My goals for education, entrepreneurship, and leadership have fueled my will to continue my education after high school. Despite not having the funds to pay for college, I believe my passions override the financial hardships of paying for college. Entrepreneurship is a major goal of mine as I want to establish generational wealth for my family and me. I started my own clothing business named “Flier Attire” in 11th grade. I know my potential is more than a 9-5, so I saved and took a risk. This past summer, I built a website and released a fall collection line. When I dropped the website, I only received 1 sale. While this was discouraging, I did not let it stop me, I had to come back better. For a couple of months, I hit the drawing board, coming up with new ideas and strategies for my business. When I dropped my new and improved clothing line, I sold out within the first TWO weeks! This adversity taught me, life is full of unexpected outcomes, many of which aren't in our favor, but it's up to us to adapt and overcome them. I truly enjoy the ups and downs of having my own business. It's definitely not easy, as you have days you may want to give up because you see no progress. However, giving up would be giving up on my passion for Entrepreneurship. I know my business will be a big success with hard work and receiving the proper education to empower my visions. I've also always had a passion for being a leader. My passion sparked for me when I hosted my 5th-grade graduation. It took a lot of courage to stand in front of my classmates and their families and lead, but this became a drive for me to speak with confidence. Since then, I've gained nothing but excitement from speaking and performing. My family's hardships from systemic racism and my love for public speech diminished my fear to stand up and lead. I have applied this passion in ways such as speaking out at civil rights protests to crowds of over 100 people advocating for unity and persistence in the fight for equity for minorities. With education, I can learn to be a stronger leader, as education opens doors unimaginable. I simply want to make a difference for my people by showing them hard work, perseverance, and standing for a cause will always outweigh the unjust circumstances we face. I dream to one day be a great world leader for peace and love for all, especially among black people, as our communities hurt. With a degree from college, I can learn the skills needed to navigate through the political and corporate world we live in. I would be extremely pleased and honored to be able to receive this scholarship. There are far too many youths with the capabilities to change the world but lack the opportunity due to disparities in money, and I am one of them!

My goals for education, entrepreneurship, and leadership have fueled my will to continue my education after high school. Despite not having the funds to pay for college, I believe my passions override the financial hardships of paying for college. Entrepreneurship is a major goal of mine as I want to establish generational wealth for my family and me. I started my own clothing business in 11th grade. I was driven to start this business after I took a business class over the summer with the City of Atlanta. Considering the amount of money I could make on my own in the future, I came up with “Flier Attire”. I know my potential is more than a 9-5, so I saved and took a risk. My goal with Flier Attire is to provide affordable fashions to customers. This past summer, I built a website and released a fall collection line. When I dropped the website, I only received 1 sale. While this was discouraging, I did not let it stop me, I knew I had to come back better. For a couple of months, I hit the drawing board, coming up with new ideas and strategies for my business. When I dropped my new and improved clothing line, I sold out within the first TWO weeks! This adversity taught me, life is full of unexpected outcomes, many of which aren't in our favor, but it's up to us to adapt and overcome. I truly enjoy the ups and downs of having my own business. It's definitely not easy, as you have slow periods and days you may want to give up because you see no progress. However, giving up is not an option for me because that would be giving up on my passion for entrepreneurship and my vision. I firmly believe my business will be a big success as long as I continue to work hard and receive the proper education to empower my visions. I've also always had a passion for being a leader. My passion sparked for me when I hosted my 5th-grade graduation. It took a lot of courage to stand in front of my classmates and their families and lead, but my nervousness became a drive for me to speak with confidence. Since then, I've gained nothing but excitement from speaking and performing. The knowledge of my family's hardships from racism and my love for public speaking and leading drives me to want to never be afraid to stand up and lead. I have already applied this passion in ways such as speaking out at Black Lives Matter protests to crowds of over 100 people advocating for unity and persistence in the long-overdue journey to equality for minorities. With education, I can share my leading energy on much larger platforms, as education opens doors unimaginable. I simply just want to make a difference for my people by showing them hard work, perseverance, and standing for a cause will always outweigh the unjust circumstances we face. I dream to one day be a great world leader for peace and love for all, especially among black people, as our communities hurt right now. With a degree from college, I can learn the skills needed to navigate through the political and corporate world we live in. I would be extremely pleased and honored to be able to receive this scholarship. There are far too many youths with the capabilities to change the world but lack the opportunity due to disparities in money, and I am one of them. Thank you for considering my application!

As a young child, I was introduced to the most persevering business owners I know. My grandfather, Ernest Vines, and grandmother, Roena Vines. My granddad was a farmer in the rural town of Conetoe, North Carolina until he lost a large portion of our family land in a racial land dispute in the 1970s. After that, my grandfather ditched farming and decided to go into the automobile industry, and fixing cars became clockwork for him. When he met my grandmother, a great hairstylist, they decided they no longer wanted to work for the racist factory they met at. After they married, they opened for business, Vines Beauty Salon and Used Car Garage in the small yet historically black Princeville, North Carolina. To this day, my grandfather at the age of 74 will not allow his grandchildren to leave for the road without an oil change if we need it. Unfortunately, my grandmother, who is 82 (what an age difference!) suffers from Alzheimer's. However, her talents must have been passed to my sister who is a phenomenal 13-year-old hairstylist. Needless to say, my grandparents were my first and still are my role models for entrepreneurship and overcoming the hardships of racism. Entrepreneurship is a major goal of mine because I want to establish generational wealth and stability for my future self and family. I started my own clothing business in 10th grade called Flier Attire. I was driven to start this business after I took a business class over the summer with the City of Atlanta. I thought about the amount of family and friends that I had in both Atlanta and my parent's hometown in North Carolina. Considering that as a factor and the amount of money I could make on my own in the future, I came up with Flier Attire. While I enjoyed my jobs, I know my potential is more than a 9-5, so I saved and took a risk. My goal with Flier Attire is to provide affordable fashions to local Atlanta customers and surrounding states. My business usually thrives the most during the summer, when I sell clothing sets, tops, and swimsuits. This summer, I built a website and released it as well. I dropped a fall collection line on November 15th. I truly enjoy the ups and downs of having my own business. It's definitely not easy, as you have slow days and days you may want to give up. However, giving up is not an option for me because that would be giving up on my passion for entrepreneurship and my vision. I firmly believe my business will be a big success as long as I continue to work hard! I've also always had a passion for being a leader. My passion sparked for me when I hosted my 5th-grade graduation. It took a lot of courage to stand in front of my classmates and their families and lead, but my nervousness became a drive for me to speak with confidence. Since then, I've gained nothing but excitement from speaking and performing. The knowledge of my family's hardships from racism and my love for public speaking and leading drives me today. During this pandemic, with a little courage in myself, I started sharing my poetry on my Instagram. I shared my writings about topics like self-love, social justice, following your dreams, loving others, and much more. People were shocked at my talent, I was shocked at the reactions. People saw my poetry and were proud of me, motivated by me, and most of all, uplifted by me. They wanted more. My poems were receiving 2,000 - 6,000 views! I began to write and share weekly. The way people felt my words inspired me to do a little more. I began sharing posts about peace, love, perseverance, and overall positivity. I knew the impact was real when people of diverse backgrounds began to inbox me, thanking me for helping them get through hard times and letting me know I should keep what I was doing up. I simply just want to make a difference for my people by showing them hard work, perseverance, and standing for a cause will always outweigh the unjust circumstances we face. I dream to one day be a great world leader for peace and love for all, especially among black people, as our communities hurt right now. I would be extremely pleased and honored to be able to receive this scholarship. This scholarship can help fund my college education so I can grow my talents and apply them to the real world. Thank you for considering my application!

In 10th grade, I suffered severe depression and I fell off academically and emotionally. This was a low for me and, unfortunately, I attempted suicide. I was once ashamed to share this story, but I now know this is apart of my story and testimony. This is an everyday reminder for me that it was not my time to go because I have a greater purpose to fulfill. I am beyond grateful to be here today and I want to continue to share this story to help others that may be going through the same thing. This experienced opened my eyes to the effects of mental health going unchecked. While I was in my own bubble of depression, I had not even realized how many people around me face the same challenges of battling anxiety, depression, and life. I saw that everyone especially in my age group is learning about life and how to face it. Acknowledging that we are not alone in our struggles pushes me to be more aware of my emotions and others as well. Knowing when and how to cope with things that bother us internally was my first step to healing myself and others. Everybody has their individuality, tolerance, and breaking points. This means everyone handles things differently, feel differently, and react differently. A lot of our reactions are products of what we've been through. Understanding this has helped me form better relationships with people, become more empathetic, set personal boundaries, and completely take control of my mental health. I've become a lot more conscious of others because of this experience and I'm extremely thankful for that. I reach out to those I love and care for a lot more. I'm polite to all, despite what they look like, where they work, or who they are. I see everyone as equals and treat everyone as equals. I've also learned that healing is a constant process. I always have to be aware of my own internal feelings as well. I had to learn to love myself first, as I always tried to find the love I knew I deserved from others, but almost always was left disappointed. I stopped searching for love through others and started searching within. Once I did this, I attracted the love I always yearned for and people found love from me. I've found and embraced talents within myself that I was so scared of being judged for. I've stopped judging myself in the mirror and just admiring what I have. I started journaling my thoughts, writing out creations, planning out my future. Countless things that keep me away from the darkness that almost consumed me in 10th grade. Since I started loving myself, I began to find my purpose. My purpose is to be my own boss, fight for human rights, and educate others on doing the same. The following summer after my suicide attempt, I created my own business called Flier Attire. I was driven to start this business after I took a business class over the summer with the City of Atlanta. I thought about the amount of family and friends that I had in both Atlanta and my parent's hometown in North Carolina. Considering that as a factor and the amount of money I could make on my own in the future, I came up with Flier Attire. While I tried to enjoy my past jobs, I was not happy with a 9-5, so I saved and took a risk. My goal with Flier Attire is to provide affordable fashions to local Atlanta customers and surrounding states. This summer of 2020, I built a website and released it as well. I also developed and dropped a fall collection line on November 15th. I truly enjoy the ups and downs of having my own business. It's definitely not easy, as you have slow days and days you may want to give up. However, giving up is not an option for me because that would be giving up on my passion for entrepreneurship and my vision. I firmly believe my business will be a big success as long as I continue to work hard! Overall, my experience with mental health has shaped me to be who I am today. It was the depression and lows that make me value the happiness and peace I strive for daily. It pushes me to want to help others who battle with mental health. It drives my passion for entrepreneurship and building a brand around my story. It has helped me build life long healthy relationships. My experience with mental health is and will always be a work in progress, but will always push me to spread awareness and light to others!

In 10th grade, I suffered severe depression and I fell off academically and emotionally. This was a low for me and, unfortunately, I attempted suicide. I was once ashamed to share this story, but I now know this is apart of my story and testimony. This is an everyday reminder for me that it was not my time to go because I have a greater purpose to fulfill. I am beyond grateful to be here today and I want to continue to share this story to help others that may be going through the same thing. This experienced opened my eyes to the effects of mental health going unchecked. While I was in my own bubble of depression, I had not even realized how many people around me face the same challenges of battling anxiety, depression, and life. I saw that everyone especially in my age group is learning about life and how to face it. Acknowledging that we are not alone in our struggles pushes me to be more aware of my emotions and others as well. Knowing when and how to cope with things that bother us internally was my first step to healing myself and others. Everybody has their individuality, tolerance, and breaking points. This means everyone handles things differently, feel differently, and react differently. A lot of our reactions are products of what we've been through. Understanding this has helped me form better relationships with people, become more empathetic, set personal boundaries, and completely take control of my mental health. I've become a lot more conscious of others because of this experience and I'm extremely thankful for that. I reach out to those I love and care for a lot more. I'm polite to all, despite what they look like, where they work, or who they are. I see everyone as equals and treat everyone as equals. I've also learned that healing is a constant process. I always have to be aware of my own internal feelings as well. I had to learn to love myself first, as I always tried to find the love I knew I deserved from others, but almost always was left disappointed. I stopped searching for love through others and started searching within. Once I did this, I attracted the love I always yearned for and people found love from me. I've found and embraced talents within myself that I was so scared of being judged for. I've stopped judging myself in the mirror and just admiring what I have. I started journaling my thoughts, writing out creations, planning out my future. Countless things that keep me away from the darkness that almost consumed me in 10th grade. Since I started loving myself, I began to find my purpose. My purpose is to be my own boss, fight for human rights, and educate others on doing the same. The following summer after my suicide attempt, I created my own business called Flier Attire. I was driven to start this business after I took a business class over the summer with the City of Atlanta. I thought about the amount of family and friends that I had in both Atlanta and my parent's hometown in North Carolina. Considering that as a factor and the amount of money I could make on my own in the future, I came up with Flier Attire. While I tried to enjoy my past jobs, I was not happy with a 9-5, so I saved and took a risk. My goal with Flier Attire is to provide affordable fashions to local Atlanta customers and surrounding states. This summer of 2020, I built a website and released it as well. I also developed and dropped a fall collection line on November 15th. I truly enjoy the ups and downs of having my own business. It's definitely not easy, as you have slow days and days you may want to give up. However, giving up is not an option for me because that would be giving up on my passion for entrepreneurship and my vision. I firmly believe my business will be a big success as long as I continue to work hard! Overall, my experience with mental health has shaped me to be who I am today. It was the depression and lows that make me value the happiness and peace I strive for daily. It pushes me to want to help others who battle with mental health. It drives my passion for entrepreneurship and building a brand around my story. It has helped me build life long healthy relationships. My experience with mental health is and will always be a work in progress, but will always push me to spread awareness and light to others!

At the age of 15, I decided to start a clothing Business called Flier Attire. I was driven to start this business after I took a business class over the summer with the City of Atlanta. I thought about the amount of family and friends that I had in both Atlanta and my parent's hometown in North Carolina. Considering that as a factor and the amount of money I could make investing in my own in the future, I came up with Flier Attire. While I enjoyed my past jobs, I know my potential is more than a 9-5, so I saved and took a risk. My goal with Flier Attire is to provide affordable fashions to local Atlanta customers and surrounding states. My business usually thrives the most during the summer, when I sell clothing sets, tops, and swimsuits. This summer, I built a website and released it as well. This fall, I developed a fall collection line that will have a soft launch on November 1st and an official launch on November 15. I truly enjoy the ups and downs of having my own business. It's definitely not easy, as you have slow days and days you may want to give up. However, giving up is not an option for me because that would be giving up on my passion for entrepreneurship and my vision. I firmly believe my business will be a big success as long as I continue to work hard! I am interested in studying business because I can further develop my business skills and be prepared to take my current business and any future business endeavors I may come upon to its pinnacle. I am also aware there is more to business than profit. I know it is important to be well versed in networking, marketing strategies, planning, and many more elements of a business. I would be extremely pleased and honored to receive this grant. It will help fund my college tuition and dreams of becoming a successful entrepreneur.

As a young child, I was introduced to the most persevering business owners I know. My grandfather, Ernest Vines, and grandmother, Roena Vines. My granddad was a farmer in the rural town of Conetoe, North Carolina until he lost a large portion of our family land in a racial land dispute in the 1970s. After that, my grandfather ditched farming and decided to go into the automobile industry, and fixing cars became clockwork for him. When he met my grandmother, a great hairstylist, they decided they no longer wanted to work for the racist factory they met at. After they married, they opened for business, Vines Beauty Salon and Used Car Garage in the small yet historically black Princeville, North Carolina. To this day, my grandfather at the age of 74 will not allow his grandchildren to leave for the road without an oil change if we need it. Unfortunately, my grandmother, who is 82 (what an age difference!) suffers from Alzheimer's. However, her talents must have been passed to my sister who is a phenomenal 13-year-old hairstylist. Needless to say, my grandparents were my first and still are my role models for entrepreneurship and overcoming the hardships of racism. Entrepreneurship is a major goal of mine as I want to establish generational wealth and stability for my future self and family. I started my own clothing business in 10th grade called Flier Attire. I was driven to start this business after I took a business class over the summer with the City of Atlanta. I thought about the amount of family and friends that I had in both Atlanta and my parent's hometown in North Carolina. Considering that as a factor and the amount of money I could make on my own in the future, I came up with Flier Attire. While I enjoyed my jobs, I know my potential is more than a 9-5, so I saved and took a risk. My goal with Flier Attire is to provide affordable fashions to local Atlanta customers and surrounding states. My business usually thrives the most during the summer, when I sell clothing sets, tops, and swimsuits. This summer, I built a website and released it as well. I dropped a fall collection line on November 15th. I truly enjoy the ups and downs of having my own business. It's definitely not easy, as you have slow days and days you may want to give up. However, giving up is not an option for me because that would be giving up on my passion for entrepreneurship and my vision. I firmly believe my business will be a big success as long as I continue to work hard! I simply just want to make a difference for my people by showing them hard work, perseverance, and standing for a cause will always outweigh the unjust circumstances we face. I dream to one day have my clothing worn and sold worldwide. I would be extremely pleased and honored to be able to receive this scholarship. This scholarship can help fund my college education so I can grow my talents and apply them to the real world. Thank you for considering my application!

As a young child, I was introduced to the most persevering business owners I know. My grandfather, Ernest Vines, and grandmother, Roena Vines. My granddad was a farmer in the rural town of Conetoe, North Carolina until he lost a large portion of our family land in a racial land dispute in the 1970s. After that, my grandfather ditched farming and decided to go into the automobile industry, and fixing cars became clockwork for him since. When he met my grandmother, a great hairstylist, they decided they no longer wanted to work for the racist factory they met at. After they married, they opened for business, Vines Beauty Salon and Used Car Garage in the small yet historically black Princeville, North Carolina. To this day, my grandfather at the age of 74 will not allow his grandchildren to leave for the road without an oil change if we need it. Unfortunately, my grandmother, who is 82 (what an age difference!) suffers from Alzheimer's. However, her talents must have been passed to my sister who is a phenomenal 13-year-old hairstylist. Needless to say, my grandparents were my first and still are my role models for entrepreneurship and overcoming the hardships of racism. Entrepreneurship is a major goal of mine as I want to establish generational wealth and stability for my future self and family. I started my own clothing business in 10th grade called Flier Attire. I was driven to start this business after I took a business class over the summer with the City of Atlanta. I thought about the amount of family and friends that I had in both Atlanta and my parent's hometown in North Carolina. Considering that as a factor and the amount of money I could make on my own in the future, I came up with Flier Attire. While I enjoyed my jobs, I know my potential is more than a 9-5, so I saved and took a risk. My goal with Flier Attire is to provide affordable fashions to local Atlanta customers and surrounding states. My business usually thrives the most during the summer, when I sell clothing sets, tops, and swimsuits. This summer, I built a website and released it as well. I dropped a fall collection line on November 15th. I truly enjoy the ups and downs of having my own business. It's definitely not easy, as you have slow days and days you may want to give up. However, giving up is not an option for me because that would be giving up on my passion for entrepreneurship and my vision. I firmly believe my business will be a big success as long as I continue to work hard! I've also always had a passion for being a leader. My passion sparked for me when I hosted my 5th-grade graduation. It took a lot of courage to stand in front of my classmates and their families and lead, but my nervousness became a drive for me to speak with confidence. Since then, I've gained nothing but excitement from speaking and performing. The knowledge of my family's hardships from racism and my love for public speaking and leading drives me to want to go into political science as well. I simply just want to make a difference for my people by showing them hard work, perseverance, and standing for a cause will always outweigh the unjust circumstances we face. I dream to one day be a great world leader for peace and love for all, especially among black people, as our communities hurt right now. I would be extremely pleased and honored to be able to receive this scholarship. This scholarship can help fund my college education so I can grow my talents and apply them to the real world. Thank you for considering my application!

As a young child, I was introduced to the most diligent business owners I know. My grandfather, Ernest Vines, and grandmother, Roena Vines. My granddad was a farmer in the rural town of Conetoe, North Carolina until he lost a large portion of our family land in a racial land dispute in the 1970s. After that, my grandfather ditched farming and decided to go into the automobile industry, and fixing cars became clockwork for him since. When he met my grandmother, a great hairstylist, they decided they no longer wanted to work for the racist factory they met at. After they married, they opened for business, Vines Beauty Salon and Used Car Garage in the small yet historically black Princeville, North Carolina. To this day, my grandfather at the age of 74 will not allow his grandchildren to leave for the road without an oil change if we need it. Unfortunately, my grandmother, who is 82 (what an age difference!) suffers from Alzheimer's. However, her talents must have been passed to my sister who is a phenomenal 13-year-old hairstylist. Needless to say, my grandparents were my first and still are my role models for entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship is a major goal of mine as I want to establish generational wealth and stability for my future self and family. I started my own clothing business in 10th grade called Flier Attire. I was driven to start this business after I took a business class over the summer with the City of Atlanta. I thought about the amount of family and friends that I had in both Atlanta and my parent's hometown in North Carolina. Considering that as a factor and the amount of money I could make on my own in the future, I came up with Flier Attire. While I enjoyed my jobs, I know my potential is more than a 9-5, so I saved and took a risk. My goal with Flier Attire is to provide affordable fashions to local Atlanta customers and surrounding states. My business usually thrives the most during the summer, when I sell clothing sets, tops, and swimsuits. This summer, I built a website and released it as well. I dropped a fall collection line on November 15th. I truly enjoy the ups and downs of having my own business. It's definitely not easy, as you have slow days and days you may want to give up. However, giving up is not an option for me because that would be giving up on my passion for entrepreneurship and my vision. I firmly believe my business will be a big success as long as I continue to work hard! I've also always had a passion for being a leader. My passion sparked for me when I hosted my 5th-grade graduation. It took a lot of courage to stand in front of my classmates and their families and lead, but my nervousness became a drive for me to speak with confidence. Since then, I've gained nothing but excitement from speaking and performing. The knowledge of my family's hardships from racism and my love for public speaking and leading drives me to want to go into political science as well. I simply just want to make a difference for my people by showing them hard work, perseverance, and standing for a cause will always outweigh the unjust circumstances we face. I would be extremely pleased and honored to be able to receive this scholarship. This scholarship can help fund my college education so I can grow my talents and apply them to the real world. Thank you for considering my application!