I like to say that I was born to be an entrepreneur. At the age of eleven, I started my first company, selling hair bows to my classmates. As my love for arts and crafts progressed, I began teaching myself how to sew at fourteen. In 2018, I started my custom evening wear company, Signature Struts. After many months of dedication and preparation, I took a leap of faith and decided to enter Memphis Fashion Week in 2019. I had four months to sketch my designs, order fabric and sew my garments. The night of the show, I got the opportunity to see my work on the runway. I instantly felt both relieved and overjoyed. As the night came to a close, the judges announced the winners. The feeling I got when my name was called is one that is truly unforgettable. From that moment on, I knew this was what I was created to do. From there, many doors of opportunity opened up for me. I began interning at a custom evening wear company, received an opportunity to be a wardrobe assistant for Alice Marie Johnson for the Essence Festival, and was a backstage wardrobe assistant for the Southern Heritage Classic fashion show. I also received my first feature in both 4Memphis Magazine and Arrow Creative as a spotlight designer the following year. Although the recognition feels good, it's giving back to my community that makes me happiest. This year, on April 29th, I am having my own fashion show for student designers at my college. I put together the show to give other designers the opportunity to showcase their looks on a runway early in their careers. I also plan to one day start a second company called, "Create Your Imagination Studios". It will be a space where creatives in various fields can work on their brand and collaborate with others. The studios will be for designers, animators, illustrators, interior designers, and many more. My goal is to have each room full of equipment that emerging creatives can use and not have to worry about spending a lot of money to get their company started. I was inspired to pursue this path because as a young designer myself, there weren’t many places I could go to collaborate with others in my field. My hope is that through my studio, future generations of artists will be impacted in a great way. I would say that the most exciting part of being an entrepreneur is the freedom and ability to be your own boss. I am always thinking of new and innovative ways to impact society. I love that I can make plans and set goals for ideas I want to see come to fruition. I believe that my love for business, art, and people will impact and motivate others in a tremendous way.

I like to say that I was born to be an entrepreneur. At the age of eleven, I started my first company, selling hair bows to my classmates. As my love for arts and crafts progressed, I began teaching myself how to sew at fourteen. In 2018, I started my custom evening wear company, Signature Struts. After many months of dedication and preparation, I took a leap of faith and decided to enter Memphis Fashion Week in 2019. I had four months to sketch my designs, order fabric and sew my garments. The night of the show, I got the opportunity to see my work on the runway. I instantly felt both relieved and overjoyed. As the night came to a close, the judges announced the winners. The feeling I got when my name was called is one that is truly unforgettable. From that moment on, I knew this was what I was created to do. From there, many doors of opportunity opened up for me. I began interning at a custom evening wear company, received an opportunity to be a wardrobe assistant for Alice Marie Johnson for the Essence Festival, and was a backstage wardrobe assistant for the Southern Heritage Classic fashion show. I also received my first feature in both 4Memphis Magazine and Arrow Creative as a spotlight designer the following year. Although the recognition feels good, it's giving back to my community that makes me happiest. This year, on April 29th, I am having my own fashion show for student designers at my college. I put together the show to give other designers the opportunity to showcase their looks on a runway early in their careers. I also plan to one day start a second company called, "Create Your Imagination Studios". It will be a space where creatives in various fields can work on their brand and collaborate with others. The studios will be for designers, animators, illustrators, interior designers, and many more. My goal is to have each room full of equipment that emerging creatives can use and not have to worry about spending a lot of money to get their company started. I was inspired to pursue this path because as a young designer myself, there weren’t many places I could go to collaborate with others in my field. My hope is that through my studio, future generations of artists will be impacted in a great way. I would say that the most exciting part of being an entrepreneur is the freedom and ability to be your own boss. I am always thinking of new and innovative ways to impact society. I love that I can make plans and set goals for ideas I want to one day see come to fruition. I am grateful to have the opportunity to enter the Maverick Grill and Saloon scholarship this year. I believe that my love for business, art, and people will impact and motivate others in a tremendous way.

I like to say that I was born to be an entrepreneur. At the age of eleven, I started my first company, selling hair bows to my classmates. As my love for arts and crafts progressed, I began teaching myself how to sew at fourteen. In 2018, I started my custom evening wear company, Signature Struts. After many months of dedication and preparation, I took a leap of faith and decided to enter Memphis Fashion Week in 2019. I had four months to sketch my designs, order fabric and sew my garments. The night of the show, I got the opportunity to see my work on the runway. I instantly felt both relieved and overjoyed. As the night came to a close, the judges announced the winners. The feeling I got when my name was called is one that is truly unforgettable. From that moment on, I knew this was what I was created to do. From there, many doors of opportunity opened up for me. I began interning at a custom evening wear company, received an opportunity to be a wardrobe assistant for Alice Marie Johnson for the Essence Festival, and was a backstage wardrobe assistant for the Southern Heritage Classic fashion show. I also received my first feature in both 4Memphis Magazine and Arrow Creative as a spotlight designer the following year. Although the recognition feels good, it's giving back to my community that makes me happiest. This year, on April 29th, I am having my own fashion show for student designers at my college. I put together the show to give other designers the opportunity to showcase their looks on a runway early in their careers. I also plan to one day start a second company called, "Create Your Imagination Studios". It will be a space where creatives in various fields can work on their brand and collaborate with others. The studios will be for designers, animators, illustrators, interior designers, and many more. My goal is to have each room full of equipment that emerging creatives can use and not have to worry about spending a lot of money to get their company started. I was inspired to pursue this path because as a young designer myself, there weren’t many places I could go to collaborate with others in my field. My hope is that through my studio, future generations of artists will be impacted in a great way. I would say that the most exciting part of being an entrepreneur is the freedom and ability to be your own boss. I am always thinking of new and innovative ways to impact society. I love that I can make plans and set goals for ideas I want to one day see come to fruition. I am grateful to have the opportunity to enter the Roach Family Scholarship this year. I believe that my love for business, art, and people will impact and motivate others in a tremendous way.

My name is Symiah Saulsberry and I am a self-taught seamstress. I have a custom clothing line, Signature Struts, that specializes in prom, evening, and bridal wear. I take pride in my work and believe that elegance is always key. Fashion drives me and I hope to one day open a boutique for my company. I see my designs at events such as Met Gala, Bet Awards, Oscars, Emmys, and the Golden Globes. The fashion industry is flawed in many ways. For years, models of darker complexions have been overlooked. My artistic gift is different from the rest as I will use Signature Struts to showcase models of various shapes and sizes, showing society that there is no such thing as a beauty standard. We are all created in different ways and should value our individuality. Once I graduate, a long-term goal of mine is to one day have a tv show similar to Project Runway. I want my show to be centered around black designers to help them get the exposure they need to succeed not only as a business but in the industry. Black people are the blueprint of fashion and yet receive little to no credit for it. I feel that having a show dedicated to our unique style and design will create the change needed and allow us to take control over the industry we influence so heavily. Giving back is so important because if we don't pour into our communities, it will be hard for us to grow and generate generational wealth for our future generations. At a young age, my mother instilled in me the importance of being an entrepreneur. I started my first company at the age of eleven and from that moment on, I knew I wanted to be my boss. I always support black-owned businesses because I hope to one day see a new modern-day Black Wall Street for black entrepreneurs and creatives. One way I give back to the community now is by helping aspiring entrepreneurs get established by sharing my business journey and the many things I’ve learned through the years. I also help by connecting them with vendors as well as giving them business advice on how to get started as a small business owner. I love giving back and seeing others be successful and reach their fullest potential.

My name is Symiah Saulsberry and I am a self-taught seamstress. I have a custom clothing line, Signature Struts, that specializes in prom, evening, and bridal wear. I take pride in my work and believe that elegance is always key. Fashion drives me and I hope to one day open a boutique for my company. I see my designs at events such as Met Gala, Bet Awards, Oscars, Emmys, and the Golden Globes. The fashion industry is flawed in many ways. For years, models of darker complexions have been overlooked. My artistic gift is different from the rest as I will use Signature Struts to showcase models of various shapes and sizes, showing society that there is no such thing as a beauty standard. We are all created in different ways and should value our individuality. Once I graduate, a long-term goal of mine is to one day have a tv show similar to Project Runway. I want my show to be centered around black designers to help them get the exposure they need to succeed not only as a business but in the industry. Black people are the blueprint of fashion and yet receive little to no credit for it. I feel that having a show dedicated to our unique style and design will create the change needed and allow us to take control over the industry we influence so heavily. Giving back is so important because if we don't pour into our communities, it will be hard for us to grow and generate generational wealth for our future generations. At a young age, my mother instilled in me the importance of being an entrepreneur. I started my first company at the age of eleven and from that moment on, I knew I wanted to be my boss. I always support black-owned businesses because I hope to one day see a new modern-day Black Wall Street for black entrepreneurs and creatives. One way I give back to the community now is by helping aspiring entrepreneurs get established by sharing my business journey and the many things I’ve learned through the years. I also help by connecting them with vendors as well as giving them business advice on how to get started as a small business owner. I love giving back and seeing others be successful and reach their fullest potential.

I have had a passion for fashion for as long as I can remember. I am a self-taught seamstress and have been sewing since fourteen. Since then, my skills have continued to improve. Being a self-taught seamstress brought about many trials and errors. Despite this, I continued to work on my craft and sharpen my skills. Over the years, my interest and connection to fashion have continued to grow. My mother has been the most influential person in my life. She instilled in me the importance of being an entrepreneur. I now have a custom clothing line, Signature Struts, which creates custom evening wear. I take pride in my work and strive for elegance in my looks. I hope to one day open a boutique for my company. My favorite designer is Christian Dior. His designs are both timeless and elegant. At the end of World War 2, he influenced fashion by announcing the "new look" which appeared in the first Christian Dior fashion show. The timing of this was perfect as the war caused a lot of pain and suffering for those impacted. His line gave hope and a sense of newness that no one else could offer. From there, his influence broadened. Although he has passed, his legacy still stands. Yves Saint Laurent is now over the company. In 2019, I entered into my first fashion week. I had three months to source fabric, sketch my design, and have it runway-ready by the night of the show. Those three months took great dedication. The night of the show, I was both excited and nervous to know the outcome of the competition. The moment came when the judges announced the winner. The feeling I got when my name was called was a moment I'll never forget. I see my designs at events like the Met Gala, Bet Awards, Oscars, Emmys, and the Golden Globes. I am currently a freshman at Savannah College of Art and Design majoring in fashion design. I am most excited to enhance my skills and take advantage of all the opportunities SCAD has for me. The fashion industry is flawed in many ways. Once I graduate, a long-term goal of mine is to one day have a tv show similar to Project Runway. I want my show to be centered around minority designers to help them get the exposure they need to succeed as a business. I feel that doing this will create change for future generations.

I have had a passion for fashion for as long as I can remember. I am a self-taught seamstress and have been sewing since fourteen. Since then, my skills have continued to improve. Being a self-taught seamstress brought about many trials and errors. Despite this, I continued to work on my craft and sharpen my skills. My mother has been the most influential person in my life. She instilled in me the importance of being an entrepreneur. I now have a custom clothing line, Signature Struts, which creates custom evening wear. I take pride in my work and strive for elegance in my looks. I hope to one day open a boutique for my company. I see my designs at events such as the Met Gala, Bet Awards, Oscars, Emmys, and the Golden Globes. I am currently a freshman at Savannah College of Art and Design majoring in fashion design. I am most excited to enhance my skills and take advantage of all the opportunities SCAD has for me. The fashion industry is flawed in many ways. For years, models of darker complexions have been overlooked. My artistic gift is different from the rest as I will use Signature Struts to showcase women of various shapes, sizes, and ethnicities, showing society that there is no such thing as a beauty standard. We are all created in different ways and should value our individuality. Once I graduate, a long-term goal of mine is to one day have my own tv show similar to Project Runway. I want my show to be centered around minority designers to help them get the exposure they need to succeed as a business. I feel that doing this will create change for future generations.

I have had a passion for fashion for as long as I can remember. I am a self-taught seamstress and have been sewing since fourteen. Since then, my skills have continued to improve. Being a self-taught seamstress brought about many trials and errors. Despite this, I continued to work on my craft and sharpen my skills. Over the years, my interest and connection to fashion have continued to grow. My mother has been the most influential person in my life. She instilled in me the importance of being an entrepreneur. I now have a custom clothing line, Signature Struts, which creates custom evening wear. I take pride in my work and strive for elegance in my looks. I hope to one day open a boutique for my company. I see my designs at events such as the Met Gala, Bet Awards, Oscars, Emmys, and the Golden Globes. In 2019, I entered into my first fashion week. I worked extremely hard on my design. My piece was inspired by the iconic Kendall Jenner, Met Gala look created by Givenchy. The feathers and beading on this gown were gorgeous. When I saw this look, I knew I wanted to work with feathers for my piece that I would soon enter into the fashion week. I had three months to sketch my design, source fabrics, and sew the gown. The night of the show, I was both excited and nervous to know the outcome of the competition. The moment came when the judges announced the winner. The feeling I got when my name was called was a moment I'll never forget. I am currently a freshman at Savannah College of Art and Design majoring in fashion design. I am most excited to enhance my skills and take advantage of all the opportunities SCAD has for me. The fashion industry is flawed in many ways. For years, models of darker complexions have been overlooked. My artistic gift is different from the rest as I will use Signature Struts to showcase women of various shapes and sizes, showing society that there is no such thing as a beauty standard. We are all created in different ways and should value our individuality. Once I graduate, a long-term goal of mine is to one day have my own tv show similar to Project Runway. I want my show to be centered around minority designers to help them get the exposure they need to succeed as a business. I feel that doing this will create change for future generations.

I have had a passion for fashion for as long as I can remember. I began teaching myself to sew at 14, and ever since, my skills have continued to improve. With being a self taught seamstress, it brought about many trials. Despite this, I remained determined and continued to sharpen my skills. Over the years, my interest and connection to fashion has continued to grow. My mother has been the most influential person in my life. At a young age, my mother instilled in me the importance of being an entrepreneur. I now have a custom clothing line, Signature Struts, that specializes in prom, evening and bridal wear. I take pride in my work and believe that elegance is always key. I enjoy sewing because it gives me the opportunity to express myself. I always tell people that when I’m sewing all my worries seem to fade away. I wanted to challenge myself so I decided to take a leap of faith and enter into my first fashion show in 2019. I spent countless hours sewing and ensuring my piece was runway ready. That year, I was awarded the winner of fashion week. The feeling I got hearing my name was one I’ll never forget. From that moment on, I knew this was something I was called to do. I feel that everyone should find their calling and live in purpose. I encourage everyone to have a mindset to never settle for anything and to strive to be the best in all that they do. Fashion drives me and I hope to one day open a boutique for Signature Struts. I see my designs at events such as Met Gala, Bet Awards, Oscars, Emmys and the Golden Globes. Once I graduate, a long term goal of mine is to one day have my own tv show similar to Project Runway. My show will be centered around minority designers in efforts to help them get the exposure they need to succeed in the industry. I feel that doing this will create change for the future generations.

My name is Symiah Saulsberry and I am a self taught seamstress. I have a custom clothing line, Signature Struts, that specializes in prom, evening and bridal wear. I take pride in my work and believe that elegance is always key. Fashion drives me and I hope to one day open a boutique for my company. I see my designs at events such as Met Gala, Bet Awards, Oscars, Emmys and the Golden Globes. The fashion industry is flawed in many ways. For years, models of darker complexions have been overlooked. My artistic gift is different from the rest as I will use Signature Struts to showcase models of various shapes and sizes, showing society that there is no such thing as a beauty standard. We are all created in different ways and should value our individuality. One quality I value in myself is that I'm very generous and love helping others. Once I graduate, a long term goal of mine is to one day have my own tv show similar to Project Runway. I want my show to be centered around black designers in efforts to help them get the exposure they need to succeed not only as a business but in the industry. Black people are the blueprint of fashion and yet receive little to no credit for it. I feel that having a show dedicated to our unique style and design will create the change needed and allow for us to take control over the industry we influence so heavily. Giving back is so important because if we don't pour into our own communities, it will be hard for us to grow and create generational wealth for our future generation. At a young age, my mother instilled in me the importance of being an entrepreneur. I started my first company at the age of eleven and from that moment on, I knew I wanted to be my own boss. I always support black owned businesses because I hope to one day see a new modern day Black Wall Street for black entrepreneurs and creatives. One way I give back to the community now is by helping aspiring entrepreneurs get established by sharing my own business journey and the many things I’ve learned through the years. I also help by connecting them with vendors as well as give them business advice on how to get started as a small business owner. I love giving back and seeing others be successful and reach their fullest potential.

My name is Symiah Saulsberry and I am a self taught seamstress. I have a custom clothing line, Signature Struts, that specializes in prom, evening and bridal wear and a lifestyle line called Backyard Sports Athletics. We have many talented athletes as our ambassadors. I take pride in my work and hope to one day become a well known designer. The fashion industry is flawed in many ways. For years, models of darker complexions have been overlooked. I would be a good candidate for this scholarship because once I graduate, a long term goal of mine is to one day have my own tv show similar to Project Runway. I want my show to be centered around black designers in efforts to help them get the exposure they need to succeed not only as a business but in the industry. Black people are the blueprint of fashion and yet receive little to no credit for it. I feel that having a show dedicated to our unique style and design will create the change needed and allow for us to take control over the industry we influence so heavily. Giving back is so important because if we don't pour into our own communities, it will be hard for us to grow and create generational wealth for our future generation. At a young age, my mother instilled in me the importance of being an entrepreneur. I started my first company at the age of eleven and from that moment on, I knew I wanted to be my own boss. I always support black owned businesses because I hope to one day see a new modern day Black Wall Street for black entrepreneurs and creatives. One way I give back to the community now is by helping aspiring entrepreneurs get established by sharing my own business journey and the many things I’ve learned through the years. I also help by connecting them with vendors as well as give them business advice on how to get started as a small business owner. I love giving back and seeing others be successful and reach their fullest potential.

My name is Symiah Saulsberry and I am a self taught seamstress. I read many sewing books and well known designers novels on how they started their line and how they became successful in the industry. I now have a custom clothing line, Signature Struts, that specializes in prom, evening and bridal wear. I take pride in my work and believe that elegance is always key. Fashion drives me and I hope to one day open a boutique for my company. I see my designs at events such as Met Gala, Bet Awards, Oscars, Emmys and the Golden Globes. The fashion industry is flawed in many ways. For years, models of darker complexions have been overlooked. My artistic gift is different from the rest as I will use Signature Struts to showcase models of various shapes and sizes, showing society that there is no such thing as a beauty standard. We are all created in different ways and should value our individuality. Once I graduate, a long term goal of mine is to one day have my own tv show similar to Project Runway. I want my show to be centered around black designers in efforts to help them get the exposure they need to succeed not only as a business but in the industry. Black people are the blueprint of fashion and yet receive little to no credit for it. I feel that having a show dedicated to our unique style and design will create the change needed and allow for us to take control over the industry we influence so heavily. Giving back is so important because if we don't pour into our own communities, it will be hard for us to grow and generate generational wealth for our future generation. At a young age, my mother instilled in me the importance of being an entrepreneur. I started my first company at the age of eleven and from that moment on, I knew I wanted to be my own boss. I always support black owned businesses because I hope to one day see a new modern day Black Wall Street for black entrepreneurs and creatives. One way I give back to the community now is by helping aspiring entrepreneurs get established by sharing my own business journey and the many things I’ve learned through the years. I also help by connecting them with vendors as well as give them business advice on how to get started as a small business owner. I love giving back and seeing others be successful and reach their fullest potential.

My name is Symiah Saulsberry and I am a self taught seamstress. I have a custom clothing line, Signature Struts, that specializes in prom, evening and bridal wear. I want to attend college because I feel a business degree will allow me to learn more about the world of business and obtain new skills to remain successful. I take pride in my work and believe that elegance is always key. Fashion drives me and I hope to one day open a boutique for my company. I see my designs at events such as Met Gala, Bet Awards, Oscars, Emmys and the Golden Globes. The fashion industry is flawed in many ways. For years, models of darker complexions have been overlooked. My artistic gift is different from the rest as I will use Signature Struts to showcase models of various shapes and sizes, showing society that there is no such thing as a beauty standard. We are all created in different ways and should value our individuality. Once I graduate, a long term goal of mine is to one day have my own tv show similar to Project Runway. I want my show to be centered around black designers in efforts to help them get the exposure they need to succeed not only as a business but in the industry. Black people are the blueprint of fashion and yet receive little to no credit for it. I feel that having a show dedicated to our unique style and design will create the change needed and allow for us to take control over the industry we influence so heavily. Giving back is so important because if we don't pour into our own communities, it will be hard for us to grow and generate generational wealth for our future generation. At a young age, my mother instilled in me the importance of being an entrepreneur. I started my first company at the age of eleven and from that moment on, I knew I wanted to be my own boss. I always support black owned businesses because I hope to one day see a new modern day Black Wall Street for black entrepreneurs and creatives. One way I give back to the community now is by helping aspiring entrepreneurs get established by sharing my own business journey and the many things I’ve learned through the years. I also help by connecting them with vendors as well as give them business advice on how to get started as a small business owner. I love giving back and seeing others be successful and reach their fullest potential.

My name is Symiah Saulsberry and I am a self taught seamstress. I have a custom clothing line, Signature Struts, that specializes in prom, evening and bridal wear. I take pride in my work and believe that elegance is always key. Fashion drives me and I hope to one day open a boutique for my company. I see my designs at events such as Met Gala, Bet Awards, Oscars, Emmys and the Golden Globes. The fashion industry is flawed in many ways. For years, models of darker complexions have been overlooked. My artistic gift is different from the rest as I will use Signature Struts to showcase models of various shapes and sizes, showing society that there is no such thing as a beauty standard. We are all created in different ways and should value our individuality. Once I graduate, a long term goal of mine is to one day have my own tv show similar to Project Runway. I want my show to be centered around black designers in efforts to help them get the exposure they need to succeed not only as a business but in the industry. Black people are the blueprint of fashion and yet receive little to no credit for it. I feel that having a show dedicated to our unique style and design will create the change needed and allow for us to take control over the industry we influence so heavily. Giving back is so important because if we don't pour into our own communities, it will be hard for us to grow and generate generational wealth for our future generation. At a young age, my mother instilled in me the importance of being an entrepreneur. I started my first company at the age of eleven and from that moment on, I knew I wanted to be my own boss. I always support black owned businesses because I hope to one day see a new modern day Black Wall Street for black entrepreneurs and creatives. One way I give back to the community now is by helping aspiring entrepreneurs get established by sharing my own business journey and the many things I’ve learned through the years. I also help by connecting them with vendors as well as give them business advice on how to get started as a small business owner. I love giving back and seeing others be successful and reach their fullest potential.

I have had a passion for fashion for as long as I can remember. I began teaching myself to sew at 14, and ever since, my skills have continued to improve. With being a self taught seamstress, it brought about many trials and errors. Despite this, I remained determined and continued to sharpen my skills. Over the years, my interest and connection to fashion has continued to grow. My mother has been the most influential person in my life. At a young age, my mother instilled in me the importance of being an entrepreneur. I now have a custom clothing line, Signature Struts, that specializes in prom, evening and bridal wear. I take pride in my work and believe that elegance is always key. I took a leap of faith and entered into my first fashion show in 2019. I spent countless hours sewing and ensuring my piece was runway ready. That same year, I was awarded the winner of fashion week. From that moment on, I knew it was something I was called to do. Fashion drives me and I hope to one day open a boutique for Signature Struts. I see my designs at events such as Met Gala, Bet Awards, Oscars, Emmys and the Golden Globes. Once I graduate, a long term goal of mine is to one day have my own tv show similar to Project Runway. My show will be centered around minority designers in efforts to help them get the exposure they need to succeed in the industry. I feel that doing this will create change for the future generations.

I started my custom athletic apparel company, Signature Sports in 2018. I value being an entrepreneur and was blessed to work with many schools and training facilities in my city. Although I had clients, my sales where not where they needed to be. I remember the first time covid hit and the fear that came over the country. Thousands of people lost their jobs and became unemployed, causing the homeless, suicide and depression rate to increase rapidly. During this time, I lost my part time retail job. While many lost loved ones and faced many hardships, covid opened many doors for myself and my company. I knew there was a demand for masks so I began sewing custom masks and selling them. My masks became so popular that the local news interviewed me, giving my company even more exposure. I made the most sales I ever have in my two years of being in business. I can truly say I was blessed during the pandemic.

My mother is the most influential person in my life. As a young girl, I remember her telling me, “Dream big, the sky is the limit”. My dream life consists of me opening a boutique for my company, Signature Struts. I began teaching myself to sew at fourteen and started my company at sixteen. I value being an entrepreneur. While being my own boss, I hope to travel the world, give back and create gowns for weddings, pageants and for celebrities for events such as the Met Gala, Bet Awards, Oscars, Emmys and Golden Globes. The fashion industry is flawed in many ways. For years, models of darker complexions have been overlooked. My artistic gift is different from the rest as I will use Signature Struts to showcase women of various shapes, sizes and complexions, showing society that there is no such thing as a beauty standard. Once I graduate, another goal of mine is to one day have my own tv show similar to Project Runway. I want my show to be centered around minority designers in efforts to help them get the exposure they need to succeed as a business. I value helping others and I feel that doing this will create change for the future generations.

One of my favorite books is called “Just Mercy,” by Brian Stevenson. Stevenson is a lawyer, social justice activist and founder of the Equal Justice Initiative which focuses on exonerating those on death row who have been falsely accused. In his novel, Just Mercy, he discusses the crooked justice system in the United States. A quote that stuck with me was “The closer we get to mass incarceration and extreme levels of punishment, the more I believe it's necessary to recognize that we all need mercy, we all need justice, and—perhaps—we all need some measure of unmerited grace.” - Bryan Stevenson. This quote is special to me because I hope to one day represent those who have been overlooked, falsely accused or feel that they are forgotten. Stevenson details how jails have become not only a money game but are also a tactic to keep minorities captive. This statement is supported by the statistic that blacks are more than five times more likely to be incarcerated than whites. Death row is a punishment given to individuals as young as 15 years of age. Stevenson recounts his time on death row by stating that in his short time there, he realized that there was something missing in the way we treat people in our judicial system, that maybe we judge some people unfairly. The youngest boy sentenced to death row was a young man named George Stinney, who was only 14 at the time of his execution. Over 70 years later, the case was reopened and found not guilty. Wrongful convictions have cost the lives of many innocent people across the world. Stevenson plays a significant role in my life because he set a precedent for what I hope to achieve someday. The injustice that occurs in this nation is in urgent need of change. As we all begin to realize and accept that the system is indeed flawed, it is our mission to bring change and awareness to it. I believe I have the diligence to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. In life, one fact that holds true is that we all need a little grace and mercy at some point.

I can truly say that I believe in the power of optimism. As a little girl, I remember my mom always saying, “Dream big. The sky is the limit.” These are words I’m sure every child has heard at some point in their life. But exactly how high can your dreams go until they are almost unrealistic? Recently, I began to unpack this simple yet complex question. When I was younger, I enjoyed playing tennis. As my father began to invest time and energy into me, he began to push me in that sport. As time passed, it began to become a burden versus a hobby I thoroughly enjoyed. Although he was beginning to take the fun out of it, I stuck it out for a long, hard five years. From morning, until night, I was on the tennis court. Back hands, forehands and serves were a very familiar routine to me. I began to have to miss my friends birthday parties and even family functions to practice. My father felt that if I did not continue playing tennis, my opportunities in life would be limited greatly. Eventually I had to make a choice, listen to my father or listen to my heart. Simply because I stopped playing does not make me useless or worthless, it just means that I would not be the next Serena Williams. The reality is, whether one accomplishes great heights or becomes an average individual, they are just as important as the first man to walk on the moon. We all have a purpose and something we can offer to the world that no one else can, making us unique in our own way. My father pushed his childhood dream onto me and told me I couldn’t succeed if I decided not to play. Many children face the obstacle of trying to please their parents because they don’t want to disappoint them. But at some point I had to realize that it was time to live for myself, not my father. The next obstacle was him refusing to help me with college exspenses since I quit playing. I was overly stressed my senior year trying to figure out a way to pay for my own college fees. Once I learned how to take on obstacles one day at a time, and put my worries in Gods hands, all my problems seemed to all fade away. I now wake up with a positive outlook on life ready to start my day. I will be studying at Savannah College of Art and Design this fall. I hope to one day open my own bridal boutique. Although it pains me to know my father doesn’t believe in me, I have faith and know that the future ahead holds many opportunities for me.

Being a Black woman in America is like being the backbone of a country when you receive little to no credit. It means being the influencer of every trend but talked and looked down upon for simply being yourself. It means being undesirable if you’re a dark skin black woman but seeing the men of your same race being desired and praised for it, on top of being degraded by your own men and watching them camouflage self hatred with “preference”. I grew up in a predominantly white christian school. I dealt firsthand with racism. Although my parents felt it was the best option for me, I dreaded going to school. I remember being looked down upon because of the size of my lips and skin tone, both of which are now the beauty standard as women today are getting lip fillers and tanning their skin frequently. Once I transferred into highschool, I became a part of a club called “Beautifully Unique” whose mission was to empower and uplift black women. My outlook completely changed on how I viewed myself. We served our community through outreach and also had girl talks discussing how we should not only love ourselves but our fellow sisters. Our motto was, “Real queens fix each other’s crowns.” This is something I live by because it is so easy to tear one another down but that’s not what real queens represent. It challenged me to be the best version of myself in my everyday life and be my sister's keeper. We as black women have so much opposition we will face. We must come together and love one another. My experiences shaped me into the strong woman I am today as I will continue to use my voice to be an advocate for black women. I will attend Savannah College of Art and Design majoring in fashion design this fall. I have a company called Signature Struts that specializes in evening and formal wear. The fashion industry is flawed in many ways. For years, models of darker complexions have been overlooked. My artistic gift is different from the rest as I will use Signature Struts to showcase women of various shapes and sizes, showing society that there is no such thing as a beauty standard. We are all created in different ways and should value our individuality. Once I graduate, a long term goal of mine is to one day have my own tv show similar to Project Runway. I want my show to be centered around black models and designers in efforts to help them get the exposure they need to succeed in the industry. I feel that doing this will create change for the future generations.

I have had a passion for fashion for as long as I can remember. I began teaching myself to sew at 14, since then, my skills have continued to improve. At a young age, my mother instilled in me the importance of being an entrepreneur. I now have a custom clothing line, Signature Struts, that specializes in prom and evening wear. I participated in my first fashion week in 2019. I won in my category that year and from that point, I knew this was something I was called to do. Being an artist is the most important aspect of my life. I express myself through all of my designs. I hope to one day open a boutique for Signature Struts. I see my designs at events such as Met Gala, Bet Awards, Oscars, Emmys and the Golden Globes. The fashion industry is flawed in many ways. For years, models of darker complexions have been overlooked. My artistic gift is different from the rest as I will use Signature Struts to showcase women of various shapes, sizes and complexions, showing society that there is no such thing as a beauty standard. Once I graduate, a long term goal of mine is to one day have my own tv show similar to Project Runway. I want my show to be centered around minority designers in efforts to help them get the exposure they need to succeed as a business. I feel that doing this will create change for the future generations.

I have had a passion for fashion for as long as I can remember. I began teaching myself to sew at 14, and ever since, my skills have continued to improve. Being a self taught seamstress brought about many trials and errors. Despite this, I continued to work on my craft and sharpening my skills. Over the years, my interest and connection to fashion has continued to grow. My mother has been the most influential person in my life. At a young age, my mother instilled in me the importance of being an entrepreneur. I now have a custom clothing line, Signature Struts, that specializes in prom, evening and bridal wear. I take pride in my work and believe that elegance is always key. I measure success in my work by ensuring that every piece I create is done with perfection and is a representation of my slogan “Don’t Just Wear It, Own It”. I participated in my first fashion week in 2019. I was very nervous as I knew my designs would be in front of hundreds of individuals. The process was one I will never forget. Although it was hard work, I managed to have my designs complete and constructed to perfection by the show. I won in my category that year and from that point, I knew this was something I was called to do. Being an artist is the most important aspect of my life. I express myself through all of my designs. My creative hour consists of sketching and also staying up to date with the latest trends from other designer brands. Fashion drives me and I hope to one day open a boutique for Signature Struts. I see my designs at events such as Met Gala, Bet Awards, Oscars, Emmys and the Golden Globes. The fashion industry is flawed in many ways. For years, models of darker complexions have been overlooked. With being a darker complexed young woman myself, I would look in the mirror and immediately feel less than because of this. At one point, I contemplated bleaching my skin. My artistic gift is different from the rest as I will use Signature Struts to showcase women of various shapes, sizes, and complexions, showing society that there is no such thing as a beauty standard. We are all created in different ways and should value our individuality. The body shaming and tearing down other women must come to an end in our society. Ashley Graham is someone I look up to because she took a step to help plus size women feel wanted, appreciated and valued. Her work is one that truly inspires me. She’s someone who has made a huge impact on society. Once I graduate, a long term goal of mine is to one day have my own tv show similar to Project Runway. I want my show to be centered around minority women designers in efforts to help them get the exposure they need to succeed as a business. I feel that doing this will create change for the future generations.

I have had a passion for fashion for as long as I can remember. I began teaching myself to sew at 14, and ever since, my skills have continued to improve. Being a self taught seamstress brought about many trials and errors. Despite this, I continued to work on my craft and sharpening my skills. Over the years, my interest and connection to fashion has continued to grow. My mother has been the most influential person in my life. At a young age, my mother instilled in me the importance of being an entrepreneur. I now have a custom clothing line, Signature Struts, that specializes in prom, evening and bridal wear. I take pride in my work and believe that elegance is always key. I measure success in my work by ensuring that every piece I create is done with perfection and is a representation of my slogan “Don’t Just Wear It, Own It”. I participated in my first fashion week in 2019. I was very nervous as I knew my designs would be in front of hundreds of individuals. The process was one I will never forget. Although it was hard work, I managed to have my designs complete and constructed to perfection by the show. I won in my category that year and from that point, I knew this was something I was called to do. Being an artist is the most important aspect of my life. I express myself through all of my designs. My creative hour consists of sketching and also staying up to date with the latest trends from other designer brands. Fashion drives me and I hope to one day open a boutique for Signature Struts. I see my designs at events such as Met Gala, Bet Awards, Oscars, Emmys and the Golden Globes. The fashion industry is flawed in many ways. For years, models of darker complexions have been overlooked. My artistic gift is different from the rest as I will use Signature Struts to showcase women of various shapes and sizes, showing society that there is no such thing as a beauty standard. We are all created in different ways and should value our individuality. These funds will help me because once I graduate, a long term goal of mine is to one day have my own tv show similar to Project Runway. I want my show to be centered around minority designers in efforts to help them get the exposure they need to succeed as a business. I feel that doing this will create change for the future generations.

I have had a passion for fashion for as long as I can remember. I began teaching myself to sew at 14, and ever since, my skills have continued to improve. Being a self taught seamstress brought about many trials and errors. Despite this, I continued to work on my craft and sharpening my skills. Over the years, my interest and connection to fashion has continued to grow. My mother has been the most influential person in my life. At a young age, my mother instilled in me the importance of being an entrepreneur. I now have a custom clothing line, Signature Struts, that specializes in prom, evening and bridal wear. I take pride in my work and believe that elegance is always key. I measure success in my work by ensuring that every piece I create is done with perfection and is a representation of my slogan, “Don’t Just Wear It, Own It”. I participated in my first fashion week in 2019. I was very nervous as I knew my designs would be in front of hundreds of individuals. The process was one I will never forget. Although it was hard work, I managed to have my designs complete and constructed to perfection by the show. I won in my category that year and from that point, I knew this was something I was called to do. Being an artist is the most important aspect of my life. I express myself through all of my designs. My creative hour consists of sketching and also staying up to date with the latest trends from other designer brands. Fashion drives me and I hope to one day open a boutique for Signature Struts. I see my designs at events such as Met Gala, Bet Awards, Oscars, Emmys and the Golden Globes. The fashion industry is flawed in many ways. For years, models of darker complexions have been overlooked. My artistic gift is different from the rest as I will use Signature Struts to showcase women of various shapes and sizes, showing society that there is no such thing as a beauty standard. We are all created in different ways and should value our individuality. Once I graduate, a long term goal of mine is to one day have my own tv show similar to Project Runway. I want my show to be centered around minority designers in efforts to help them get the exposure they need to succeed as a business. I feel that doing this will create change for the future generations.

I have had a passion for fashion for as long as I can remember. I began teaching myself to sew at 14, and ever since, my skills have continued to improve. Being a self taught seamstress brought about many trials and errors. Despite this, I continued to work on my craft and sharpening my skills. Over the years, my interest and connection to fashion has continued to grow. My mother has been the most influential person in my life. At a young age, my mother instilled in me the importance of being an entrepreneur. I now have a custom clothing line, Signature Struts, that specializes in prom, evening and bridal wear. I take pride in my work and believe that elegance is always key. I measure success in my work by ensuring that every piece I create is done with perfection. I participated in my first fashion week in 2019. I was very nervous as I knew my designs would be in front of hundreds of individuals. The process was one I will never forget. Although it was hard work, I managed to have my designs complete and constructed to perfection by the show. I won in my category that year and from that point, I knew this was something I was called to do. Being an artist is the most important aspect of my life. I express myself through all of my designs. My creative hour consists of sketching and also staying up to date with the latest trends from other designer brands. Fashion drives me and I hope to one day open a boutique for Signature Struts. I see my designs at events such as Met Gala, Bet Awards, Oscars, Emmys and the Golden Globes. The fashion industry is flawed in many ways. For years, models of darker complexions have been overlooked. My artistic gift is different from the rest as I will use Signature Struts to showcase women of various shapes and sizes, showing society that there is no such thing as a beauty standard. We are all created in different ways and should value our individuality. Once I graduate, a long term goal of mine is to one day have my own tv show similar to Project Runway. I want my show to be centered around minority designers in efforts to help them get the exposure they need to succeed as a business. I feel that doing this will create change for the future generations.

I have had a passion for fashion for as long as I can remember. I began teaching myself to sew at 14, and ever since, my skills have continued to improve. Being a self taught seamstress brought about many trials and errors. Despite this, I continued to work on my craft and sharpening my skills. Over the years, my interest and connection to fashion has continued to grow. My mother has been the most influential person in my life. At a young age, my mother instilled in me the importance of being an entrepreneur. I now have a custom clothing line, Signature Struts, that specializes in prom, evening and bridal wear. I take pride in my work and believe that elegance is always key. I measure success in my work by ensuring that every piece I create is done with perfection and is a representation of my slogan “Don’t Just Wear It, Own It”. I participated in my first fashion week in 2019. I was very nervous as I knew my designs would be in front of hundreds of individuals. The process was one I will never forget. Although it was hard work, I managed to have my designs complete and constructed to perfection by the show. I won in my category that year and from that point, I knew this was something I was called to do. Being an artist is the most important aspect of my life. I express myself through all of my designs. My creative hour consists of sketching and also staying up to date with the latest trends from other designer brands. Fashion drives me and I hope to one day open a boutique for Signature Struts. I see my designs at events such as Met Gala, Bet Awards, Oscars, Emmys and the Golden Globes. The fashion industry is flawed in many ways. For years, models of darker complexions have been overlooked. With being an African American woman myself, knowing this affected my self esteem. My artistic gift is different from the rest as I will use Signature Struts to showcase women of various shapes, sizes and ethnicities to show society that there is no such thing as a beauty standard. We are all created in different ways and should value our individuality. Once I graduate, a long term goal of mine is to one day have my own tv show similar to Project Runway. I want my show to be centered around minority designers in efforts to help them get the exposure they need to succeed as a business. I feel that doing this will create change for the future generations.

I have had a passion for fashion for as long as I can remember. I began teaching myself to sew at 14, and ever since, my skills have continued to improve. Being a self taught seamstress brought about many trials and errors. Despite this, I continued to work on my craft and sharpening my skills. Over the years, my interest and connection to fashion has continued to grow. My mother has been the most influential person in my life. At a young age, my mother instilled in me the importance of being an entrepreneur. I now have a custom clothing line, Signature Struts, that specializes in prom, evening and bridal wear. I take pride in my work and believe that elegance is always key. I measure success in my work by ensuring that every piece I create is done with perfection and is a representation of my slogan “Don’t Just Wear It, Own It”. I participated in my first fashion week in 2019. I was very nervous as I knew my designs would be in front of hundreds of individuals. The process was one I will never forget. Although it was hard work, I managed to have my designs complete and constructed to perfection by the show. I won in my category that year and from that point, I knew this was something I was called to do. Being an artist is the most important aspect of my life. I express myself through all of my designs. My creative hour consists of sketching and also staying up to date with the latest trends from other designer brands. Fashion drives me and I hope to one day open a boutique for Signature Struts. I see my designs at events such as Met Gala, Bet Awards, Oscars, Emmys and the Golden Globes. The fashion industry is flawed in many ways. For years, models of darker complexions have been overlooked. My artistic gift is different from the rest as I will use Signature Struts to showcase women of various shapes and sizes, showing society that there is no such thing as a beauty standard. We are all created in different ways and should value our individuality. Once I graduate, a long term goal of mine is to one day have my own tv show similar to Project Runway. I want my show to be centered around minority designers in efforts to help them get the exposure they need to succeed as a business. I feel that doing this will create change for the future generations.

I have had a passion for fashion for as long as I can remember. I began teaching myself to sew at 14, and ever since, my skills have continued to improve. Being a self taught seamstress brought about many trials and errors. Despite this, I continued to work on my craft and sharpening my skills. Over the years, my interest and connection to fashion has continued to grow. My mother has been the most influential person in my life. At a young age, my mother instilled in me the importance of being an entrepreneur. I now have a custom clothing line, Signature Struts, that specializes in prom, evening and bridal wear. I take pride in my work and believe that elegance is always key. I measure success in my work by ensuring that every piece I create is done with perfection and is a representation of my slogan “Don’t Just Wear It, Own It”. I participated in my first fashion week in 2019. I was very nervous as I knew my designs would be in front of hundreds of individuals. The process was one I will never forget. Although it was hard work, I managed to have my designs complete and constructed to perfection by the show. I won in my category that year and from that point, I knew this was something I was called to do. Being an artist is the most important aspect of my life. I express myself through all of my designs. My creative hour consists of sketching and also staying up to date with the latest trends from other designer brands. Fashion drives me and I hope to one day open a boutique for Signature Struts. I see my designs at events such as Met Gala, Bet Awards, Oscars, Emmys and the Golden Globes. The fashion industry is flawed in many ways. For years, models of darker complexions have been overlooked. My artistic gift is different from the rest as I will use Signature Struts to showcase women of various shapes and sizes, showing society that there is no such thing as a beauty standard. We are all created in different ways and should value our individuality. Once I graduate, a long term goal of mine is to one day have my own tv show similar to Project Runway. I want my show to be centered around minority designers in efforts to help them get the exposure they need to succeed as a business. I feel that doing this will create change for the future generations.