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Sanaah Smith

1x

Finalist

Bio

I am a rising junior at Clark Atlanta University pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. My long-term goal is to become an Integrated Brand Marketing Manager and eventually advance into a leadership role where I can develop meaningful campaigns, shape brand identities, and create experiences that help people feel seen, understood, and connected. I am most passionate about creativity, entrepreneurship, personal growth, and using marketing to transform ideas into meaningful experiences. As the founder of The Radiant Jar, a luxury dessert-jar business, and The Radiant Network, a digital lifestyle and productivity brand, I have gained hands-on experience in branding, content creation, product development, social media marketing, customer engagement, and business management. I am also a collegiate cheerleader, a three-time Dean’s List honoree, and a student with a 3.41 GPA. Balancing academics, athletics, entrepreneurship, leadership, and professional development has strengthened my discipline, adaptability, time management, and determination. I am a strong scholarship candidate because I actively pursue opportunities to grow academically, professionally, and personally. I am not only preparing for a future career in marketing; I am already building the skills and experiences needed to succeed. My goal is to use my education and future career to create positive change, support my community, inspire other young women to pursue their goals, and create opportunities that extend beyond my own success.

Education

Clark Atlanta University

Bachelor's degree program
2024 - 2028
  • Majors:
    • Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other
  • Minors:
    • Marketing
  • GPA:
    3.4

Henry County High School

High School
2020 - 2024
  • GPA:
    3.8

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Bachelor's degree program

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

    • Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Marketing and Advertising

    • Dream career goals:

      Integrated Brand Marketing Manager

    • Customer Service/Cashier

      Publix
      2022 – Present4 years

    Sports

    Cheerleading

    Club
    2014 – Present12 years

    Public services

    • Volunteering

      Academy for Advanced Studies — Market,Manage
      2022 – 2024

    Future Interests

    Advocacy

    Volunteering

    Philanthropy

    Entrepreneurship

    ESOF Academic Scholarship
    It is my desire to pursue a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration, with concentration in Marketing at Clark Atlanta University and to complete in May 2028. As one who has made it to the Dean’s list three times consecutively, with a cumulative GPA of 3.41, it is my intention to continue to perform well academically and acquire knowledge in areas that are beyond the four walls of the class. The purpose of my education is far much more than completing college. In the coming years of my college career, I hope to further develop my knowledge about marketing, consumer behavior, business management, statistics, brand strategy, and ethical decision making. In addition to this, I would like to go on working for additional professional marketing certifications, creating a portfolio of creative marketing and branding campaigns, completing internships, and networking within the organizations that contribute to my academic and professional development. All of this would enable me to apply the theories that I am learning in class in practical situations and prepare me for a career in marketing. My career goal is to work as an Integrated Brand Marketing Manager. In my ideal job scenario, I would be working towards designing creative campaigns, developing brand identity, coordinating partnerships, and ensuring the development of real connections between companies and the community in which they operate. The specific areas I have interest in are brand strategy, social media marketing, content creation, consumer interaction, experiential marketing, and storytelling. Ultimately, my dream is to work in a leadership position, such as a director, where I would have the opportunity to mentor new employees and ensure diversity in the creative process. My interest in marketing has everything to do with my love of creativity and entrepreneurial endeavors. As the creator of The Radiant Jar, a high-end luxury dessert-jar company, I have been able to get real-world experience with branding, product development, pricing, customer interactions, social media marketing, promotion designs, and business operations. Additionally, I have co-created The Radiant Network, a digital brand about lifestyle and productivity aimed at driven women juggling many priorities at once. From all of this experience, I've learned that creating a brand is not just about coming up with an amazing product. It is about listening to people, knowing what they want, having meaningful communication, being adaptable, and giving people the sense that they matter. The basis of my dedication to serving the public and my community lies in the fact that I believe success must bring more than just opportunities for myself; it should bring hope for others as well. Being a collegiate cheerleader at Clark Atlanta University, I am an ambassador for my university. Through cheerleading, I have learned that leadership does not necessarily entail a position of power. Rather, it may involve such qualities as being consistent, responsible, encouraging, working together, and giving back. I am also engaged with Cheer Phi Rah!, a leadership- and motivation-centered organization and community built on the foundation of cheer. This has helped me gain greater appreciation for the role of helping other individuals and providing them with the kind of environment that makes them feel encouraged and included. Moving forward, as I get further involved in the college, I hope to engage myself with other service projects and organizations as well. Looking towards the future, I would like to apply the knowledge gained from my educational background and marketing abilities to help out with causes or organizations that benefit underrepresented populations. Marketing has the ability to create more awareness, link individuals with needed services, inspire community involvement, and highlight stories that might otherwise go untold. It is my goal to put my skills in areas such as branding, social media, content creation, and communications to work for community organizations and small businesses. The field in which I am especially interested is promoting young women’s interest in education, entrepreneurship, leadership, and business careers, including those in marketing and creative areas. As I acquire more information and experience, I would like to advise students, share with them educational and career opportunities, and help people find ways to achieve their aspirations. I would also like to work with women-owned and minority-owned businesses and assist them in gaining recognition among a wider audience. Goals relating to education, profession and service are all united under a common aim – making creative, communicative and leading contribution that will provide others with meaningful chances. While I want to have a successful career, I want to make sure that my efforts bring benefits not only to me personally but also to my community, making others see the possibilities that exist in their life. Through my continuous efforts towards academic success, professional growth, entrepreneurship, volunteering and leadership on campus, I strive to be an effective leader who makes both successful brands and positive changes.
    Rosa A. Wilson Scholarship
    As a Business Administration student majoring in Marketing from Clark Atlanta University, I see myself utilizing my education in such a way that I could make openings, speak on behalf of those who have been underrepresented, and design campaigns that promote the wellbeing and empowerment of BIPOC women. While marketing is commonly thought of as the practice of selling merchandise, I strongly believe that marketing is not only that; it is also a strong avenue for representation, learning, and bringing about change within a community. Being a Black female in a historically Black college, I know how vital it is to be in an environment full of individuals who inspire me to work hard, lead and be myself. Furthermore, I have experienced the impact that structural inequalities may have on the ways that BIPOC females may progress in their careers, such as lack of educational opportunities, career chances, mentoring, funding, representation and other. I would like to become an Integrated Brand Marketing Manager and later move up in my career and become a leader who makes sure that diversity is considered from the very beginning of the campaign development. Through education, I am gaining knowledge in marketing, consumer behavior, management, economics, statistics, and business ethics. My goal is to employ this knowledge in understanding the needs of various communities and designing programs based on the experiences of these communities, not based on any assumptions made by me. I want to advocate for campaigns that help in educating BIPOC women about education, money management, business ownership, career growth, mental health, etc. Already, entrepreneurship has allowed me to experience how these values can be embodied. As an entrepreneur for The Radiant Jar – a luxury desserts brand – and The Radiant Network – a digital productivity and lifestyle brand – I have experienced firsthand how creativity can foster connections and cultivate confidence. Using The Radiant Network platform, I plan to create content that inspires women to set goals, grow personally, and understand that they don’t need to choose just one dream and identity to pursue. As I scale my businesses, I am eager to work alongside other BIPOC women entrepreneurs, feature their work, offer valuable resources, and create safe spaces. Community involvement through mentoring, campus organizations, and community services will also be a significant part of my future goals. I would like to support younger women in pursuing their careers in fields such as marketing, entrepreneurship, media, and business, all the time spreading what I will learn during my personal journey. Being an advocate is, for me, listening to the voice of the community, raising your voice when there is a lack of representation, and fighting negative stereotypes. In the end, I do not only wish for success for myself alone. Rather, I wish to employ marketing as a conduit by which individuals, resources, organizations, and opportunities can be connected to one another. With integrity, empathy, creativity, and purpose as my guiding principles, I will advocate for authentic representation and support for BIPOC women-owned businesses so that, in the future, BIPOC women will be heard and respected.
    William R. Godfrey Scholarship
    One excellent place to start is by giving support to nearby companies. By providing advice and coaching, assist local business owners in creating strong business plans, simplifying their processes, and enhancing their money management. Putting together seminars on customer service, financial planning, and marketing techniques can help provide entrepreneurs the tools they need to be successful. Encouraging sustainability is an additional crucial area. Reducing waste and increasing energy efficiency are two examples of green business practices that can have a big positive impact on the environment. Starting neighborhood initiatives like recycling and gardening can encourage environmental responsibility and a sense of community. Volunteer initiatives and leadership programs are two ways to improve community engagement. While volunteer programs help people develop their problem-solving, communication, and teamwork skills, they also empower individuals. Businesses that participate in volunteer events, like charity fundraisers or community clean-ups, improve community ties and meet local needs. Economic development is essential to a community's expansion. Developing business-friendly policies in collaboration with the local government can draw in new ventures and capital. Promoting infrastructural improvements, such better utilities and transportation, can draw more businesses and residents to McDonough. People can manage their finances more effectively with the support of educational programs like financial literacy classes. These courses can address important financial themes like investing, saving, and budgeting, which can eventually result in a community with better financial literacy. I may significantly improve the neighborhood by concentrating on these areas and using my knowledge of business administration to promote development, sustainability, and involvement. We can have a significant impact on the creation of regional economic policy in addition to helping small companies in your community. We may assist in creating laws that support entrepreneurship and draw in new companies by working with representatives of the local government and chambers of commerce. This can include grants, tax breaks, and low-interest loans for new businesses, all of which can boost employment and the economy. Another important factor is networking. Building a network of nearby company owners helps encourage a cooperative atmosphere where companies help one another out. Frequent trade exhibitions, business expos, and networking gatherings can give companies a stage on which to present their goods and services, exchange best practices, and establish valuable alliances. You might also concentrate on workforce development. A competent workforce can be ensured by collaborating with nearby educational institutions to design training programs customized to the requirements of nearby firms. This can include programs that give people practical experience and get them ready for the workforce, like apprentices, internships, and vocational training. Initiatives related to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and community outreach can also have a big influence. Businesses can improve their reputation and fortify community relations by being encouraged to participate in CSR activities, such as sponsoring nearby events, making donations to nearby charity, and funding community initiatives. These programs not only help the community but also enhance the reputation of the participating businesses. Putting innovation and technology into practice is another area where your experience might be useful. Assisting regional companies in implementing cutting-edge technologies, like e-commerce platforms, CRM systems, and digital marketing tools, can boost their productivity and competitiveness. Furthermore, encouraging innovation through programs like startup incubators, innovation laboratories, and hackathons can spark original thought and innovative business concepts. Finally, it's critical to promote a culture of ongoing improvement. Sustained development and success can result from encouraging organizations to routinely evaluate their performance, solicit feedback, and make adjustments. Businesses may remain competitive in the market by offering resources and training on quality control, process optimization, and customer happiness.
    Deborah Thomas Scholarship Award
    My career choice in business and marketing will allow me to positively impact the world, and I intend to concentrate on social responsibility, sustainability, and ethical behavior. I hope to make a positive impact on a corporate climate that is more environmentally and socially responsible by incorporating these values into my business decisions. Through my entrepreneurial pursuits, I also hope to assist causes and organizations that advance community development, empowerment, and education. By doing this, I want to have a significant and long-lasting influence on society. Establishing and upholding a positive reputation through ethical business practices is essential. This entails maintaining ethical labor standards, being open and honest about company operations, using responsible sourcing, and honest marketing. Open communication regarding a company's financial situation, operational procedures, and decision-making methods is referred to as transparency. By avoiding exploitative tactics, fair labor practices guarantee that workers receive fair treatment, sufficient compensation, and safe working conditions. Being truthful about goods and services is a key component of honest marketing, which fosters client loyalty. Selecting suppliers who uphold moral principles like fair trade and ecologically friendly methods is known as responsible sourcing. Reducing waste, utilizing renewable energy, providing eco-friendly products, and upholding a sustainable supply chain are all aspects of sustainability in business. Composting, recycling, and the use of recyclable products are ways to reduce waste. Investing in sustainable energy sources, such as wind or solar energy, lowers the carbon footprint of the company. Products labeled as eco-friendly are made with recycled materials or with energy-saving features. A sustainable supply chain guarantees that all stages, from the purchasing of raw materials to the final products, adhere to sustainable methods. Developing social programs, charitable work, and interacting with and supporting local communities are all aspects of social responsibility. Volunteering, giving, and forming alliances with nearby organizations are a few examples of community involvement. A foundation that supports social activities or the donation of a part of profits to charitable organizations are examples of philanthropy. Social programs can help improve the general well-being of the community by addressing concerns like health, education, and job training for those who are less fortunate. The solution to real-world issues and the empowerment of individuals lies in innovation and education. Innovative products and services, including cost-effective healthcare options or renewable energy technologies, can be developed by businesses. Others can learn about business and entrepreneurship through educational programs like seminars or online courses, which will empower them to launch their own businesses. Research and development spending contributes to the ongoing improvement of goods and services, increasing their effectiveness, durability, and accessibility. The goal of mentoring and leadership is to lead by example and provide guidance to others. Leaders ought to set an example for others by acting responsibly and with a dedication to social responsibility. In order to assist others develop and flourish, they can serve as mentors by imparting their wisdom and experience. Businesses may significantly improve society by promoting a culture of moral behavior, sustainability, social responsibility, innovation, and education.