Growing up in a West Oakland housing project complex, I am quite familiar with the challenges of living in a community that does not promote or support a safe, meaningful existence. Although my mom did her best to raise me and my two siblings, there was only so much that she could afford to do for us with her public assistance income. My family’s lack of money affected every aspect of our lives. Although we never went a day without eating, there were certainly days when my siblings and I had to depend on the kindness of family, friends, the government and church programs to satisfy our hunger. I remember the days when my asthma flared up and my mother had to take us on a 40-minute bus ride across town to the doctor’s office for me to receive treatment. I also can recall the numerous times my mother had to lay away our school clothes months prior to the start of school because she could not afford to buy our clothes out right. It is hard to stay focused on succeeding in life, when everything around you make you feel like you will never amount to anything. Yet, I was blessed to be raised in a God-fearing family, and with prayers and perseverance, I have been able to accomplish many of the goals that I set for my life. My story is just one of the many stories of people who dream of having a better life but require the assistance of empathetic people to realize their dreams. Sadly, for single parents, low-income workers, justice impacted individuals, and other outcast members of society, enduring the challenges of poverty are all too common. Even though a lot has changed in the world since I was a kid growing up in the 1980s, there are still people living in impoverished communities who need help achieving their dreams. Furthermore, with technological advancements that threaten to leave marginalized communities behind in a tech-driven society, it is absolutely critical to provide solutions that bridge the digital divide. I initially embarked on my college career when I graduated from high school in 1990. However, my life-long battle with asthma caused me to put my education on hold and withdraw from school after just 1 year. Never one to give up on my dreams, I returned to college 26 years later because I never lost my desire to help disadvantaged people. Being a non-traditional student, sometimes I found it intimidating to be the oldest person in my classes. Nonetheless, I persevered. My dream was to complete my college education since no one else in my family had done so. Despite taking 31 years, I finally obtained my Bachelor of Arts Degree in business from Mills College in May 2021. My business studies provided me with information and insight on different ways that I can bring about change to impoverished communities. More importantly, I learned what it takes to run a successful nonprofit organization. In turn, I will be able to provide resources and services to the West Oakland community that raised me and be of service to someone else in need. With the momentum of completing my undergraduate studies propelling me to begin graduate studies in August, I was ready to accomplish another family first by obtaining a master’s degree. Unfortunately, illness had once more caused me to withdraw from school. Even more deflating, my 19-year-old son died in November of that year from complications with asthma. After a two-year hiatus from school, I enrolled at North Central University, where I am currently studying Biblical Theology. Being a Christian, I draw my inspiration for my life goals from the Word of God. In 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Paul prayed that the spirit, soul, and body of the Thessalonians would be blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Like Paul, I too am concerned about the well-being of the entire man. For this reason, I chose to pursue a master’s degree in biblical theology so I would be adequately equipped to minister to the whole man. I want to do my part to help the members of my community break the cycles of poverty and become the best versions of themselves. After I complete my master’s program this year, my plans are to establish a nonprofit organization that provides Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) training and resources for disadvantaged youth. Additionally, in an effort to break the cycles of poverty and recidivism that plague underserved Bay Area communities, my organization will also provide technology training for other marginalized individuals. I want to make sure that seniors and other non-tech-savvy people are not left behind in our technology driven world. Most importantly, I want to demonstrate the love of Jesus by providing my community with programs and services that promote spiritual, emotional, physical and financial wellness. Receiving financial support from your organization will enable me to give my undivided attention to my studies so I can be equipped with the best ways to execute my vision for a vibrant West Oakland community. Furthermore, your generosity will enable me to immediately pursue my desire to help the less fortunate without having to worry about debilitating student loan debt. As I approach the completion of my graduate studies, I am excited for the opportunity to give back to my community. My vision is to eradicate the effects of economically oppressive systems and policies that adversely affect low-income people by providing education, opportunities, and services to improve their overall quality of life. I believe that people who live in poor communities should have the same opportunities to realize their life goals and dreams like people who live in affluent neighborhoods do. My community needs schools that adequately prepare students for the future. My community needs businesses that support its members. My community needs homeowners and successful business owners that look like me. When the members of my community can achieve life goals, I am certain that many of the issues that plague low-income communities will be eradicated. And I know that I exist to make this aspiration a reality.

As the eldest of three children raised by a single mother on public assistance, I have dealt with my fair share of obstacles that I needed to overcome. One prime example would be my academic journey. I graduated from high school in 1990. From high school, I enrolled in UC Berkeley for my undergraduate studies. Unfortunately, I had to withdraw after my first year of study because of chronic asthma. Shortly after leaving U. C. Berkeley, I married and started a family. Although hopeful, I was unsure if I would complete my studies. For the next 28 years, I juggled the responsibilities of being a wife, a mom of two asthmatic children, and an associate minister, all while working part-time jobs and taking classes at community colleges whenever possible. At 47, I enrolled in Mills College in Oakland, California. As a non-traditional student, I felt intimidated because I was often the oldest person in my classes. Nonetheless, I persevered. My dream was to complete my college education since no one else in my family had done so. Despite taking 31 years, I finally obtained my Bachelor of Arts Degree in business in May 2021. Inspired by completing my undergraduate studies, I set out to accomplish another family first by starting graduate studies in August 2021. Unfortunately, illness forced me once again to withdraw from school. Just three weeks into the new semester, I had to have an emergency hernia repair surgery, which was an event in and of itself. During my 5-month hospital stay, I experienced complications from my surgery, ranging from a pulmonary embolism to near-kidney failure to my inability to walk. Even more disheartening, while I was in the hospital fighting for my life, my 19-year-old son died from complications with asthma in November of that same year.  After being released from the hospital in February 2022, it took me an additional year and a half before I was able to walk again and take care of myself again. Civil rights activist Dorothy Height once said, “Greatness is not measured by what a man or woman accomplishes but by the opposition he or she has overcome to reach his goals.”  This way of thinking inspired me to push through my adversity. So, whenever I felt discouraged, I encouraged myself with four simple rules for success. 1.       Ignore the naysayers 2.       Always be willing to put in the time to accomplish your goals 3.       Don’t run from challenging situations. 4.       Don’t let fear of the unknown dictate your actions. After a two-year hiatus from academia, I enrolled at North Central University via Jakes Divinity School, to pursue a graduate degree in biblical theology. I chose this academic focus to prepare myself to serve and uplift my community in every area where they encounter challenges. Additionally, I want to render my gifts and talents to my community in a way that honors my son’s life. During the summer of 2012, I created a summer enrichment program at my church called Camp S.M.A.R.T. to assist my 10-year-old son and his peers with the encouragement and academic assistance needed to excel in school. After finishing my graduate program, my goal is to create a nonprofit similar to Camp S.M.A.R.T., that will provide didactic and technological education to the underserved members of my community. I hope my life encourages anyone who has faced obstacles and challenges to never give up on their dreams. More importantly, I hope people who hear my story will know it is never too late to chase your dreams and make them a reality.

Like most people I know, I hate receiving traffic tickets. Yet I must admit, when this happened to me about 8 years ago, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Being a stay-at-home mom at the time and not having the money to pay for my traffic ticket, I had to work off the violation by performing community service at a nonprofit organization called Black Women Organized for Political Action and the Training Institute for Leadership Enrichment (BWOPA/TILE). Even though I was able to fulfill my court obligations within a matter of days, I continued to volunteer and subsequently work at BWOPA/TILE because of the invaluable lessons that I gleaned from being around successful women leaders and entrepreneurs. One of the first entrepreneurial concepts that I learned from working with these powerful women was how important it is to be surrounded by experts. The members of BWOPA/TILE consist of doctors, lawyers, politicians, entrepreneurs, educators, and activist; all of whom bring their experience and expertise to the organization to help BWOPA/TILE advance its goals. I realize that by surrounding myself with experts, I will not only be able to increase overall business acumen, but I will also be able to spend more time utilizing my own strengths to accomplish my business goals. Furthermore, being able to brainstorm, problem solve and forecast business projects with experts will help me to provide superior products and services to my customers. Another tidbit of entrepreneurial information that I learned at BWOPA/TILE is how important it will be for me to pay attention to my customer’s needs. In this fast-paced world that we live in, it is critical to always be aware of the present-day needs of potential customers and clients. That way, when my customer’s needs change, I will be able to adapt to their needs and continue to serve my customers with excellent and beneficial products. BWOPA/TILE was established in 1968 to address the social and political needs in the African American community in the bay area. It has survived 50 plus years because it has adjusted its product offerings and services by adapting to the changing needs of each generation. I believe if businesses like Blockbuster video and Radio Shack would have been able to adjust their product offerings to meet evolving consumer preferences and needs, they would probably still operational today. Lastly, and possibly most important, I learned to never be afraid to try new ideas. Time and time again I witnessed the brilliant women of BWOPA/TILE use innovative and engaging ideas to reach their target market and get things done. Even when their ideas did not produce their desired results, I watched them evaluate their process and learn from their mistakes. When I start my own financial consulting business after I complete graduate school next year, I know that I will not always be perfect in my business dealings. Nevertheless, I refuse to allow the possibility of failure to keep me from trying new ideas and thinking outside of traditional business structures. Overall, I am grateful for the many lessons that I am learning both in college and from the women of BWOPA/TILE. After I receive my M.B.A., I want to start a business that educates, supports and uplifts disenfranchised individuals. With the wealth of invaluable information, I now have in my business toolkit, I am certain that I will be able to make my dream a reality.