As a first-generation, low-income student preparing to attend North Carolina Central University, I am deeply motivated to transform my education into meaningful, lasting impact for my community and beyond. With tuition costs exceeding $100,000 over four years, scholarships like this one are far more than financial assistance — they represent access to the education, mentorship, and resources I need to drive real change. My passion lies in using marketing as a powerful tool to fuel both business growth and environmental responsibility. During my internship with ONYX Realty Professionals, I was able to explore this intersection firsthand. What began as a role supporting real estate marketing evolved into a project focused on building a social media presence for Prominent Signs & Advertising, a real estate sign installation business. Through this experience, I saw how traditional marketing methods, like printed flyers and brochures, contribute to environmental challenges through excessive paper waste and resource consumption. It opened my eyes to the importance of finding more sustainable solutions, even within industries where such conversations are often overlooked. At Prominent Signs & Advertising, I was tasked with researching and implementing digital marketing strategies that would not only grow the business but also reduce its environmental footprint. I developed content strategies, managed social media accounts, and worked to engage audiences through platforms like Instagram and Facebook. Through these efforts, I witnessed how businesses could replace printed materials with digital alternatives that were both eco-friendly and more cost-effective. This hands-on experience demonstrated the power of creativity and innovation in addressing environmental concerns while still meeting business goals. As I look ahead, I plan to build on this foundation by helping small businesses — particularly those in underserved and marginalized communities — transition to sustainable digital marketing practices. Many small business owners face significant barriers when it comes to adopting eco-friendly marketing strategies, whether due to limited resources, knowledge, or time. My goal is to bridge that gap by offering affordable consulting services, leading workshops, and creating accessible content that empowers entrepreneurs to embrace environmentally responsible practices. I want to ensure that economic growth within these communities does not come at the expense of the environment, but instead contributes to its protection. In addition to my local work, I envision expanding these efforts globally. The beauty of digital platforms is their ability to connect people across the world, allowing for the sharing of ideas, resources, and best practices. I hope to create online communities where business owners, marketers, and consumers can collaborate to promote sustainability and responsible consumption on a much larger scale. By combining my marketing education with my passion for service, I aim to help lead a movement that proves that business success and environmental stewardship can go hand in hand. The financial burden of my college education is significant, but with the support of this scholarship, I will be able to fully dedicate myself to developing the skills, leadership, and expertise needed to turn these goals into reality. This scholarship represents far more than tuition assistance — it represents an investment in my future and in the future of the businesses and communities I hope to serve. With your support, I will not only earn a degree but also create a positive, sustainable impact that reaches far beyond the classroom.

Nobody talks about grieving someone who is still alive. I didn’t lose my father to death, but his absence has left a void inside of me that no one can truly fill. Growing up, I was taught that boys don’t cry—but what happens when promises are broken? I often wished for a life like any other boy: playing sports, bringing girls home, and having a father who was there, offering advice and guidance. But my story felt like it was written upside down, in the dark, in a language I didn’t understand. For a long time, I didn’t realize that what I was feeling was grief. My father’s absence created an emotional weight I carried through my childhood. When my mother sat me down and told me my father was moving to Georgia, it made that absence feel even more permanent. Though my mother told me, “Don’t let him make you cry,” I did. And after wiping my tears, I buried myself in my Spiderman sheets, trying to find comfort where I could. In the middle of that emotional pain, my grandfather became my constant. He taught me how to stand my ground, mow the lawn, and brush my hair to “keep my waves on swim.” But most importantly, he taught me how to carry myself with confidence, even when life felt heavy. Our Friday barbershop trips became more than just haircuts; they were lessons in presence, respect, and how to build inner strength. Walking around the shop greeting everyone was uncomfortable at first, but over time, it helped me grow into someone who could face any room with my chin up and chest out. My mental health journey also shaped my identity in ways that many didn’t understand. I chose to cheer—a path far from the norm for most young Black men. While my parents struggled to accept my choice, my grandfather never questioned it. He stood in the stands at every game, every competition, and every pep rally, reminding me that my happiness mattered most. Being the only boy on the team was not always easy. I often felt like I stood out for the wrong reasons, and there were moments when I questioned if I should continue. But cheerleading taught me that strength is not just physical—it’s mental. It’s about finding joy in who you are, even when others don’t understand or support your choices. These experiences with grief, identity, and resilience have shaped not only my relationships but my goals for the future. I’ve learned firsthand how much it matters to have someone who believes in you, who sees your pain, and who encourages you to keep going. That’s why I am passionate about pursuing a career in mental health. I want to create safe spaces for young people—especially young Black boys—who may be carrying invisible grief, battling emotions they don’t know how to express, or struggling to find their place in the world. My experiences have taught me that healing isn’t about forgetting pain but learning how to grow through it and use it as fuel for purpose. Today, I am my biggest fan, not because my journey has been easy, but because I’ve learned how to keep moving forward, even in the absence of those I once hoped would be there. My mental health journey has taught me empathy, resilience, and the power of authentic self-love. Through my future work, I hope to help others find that same strength within themselves.

As a first-generation, low-income student preparing to attend North Carolina Central University, I am deeply motivated to turn my education into meaningful, long-term impact for my community. With tuition costs exceeding $100,000 over four years, scholarships like this are not just financial assistance — they are an opportunity for me to access the tools, mentorship, and education needed to create real change. My goal is to use marketing as a powerful vehicle to drive both business success and environmental responsibility. During my internship with ONYX Realty Professionals, I had the opportunity to explore the intersection of business growth and sustainability. Initially tasked with supporting real estate marketing, my role shifted when I was assigned to help build a social media presence for Prominent Signs & Advertising, a real estate sign installation business. This experience exposed me to the environmental challenges tied to traditional marketing, such as excessive paper waste from flyers, brochures, and printed advertisements. Through hands-on experience, I learned how digital marketing can not only reduce environmental impact but also reach wider audiences. I developed content strategies, managed social media accounts, and researched ways to promote businesses more efficiently through platforms like Instagram and Facebook. I saw firsthand how businesses could replace printed materials with digital alternatives, offering not only a more sustainable approach but also a more cost-effective and far-reaching one. This experience taught me that with creativity and strategy, marketing can both grow businesses and protect the environment. In the next five years, I plan to build on this foundation by helping small businesses — especially those in underserved communities — transition to sustainable digital marketing practices. Many small business owners simply lack the time or expertise to pivot to eco-friendly marketing, and I want to serve as a resource to guide them. Whether it’s through consulting, workshops, or content creation, I aim to make environmentally responsible marketing accessible and affordable to all entrepreneurs, ensuring that economic growth doesn’t come at the expense of environmental health. Beyond my local community, I see the potential for this work to scale globally. Digital platforms allow businesses of all sizes to share eco-friendly practices, educate consumers, and build community-driven movements around sustainability. By combining my marketing education with my passion for service, I hope to help lead this kind of global change. The financial burden of my college education is significant, but with the support of this scholarship, I will be able to focus fully on developing the skills, leadership, and knowledge necessary to turn these goals into reality. This scholarship represents far more than tuition assistance — it represents a long-term investment in my ability to create positive, sustainable change for businesses, communities, and the environment.