knew from that point, that I wanted to recreate that same experience for others. My sister and I decided to hang out at her favorite coffee shop called Nehemiah Coffee Co. There were two levels: one for the cafe itself, and the upper level for students who may want to study. It was nothing like the bookstore I was used to. Soon the new school year came upon me, and I was once again stuck with the cost of my supplies that were outrageously expensive. And then the idea came: a bookstore with college textbooks readily available for students, as well as brain food and drinks at their leisure. What sets me apart is my goal and drive to serve my community and improve it, and to inspire others to do the same and achieve greatness.

This is part of Mr. Darcy's letter to Elizabeth Bennet (or Lizzy or Eliza, as she is commonly called by others), explaining the reason why he went so far as to separate her sister, Jane Bennet, from his friend, Mr. Bingley. One reason was due to the lack of common sense that was so frequently displayed by Elizabeth's family, notably her mother and her younger sisters. He also adds that her and Jane should be praised for their actions to prevent being labeled as someone without any sense in their head. While he does not state specific actions in detail, even before his letter you could tell of what he was writing of, after reading about the improper behavior of their sisters, the ridiculousness of their mother, and the lenient (almost negligent) nature of their father. "I did not believe her to be indifferent because I wished it; I believed it on impartial conviction, as truly as I wished it in reason. My objections to the marriage were not merely those, which I had last night acknowledged to have required the utmost force of passion to put aside, in my own case; the want of connection could not be so great an evil to my friend as to me. But there were other causes of repugnance; causes which, though still existing, and existing to an equal degree in both instances, I had myself endeavored to forget, because they were not immediately before me. These causes must be stated, though briefly. The situation of your mother's family, though objectionable, was nothing in comparison of that total want of propriety so frequently, so almost uniformly betrayed by herself, by your three younger sisters, and occasionally even by your father. Pardon me. It pains me to offend you. But amidst your concern for the defects of your nearest relations, and your displeasure at this representation of them, let it give you consolation to consider that, to have conducted yourselves so as to avoid any share of the like censure, is praise no less generally bestowed on you and your elder sister, than it is less honorable to the sense and disposition of both." These characters and this classic story, titled Pride and Prejudice, were written by the famous author Jane Austen and published in 1813. Mr. Darcy wrote to Elizabeth after she had found out that he had tried to separate Jane and Mr. Bingley, who were growing quite close to each other. He states that one of the reasons for the separation is due to a lack of intimacy from Jane herself, having observed her while observing his friend. Mr. Darcy started the observation after a fellow gentleman made a comment about their impending marriage, which is when he began to look very closely at Mr. Bingley's partiality towards Jane. By default, Jane wouldn't be an ideal match for Mr. Bingley due to the societal status of her family being below Mr. Bingley's. Mr. Darcy isn't the only person who has shown displeasure in their connection; his own sisters were against him marrying Jane. While this was one reason, the main reason was because of the behavior displayed by her family, which when you read, is utterly ridiculous and almost unbelievable. At times her sisters would goof off at the balls, running amok and being loud and obnoxious, being show-offs, while flirting with the officers there. Their mother didn't fare any better; she was only concerned with getting her daughters married to rich men. This is justified however, as she had no sons that would inherit the father's estate when he passed. But her irrational outbursts when things don't go her way, plus her obnoxious behavior, were annoying at the most. Lastly, their father; he'd often make sarcastic but well-meaning comments about the silliness of his three younger daughters and his outlandish wife. But when an incident involving the youngest daughter occurs, it reveals his lack of authority over the younger daughters. Another indicator is that he often retreats to his office for comfort from the everyday chaos, only allowing Elizabeth in his own personal space, as she has shown that she has some wit in her from extensive reading. While I personally had to choose from either Pride and Prejudice, or The Phantom of the Opera (another classic), I chose the former due to the amount of introspection that it provides you with. This classic also provides a few lessons as far as how to properly judge a person, and then you go on to notice potential red flags in people.

My name is Kimora, a college undergraduate who is pursuing a bachelor's in business administration, whose hobbies are writing, baking, drawing, gardening and reading. When I came of age to understand the importance of caring for your community, specifically around the age of 15 or 16, I made it my personal mission to help improve my own. To even be able to attend a 4-year university at the age of 18, as a young African American woman, was a blessing. While it is true that I am new to the workforce, my goal remains the same. And that goal is to empower others and show that the odds can be against you, and you can still strive to be great. And I motivate myself with that goal, to finish pursuing my bachelor's in business administration with a major in Management. Sometimes the one thing that was keeping me from quitting was knowing that my community needs someone with leadership skills (as only 3.3% of the US' business owners are majority Black), and college provides that chance to learn them. And so, I strive on. My dad and mom were hard workers; my dad is an entrepreneur who owns his own DJ brand, while working a full-time job. My single mother would take my brother and I on her many fundraising and community services, enough to where it became a part of me to help whenever and wherever I could. Every fundraiser, I could sense the approval from the community members, even if they didn't utter a word. Their face beamed with hope as they saw a group of people willing to go the extra mile and raise funds that will benefit the community, and not our own pockets. Having these experiences and influences growing up helped shape me into who I am becoming today. But I can say that the two memories that inspired my business idea and my reason for attending a university, were going to the bookstore with my parents and going to a very fancy cafe with my older sister. I loved when they told me that we were going; I they took me so much to where I knew the layout of the bookstore by heart. My dad would let me run wild as I browsed the sections; my mom would stay by and jokingly laugh about how well I knew my way around the place. The bookstore seemed like a quiet place to hang out. I knew from that point, that I wanted to recreate that same experience for others. My sister and I decided to hang out at her favorite coffee shop called Nehemiah Coffee Co. There were two levels: one for the cafe itself, and the upper level for students who may want to study. It was so quiet and modern-looking, and nothing like the bookstore I was used to. Soon the new school year came upon me, and I was once again stuck with the cost of my supplies that were outrageously expensive. And then the idea came: a bookstore with college textbooks readily available for students, as well as brain food and drinks at their leisure. What sets me apart is my goal and drive to serve my community and improve it, and to inspire others to do the same and achieve greatness.

To be honest, I was always aware of my father keeping his old combat gear and his guns lying around the house, as well as medals that he won during his time in the Army. It was when I grew older that I learned the significance of being a child of a war veteran. For one, being the child of a veteran means that you get to know certain safety habits that are not taught to the public in a major way. What I mean by this is watching for danger and learning self-defense. One example of being watchful was when my dad and I would enter a restaurant: he would always sit in the direction where he could see the doors. He has told me this before, but when my mom explained that watching the door could help you see potential danger, that’s when I fully understood. Another impact in my life is learning about the events that a veteran has experienced while they serve. My father has seen death and has been attacked in a way that resulted in injury; I have learned from my mom that he has certain triggers, such as large crowds and losing family members. My first-hand experience of finding out about his PTSD, was when we watched the movie American Skin. The movie was about a father wanting justice for his son, who was killed by police brutality. And during the movie, my dad told me to turn it off for a minute; I was confused by his abrupt command. Then he told me that he was triggered, and that’s when I understood and got quiet, not exactly sure what else to do but turn the movie off until he was ready to continue watching it. Being a veteran’s daughter makes a person see other veterans differently, because you know the things that they have seen and understand the little things that some people may call “being paranoid”. The degree I am pursuing for this business to grow is a bachelor's in business administration, with a major in Management; I interpret Management as the foundation of being an entrepreneur. This tool is crucial to my career aspirations, as I plan on owning a hybrid cafe and bookstore/study area. I loved it when my parents told me that we were going to stop by the bookstore; they took me so much to where I knew the layout of the bookstore by heart. The bookstore seemed like a quiet place to hang out. I knew that I wanted to recreate that same experience for others. My sister decided to bring me to her favorite coffee shop called Nehemiah Coffee Co. There were two levels: one for the cafe itself, and the upper level for students who were studying. Even though we only stayed for a small while, it is safe to say that experience changed me. Fast forward to my sophomore year in college, I was once again stuck with the outrageously expensive cost of my supplies. And so, the idea came into its fullness: a bookstore with college textbooks readily available for students who borrowed them, as well as brain food and drinks at their leisure. My goal is to improve and serve my community, inspiring others to do the same, just like a veteran of the military.

In the beginning stages of my college life, I made the mistake of tackling six classes for my Fall 2024 semester. Silly me was thinking that this was just like my high school classes. College was my wakeup call; I had deadlines now. Lectures to listen to, textbooks to read, and essays to write. Math was never my favorite subject and still isn’t. I grew mentally exhausted, and I rarely had time to complete my household chores, one of the most important aspects of taking care of myself and my family in the future. Add my mom's discussions about handling my college funding in the coming future and learning to tackle the overbearing weight of my schoolwork and chores and applying for scholarships; I felt like I couldn’t take on anything else. But she took notice of my frustration. She provided me with instructions to step away from my work and take a minute to recuperate whenever I cried from being consumed in my math assignments. She suggested that I drop two of my classes to relieve some of the stress that came with the overbearing six. She set a clear limit for how many scholarships I should apply for daily. And most of all, she comforted me when she told me to ask for help, to not tackle my workload alone. Now, the school portion was the biggest, and continues to be, the biggest part of my day. My mom uses critical listening when I explain what math problem, I am having trouble with. Putting aside my obvious frustration, she asks me what the question is looking for, and I provide her with some context. Her answers are usually: step away from the laptop and breathe (because by this time I have been on my laptop for a while), look up a similar problem on Youtube or Google, or we’ll work through it step-by-step. Let me just say, Google has been my lifesaver when it comes to math. Math can be confusing and honestly, a little overwhelming when you mix numbers and words together. With Google, along with the required textbook that the teacher instructs us to buy, it can show you the smaller components of a problem that can be easily solved. All I do is search for the specific section in my textbook (textbooks by Pearson are very good) and I can find the steps to solve a similar problem. Or use Google by inputting your entire question, and its AI feature can assist you in solving the problem step-by-step (but make sure you work out the problem as well, to check).

To even be able to attend a 4-year university as a young African American woman at 18, was a blessing. While it is true that I am new to the workforce, my goal remains the same. And sometimes I have to motivate myself with that goal, to pursue my bachelor's degree in business administration, with a major in Management. Now this semester took an interesting turn when I was short one class credit from the previous year and therefore could not have my scholarship renewed. This news devastated me. I panicked and shed tears. I know my mom didn't want that for me, and I didn't want that for her. She is a single mother working to provide for her two children; I didn't want to add anymore financial burdens. I actually went through a depressive stage during this time; school didn't seem to matter anymore, because how was I going to pay off loans? The one thing that was keeping me from quitting was knowing that my community needs someone with leadership skills (as only 3.3% of the US' business owners are Black), and college provides that chance to learn them. My dad and mom were hard workers; my dad is an entrepreneur while working a full-time job. My single mother would take my brother and I on her many fundraisers, to where it became a part of me to help wherever. Having these experiences and influences growing up helped shape me into who I am becoming today.

My name is Kimora, a college undergraduate who is pursuing a bachelor's in business administration, whose hobbies are writing, baking, drawing, gardening and reading. When I came of age to understand the importance of caring for your community, specifically around the age of 15 or 16, I made it my personal mission to help improve my own. To even be able to attend a 4-year university at the age of 18, as a young African American woman, was a blessing. While it is true that I am new to the workforce, my goal remains the same. And that goal is to empower others and show that the odds can be against you, and you can still strive to be great. And I motivate myself with that goal, to finish pursuing my bachelor's in business administration with a major in Management. Now this semester took an interesting turn when I was short one class credit from the previous year and therefore could not have my scholarship renewed. This news devastated me; what was I going to do now? It pained me because I heard stories about the trials that come with student loans. I know my mom didn't want that for me, and I didn't want that for her. The one thing that was keeping me from quitting was knowing that my community needs someone with leadership skills (as only 3.3% of the US' business owners are majority Black), and college provides that chance to learn them. And so, I strive on. My dad and mom were hard workers; my dad is an entrepreneur who owns his own DJ brand, while working a full-time job. My single mother would take my brother and I on her many fundraising and community services, enough to where it became a part of me to help whenever and wherever I could. Having these experiences and influences growing up helped shape me into who I am becoming today. But I can say that the two memories that inspired my business idea and my reason for attending a university, were going to the bookstore with my parents and going to a very fancy cafe with my older sister. I loved when they told me that we were going; I they took me so much to where I knew the layout of the bookstore by heart. My dad would let me run wild as I browsed the sections; my mom would stay by and jokingly laugh about how well I knew my way around the place. The bookstore seemed like a quiet place to hang out. I knew from that point, that I wanted to recreate that same experience for others. My sister and I decided to hang out at her favorite coffee shop called Nehemiah Coffee Co. There were two levels: one for the cafe itself, and the upper level for students who may want to study. It was so quiet and modern-looking, and nothing like the bookstore I was used to. Soon the new school year came upon me, and I was once again stuck with the cost of my supplies that were outrageously expensive. And then the idea came: a bookstore with college textbooks readily available for students, as well as brain food and drinks at their leisure. What sets me apart is my goal and drive to serve my community and improve it, and to inspire others to do the same and achieve greatness.

My name is Kimora, a college undergraduate who is pursuing a bachelor's in business administration, whose hobbies are writing, baking, drawing, gardening and reading. When I came of age to understand the importance of caring for your community, specifically around the age of 15 or 16, I made it my personal mission to help improve my own, by assisting in fundraisers and through the arts. To even be able to attend a 4-year university as a young African American woman at 18, was a blessing. While it is true that I am new to the workforce, my goal remains the same. And sometimes I have to motivate myself with that goal, to pursue my bachelor's degree in business administration, with a major in Management. Now this semester took an interesting turn when I was short one class credit from the previous year and therefore could not have my scholarship renewed. This news devastated me. I panicked and shed tears over the news; what was I going to do now? It pained me because I heard stories about the trials that come with student loans. I know my mom didn't want that for me, and I didn't want that for her. She is a single mother working to provide for her two children; I didn't want to add anymore financial burdens. I actually went through a depressive stage during this time; school didn't seem to matter anymore, because realistically, how in the world was I, a young freshman with no job, going to pay off student loans? The one thing that was keeping me from quitting was knowing that my community needs someone with leadership skills (as only 3.3% of the US' business owners are majority Black), and college provides that chance to learn them. And so, I strive on. Coming from a single-parent household has impacted me tremendously. I notice the little differences that a single parent house has with a household that has both father and mother in them, and it makes want to break that cycle. In this present time, I do have the responsibility of doing my part around the house, such as cleaning and other tasks. But being in a single-parent household did teach me about responsibility. It also teaches improvisation skills, and organization skills; when you don't have two parents in the home, you have to buckle down and make up for it. My dad and mom were hard workers; my dad is an entrepreneur who owns his own DJ brand, while working a full-time job. My single mother would take my brother and I on her many fundraising and community services, enough to where it became a part of me to help whenever and wherever I could. And when the idea of making money on my own was planted, it was already too late. I came up with business ideas and sold merchandise and my services to my friends and family. Having these experiences and influences growing up helped shape me into who I am becoming today. But I can say that the two memories that inspired my business idea and my reason for attending a university, were going to the bookstore with my parents and going to a very fancy cafe with my older sister. Soon the new school year came upon me, and I was once again stuck with the cost of my supplies that were outrageously expensive. And then the idea came: a bookstore with college textbooks readily available for students, as well as brain food and drinks at their leisure.

My name is Kimora, a college undergraduate who is pursuing a bachelor's in business administration, whose hobbies are writing, baking, drawing, gardening and reading. When I came of age to understand the importance of caring for your community, specifically around the age of 15 or 16, I made it my personal mission to help improve my own, by assisting in fundraisers and through the arts. To even be able to attend a 4-year university as a young African American woman at 18, was a blessing. While it is true that I am new to the workforce, my goal remains the same. And sometimes I have to motivate myself with that goal, to pursue my bachelor's degree in business administration, with a major in Management. Now this semester took an interesting turn when I was short one class credit from the previous year and therefore could not have my scholarship renewed. This news devastated me. I panicked and shed tears over the news; what was I going to do now? It pained me because I heard stories about the trials that come with student loans. I know my mom didn't want that for me, and I didn't want that for her. She is a single mother working to provide for her two children; I didn't want to add anymore financial burdens. I actually went through a depressive stage during this time; school didn't seem to matter anymore, because realistically, how in the world was I, a young freshman with no job, going to pay off student loans? My mom could see how this was affecting me emotionally, and she said that we're just going to tough it out. The one thing that was keeping me from quitting was knowing that my community needs someone with leadership skills, and college provides that chance to learn them. And so, I strive on. Coming from a single-parent household has impacted me tremendously. I notice the little differences that a single parent house has with a household that has both father and mother in them, and it makes want to break that cycle. In this present time, I do have the responsibility of doing my part around the house, such as cleaning and other tasks. But being in a single-parent household did teach me about responsibility. It also teaches improvisation skills, and organization skills; when you don't have two parents in the home, you have to buckle down and make up for it. My dad and mom were hard workers; my dad is an entrepreneur who owns his own DJ brand, while working a full-time job. My single mother would take my brother and I on her many fundraising and community services, enough to where it became a part of me to help whenever and wherever I could. And when the idea of making money on my own was planted, it was already too late. I came up with business ideas and sold merchandise and my services to my friends and family. Having these experiences and influences growing up helped shape me into who I am becoming today. But I can say that the two memories that inspired my business idea and my reason for attending a university, were going to the bookstore with my parents and going to a very fancy cafe with my older sister. Soon the new school year came upon me, and I was once again stuck with the cost of my supplies that were outrageously expensive. And then the idea came: a bookstore with college textbooks readily available for students, as well as brain food and drinks at their leisure.

My name is Kimora, a college undergraduate who is pursuing a bachelor's in business administration, whose hobbies are writing, baking, drawing, gardening and reading. When I came of age to understand the importance of caring for your community, specifically around the age of 15 or 16, I made it my personal mission to help improve my own. To even be able to attend a 4-year university at the age of 18, as a young African American woman, was a blessing. While it is true that I am new to the workforce, my goal remains the same. And that goal is to empower others and show that the odds can be against you, and you can still strive to be great. And I motivate myself with that goal, to finish pursuing my bachelor's in business administration with a major in Management. Now this semester took an interesting turn when I was short one class credit from the previous year and therefore could not have my scholarship renewed. This news devastated me. I panicked and shed tears over the news; what was I going to do now? It pained me because I heard stories about the trials that come with student loans. I know my mom didn't want that for me, and I didn't want that for her. But I know that my community needs someone with leadership skills, and college provides that chance to learn them. And so, I strive on. My dad and mom were hard workers; my dad is an entrepreneur who owns his own DJ brand, while working a full-time job. My single mother would take my brother and I on her many fundraising and community services, enough to where it became a part of me to help whenever and wherever I could. And when the idea of making money on my own was planted, it was already too late. I came up with business ideas and sold merchandise and my services to my friends and family. Having these experiences and influences growing up helped shape me into who I am becoming today. But I can say that the two memories that inspired my business idea and my reason for attending a university, were going to the bookstore with my parents and going to a very fancy cafe with my older sister. I loved when they told me that we were going; I they took me so much to where I knew the layout of the bookstore by heart. My dad would let me run wild as I browsed the sections; my mom would stay by and jokingly laugh about how well I knew my way around the place. The bookstore seemed like a quiet place to hang out. I knew from that point, that I wanted to recreate that same experience for others. My sister and I decided to hang out at her favorite coffee shop called Nehemiah Coffee Co. There were two levels: one for the cafe itself, and the upper level for students who may want to study. It was so quiet and modern-looking, and nothing like the bookstore I was used to. Soon the new school year came upon me, and I was once again stuck with the cost of my supplies that were outrageously expensive. And then the idea came: a bookstore with college textbooks readily available for students, as well as brain food and drinks at their leisure. What sets me apart is my goal and drive to serve my community and improve it, and to inspire others to do the same and achieve greatness.

My name is Kimora, a college undergraduate who is pursuing a bachelor's in business administration, whose hobbies are writing, baking, drawing, gardening and reading. When I came of age to understand the importance of caring for your community, specifically around the age of 15 or 16, I made it my personal mission to help improve my own. Building your credit early is essential for a young adult; your credit score impacts your ability to make financial decisions such as applying for car notes. Banks look at your credit score and determine how much they can trust you to pay back what amount of money you own. And unfortunately, student loans can impact your credit. Now this Fall semester took an interesting turn when I was short one class credit from the previous year and therefore could not have my scholarship renewed. This news devastated me. I panicked and shed tears over the news; what was I going to do now? It pained me because I heard stories about the trials that come with student loans. I know my mom didn't want that for me, and I didn't want that for her. She is a single mother working to provide for her two children; I didn't want to add anymore financial burdens. Previously I earned a refund from the scholarship, and of course I was taught to save it for "just in case". But as time went on, and I reassured myself that my scholarship would be renewed, I began spending the money. Not all at once, but over a span of 4-5 months. From a refund of $980, to a $321. To even be able to attend a 4-year university at the age of 18, as a young African American woman, was a blessing. While it is true that I am new to the workforce, my goal remains the same. And that goal is to empower others and show that the odds can be against you, and you can still strive to be great. And I motivate myself with that goal, to finish pursuing my bachelor's in business administration with a major in Management. My dad and mom were hard workers; my dad is an entrepreneur who owns his own DJ brand, while working a full-time job. My single mother would take my brother and I on her many fundraising and community services, enough to where it became a part of me to help whenever and wherever I could. And when the idea of making money on my own was planted, it was already too late. I came up with business ideas and sold merchandise and my services to my friends and family. Having these experiences and influences growing up helped shape me into who I am becoming today. But I can say that the two memories that inspired my business idea and my reason for attending a university, were going to the bookstore with my parents and going to a very fancy cafe with my older sister. The bookstore seemed like a quiet place to hang out. I knew from that point, that I wanted to recreate that same experience for others. And then the idea came: a bookstore with college textbooks readily available for students, as well as brain food and drinks at their leisure. What sets me apart is my goal and drive to serve my community and improve it, and to inspire others to do the same and achieve greatness.

My name is Kimora, a college undergraduate who is pursuing a bachelor's in business administration, whose hobbies are writing, baking, drawing, gardening and reading. When I came of age to understand the importance of caring for your community, specifically around the age of 15 or 16, I made it my personal mission to help improve my own. To even be able to attend a 4-year university at the age of 18, as a young African American woman, was a blessing. While it is true that I am new to the workforce, my goal remains the same. And that goal is to empower others and show that the odds can be against you, and you can still strive to be great. And I motivate myself with that goal, to finish pursuing my bachelor's in business administration with a major in Management. Now this semester took an interesting turn when I was short one class credit from the previous year and therefore could not have my scholarship renewed. This news devastated me. I panicked and shed tears over the news; what was I going to do now? It pained me because I heard stories about the trials that come with student loans. I know my mom didn't want that for me, and I didn't want that for her. She is a single mother working to provide for her two children; I didn't want to add anymore financial burdens. My dad and mom were hard workers; my dad is an entrepreneur who owns his own DJ brand, while working a full-time job. My single mother would take my brother and I on her many fundraising and community services, enough to where it became a part of me to help whenever and wherever I could. And when the idea of making money on my own was planted, it was already too late. I came up with business ideas and sold merchandise and my services to my friends and family. Having these experiences and influences growing up helped shape me into who I am becoming today. But I can say that the two memories that inspired my business idea and my reason for attending a university, were going to the bookstore with my parents and going to a very fancy cafe with my older sister. I loved when they told me that we were going; I they took me so much to where I knew the layout of the bookstore by heart. My dad would let me run wild as I browsed the sections; my mom would stay by and jokingly laugh about how well I knew my way around the place. The bookstore seemed like a quiet place to hang out. I knew from that point, that I wanted to recreate that same experience for others. My sister and I decided to hang out at her favorite coffee shop called Nehemiah Coffee Co. There were two levels: one for the cafe itself, and the upper level for students who may want to study. It was so quiet and modern-looking, and nothing like the bookstore I was used to. Soon the new school year came upon me, and I was once again stuck with the cost of my supplies that were outrageously expensive. And then the idea came: a bookstore with college textbooks readily available for students, as well as brain food and drinks at their leisure. What sets me apart is my goal and drive to serve my community and improve it, and to inspire others to do the same and achieve greatness.

When I began sketching my mashup, I was honestly pretty bored. I usually carry my sketchbook almost everywhere I go; in case I don't have a friend to talk to or I prefer to be by myself for a little bit. I usually have a hard time coming up with an idea that can turn into a sketch on a page, let alone decorated. And the thought of food just popped up in my mind. I guess I was hungry when I started drawing this mashup (lol). So now I know what I wanted to draw. It did not take long to figure out which foods I wanted to draw; a cheesy, bready and saucy slice of pizza is ultimately my favorite food, and I love carbs, as you could probably tell by the picture. Cheesy quesadillas and biscuits coated with butter and a drizzle of syrup, were common food items that I ate during lunchtime or for dinner (which was probably 2021 or 2022), so that was a no-brainer. Shakes were also a common drink item that I would get when my family took a trip to the local Marble Slab, blending their sweet and creamy ice cream into an enjoyable treat, with the possibility of mixed-in toppings. It's probably weird that I prefer drinks over the actual ice cream itself, but I find consuming my carbs by drink is more satisfying that directly eating it. The soup was a new-found love of mine. I recently took a trip to Panera with one of my parents, where I got the broccoli cheddar soup. It's safe to say that I absolutely loved that soup (because I love cheese OMG)! The creaminess and flavor of the cheese, with the bits of broccoli and carrot to provide a bite. Donuts are generally my go-to food item for when I do want to draw food. Drawing the dripping icing and sprinkles with bright colors, is the best part for me because it looks so much more detailed. Finally, we have parfait; I actually don't eat parfait often. I prefer my vanilla yogurt just the way it is. But when drawing parfait, you have to keep texture in mind as you sketch out the granola and the fruit. So maybe the parfait was a little challenge for me. This is my food mashup and what it says about me!

To even be able to attend a 4-year university at the age of 18 was a blessing. While it is true that I am new to the workforce, my goal remains the same. And I motivate myself with that goal, to finish pursuing my bachelor's in business administration with a major in Management. Now this semester took an interesting turn when I was short one class credit from the previous year and therefore could not have my scholarship renewed. This news devastated me. I panicked and shed tears over the news; what was I going to do now? It pained me because I heard stories about the trials that come with student loans. I know my mom didn't want that for me, and I didn't want that for her. She is a single mother working to provide for her two children; I didn't want to add anymore financial burdens. My dad and mom were hard workers; my dad is an entrepreneur who owns his own DJ brand, while working a full-time job. My single mother would take my brother and I on her many fundraising and community services, enough to where it became a part of me to help whenever and wherever I could. And when the idea of making money on my own was planted, it was already too late. I came up with business ideas and sold merchandise and my services to my friends and family. Having these experiences and influences growing up helped shape me into who I am becoming today. But I can say that the two memories that inspired my business idea and my reason for attending a university, were going to the bookstore with my parents and going to a very fancy cafe with my older sister. I loved when they told me that we were going; I they took me so much to where I knew the layout of the bookstore by heart. My dad would let me run wild as I browsed the sections; my mom would stay by and jokingly laugh about how well I knew my way around the place. The bookstore seemed like a quiet place to hang out. I knew from that point, that I wanted to recreate that same experience for others. My sister and I decided to hang out at her favorite coffee shop called Nehemiah Coffee Co. There were two levels: one for the cafe itself, and the upper level for students who may want to study. It was so quiet and modern-looking, and nothing like the bookstore I was used to. Soon the new school year came upon me, and I was once again stuck with the cost of my supplies that were outrageously expensive. And then the idea came: a bookstore with college textbooks readily available for students, as well as brain food and drinks at their leisure. What sets me apart is my goal and drive to serve my community and improve it, and to inspire others to do the same and achieve greatness.

My name is Kimora, a college undergraduate who is pursuing a bachelor's in business administration, whose hobbies are writing, baking, drawing, gardening and reading. When I came of age to understand the importance of caring for your community, specifically around the age of 15 or 16, I made it my personal mission to help improve my own, by assisting in fundraisers and through the arts. To even be able to attend a 4-year university at the age of 18 was a blessing. While it is true that I am new to the workforce, my goal remains the same. And sometimes I have to motivate myself with that goal, to pursue my bachelor's degree in business administration, with a major in Management. Now this semester took an interesting turn when I was short one class credit from the previous year and therefore could not have my scholarship renewed. This news devastated me. I panicked and shed tears over the news; what was I going to do now? It pained me because I heard stories about the trials that come with student loans. I know my mom didn't want that for me, and I didn't want that for her. She is a single mother working to provide for her two children; I didn't want to add anymore financial burdens. My dad and mom were hard workers; my dad is an entrepreneur who owns his own DJ brand, while working a full-time job. My single mother would take my brother and I on her many fundraising and community services, enough to where it became a part of me to help whenever and wherever I could. And when the idea of making money on my own was planted, it was already too late. I came up with business ideas and sold merchandise and my services to my friends and family. The one memory that inspired my business idea was going to the bookstore with my parents. I loved when my parents told me that we were going to stop by the bookstore. They took me so much to where I knew the layout of the bookstore by heart. My mom would stay by my side and jokingly laugh about how well I knew my way around the place. The bookstore seemed like a quiet place to hang out and chill and enjoy some snacks from Starbucks. I knew from that point, that I wanted to recreate that same experience for others. My sister-like aunt and I decided to hang out at her favorite coffee shop called Nehemiah Coffee Co. There were two levels: one for the cafe itself, and the upper level for students who may want to study. It was so quiet and modern-looking, and nothing like the bookstore I was used to. Even though we only stayed for a small while, it is safe to say that experience changed me. Soon the new school year would be upon me, and I was once again stuck with the cost of my supplies that were outrageously expensive. And so, the idea came into its fullness: a bookstore with college textbooks readily available for students who rented or borrowed them, as well as brain food and drinks at their leisure. My goal is to serve my community and improve it, and to inspire others to do the same and achieve greatness.

My name is Kimora, a college undergraduate who is pursuing a bachelor's in business administration, whose hobbies are writing, baking, drawing, gardening and reading. When I came of age to understand the importance of caring for your community, specifically around the age of 15 or 16, I made it my personal mission to help improve my own, by assisting in fundraisers and through the arts. To even be able to attend a 4-year university at the age of 18 was a blessing. While it is true that I am new to the workforce, my goal remains the same. And sometimes I have to motivate myself with that goal, to pursue my bachelor's degree in business administration, with a major in Management. Now this semester took an interesting turn when I was short one class credit from the previous year and therefore could not have my scholarship renewed. This news devastated me. I panicked and shed tears over the news; what was I going to do now? It pained me because I heard stories about the trials that come with student loans. I know my mom didn't want that for me, and I didn't want that for her. She is a single mother working to provide for her two children; I didn't want to add anymore financial burdens. Coming from a single-parent household has impacted me tremendously. I notice the little differences that a single parent house has with a household that has both father and mother in them, and it makes want to break that cycle, by marrying a good man that will provide for me and our kids. In this present time, I do have the responsibility of doing my part around the house, such as cleaning and other tasks. But I can tell it's hard, because I once asked my mom what she liked doing for fun. She didn't immediately give me a whole list of her favorite hobbies; instead, she told me that she didn't have a lot of time for herself to do the things she liked, because she was occupied with taking care to two kids, me and my brother. She also works, so it's on her to be able to pay the bills, buy groceries and all of the necessities we needed. Of course, it made me think of what I could do to take the load off her, so that she could relax. But being in a single-parent household did teach me about responsibility, and taking care of whatever duties I'm given. It also teaches improvisation skills, and organization skills; when you don't have two parents in the home, you have to buckle down and make up for it. Having these experiences and influences growing up helped shape me into who I am becoming today. But I can say that the two memories that inspired my business idea and my reason for attending a university, were going to the bookstore with my parents and going to a very fancy cafe with my older sister. Soon the new school year came upon me, and I was once again stuck with the cost of my supplies that were outrageously expensive. And then the idea came: a bookstore with college textbooks readily available for students, as well as brain food and drinks at their leisure.

My name is Kimora, a college undergraduate who is pursuing a bachelor's in business administration, whose hobbies are writing, baking, drawing, gardening and reading. When I came of age to understand the importance of caring for your community, specifically around the age of 15 or 16, I made it my personal mission to help improve my own, by assisting in fundraisers and through the arts. To even be able to attend a 4-year university at the age of 18 was a blessing. While it is true that I am new to the workforce, my goal remains the same. And sometimes I have to motivate myself with that goal, to pursue my bachelor's degree in business administration, with a major in Management. Coming from a single-parent household did teach me about responsibility, and taking care of whatever duties, I'm given. It also teaches improvisation skills, and organization skills; when you don't have two parents in the home, you have to buckle down and make up for it. My dad and mom were hard workers; my dad is an entrepreneur who owns his own DJ brand, while working a full-time job. My single mother would take my brother and I on her many fundraising and community services, enough to where it became a part of me to help whenever and wherever I could. And when the idea of making money on my own was planted, it was already too late. I came up with business ideas and sold merchandise and my services to my friends and family. The one memory that inspired my business idea was going to the bookstore with my parents. I loved when my parents told me that we were going to stop by the bookstore. They took me so much to where I knew the layout of the bookstore by heart. My mom would stay by my side and jokingly laugh about how well I knew my way around the place. The bookstore seemed like a quiet place to hang out and chill and enjoy some snacks from Starbucks. I knew from that point, that I wanted to recreate that same experience for others. My sister-like aunt and I decided to hang out at her favorite coffee shop called Nehemiah Coffee Co. There were two levels: one for the cafe itself, and the upper level for students who may want to study. It was so quiet and modern-looking, and nothing like the bookstore I was used to. Even though we only stayed for a small while, it is safe to say that experience changed me. Soon the new school year would be upon me, and I was once again stuck with the cost of my supplies that were outrageously expensive. And so, the idea came into its fullness: a bookstore with college textbooks readily available for students who rented or borrowed them, as well as brain food and drinks at their leisure. My goal is to serve my community and improve it, and to inspire others to do the same and achieve greatness.

To even be able to attend a 4-year university at the age of 18 was a blessing. While it is true that I am new to the workforce, my goal remains the same. And that goal is to empower others and show that the odds can be against you, and you can still strive to be great. Now this semester took an interesting turn when I was short one class credit from the previous year and therefore could not have my scholarship renewed. This news devastated me. I panicked and shed tears over the news; what was I going to do now? It pained me because I heard stories about the trials that come with student loans. I know my mom didn't want that for me, and I didn't want that for her. She is a single mother working to provide for her two children; I didn't want to add anymore financial burdens. My dad and mom were hard workers; my dad is an entrepreneur who owns his own DJ brand, while working a full-time job. My single mother would take my brother and I on her many fundraising and community services, enough to where it became a part of me to help whenever and wherever I could. And when the idea of making money on my own was planted, it was already too late. I came up with business ideas and sold merchandise and my services to my friends and family. Having these experiences and influences growing up helped shape me into who I am becoming today. But I can say that the two memories that inspired my business idea and my reason for attending a university, were going to the bookstore with my parents and going to a very fancy cafe with my older sister. I loved when they told me that we were going; I they took me so much to where I knew the layout of the bookstore by heart. My dad would let me run wild as I browsed the sections; my mom would stay by and jokingly laugh about how well I knew my way around the place. The bookstore seemed like a quiet place to hang out. I knew from that point, that I wanted to recreate that same experience for others. My sister and I decided to hang out at her favorite coffee shop called Nehemiah Coffee Co. There were two levels: one for the cafe itself, and the upper level for students who may want to study. It was so quiet and modern-looking, and nothing like the bookstore I was used to. Soon the new school year came upon me, and I was once again stuck with the cost of my supplies that were outrageously expensive. And then the idea came: a bookstore with college textbooks readily available for students, as well as brain food and drinks at their leisure. My goal is to serve my community and improve it, and to inspire others to do the same and achieve greatness.

My name is Kimora Mays-Young, and I am the first in my family to pursue a bachelor's degree, majoring in Management. I am the older sibling to a younger brother, and the oldest to a single mother. Coming from a single-parent household has impacted me tremendously. I notice the little differences that a single parent house has with a household that has both father and mother in them, and it makes want to break that cycle, by marrying a good man that will provide for me and our kids. In this present time, I do have the responsibility of doing my part around the house, such as cleaning and other tasks. But I can tell it's hard, because I once asked my mom what she liked doing for fun. She didn't immediately give me a whole list of her favorite hobbies; instead, she told me that she didn't have a lot of time for herself to do the things she liked, because she was occupied with taking care to two kids, me and my brother. She also works, so it's on her to be able to pay the bills, buy groceries and all of the necessities we needed. Of course, it made me think of what I could do to take the load off her, so that she could relax. But being in a single-parent household did teach me about responsibility, and taking care of whatever duties, I'm given. It also teaches improvisation skills, and organization skills; when you don't have two parents in the home, you have to buckle down and make up for it. My dad and mom were hard workers; my dad is an entrepreneur who owns his own DJ brand, while working a full-time job. My single mother would take my brother and I on her many fundraising and community services, enough to where it became a part of me to help whenever and wherever I could. And when the idea of making money on my own was planted, it was already too late. I came up with business ideas and sold merchandise and my services to my friends and family. I loved when my parents told me that we were going to stop by the bookstore. I they took me so much to where I knew the layout of the bookstore by heart. My mom would stay by my side and jokingly laugh about how well I knew my way around the place. The bookstore seemed like a quiet place to hang out and chill and enjoy some snacks from Starbucks. I knew from that point, that I wanted to recreate that same experience for others. My sister-like aunt and I decided to hang out at her favorite coffee shop called Nehemiah Coffee Co. There were two levels: one for the cafe itself, and the upper level for students who may want to study. It was so quiet and modern-looking, and nothing like the bookstore I was used to. Even though we only stayed for a small while, it is safe to say that experience changed me. Soon the new school year would be upon me, and I was once again stuck with the cost of my supplies that were outrageously expensive. And so, the idea came into its fullness: a bookstore with college textbooks readily available for students who rented or borrowed them, as well as brain food and drinks at their leisure. My goal is to serve my community and improve it, and to inspire others to do the same and achieve greatness.

My name is Kimora, a college undergraduate who is pursuing a bachelor's in business administration, whose hobbies are writing, baking, drawing, gardening and reading. When I came of age to understand the importance of caring for your community, specifically around the age of 15 or 16, I made it my personal mission to help improve my own, by assisting in fundraisers and through the arts. To even be able to attend a 4-year university at the age of 18 was a blessing. While it is true that I am new to the workforce, my goal remains the same. And that goal is to empower others and show that the odds can be against you, and you can still strive to be great. My dad and mom were hard workers; my dad is an entrepreneur who owns his own DJ brand, while working a full-time job. My single mother would take my brother and I on her many fundraising and community services, enough to where it became a part of me to help whenever and wherever I could. And when the idea of making money on my own was planted, it was already too late. I came up with business ideas and sold merchandise and my services to my friends and family. Having these experiences and influences growing up helped shape me into who I am becoming today. But I can say that the two memories that inspired my business idea and my reason for attending a university, were going to the bookstore with my parents and going to a very fancy cafe with my older sister. I loved when they told me that we were going to stop by for a little bit; I they took me so much to where I knew the layout of the bookstore by heart. My dad would let me run wild as I browsed the sections; my mom would stay by and jokingly laugh about how well I knew my way around the place. The bookstore seemed like a quiet place to hang out and chill and enjoy some snacks from Starbucks. I knew from that point, that I wanted to recreate that same experience for others. My sister and I decided to hang out at her favorite coffee shop called Nehemiah Coffee Co. I looked up the shop on Google before but seeing it in person was something else. There were two levels: one for the cafe itself, and the upper level for students who may want to study. It was so quiet and modern-looking, and nothing like the bookstore I was used to. Even though we only stayed for a small while, it is safe to say that experience changed me. Soon the new school year would be upon me, and I was once again stuck with the cost of my supplies that were outrageously expensive. And so, the idea came into its fullness: a bookstore with college textbooks readily available for students who rented or borrowed them, as well as brain food and drinks at their leisure. What excites me as an entrepreneur? I would say that it is the control you have over what you want to give the world. The unlimited options for what you could sell, for whatever purpose has always fascinated me. And the business does not have to even be a huge franchise; you can keep it local for your community. My goal is to serve my community and improve it, and to inspire others to do the same and achieve greatness.

Even as I grew up to attend the college I am currently enrolled in, my dreamer/visionary personality never went away. I would play pretend and act as if I was the hero or action star of a TV show or movie I watched, and as embarrassing as this is to me, I still have that tendency. My dad and mom were hard workers; my dad is an entrepreneur who owns his own DJ brand, while working a full-time job. My single mother would take my brother and I on her many fundraising and community services, enough to where it became a part of me to help whenever and wherever I could. And when the idea of making money on my own was planted, it was already too late. I came up with business ideas and sold merchandise and my services to my friends and family. Having these experiences and influences growing up helped shape me into who I am becoming today. But I can say that the two memories that inspired my business idea and my reason for attending a university, were going to the bookstore with my parents and going to a very fancy cafe with my older sister. I loved when they told me that we were going to stop by for a little bit; I they took me so much to where I knew the layout of the bookstore by heart. My dad would let me run wild as I browsed the sections; my mom would stay by and jokingly laugh about how well I knew my way around the place. The bookstore seemed like a quiet place to hang out and chill and enjoy some snacks from Starbucks. I knew from that point, that I wanted to recreate that same experience for others. My sister and I decided to hang out at her favorite coffee shop called Nehemiah Coffee Co. I looked up the shop on Google before but seeing it in person was something else. There were two levels: one for the cafe itself, and the upper level for students who may want to study. It was so quiet and modern-looking, and nothing like the bookstore I was used to. Even though we only stayed for a small while, it is safe to say that experience changed me. Soon the new school year would be upon me, and I was once again stuck with the cost of my supplies that were outrageously expensive. And so, the idea came into its fullness: a bookstore with college textbooks readily available for students who rented or borrowed them, as well as brain food and drinks at their leisure. What excites me as an entrepreneur? I would say that it is the control you have over what you want to give the world. The unlimited options for what you could sell, for whatever purpose (be it your dream career or continuing the legacy of a former entrepreneur), has always fascinated me. And the business does not have to even be a huge franchise; you can keep it local for your community. My goal is to serve my community and improve it, and to inspire others to do the same and achieve greatness.

We all have heard the saying that the eyes are the window to the soul, and I truly believe that statement. Giving someone the positive image of someone else that looks and acts just like them, causes that same individual to enjoy whatever media was used to bring them the image. Books and art alike work to place the reader into the world of the story the author is trying to tell; using various methods, it can really feel like you are in the story as one of the characters. Sometimes even I have to pull myself away from the story to return back to reality (and to not make any weird facial expressions in public). I am the oldest to a single mother with a younger brother, and a Texas-born and raised young woman. I am also the first in my family to pursue a bachelor's degree in business administration, with a major in Management. One of my most recent achievements is graduating high school with honors at the age of 17, as well as getting accepted into the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. I am someone who experiences multipotentiality, which when I learned this word, means that you dabble in various hobbies and activities. During the 2025 summer, I recently started an art channel on Youtube to share my art journey with the public. It was and is (given I have spare time) going to feature writing my book, practice my sketching, and possibly drawing animatics that promote values such as loyalty, family, friendship, resilience, and endurance in hard times, and can still be relatable in some shape or form. I wanted to push these values because these are needed in real life; for when you get stressed out, when you are not getting along with family or friends, when opposition comes your way, and more situations that come unexpectedly. Going back to the effects of visuals, I can offer a few examples of when shows pull you into their world: I recently got into the apparently-still-popular Disney show Gravity Falls, and I was immediately reeled in by the characters, the plot, the distinct colors of the characters' designs that made them stand out, and the major foreshadowing. Even though the chances of meeting the wacky creatures Dipper and Mabel ran into, will more than likely never happen in real life, Gravity Falls' creator Alex Hirsch, along with the voice actors, made the characters come to life with individual voices, personalities, and flaws (because everyone has them). He also used common values like family and loyalty, and resilience, especially in the second season finale. Other examples include Youtube artists and creators; my personal favorite is Likelihood Art, because she really captures the human face with her semi-realistic art style, while still keeping it playful and fun by simplifying certain features that can be seen majority in animes and cartoons. And while there may be no personal story to each drawing, she gives life to them. I would like to learn animation especially, since Youtube and TikTok and other social media platforms, seem to be the dominant sources of receiving information and media. But I also love drawing traditionally, and since reading will never be outdated, I want to be able to paint a visual picture in someone's mind, whether it be through words, pictures on paper/screen, or living characters on screen.

The one memory that has inspired me to pursuit my business idea, is when my parents would drive to the local Barnes and Noble that was connected to the mall center and would take me just to read the books and destress from the day. My father would allow me to venture off on my own while I hunted for a new novel or comic, and he would search for me from afar, making sure I was not out of his sight. My mother, on the other hand, was the opposite and never left my side as I scoured the shelves for what I wanted to look at. I have a deep passion for art and writing; the saying that the eyes are the window to the soul, I take that saying very seriously. Giving a person a positive image of themselves, can improve their mental state, and is very relieving for their soul. Books and art alike work to place yourself into the world of the story they are trying to tell. Using various methods, it can really feel like you are in the story as one of the characters. Sometimes even I have to pull myself away from the story to return back to reality (and to not make any weird facial expressions in public). The same goes with graduating college, owning a business, writing a book, and caring for the community with fundraisers and various community services, or even gaining support on YouTube as a cook! When you read the life story of someone who has accomplished what some may deem to be impossible or difficult to achieve, that person's story has inspired you to place yourself in their shoes and to do the same. Various examples can be your parents, friends, or those that you can find some relation to like writers, artists, chefs, animators, fellow college students vlogging about their life, and more. It does not even have to be just one person; it can be many that you take inspiration from and mix them all into something that is unique to you. I am the oldest to a single mother with a younger brother, and a Texas-born and raised young woman. I am also the first in my family to pursue a bachelor's degree in business administration, with a major in Management. One of my most recent achievements is graduating high school with honors at the age of 17, as well as getting accepted into the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. I plan on owning a hybrid cafe and bookstore/study area. Using my culinary skills and love of cooking for the benefit of the community, I want to build relationships with my customers who I hope will become regulars. Overall, I want to be able to set an example to others and project to them, an image of excellence. But on the side, as a hobby, I am an artist and a writer who is working to encourage and inspire others through my storytelling and every pencil stroke I make.

I truly believe that making a positive impact on the world, starts in your community. The one memory that inspired my business idea was when my parents took me to the bookstore, to read and relax. That same bookstore became my safe space and somewhere that I looked forward to going to. I am the oldest to a single mother with a younger brother, and a Texas-born and raised young woman. I am also the first in my family to pursue a bachelor's degree in Business Administration, with a major in Management. One of my most recent achievements is graduating high school with honors at the age of 17, as well as getting accepted into the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. I plan on owning a hybrid cafe and bookstore/study area. Using my culinary skills and love of cooking for the benefit of the community, I want to build relationships with my customers who I hope will become regulars. Overall, I want to be able to set an example to others and project an image of excellence. As a fellow laborer in the sector of community service, particularly fundraising, here are a few things to learn when serving your community: 1. To me, being driven to innovate is rooted in my creativity. The word “innovate” means to make changes or make something in a new way. Me being driven to innovate lies in my desire, or passion, to do what it is I am setting my mind to accomplish. Willpower is one of the most crucial functions of completing a project; with no desire, the project will eventually fall away into the category of failure. 2. The next, and most important step, is to find people who are willing to put in the time to help this business thrive, and through those means, their works can encourage others to come in the doors to get a full experience of the store. 3. The last example, and most effective, way is establishing connections with your peers or superiors. Professional and personal connections are instant influences because they allow the other person to be seen or heard. On a personal note, I have a deep passion for art and writing, or anything that can be communicated through visuals. The saying that the eyes are the window to the soul, I take that saying very seriously. Giving a person a positive image of themselves can improve one’s sense of self and is very relieving for their soul. This is my goal in what I hope to give back to my community: an example to others that you don’t have to conform to stereotypes that you have been labeled with; you can still strive to be great and strengthen those around you.

I truly believe that making a positive impact on the world starts in your community. So, I want to establish a place where others can relax and have their own safe space. I used to go to the bookstore with my parents and just enjoy reading books and sit by the Starbucks built inside; it became a place that I looked forward to going to at the end of the day: sitting, reading, inhaling the aroma of coffee from the Starbucks, along with the soft yellow lighting. It created the perfect ambiance for me and was like a safe space. I am the oldest to a single mother with a younger brother, and a Texas-born and raised young woman, who has the aspiration to own my own business that serves my community, as well as society in general. One thing to know about me is that I am a person who often experiences multipotentiality, or when a person has many hobbies or creative pursuits, which is a testament to my curiosity and willingness to try new things. I am also the first in my family to pursue a bachelor's degree, which is in Business Administration. One of my most recent achievements is graduating high school with honors at the age of 17, as well as getting accepted into the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. I plan on owning a hybrid cafe and study area. I desire to use my love of baking; I want to build relationships with my customers who I hope will become regulars; overall, I want to be able to set an example to others and project an image of excellence. I really strive to build a business that can also serve as a sanctuary. And yet, as much as I love this idea of mine, I understand being a doctor or lawyer are two of the first things that pop up in my mind when I hear the word “community”. But I remind myself that strengthening community relationships and building up the mind by reading is also an important factor in any society. As a fellow laborer in the sector of community service, particularly fundraising, here are a few things to learn when serving your community: Me being driven to innovate lies in my desire, or passion if we will call it that, to do what it is I am setting my mind to accomplish. Willpower is one of the most crucial functions of completing a project; with no desire, the project will eventually fall away into the category of failure. The next, and most important step, is to find people who are willing to put in the time to help this business thrive by first, and through those means, their works can encourage others to come in the doors to get a full experience of the store. I have a deep passion for art and writing, or anything that can be communicated through visuals; the saying that the eyes are the window to the soul, I take that saying very seriously. Giving a person a positive image of themselves can improve one’s sense of self and is very relieving for their soul. The last example is establishing connections with your peers. Professional and personal connections are instant influences because they allow the other person to be seen or heard. This is my goal in what I hope to give back to my community: an example to others that you don’t have to conform to the stereotypes that you have been labeled with; you can still strive to be great and strengthen those around you.

I truly believe that making a positive impact on the world starts in your community. So, I want to establish a place where others can relax and have their own safe space. I used to go to the bookstore with my parents and just enjoy reading books and sit by the Starbucks built inside; it became a place that I looked forward to going to at the end of the day: sitting, reading, inhaling the aroma of coffee from the Starbucks, along with the soft yellow lighting. It created the perfect ambiance for me and was like a safe space. I am the oldest to a single mother with a younger brother, and a Texas-born and raised young woman, who has the aspiration to own my own business that serves my community, as well as society in general. The degree I am pursuing is in Business Administration, and the major I picked was Management; this type of degree is very flexible and can be used in any work field, regardless of the amount of knowledge that I might have in that specific profession; I find it a useful tool to have on my belt. I interpret Management as the foundation of being an entrepreneur; knowing how to manage a business and its assets is one of the most important things to know if you decide to pursue this particular career. This tool is crucial to my career aspirations, as I plan on owning a hybrid cafe and bookstore/study area. I desire to use my culinary skills for the benefit of the community; I want to build relationships with my customers who I hope will become regulars; overall, I want to be able to set an example to others and project an image of excellence, that will be followed by my employees. I sometimes wonder, though, if my future business will be needed in my community; I really strive to build a business that can also serve as a sanctuary. And yet, as much as I love this idea of mine, I understand being a doctor or lawyer are two of the first things that pop up in my mind when I hear the word “community”. And yet I remind myself that strengthening community relationships and building up the mind by reading is also an important factor in any society. The next, and most important step, is to find people who are willing to put in the time to help this business thrive by first, putting effort into calling this business a sanctuary, and through those means, their works can encourage others to come in the doors to get a full experience of the store. I have a deep passion for art and writing, or anything that can be communicated through visuals; the saying that the eyes are the window to the soul, I take that saying very seriously. Giving a person a positive image of themselves can improve one’s sense of self and is very relieving for their soul. This is my goal in what I hope to give back to my community: an example to others that you don’t have to conform to the stereotypes that you have been labeled with; you can still strive to be great and strengthen those around you.

My name is Kimora Mays-Young, and I am the first in my family to pursue a bachelor's degree, majoring in Management. I am the older sibling to a younger brother, and the oldest to a single mother. Coming from a single-parent household has impacted me tremendously. I notice the little differences that a single parent house has, and it makes want to break that cycle. I can tell it's hard, because I once asked my mom what she liked doing for fun. She didn't immediately give me a whole list of her favorite hobbies; instead, she told me that she didn't have a lot of time for herself to do the things she liked, because she was occupied with taking care to two kids, me and my brother. She also works, so it's on her to be able to pay the bills, buy groceries and all of the necessities we needed. Of course, it made me think of what I could do to take the load off her, so that she could relax. But by living in a single-parent household, it has taught me about responsibility and taking care of the duties that I'm given. It also teaches improvisation skills and realizing the need for organization skills. I believe that making a positive impact on the world, starts in your community. So, I want to own and maintain a place where others can relax and have a safe place to come to and even build relationships. The one memory that has inspired me to pursuit my business idea, is when my parents would drive to the local Barnes and Noble that was connected to the mall center and would take me just to read the books and destress from the day. My father would allow me to venture off on my own while I hunted for a new novel or comic, and he would search for me from afar, making sure I was not out of his sight. My mother, on the other hand, was the opposite and never left my side as I scoured the shelves for what I wanted to look at. Just sitting, reading, inhaling the aroma of coffee from the Starbucks that was inside the store, along with the soft yellow lighting, created the perfect ambiance for me. I want to be able to set an example to others and have an image of excellence, that will be demonstrated by my employees, so that they may encourage others to follow in the same pattern of "even when the odds are against you, you can still strive to be great"!

The one memory that has inspired me to pursuit my business idea, is when my parents would drive to the local Barnes and Noble that was connected to the mall center and would take me just to read the books and destress from the day. My father would allow me to venture off on my own while I hunted for a new novel or comic, and he would search for me from afar, making sure I was not out of his sight. My mother, on the other hand, was the opposite and never left my side as I scoured the shelves for what I wanted to look at. My parents are one of my main motivators, as they have invested so much into my future, especially my mother; raising two children while wondering how to fund one's education, all while being a single mother, is no easy task. And me being the first to pursue a bachelor's degree in my family, is no easy task either. Reading was one of my ways to let my imagination run wild, as well as drawing. The idea of writing or drawing something that allowed a person to construct a whole other world in their mind, was always, and still fascinates me to this day. This actually inspired me to begin writing my own book and possibly planning an animation. So, combining the Starbucks along with books, I now wanted to own a cafe but also allow my customers to purchase books at their own discretion. But most of all, I want my business to act as a sanctuary for the community. Somewhere you can escape the outside world and all its troubles and simply relax in a cozy place with food for your belly and mind. Including events and activities that would allow the community to come have fun and speak would be absolutely amazing! But the most important part would be me as the manager, making connections with the customers that would hopefully become regulars. I love the connections people make over something small, all while I am serving my community. This is the reason why I am pursuing a bachelor's degree in business administration, with a major in Management. What I hope to establish is a business that helps improve my community and become a pillar of strength, encouraging others to follow in the same pattern of "even when the odds are against you, you can still strive to be great"!

I truly believe that making a positive impact on the world, starts in your community. So, I want to own and maintain a place where others can relax and have a safe place. I used to go to the bookstore with my parents and just enjoy reading books and sit by the Starbucks built inside; it became a place that I looked forward to going to at the end of the day: sitting, reading, inhaling the aroma of coffee from the Starbucks, along with the soft yellow lighting, created the perfect ambiance for me. The degree I am pursuing is in business administration, and the major I was able to pick was Management. This type of degree is very flexible and can be used in any work field, regardless of the amount of knowledge that I might have on that specific profession; I find it a useful tool to have on my belt. I plan on owning a cafe and a small bookstore. I want to use my cooking and baking skills for my community; I want to build relationships with my customers; I want to be able to set an example to others and project an image of excellence, that will be demonstrated by my employees. I sometimes wonder, though, if my future business will be needed in my community; I want to maintain a cafe and small bookstore, that can also serve as a sanctuary. As much as I love reading and baking, I am well aware that being a doctor or lawyer is important. And yet I remind myself that strengthening community relationships and building up the mind by reading, is also an important factor in any society. The next, and most important step, is to find people who are willing to put in the time to help this business thrive by first, putting effort into calling this business a sanctuary, and through those means, their works can encourage others to come in the doors to get a full experience of the cafe. I have a deep passion for art and writing; the saying that the eyes are the window to the soul, I take that saying very seriously. Giving a person a positive image of themselves, can improve their mental state, and is very relieving for their soul. What I hope to achieve is a business that helps improve my community and become a pillar of strength, encouraging others to follow in the same pattern of "even when the odds are against you, you can still strive to be great"!

The one memory that has inspired me to pursuit my business idea, is when my parents would drive to the local Barnes and Noble that was connected to the mall center and would take me just to read the books and destress from the day. My father would allow me to venture off on my own while I hunted for a new novel or comic, and he would search for me from afar, making sure I was not out of his sight. My mother, on the other hand, was the opposite and never left my side as I scoured the shelves for what I wanted to look at. But just sitting, reading, inhaling the aroma of coffee from the Starbucks inside the store, paired with the soft yellow lighting, created the perfect ambiance for me, especially in my late teens. There was not too much noise, and if there was, reading my book blocked them out. This inspired me to own a bookstore, but that dream began to shift when I began considering the types of books that I wanted. So, combining the Starbucks along with books, I now wanted to own a cafe but also allow my customers to purchase books at their own discretion. But I wanted my business to act as a sanctuary for the community. Somewhere you can escape the outside world and all its troubles and simply relax in a cozy place with food for your belly and mind and including events and activities that would allow the community to come have fun and speak! But the most important part would be me as the manager, making connections with the customers that would hopefully become regulars. As far as managing my own business, I have always enjoyed helping organize events and being creative, while learning to be a team player. I have other aspirations that are more short-term: two of my hobbies are writing and art. I hope to write books that can satisfy my fellow thriller and action lovers out there, with a hint of comedy in the story, and maybe something extra at the end. Animation is also a dream of mine; I find it amazing when you can transform a story into a show that has all the components to tug at a person's emotions and evoke a response out of them. What I hope to achieve is a business that helps improve my community and become a pillar of strength, encouraging others to follow in the same pattern of "even when the odds are against you, you can still strive to be great"!

My name is Kimora Mays-Young, and I am the first in my family to pursue a bachelor's degree, majoring in Management. I am the older sibling to a younger brother, and the oldest to a single mother. Coming from a single-parent household has impacted me tremendously. I notice the little differences that a single parent house has, and it makes want to break that cycle. In this present time, I do have the responsibility of doing my part around the house, such as cleaning and other tasks. But I can tell it's hard, because I once asked my mom what she liked doing for fun. She didn't immediately give me a whole list of her favorite hobbies; instead, she told me that she didn't have a lot of time for herself to do the things she liked, because she was occupied with taking care to two kids, me and my brother. She also works, so it's on her to be able to pay the bills, buy groceries and all of the necessities we needed. Of course, it made me think of what I could do to take the load off her, so that she could relax. But being in a single-parent household did teach me about responsibility, and taking care of the duties that I'm given. It also teaches improvisation skills and realizing the need for organization skills; when you don't have two parents in the home, you have to buckle down and make up for it. I believe that making a positive impact on the world, starts in your community. So, I want to own and maintain a place where others can relax and have a safe place to come to and even build relationships. The one memory that has inspired me to pursuit my business idea, is when my parents would drive to the local Barnes and Noble that was connected to the mall center and would take me just to read the books and destress from the day. My father would allow me to venture off on my own while I hunted for a new novel or comic, and he would search for me from afar, making sure I was not out of his sight. My mother, on the other hand, was the opposite and never left my side as I scoured the shelves for what I wanted to look at. When my father took me to the bookstore, I would find him already seated, reading a magazine for a new idea on construction; with my mother, she was not particularly picky about where we sat down to read. But just sitting, reading, inhaling the aroma of coffee from the Starbucks that was inside the store, along with the soft yellow lighting, created the perfect ambiance for me. I want to be able to set an example to others and have an image of excellence, that will be demonstrated by my employees, so that they may encourage others to follow in the same pattern of "even when the odds are against you, you can still strive to be great"!

I am the oldest to a single mother and someone who has the aspiration to own my own cafe and bookstore that serves my community, as well as society in general. One of my goals that I hope to achieve is to improve my community and the people that live in it, by my example, whether it be through the fine arts, becoming an entrepreneur, or even building a strong family system. Another motivation-bringer I have is my mother; she has put so much into my education, and I do not want any of that to go to waste. I want to show others that even when the odds are against you, you can still achieve greatness and leave a mark on this world. One of my most recent achievements is graduating high school with honors at the age of 17, as well as getting accepted into the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. I am also the first in my family to pursue a bachelor's degree, which is in Business Administration. Even though I am someone who often experiences multipotentiality, or when a person has many hobbies or creative pursuits, I do not consider myself an expert in any of my chosen interests. I have a passion for art and writing; the saying that the eyes are the window to the soul, I take that saying very seriously. But I also have an interest in reading and baking, and so, I aspire to do these things during my schooling: one is to write my own book in the same genre as I have always enjoyed: a mix of fiction and thriller, and Afrofuturism; second, start my own animation series and really put my drawing skills to use; the third and fourth are really combined into my business idea.

The one memory that has inspired me to pursuit my business idea, is when my parents would drive to the local Barnes and Noble that was connected to the mall center and would take me just to read the books and destress from the day. My father would allow me to venture off on my own while I hunted for a new novel or comic, and he would search for me from afar, making sure I was not out of his sight. My mother, on the other hand, was the opposite and never left my side as I scoured the shelves for what I wanted to look at. When my father took me to the bookstore, I would find him already seated, reading a magazine for a new idea on construction; with my mother, she was not particularly picky about where we sat down to read. But just sitting, reading, inhaling the aroma of coffee from the Starbucks that was inside the store, along with the soft yellow lighting, created the perfect ambiance for me growing up, especially in my late teens. There was not too much noise, and if there was, reading my book could block them out. This inspired me to own a bookstore, but that dream began to shift when I began considering the types of books that I wanted. So, combining the Starbucks along with books, I now wanted to own a cafe but also allow my customers to purchase books at their own discretion. But I did not want this to be just any old cafe; I wanted my business to act as a sanctuary for the community. Somewhere you can escape the outside world and all its troubles and simply relax in a cozy place with food for your belly and mind. Including events and activities that would allow the community to come have fun and speak would be absolutely amazing! But the most important part would be me as the manager, making connections with the customers that would hopefully become regulars. As far as managing my own business, I have always enjoyed helping with events and organization. And also, having the trait of being creative leads to having my own vision of what it is that I know that I want. But at the same time, I know when I need to back down and let others input their ideas, so that everyone has a chance to show their creativity. What I hope to achieve is a business that helps improve my community and become a pillar of strength, encouraging others to follow in the same pattern of "even when the odds are against you, you can still strive to be great"!

My name is Kimora Mays-Young, and I am the oldest to a single mother with a younger brother. I am a Texas-born/raised young woman, who has the aspiration to own my own business that serves my community, as well as society in general. I am also a person who often experiences multipotentiality, or when a person has many hobbies or creative pursuits, though I do not consider myself an expert in any of my chosen interests. I am also the first in my family to pursue a bachelor's degree, which is in Business Administration. One of my most recent achievements is graduating high school with honors at the age of 17, as well as getting accepted into the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. What interests me in my degree, is the major I was able to pick: Management. This type of degree is very flexible and can be used in any work field, regardless of the amount of knowledge that you might have on that specific profession; I find it a useful tool to have on my belt. My long-term aspirations are also to have a family, with both parents in the household; while I did have my father in my life, I know there is a major difference with the father inside the home. I also want my children to be able to experience the daily life of working in a business, including them in the work that both of their parents do. That way, I can still interact with my children and work at the same time. I sometimes wonder, though, if my future business will be needed in my community; I want to maintain a cafe and small bookstore, that can also serve as a sanctuary. I love reading and baking, but I am well aware that being a doctor or lawyer is important. And yet I remind myself that strengthening community relationships and building up the mind by reading, is also an important factor in any society. I also have aspirations that I can fulfill now: two of my hobbies are writing and art. I plan to use them, if I am able, to write books that can satisfy my fellow thriller and action lovers out there, with a hint of comedy in the story, and maybe something extra at the end. Animation is also a dream of mine; I find it amazing when you can transform a story into a show that has all the components to tug at a person's emotions and evoke a response out of them.

Mental health is a fragile yet necessary topic of discussion. Many people with mental health issues, who have had fatal incidents more than likely didn't receive help because they didn't speak up. In this case, a more fervent push may be needed. The first step to the contribution process would be to build mental health institutions in underserved communities, where mental health is a prominent issue. This is a great place to start, because the resources may not be available wherever a person lives, and the institutions can adjust the cost, if any, depending upon where they are located. The next step would be to establish a physical and digital platform, for those who may not have the means to travel to mental health care; they now can receive help in the comfort of their own home. The next, and most important step, is to find people who are willing to put in the time to help their patients develop a more stable mindset, and through those means, patients can encourage others to come in the doors or to give a call. These, I think, are the most unique contributions that I can offer the world.

My name is Kimora Mays-Young, and I am the first in my family to pursue a bachelor's degree, majoring in Management. I am the older sibling to a younger brother, and the oldest to a single mother. Coming from a single-parent household has impacted me tremendously. I notice the little differences that a single parent house has with a household that has both father and mother in them, and it makes want to break that cycle, by marrying a good man that will provide for me and our kids. In this present time, I do have the responsibility of doing my part around the house, such as cleaning and other tasks. But I can tell it's hard, because I once asked my mom what she liked doing for fun. She didn't immediately give me a whole list of her favorite hobbies; instead, she told me that she didn't have a lot of time for herself to do the things she liked, because she was occupied with taking care to two kids, me and my brother. She also works, so it's on her to be able to pay the bills, buy groceries and all of the necessities we needed. Of course, it made me think of what I could do to take the load off her, so that she could relax. But being in a single-parent household did teach me about responsibility, and taking care of whatever duties I'm given. It also teaches improvisation skills, and organization skills; when you don't have two parents in the home, you have to buckle down and make up for it. I believe that making a positive impact on the world, starts in your community. So, I want to own and maintain a place where others can relax and have a safe place to come to, and even build relationships. I used to go to the bookstore and just enjoy reading books and sit by the Starbucks built inside; it became a place that I enjoyed going to. Now I plan on owning a cafe and selling some books, but mainly the cafe portion. I want to cook and bake for my community; I want to build friendly, relational interactions with my customers; I want to be able to set an example to others and have an image of excellence, that will be demonstrated by my employees. But of course, that's not to say that I don't appreciate my mother, because I definitely do! And I'm grateful to have her in my life.