There was a time when I doubted almost everything about myself—my voice, my strength, and my ability to lead. I used to think leadership was about being the loudest person in the room or having all the answers. But I learned that true leadership is about courage, compassion, and consistency—especially when no one else is watching. My “crown-worthy” moment came when I had to step up for my family during one of the hardest times of our lives. Growing up, my household faced more struggles than most people could see. There were times when bills piled up and the stress of making ends meet weighed heavy on everyone. I didn’t have the luxury of being just a kid—I had to mature quickly. I started helping my younger siblings with their homework, cooking meals when my parent was working late, and managing small things to keep the house running smoothly. It wasn’t glamorous, but it taught me that strength doesn’t always show up in big, public ways. Sometimes it’s quiet and steady. At first, I didn’t see myself as a leader. I was just doing what needed to be done. But over time, I realized those moments were shaping me into someone capable of leading with empathy and purpose. I became more confident in my ability to handle pressure and stay calm when others couldn’t. I also learned how powerful it is to lead through service—to lift others up without expecting recognition in return. That realization followed me into school. When I noticed classmates struggling, I was the one to step in—helping them study, offering encouragement, or just listening when they needed someone to talk to. I joined student organizations and made it a goal to make sure everyone’s voice was heard, especially the quiet ones like I used to be. I found my confidence by giving it to others first. Now, as I prepare to attend an HBCU, I carry those lessons with me. HBCUs have always represented community, excellence, and empowerment—values that align with who I am becoming. I want to study business and finance so I can eventually help families like mine gain the financial literacy and stability that every community deserves. But beyond a career, I want to continue leading with heart. My vision of leadership is not about power—it’s about purpose. The moment I realized I was stronger than I thought was not a single event; it was the moment I understood that my challenges didn’t break me—they built me. They taught me that leadership isn’t given; it’s earned through resilience, compassion, and the courage to keep showing up, even when life feels uncertain. Today, I wear my crown with pride—not because everything in my life is perfect, but because I’ve learned to stand tall through it all. My story is proof that strength can be quiet, leadership can be humble, and growth can come from struggle. And as I continue my journey, I hope to inspire other young women to recognize the power they already hold within themselves.

Growing up in a low-income household has taught me lessons that no textbook could ever cover. It has shaped the way I see money, opportunity, and stability—not as luxuries, but as goals that require discipline, determination, and heart. From a young age, I learned the importance of budgeting, saving, and finding creative ways to make limited resources stretch. Those experiences didn’t just make me more responsible; they inspired me to pursue a career in finance so I can help others build the security my family once struggled to find. When you grow up with financial hardship, you see how deeply money affects every part of life. I watched my family make sacrifices to cover rent, food, and school supplies, and I realized how unpredictable life can feel when you’re living paycheck to paycheck. Instead of letting that fear define me, I used it as motivation. I wanted to understand how money works—how people invest, save, and make it grow. I wanted to learn how financial systems could be used not just to benefit the wealthy, but to empower people like my family who work hard yet still struggle to get ahead. That curiosity grew into a passion. I started reading about personal finance, budgeting apps, and investing basics. The more I learned, the more I wanted to make finance my future. My goal is to major in finance and eventually work in financial planning or wealth management, focusing on helping individuals from underprivileged backgrounds build stronger financial futures. I believe that knowledge is one of the most powerful tools a person can have, and financial literacy can completely change the trajectory of someone’s life. Coming from a low-income background has also taught me persistence and grit—qualities that are just as valuable in the world of business as they are in life. When you don’t have much, you learn to think differently, to be resourceful, and to stay driven even when things seem impossible. Those qualities will guide me as I work toward a career in finance, where success depends on resilience, problem-solving, and the ability to turn challenges into opportunities. Ultimately, my goal is to give back. I want to create or work with programs that teach financial literacy in low-income communities, showing young people that managing money isn’t about how much you start with, but about what you do with it. I want to help families like mine build savings, plan for the future, and believe that financial stability is within reach. My background didn’t just influence my career choice—it defined it. Living in a low-income household opened my eyes to financial struggles, but it also gave me the determination to break the cycle. I’m ready to turn my experiences into impact, using finance as a tool to create change for myself and for others who share a similar story.