My name is Meikela Hampton, and I am a senior at Nashville School of the Arts. After graduation, I plan to attend Spelman College, where I will major in Business and continue growing my entrepreneurial journey through my brand, Graceful KreationZ. Throughout high school, I’ve balanced being a varsity cheerleader, orchestra musician, small business owner, and leader in multiple student organizations. But while I was focused on staying involved and working hard, I quickly learned that mental health is just as important as every title or accomplishment I earn. During my high school years, there were moments when I felt overwhelmed, trying to juggle school, extracurricular activities, work, and still show up for others with a smile on my face. The pressure to “keep it all together” is something that many students, especially young Black women, experience. We’re often taught to stay strong, push through, and not show when we’re struggling. But I’ve learned that true strength is being able to admit when you need a break and knowing how to take care of your mind, not just your responsibilities. In college, I want to be intentional about raising awareness for mental health, especially in spaces where it’s not talked about enough. One of my main goals at Spelman is to create a safe space where students can have open, honest conversations about the pressures we face. I would love to partner with campus organizations to host peer-led “mental check-in” circles where students can share how they’re really feeling, encourage each other, and discuss coping strategies in a supportive environment. Sometimes, people don’t need a formal workshop; they just need someone to listen and remind them that they’re not alone. Additionally, I plan to get involved in mental health awareness events and volunteer with organizations that promote emotional well-being and stress management. Whether it’s through campus-wide wellness weeks, mindfulness workshops, or collaborating with counselors for outreach, I want to help normalize the conversation around mental health in a way that feels relatable and real. At Spelman, I want to be the kind of leader who uplifts others by being authentic and approachable. I believe that raising awareness for mental health doesn’t always require grand gestures, it starts with simple, consistent efforts that remind people they are seen, valued, and supported. Mental health awareness is not just a cause to me; it’s a mission to make sure no one feels like they have to suffer in silence. By leading with kindness, creativity, and faith, I hope to inspire my peers to prioritize their well-being and help create a campus culture where taking care of your mind is celebrated, not hidden.

I started doing pageants my sophomore year of high school. Like many people, my idea of pageants came from what I saw on TV. The tall, thin girls in perfect gowns with perfect answers. What I didn’t see were girls like me. You hardly ever see young Black girls or girls my size represented on those stages. That made me wonder if I even belonged there. Going into my first pageant, I was extremely nervous and didn’t know what to do with myself. I questioned if I was good enough, pretty enough, or even qualified to compete. But despite all those doubts, I knew one thing for sure, I wanted to challenge myself to do something that scared me. For a month straight, I prepped as hard as I could. I watched every pageant video on YouTube I could find, practiced my walk in my living room, worked on my interview answers, and prayed constantly. I knew that if I was going to step on that stage, it had to be with confidence, not just in how I looked, but in who I am. Pageant weekend came, and everything I had practiced came down to that moment. It wasn’t about comparing myself to the other girls, it was about the confidence I had in myself and the faith I had in God. When they announced the winners, I wasn’t expecting to hear my name. But then, they called me as Miss Congeniality and First Runner-Up. I bawled. I couldn’t believe it. I stood there in tears because in that moment, I realized I was so much stronger and more capable than I had ever believed. I had done something that once felt impossible, and I did it by simply being myself. That experience completely changed how I saw myself. I no longer felt like the insecure girl who thought she wasn’t good enough. I felt a new light shining from within me, a confidence that wasn’t based on appearance, but on purpose. Winning a title in my very first pageant gave me a super boost of confidence, and since then, I’ve carried that self-belief into every area of my life. This journey has shaped the way I lead and serve others today. I now use my platform to speak out about body image and self-worth, especially for girls who feel like they don’t fit society’s beauty standards. On my social media, I constantly remind others that beauty is not measured by appearance, but by the heart and the light that shines within. I believe every young woman on this earth is fearfully and wonderfully made, no matter their size, skin tone, or background. Because I’ve personally experienced the struggle of self-doubt, I’m able to connect with others in a real and honest way. I want girls to know that they are enough as they are, and that their uniqueness is what makes them beautiful. That crown-worthy moment taught me that true leadership isn’t about standing out for how you look, it’s about lifting others up and showing them how to see the greatness inside themselves.

At the age of 16, I was given my first real opportunity to serve someone else creatively. She left everything in my hands, and by the grace of God, I did a mighty good job. Never in my 17 years of living did I think I would be a successful business owner. The moment she trusted me with her look, I fell in love with serving others and making flyers for them. This very small task was a very big moment for me in my heart. I stepped out on faith and got my first real customer. That was the moment I knew I wanted to build a business that helps others build their dreams. My name is Meikela Hampton, and I am a rising senior at Nashville School of the Arts. I am a musician in my school's orchestra, and I currently serve as the Chaplain of my high school sorority, Alpha Zeta Omega. I’m also an active member of Student Council and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Each of these roles has allowed me to lead with kindness, encourage others, and stay grounded in my faith. But outside of school, my biggest passion is running my business, Graceful KreationZ, where I create logos, flyers, websites, and help small businesses build their brand identity. Being a self-taught graphic designer has been everything far from easy, but it has taught me that when you truly love something, you’ll find a way to make it work. Through every late-night project and every design I’ve put together, I’ve learned the importance of patience, creativity, and serving others with excellence. I don’t just want to be good at what I do, I want to be impactful. That’s why pursuing higher education is so important to me. I want to sharpen my business skills, learn from professionals, and gain the knowledge I need to grow Graceful KreationZ into a full creative agency that provides affordable services to small and minority-owned businesses. For me, college is not just about getting a degree. it’s about preparing myself to open doors for others who may not have the resources or confidence to chase their dreams. I want to use my business to help people see their visions come to life and build up the confidence to stand behind their own brands. My ultimate goal is to host workshops, mentor woman of all ages, and show them that they can embrace who they are, inside and out, without needing the world’s validation. Higher education will give me the foundation to be a successful entrepreneur, but more importantly, it will help me continue to grow as a leader who serves with purpose. I am committed to using my degree to uplift my community, inspire the generations, and create opportunities for those who need it most. This journey started with a simple flyer at 16, but with faith, hard work and I believe it can become so much more.