Growing up in church has made a significant impact on my life and how I turned out as a person. Church has taught me many things like forgiveness, faithfulness, but most importantly, community. Our church was in a poor neighborhood, so community was a huge thing for us. Our church held numerous events to help families throughout the community. I would say one of my favorite events was the annual back-to-school shoe giveaway. Every year my church would partner up with New Balance to donate shoes to those in need. We were able to give out thousands of shoes to hundreds of families, not just within one city, but to families in the surrounding areas as well. Along with holding a shoe giveaway, we also fed those in need. Every month our church would hold something we called “the family cookout,” where members of the church would cook meals, and every Sunday on the first week of that month, we would set up tables in the back of our church and invite people from our neighborhood to come out and eat. Seeing the happy looks on people’s faces and knowing that many of these families didn’t have much to eat, while knowing that we were helping them, always made me feel warm inside. There were times when my mom would cook the meals and other times when we would just help serve the food. Nonetheless, the feeling was the same—the feeling of togetherness and community. Being able to make an impact in those families’ lives and not only get close with them but help those families get close with each other as well. There have been numerous times within my church when there were people in need, and we were able to raise money for them. Besides the shoe giveaway, this is my second event that I love being a part of. Every year near Thanksgiving, our church gathers money from generous donations from people within our church and others in the community and makes a check to give to someone in need. People would write their names on a piece of paper and put them in a hat. Near the end of service, our pastor would draw one of the names from the hat, and whoever’s name he drew would win the money. I am proud to say that more often than not, I was one of the many who contributed to donations. Seeing the blessed winners fall to their knees and cry tears of joy while crying out to God always made me tear up. Knowing the things that many families go through in my community and seeing them still go to church and pray regardless, and finally seeing the fruits of their labor, always tugged at my heartstrings. Being in my church and being involved with the community has really helped me grow as a person. It has helped me realize that we are not just strangers; we are brothers and sisters who all have our own path. Seeing those in need keep their faith regardless of circumstances and finally catch a break has always been my motivation to continue to do right for the community. In conclusion, my involvement in church has helped my community in a plethora of ways. Through giveaways, feeding those in need, and giving donations, I was able to give back to my community and slowly but surely make it a better place. I have grown as a person, learned a lot from those experiences, and will continue to utilize them forever.

Marketing has always fascinated me ever since I began developing an interest in business. The idea of how something as simple as a picture paired with a sentence could influence a wide range of people to purchase a product or take a certain action has always amazed me. I always loved the strategy and creativity behind it all. . Marketing isn’t just about selling, it’s about psychology, communication, and connection. Few people recognize the true depth and range of marketing. Many people tend to underestimate just how broad marketing can be. What inspired me to pursue marketing was when I took a marketing class in high school. This class consisted of creating our own school apparel and selling it to other students. We not only had to figure out pricing but we also had to make the apparel appealing to the students. We had to come up with different strategies as to what we thought, or in some cases knew, what students would want. The communication and teamwork with my peers always made my heart race. What I loved most was watching everything come together and then seeing the products sell out across the school, it gave me an incredible sense of accomplishment. Another inspirational experience I had was when I visited the University of Akron and toured their sales department. We did a brainstorming session where we sat around a table, analyzed different products, and discussed whether or not they were appropriate to sell to the public. That collaborative environment, filled with shared ideas and critical thinking, reinforced my desire to pursue marketing. Walking away from that experience, I felt certain that I had finally found my calling. Throughout my journey with learning more about marketing I had a support that was with me throughout. Family members, staff, and friends all helped me continue exploring marketing and all it had to offer. I had family member who were in the marketing field themselves who helped gave me advice and guidance while also helping me network with others within the industry. If it weren't for all these people being in my corner, my path to getting a career in marketing would be more difficult than it is now. Through shadowing multiple business owners I was able to gain first hand experience of the business world. Seeing how the convinced their consumers to try their product or used sales tactics to get people to buy added fuel to my fire for business. Seeing their dedication and passion for their business wasn't the only thing that impressed me, but seeing how much they cared for their customers as well motivated me to be just like that. They didn’t simply focus on profit, they focused on people, making sure customer needs were met and requests were honored. I knew right then and there that that was how I was going to be. Marketing isn't just some simple branch of business where you just present a product and hope people will buy it. It's way more detailed than that. Marketing needs people who have a passion for business. People who not only can generate revenue, but care for the customers as well. At its core, marketing is about identifying needs and finding the most effective and meaningful ways to meet them. Through high school classes, tours at a university, and hands on shadowing experience helped me see exactly that and appreciate marketing for what it really is.

Harold Bloom once wrote, “The purpose of teaching is to bring the student to his or her sense of his or her own presence.” To me, this statement means that true teaching is not simply about delivering facts or enforcing rules, but about helping each student recognize their own value, voice, and unique existence in the world. It is about guiding students toward self-awareness and empowerment, so they can live not as passive participants but as active creators in their own lives. As someone passionate about the special education profession, I see this quote as a guiding light for my future teaching journey. Students with special needs often face challenges that extend beyond academics. Many have been underestimated, marginalized, or labeled in ways that overshadow their abilities. Bringing these students to a sense of their own presence means affirming that they are capable, worthy, and full of potential. It means creating spaces where they can explore their strengths, express themselves, and feel a sense of belonging. My mission as a special education teacher is to nurture this awareness by providing individualized support, fostering resilience, and celebrating every victory—no matter how small. To accomplish this, I would start by seeing each student not through the lens of a diagnosis but as a whole person. Every child carries a unique set of talents and aspirations. For one student, presence may mean confidently raising their hand to answer a question. For another, it might mean discovering joy in art, music, or storytelling. My role as a teacher is to listen, adapt, and guide them toward moments of self-discovery. I envision my classroom as a place where differences are not deficits but strengths, where learning is not about fitting into a mold but about growing into one’s fullest self. Patience, creativity, and compassion are the tools I would use to guide students toward this sense of presence. I plan to employ multisensory teaching strategies, breaking down lessons into manageable steps and celebrating progress at each stage. I would also emphasize social-emotional learning, helping students understand their feelings, build confidence, and develop interpersonal skills. Just as importantly, I want to partner with families, recognizing that a student’s growth is deeply connected to the support they receive at home. Together, we can create an environment where each student feels empowered to embrace their identity and potential. To illustrate my mission, I imagine myself as the heroine of a fairy tale where my quest is to bring students to their sense of presence.

Charity is important to me because it represents compassion, responsibility, and the power of community. I believe giving back isn’t just about donating money—it’s about using your time, skills, and voice to uplift others. Growing up, I saw how even small acts of kindness could make a big impact, and that shaped my belief that charity should be part of everyday life. As someone studying business management and entrepreneurship, I plan to build a business that prioritizes giving back. My dream is to create a company that not only solves real-world problems but also reinvests in the community through mentorship, job training, and donations to local causes. I want to use my success to create opportunities for others, especially young people who come from underserved backgrounds like mine. In the future, I also plan to mentor aspiring entrepreneurs, support education programs, and collaborate with nonprofits that align with my values. Charity will always be at the core of who I am and what I do. To me, true success is measured not just by what you achieve, but by how much you give to help others grow.

Ever since I was young, I’ve always had a deep love for learning. Whether it was staying up late reading, asking endless questions in class, or exploring new topics just out of curiosity, I’ve always been drawn to the power of knowledge. For me, learning has never been limited to school—it’s a way of growing, connecting with the world, and discovering who I am and who I can become. That passion is what drives me to continue my education after graduation. Another strong motivation is my family. I come from a hardworking and supportive background, and I’ve always wanted to make them proud. Many in my family didn’t have the same educational opportunities I now have, so every step I take toward higher education is not just for me—it’s for them, too. I want to be someone they can look to with pride, knowing their sacrifices and encouragement helped build a better future. Continuing my education is a way to honor that. I plan to pursue a master’s degree in a field that allows me to continue expanding my skills and apply them in meaningful, real-world ways—specifically, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a focus on innovation or entrepreneurship. I’m deeply interested in how ideas become actions, and how solutions to complex problems can be developed through business and creativity. This program will allow me to build on what I’ve already learned, deepen my understanding of leadership and strategy, and gain the tools needed to turn ideas into impactful work. One of the main reasons I’ve chosen to pursue an MBA is because I enjoy learning new things—whether that’s understanding how markets function, how to lead diverse teams, or how emerging technology can be used to improve people’s lives. I want to be someone who never stops growing. I believe education is one of the most powerful ways to keep expanding—not just professionally, but personally. It teaches resilience, critical thinking, and empathy, and it challenges us to step out of our comfort zones. I see continued education as an investment in myself and in my future. I want to be a well-rounded, well-informed individual who can contribute to the world in meaningful ways. Whether I start my own company, work in a leadership role, or mentor others down the line, I know that further education will give me the foundation and confidence to make a difference. Receiving this scholarship would not only support my academic goals, but it would also help fulfill a lifelong dream of learning as much as I can and making my family proud in the process. Education has always been my passion, and I plan to carry that love for learning with me every step of the way—wherever life takes me next.

My biggest dream in life is to become an entrepreneur who designs and builds innovative products that improve people’s lives. I want to create ideas, tools, and technologies that solve everyday problems—especially those that go unnoticed but have a huge impact on comfort, accessibility, health, and community. For me, entrepreneurship isn’t just about starting a business or making money—it’s about solving real-world problems with creativity and empathy. I want to turn imagination into impact. From a young age, I’ve always been drawn to creating things. Whether it was taking apart household items to see how they worked or sketching new product ideas in a notebook, I’ve always looked at the world and thought, “How can this be better?” Over time, I realized this way of thinking is the foundation of entrepreneurship: identifying a need, thinking outside the box, and building something that helps people. That realization lit a fire in me. I knew I wanted to dedicate my life to being a creator, an innovator, and someone who makes a meaningful difference through business. To achieve this dream, I plan to pursue a degree in entrepreneurship, business, or industrial design—something that allows me to explore both the strategic and creative sides of building a product or company. I’m also passionate about learning hands-on skills like prototyping, coding, marketing, and human-centered design. These will allow me to bring my ideas to life in ways that are functional, efficient, and aligned with the needs of real people. I want to understand how people live, work, and struggle—so I can create things that truly matter to them. I’ve already started building my entrepreneurial mindset by participating in local innovation competitions and idea labs. These experiences have helped me practice brainstorming, pitching, and building alongside others. They’ve also taught me that failure is not the opposite of success—it’s part of the process. Each time an idea doesn’t work out, I learn something new and get one step closer to a better solution. Eventually, I want to launch my own company, focused on developing products with social impact—whether that means affordable health tech, tools for people with disabilities, or environmentally friendly household devices. I also hope to create a space where young creators from all backgrounds can collaborate, experiment, and bring their ideas to life. I believe the best innovation happens when we listen to each other and design with empathy. Receiving this scholarship would bring me closer to my dream by allowing me to focus on my education and development without being overwhelmed by financial stress. It would support someone deeply committed to using business as a force for good. My dream is big, but my drive is even bigger. I’m ready to take every step necessary to build a future where innovation is rooted in kindness—and where every idea I bring to life has the power to help someone else.

Education is an urgent and powerful tool for breaking barriers and creating opportunities. I aim to use this tool to help Black individuals survive and thrive in business. By leveraging knowledge, mentorship, advocacy, and community building, I aim to contribute to a future where Black entrepreneurs and professionals have greater access to leadership, wealth-building opportunities, and success. One of the most impactful ways to create change is by providing Black individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in business. This transformative power of education can break down barriers and open doors. Many aspiring entrepreneurs and professionals face challenges such as limited access to capital, networking opportunities, and business education. By sharing financial literacy insights, business strategy frameworks, and leadership principles, I aim to equip others with the tools necessary to start and scale businesses, negotiate better career opportunities, and build generational wealth. Mentorship is a critical way to bridge the gap for many Black professionals who lack access to mentors who understand their unique challenges. This support system is crucial for fostering success. By guiding aspiring business leaders, sharing my experiences, and connecting them with valuable resources, I can help bridge the gap and create a support system that fosters success. Representation matters, and by actively mentoring, I hope to inspire others to confidently pursue their ambitions. In addition to mentorship, I am committed to advocating for systemic changes that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the business world. This includes supporting policies that provide Black-owned businesses with better access to funding, encouraging companies to implement fair hiring and promotion practices, and collaborating with organizations that focus on economic empowerment. By using my education to understand these systemic barriers and propose solutions, I can be a voice for meaningful change. Networking and community building are also crucial in creating lasting opportunities. Black professionals and entrepreneurs benefit from strong networks that foster collaboration and shared resources. I plan to contribute by helping establish Black business networks, mentorship circles, and initiatives that amplify Black voices in leadership. Creating spaces where Black individuals can connect, learn, and grow together strengthens our collective impact in the business world and makes us feel part of a supportive network. Ultimately, I aim to use my education to catalyze lasting change. I hope to create a business world where Black professionals and entrepreneurs succeed and thrive by empowering others through knowledge, mentorship, advocacy, and community.

Growing up I had always loved educating others. My love for learning new things and sharing that feeling with others has fueled my desire to be a teacher. Growing up, I was fortunate to have numerous people in my life who fed into my desire to become an educator even more. Their passion, patience, and commitment helped inspire me to reach my full potential and ignited a desire in me to pursue a path where I could give that same feeling I had to others. To start things off, one of those people in my life was my marketing teacher Mr. Pfeiffer. He not only taught the material but also made an effort to understand his students, to guide us through challenges both academic and in real life. He empathized with all his students and believed in my abilities, even when I doubted myself. He encouraged me to think critically and believe in the power of education to change lives. As I navigated through my educational journey, I recognized the importance of being a role model and mentor for those who might not have the same support at home or the same opportunities. My mother made me realize that. I remember being in middle and a student in my class would act out often. I remember telling my mom about this and how frustrated I used to get because they would interrupt class often. That's when my mother told me a key phrase that I'm sure others have heard: "You don't know what those kids go through at home. That's when I realized that the classroom could be more than a space for learning; it could be a space for empowerment, where students discover their potential and realize that they can create the future they envision for themselves. This realization became the foundation of my desire to become a teacher. I also drew inspiration from my experience shadowing a professor at Kent State University. Through this experience, I was able to experience firsthand the effects teachers have on their students. The students that this teacher taught faced challenges that went far beyond academics—whether these issues were related to economic hardship, family struggles, or social isolation. One thing that all these students had in common was the feeling of hopefulness and believing that they could be the change they needed after attending this professor's lectures. You could see the hopefulness in their eyes the admiration of their mentor. I witnessed firsthand how education could be a source of hope and change for them. These experiences reinforced my belief that teaching is not just about sitting in a classroom and rambling off information, but about fostering resilience, confidence, and a love for learning, especially in adversity. I hope to inspire others by leading with passion, perseverance, and a commitment to lifelong learning. I want my students to see that education is not confined to the walls of a classroom but is a continuous journey of growth and discovery. Through engaging lessons, real-world applications, and meaningful discussions, I strive to ignite curiosity and a sense of purpose in my students. Ultimately, my goal as a teacher is to inspire, uplift, and empower students to become the best versions of themselves. Just as my teachers and others in my life left a lasting impact on me, I hope to leave a positive and lasting mark on the lives of those I have the privilege to teach.

I am currently studying Business Administration at Kent State University. I chose this field to study because, back in high school, I was in a Marketing program where we learned all the basic skills of business and sales. I was fascinated with the class, and I had an awesome teacher. I figured a business degree is broad enough that you can have any career and utilize business skills. I always wanted to own my own business mainly because I like seeing people walk into your store and look at/buy your products. Also, you can do things to your liking. If you want to run your store a certain way you can. I also plan to be a business professor as well possibly. I love spreading my knowledge to others and seeing others have the same thirst for knowledge that I have. I had the great opportunity to shadow a professor at Kent State and it was an enlightening experience. So if I don't end up running my own business I would aim towards being a professor. There are many reasons why I believe I will be successful compared to those who aren't. One of those things is my work ethic. I believe a big part of being successful is not only how hard you work but also how much work you put in. Whenever I feel discouraged I continue to push forward and ask for help. That's another part of being successful in life. There is no shame in asking for help. There will always be somebody that has more knowledge than you do just like how you have more knowledge in certain areas than others. Asking for help not only gets rid of any confusion but also increases your knowledge. Apart from my work ethic, I also have connections as well that can contribute to my success. During my time in my marketing class, I also was a part of DECA where my classmates and I would go and present different business ideas to judges. During state competitions, I would network with judges and sometimes even students from other schools. Also, while preparing for the DECA competition, some of our projects required us to go out and speak with different business owners. I got the opportunity to shadow a mobile dog groomer for one of my projects which helped me move from district competition to states. Unfortunately, not everyone has the connections to be successful. In general, to be successful in life is to not only work hard but do it often. Keep working towards something no matter what. Don't be afraid to ask others for help. If you are not sure of something or don't know how to do something, ask someone. Lastly, knowing people can help a lot as well. Go to career fairs, and hand out your business cards so that more people know who you are. It will get you far.

Service, sacrifice, and bravery have played a vital role in my journey. Bravery: Throughout my life, specifically my high school career, I have faced many challenges. Freshman year started rough with COVID being at its peak. Having to navigate through a change from middle school to high school is already rough for a lot of kids alone so having a pandemic going on was especially tough to handle. Alas, I pulled through. My sophomore year was the year I started to experience high school. It was a lot different from middle school and my grades weren't that good. Yet, I continued to push through. Junior year I finally started to get the hang of it. I got into a Career Technical Education program after not getting in at first. I kept advocating for myself and eventually got in. Senior year was by far the worst. My family had been put into a domestic violence situation that kept me out of school for some days. It was a rough and dark time for me. Even though I am still somewhat suffering the aftermath of that event, I continue to push along and keep my head high. Sacrifice: My experience as a freshman in college has caused me to sacrifice a lot. A big sacrifice this year has been emotional sacrifice. Ever since my junior year of high school, I had been yearning to be my person. I was ready to get out of the house and find out who I was/wanted to be as a person. Once I graduated I had the opportunity to do that when I got accepted to a college out of state. I was excited to finally be on my own. That moment, unfortunately, would have to wait. When I saw the tuition for just one semester I knew I didn't want to put my mom through that financial burden. Her check had been getting garnished at the time and, I knew she would do anything for me, she would most likely go bankrupt for me to go to this school. I decided to go to a regional campus in my state to save costs. It broke me since I had already made so many friends but, seeing my mom already struggle with three children, would have broken me seeing her go through harder times. Service: During my time in high school I was a part of a marketing program which was a class a part of the many Career Technical programs within my school. Besides learning about different marketing/business strategies, we also did numerous things for our community. We host an annual Polar Plunge where people jump into a frozen lake for charity. We also would encourage students to donate by having two of the most popular teachers in our school go up against each other to see who can get the most money in their jar. Whoever had the most would have to jump in the lake. One time, we made rubber bands and sold them during lunches to help raise money for our art teacher's son's chemo treatments after he was diagnosed with cancer. All of these events have encouraged me not just to stop helping my community after leaving that class but to continue to spread positivity and raise awareness for others. As for addressing the challenges faced by the African diaspora today, it is important to understand that issues like these can vary. With all my experience as, not just a black woman, but also as an undergraduate in the year 2025, I have seen how the effects from the African Diaspora have taken a toll on my community. What I see as the most critical reform/policy for the African American community would be Anti-Discrimination Policies. We all know that minorities get the short end of the stick when it comes to a lot of things. Having the same credentials as a nonminority but not getting the job or not getting accepted into your dream college based on, not grades, not test scores, but the color of your skin can have detrimental effects on minorities. This policy makes it more fair for minorities to get a shot at what they dreamed of. Now a lot of people might say that the government would be a key stakeholder for change, and they would be right. But I think it is also important to consider community organizations. These people directly affect the community. If there is an injustice within a certain area, the people within that community are going to feel it before anyone else. So I believe that community organizations are the key stakeholders for change. The values of service, sacrifice, and bravery have played vital roles in my life. Throughout my high school career, these values have been so important and have driven me to be a strong resilient person today. I will continue to utilize these values for the rest of my days as these have had such an impact on my life and will continue to do so.