
Hobbies and interests
Basketball
Reading
Exercise And Fitness
Spending Time With Friends and Family
African American Studies
Economics
Reading
Education
Academic
Adult Fiction
Economics
Leadership
Self-Help
I read books daily
Robert Telfort
715
Bold Points1x
Finalist
Robert Telfort
715
Bold Points1x
FinalistBio
My greatest life goal is to be a giver—someone who offers service that’s genuine, meaningful, and relatable to people from all walks of life. I believe true success comes from lifting others, and that’s the foundation of how I lead and live.
I am deeply passionate about my family and about being a role model who leads with accountability and integrity. Even when I feel I’m right, I believe in taking responsibility—because real leadership means owning your actions and learning from every experience.
Professionally, I serve as an Operations Manager at the Georgia International Convention Center. This role has given me firsthand experience in managing large-scale events, building client relationships, and handling the fast-paced demands of the hospitality and events industry. It’s also reinforced my desire to keep growing—personally and professionally—through education.
What makes me a strong candidate is not just the experience I bring, but the passion I have for delivering exceptional service. I take pride in creating experiences so memorable that people want to return or recommend them to others. That level of impact is what drives me.
I’m pursuing further education not only to deepen my knowledge, but to better serve others and expand the ways I can contribute to my community and industry. I see this scholarship as a step toward that goal.
Education
Atlanta Technical College
Associate's degree programMajors:
- Hospitality Administration/Management
Minors:
- Business Administration, Management and Operations
Miscellaneous
Desired degree level:
High School
Graduate schools of interest:
Transfer schools of interest:
Majors of interest:
- Hospitality Administration/Management
Career
Dream career field:
Hospitality
Dream career goals:
Executive Director
Operations Manager
Georgia International Convention Center2021 – Present4 years
Sports
Basketball
Intramural1995 – Present30 years
Research
Hospitality Administration/Management
Operations Manager2021 – Present
Public services
Public Service (Politics)
Georgia International Convention Center — Operations Manager2021 – Present
Future Interests
Advocacy
Politics
Volunteering
Philanthropy
Entrepreneurship
Sylvester Taylor "Invictus" Hospitality Scholarship
That’s a powerful question—and one that speaks directly to why I’ve chosen to build my life and career in hospitality. I believe hospitality is one of the most impactful industries because it revolves around people—serving them, connecting with them, and making them feel seen, safe, and valued. My vision is to use my passion to create experiences that build trust, promote safety, and inspire accountability—not just in service, but in life.
Currently, I serve as an Operations Manager at the Georgia International Convention Center. In this role, I manage large-scale events, coordinate logistics, and lead teams with a focus on high-quality service. I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with clients, guests, vendors, and staff from diverse backgrounds. My position requires adaptability, problem-solving, and strong leadership—and while I’m proud of how far I’ve come, I’ve reached this point without a college degree. That alone speaks to my dedication, but it also fuels my desire to go further.
My experience has taught me that hospitality is more than customer service—it’s leadership through action. I believe accountability builds integrity, and integrity builds trust. When people trust you, they feel safe. That level of trust allows for authentic experiences that stay with people long after the moment is over. My goal is to be the kind of leader who consistently delivers that impact and inspires others to lead the same way.
Pursuing higher education will not only deepen my understanding of the business side of hospitality, but it will also help me build a long, sustainable career. I want to stay in this industry for the long term, and I know that formal education will equip me with the tools, credentials, and broader perspective I need to grow into higher leadership roles, mentor others, and continue evolving with the field. The hospitality industry is always changing, and I want to be in a position to grow with it—not just keep up, but lead with innovation, empathy, and purpose.
This scholarship would help me continue doing what I love—serving others—but on a greater scale and with a greater impact, for years to come.