Turning Passion Into Purpose: My Journey as a Black Entrepreneur From a young age, I was fascinated by the power of fashion to transform not only how people look but also how they feel. I grew up watching my mother sew, creating beautiful garments from simple fabrics. Seeing the joy her work brought to others sparked my own passion for creating, which later evolved into my love for crochet. What started as a hobby in the 2020 pandemic quickly became a way to express myself creatively, and before I knew it, I was designing and selling my own handmade crochet pieces. As a Business & Technology of Fashion student at New York City College of Technology, I have always been drawn to fashion, sustainability, and entrepreneurship. My crochet business, Stitch Collective, is rooted in slow fashion, prioritizing quality craftsmanship over mass production. Every item I create, whether a bag, hat, or swimsuit, is made with care, offering customers a unique, handmade alternative to fast fashion. However, my business is about more than just selling products; it’s about empowering others to embrace their individuality and appreciate the artistry behind handmade fashion. When I first started crocheting, I was amazed by how underappreciated and undervalued handmade fashion was in the mainstream industry. In a world dominated by fast fashion, there is little recognition of the time, skill, and dedication that go into handcrafted pieces. I wanted to change that. My goal with Stitch Collective is to create a brand that celebrates craftsmanship, sustainability, and individuality, offering stylish and timeless crochet pieces while educating consumers on the value of slow fashion. I was also inspired by the lack of representation of Black women in the handmade and sustainable fashion space. Many of the major crochet and knitwear brands I came across did not feature Black artists, despite the deep cultural roots we have in textile arts. I wanted to create a brand that reflects my identity, my culture, and my vision for an inclusive fashion industry. I envision Stitch Collective growing into a fully developed sustainable fashion brand that not only sells handcrafted pieces but also provides opportunities for other Black artisans to showcase their work. I want to expand my business by increasing production capabilities and launching a full website and e-commerce store. A goal of mine is to educate consumers about slow fashion through content marketing, social media, and workshops. I also want to offer mentorship programs for young Black creatives interested in crochet, fashion, and entrepreneurship. Lastly, I want to partner with sustainable brands to push forward an industry shift toward ethical and conscious fashion. Winning the Elevate Black Entrepreneurs Scholarship would allow me to greatly improve my business. With additional financial support, I would be able to invest in higher-quality materials, improve my branding, and scale my production. This business isn’t just about me. It’s about creating space for Black crochet designers in an industry that often overlooks us. It’s about building a brand that prioritizes sustainability, ethical production, and individuality. It’s about challenging the norms of fashion and proving that slow, intentional craftsmanship has a place in the modern world. My journey as an entrepreneur is just beginning, but I am committed to making Stitch Collective a brand that inspires, empowers, and creates a lasting impact. With the right support, I know I can take my business to the next level and contribute to a more equitable, diverse, and sustainable fashion industry. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Throughout the pandemic, I've learned how to crochet through YouTube, and it didn't take me long to start making hats, bags, and other accessories. Before the pandemic, I always wanted to learn how to crochet but never had the time or resources to start. However, while I was in lockdown I took a pre-college class on Saturdays focused on knitting, and even though it wasn't crocheting, I kept an open mind. Towards the end of the class, I learned how to knit a shirt for the very first time using fabric strips, which reignited my interest in crocheting. Even though I still didn't have any yarn, I continued to use fabric to further my passion for crocheting. Now that I've made a collection of items, I created an account on social media dedicated to my works and to connect with other people who crochet around the world. In the near future, I look forward to having a successful crochet business, with the skill that I've acquired during the pandemic.

“One, two, three,...” I counted single crochets as I made the bucket hat I promised my aunt back home. For 11 hours in my room, I completed rows and rows until I finished my last one. I ran into my parent's room, smiling with the hat on my head, “Done!” The next week, I showed my aunt and she was delighted. Throughout the pandemic, one thing I learned is how to crochet through YouTube. I always wanted to learn how to crochet but never had the time or resources. During lockdown, I took a knitting class. It wasn't crocheting, but I kept an open mind. At the end of the class, I knitted a shirt using fabric strips for the first time, which reignited my interest in crocheting. After the class ended I still didn't have yarn, so I continued to use fabric to crochet. Currently, I've made many items that I share on my social media account and connect with crocheters worldwide. The pandemic allowed me to expand on my interest and develop the skills to create things for myself and the people I love.

My favourite film from when I was young and continues to be my favourite film today is Matilda. Every time I watch it, I think about the fact that Matilda suffered so much loss (both her parents died) and mistreatment from family relatives with bad intentions at such a young age but she didn't let her family members or the evil principal get to her because she utilized her powers not only to help herself, but to stand up for others. I really like this movie because when I watched it as a child, I didn't know that the plot of the movie would prepare me for my life in the future. There were times when people treated me unfairly, but I had to stand up for myself, and there came times when I had to advocate for others too. Moving forward, I realized why I love watching movies/shows that teach me something, preferable a life lesson, because it started with the film Matilda.

My biggest role model is my older sister. Ever since I was young I always felt moved to be as driven as her, as I used to admire her and the things she did from a distance. Whether it’s her job, her getting her pursuing her university degree, her swimming lessons, her knowing 4+ languages, etc it made me excited to pursue my own interests and passions. From her, I have learned that I have to be confident and self-reliant at times, for people not to take advantage of me or underestimate me. I have learned that I have to speak my mind, even when I feel scared deep down. At times when I feel I’m not good enough or qualified enough, and not as confident in my life pursuits she always encourages me to keep going and says "You're a star! You know that right" She taught me to be proud of myself, and to have no room for self-doubt when I am doing my greatest. I have used what she taught me into learning spanish and in the near future, french, and applying for the appropriate college programs, the Parsons Scholars Program and the Bard Sequence Seminar Program and have successfully got into both that I applied to, for which I am now a participant. In the future, I will use the support and opportunities that I received to encourage someone else and inspire them to keep moving forward and to not give up when it becomes difficult. I would want them to aspire to their goals, just like I did and to dream big because everyone’s life pursuits are different but achievable.