Growing up as a first-generation Nigerian American, my education has always been paramount. It was what gave my life direction when everything around me felt uncertain. Growing up, I saw firsthand how quickly stability can disappear. With Nigeria facing a financial crisis and the value of the Naira dropping significantly, my family’s savings lost nearly all of its worth. Overnight, we became desperate, and financial resources became scarce. When I began my journey at Indiana University, I knew I would have to take responsibility for my situation. Even after taking on over $53,000 in student loans, the financial pressure remained. Instead of letting that stop me, I created a solution. In November 2022, I founded EightAPlate, a small food business that I ran out of my dorm kitchen. Every week, I worked long hours, sometimes 12 to 16 hour shifts, cooking meals to sell to other students. It was exhausting, but it gave me a sense of control. Education gave me the environment to build something, and that experience began shaping my goals toward entrepreneurship and impact. At the same time, my environment also exposed me to a different kind of reality. Near the grocery store I visited each week was Seminary Park, where many individuals experiencing homelessness stay. Walking past the park with bags full of food while others struggled to eat made me reflect on everything I had seen growing up. I had witnessed financial hardship before, but now I was seeing poverty and homelessness up close in my own community. That experience shifted my sense of direction. I realized I did not just want to succeed for myself, I wanted to use what I was learning to help others. That realization led to the creation of Feeding Bloom in February 2023. Using free tools and social media, I organized a small fundraising campaign to cook and distribute meals to individuals at Seminary Park. I didn’t have much money, but I had the skills and knowledge I was gaining through my education. The first event served over 30 meals, and what stood out most to me was not the number of meals, but the conversations. One woman shared that she had been struggling to find work and that the meal we provided made her day better. That moment gave me clarity. It showed me how powerful small, intentional actions can be. Since then, Feeding Bloom has grown into a larger initiative. Through multiple events, we have raised thousands of dollars, served hundreds of meals, and involved dozens of student volunteers. What started as a simple idea has become something that brings people together and addresses a real need in the community. More importantly, it has shown me how I can use my education beyond the classroom. My studies in Human Resource Management have given me the tools to lead teams, organize large-scale efforts, and think about sustainability. I now approach Feeding Bloom as a long-term solution that can continue to serve communities over time. My goal is to expand it into a nonprofit organization that provides consistent support, while also creating opportunities for others to get involved in community service. Balancing all of this has not been easy. I currently work over 30 hours a week while maintaining my coursework and managing Feeding Bloom. There have been times where I have felt stretched thin, trying to meet financial needs while still investing in my education and my goals. However, these challenges have strengthened my discipline and commitment. They have also reinforced why education matters so much to me. It's not just about knowledge, it is about opportunity and the ability to create change. Looking forward, I plan to use my education to expand Feeding Bloom beyond Bloomington and into other communities that face similar challenges. I want to create systems that not only provide food, but also restore dignity and build connection. I also hope to inspire other students to take initiative in their own communities, showing that impact is possible even without significant resources. The challenges I have faced, from financial instability to balancing multiple responsibilities, have shaped the way I view education. It is not something I take for granted. It is the foundation for everything I hope to accomplish. It has given me direction, purpose, and the ability to turn difficult experiences into meaningful action. This scholarship would allow me to continue focusing on my education while expanding the work I have already started. More importantly, it would support my goal of using what I learn to create a better future, not just for myself, but for the communities I care about. Thank you so much, and I truly hope you decide to invest in me! Additional Information FeedingBloom/EightAPlate Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/eightaplate/). FeedingBloom GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/f/feed-the-homeless-at-seminary-park?utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer

In the photo I submitted, I’m not the one scoring. I’m in the air, reaching across the rim, blocking a shot into the stands. It’s the final game of the Indiana University Intramural Basketball Championship at Assembly Hall. In that moment, I’m doing something unexpected. The player taking the floater didn’t think I could get that high, but I did. I want my journey to mirror that moment, rising into spaces people didn’t expect me to reach based on where I started from. My name is Toluwalope Semowo, and I’m a first generation Nigerian American. My path into sports hasn’t been traditional. I had to leave Nigeria and adjust to a completely different environment without the same support systems, resources, or exposure that many athletes rely on. Basketball in Nigeria doesn’t offer the same visibility or structure, which makes it much harder to get recruited or earn scholarships. Because of that, nothing about my journey has been handed to me. I’ve worked throughout college to pay my tuition on my own, balancing school, leadership roles, and jobs, all while refusing to let go of my dream of playing professional basketball. There have been moments where it would’ve been easier to give up, to treat basketball as just something I used to care about, but I never allowed that to become my reality. Instead, I found ways to stay in the game. I’ve competed in intramural leagues, played in local competitions, and constantly looked for opportunities to improve and connect with others in the basketball space. Every game, every run, every moment on the court has been intentional. I’m not just playing for fun, I’m building toward something bigger. My goal is to play professional basketball, but my purpose goes beyond that. I want to use my platform to change access to the sport for others who come from backgrounds like mine. There are countless talented athletes across Africa who will never be seen, not because they lack ability, but because they lack opportunity. I want to go back and help create systems, exposure, and pathways that allow those players to chase their dreams in ways that weren’t available to me. Sports changed the way I see myself. It gave me a space where effort, discipline, and belief could outweigh circumstance. I want to create that same opportunity for others. I started from a place where the path wasn’t clear, resources were limited, and expectations were low. But like that moment in the championship game, I’ve learned that limits are often assumptions. And I’m committed to continuing to rise beyond them. This scholarship would allow me to reduce my work hours and invest more time into developing my game, training, and pursuing opportunities that move me closer to the professional level. More importantly, it would be an investment in a bigger vision, one where success isn’t just measured by what I achieve, but by how many others I can bring with me.

I give back by cooking warm, homemade meals for those who need them most because I believe everyone deserves the dignity of eating food prepared with love and care. My name is Toluwalope Semowo, and this is the story of how I founded the FeedingBloom Philanthropic Initiative. To pursue further education and improve life for my family, I left Nigeria in Summer 2022 and moved to the United States. As I began my new life, I knew that studying at Indiana University was a privilege that many brilliant, hardworking students back home only dreamed of. Rather than pride, I felt like I had taken something that was not fully mine. Why was I the one who got to cross an ocean for education while others with equal potential stayed behind? For a long time, that guilt felt heavy. Eventually, I began to question it. What good would being consumed by guilt accomplish? Who benefitted from my internal suffering? I realized that privilege is not something to feel ashamed of, it is something to channel into action. So I founded FeedingBloom and committed myself to cooking for those in need. I focused on food insecurity because of my childhood in Nigeria. In my community, poverty was widespread, yet generosity was constant. No matter how little we had, we shared with one another. If one household cooked, neighbors gathered to eat alongside them.. Meals were how we showed love, restored dignity, and strengthened our communities. When I saw people sitting on cold sidewalks holding signs that read “Hungry” while crowds walked past them, I responded the only way I knew how, through food. Nobody should have to face hunger alone. I gathered volunteers, crowdfunded donations, and raised awareness through social media. What started as a simple idea turned into a coordinated effort rooted in dignity and care. My team and I cooked fresh, home-style meals and ate them alongside the unhoused members of the community at Seminary Park. We tore through BBQ ribs while listening to their life stories and joking about who’s sports teams were better. Across seven events in three years, FeedingBloom has raised over $8,000 to serve more than 500 unhoused individuals and distribute hundreds of care packages filled with clothes, hand warmers, and handwritten letters of love. With each semester, FeedingBloom has grown beyond what I imagined. What began with a few friends cooking in a small kitchen has become something the wider campus supports. Professors mention it in class, students bring their friends, and more people step up each time asking how they can help. FeedingBloom is no longer just something I created, it is something our community carries together. Looking ahead, I want my impact to extend far beyond individual events. After graduation, I plan to establish FeedingBloom as a 509(a)(2) public charity and provide food to those in need on a consistent basis. I am also developing FeedingIndy to serve underserved communities in Indianapolis using the same dignity-centered model. At Indiana University, I am working with professors and student organizations to institutionalize FeedingBloom as an annual campus tradition so it continues long after I graduate. I want future students to do more than volunteer once. I want them to fall in love with volunteerism the same way I did. I want them to see service not as charity, but as community. I plan to positively impact the world by creating a culture where students consistently use their education and privilege to uplift others, one meal at a time! Additional-Information FeedingBloom/EightAPlate Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/eightaplate/). FeedingBloom-GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/f/feed-the-homeless-at-seminary-park?utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer

I grew up in Lagos, Nigeria, surrounded by poverty. After decades of government corruption and an inflation crisis, hardship was a daily part of life in Nigeria. I learnt firsthand how essential community is for survival. I watched families stretch limited resources, neighbors support each other, and people find dignity even when they possessed so little. I understood the bitter pain of hunger. But I also saw firsthand the beauty of collaboration. That upbringing shaped me, and it is the reason I founded FeedingBloom, my nonprofit to provide food, clothing and care packages to unhoused people in my community. When I came to the United States to study Business, I moved into Bloomington Indiana, which has a massive homeless population. Every day, I watched people step over unhoused individuals without a glance, avoid eye contact, and treat visible hunger as an inconvenience. The suffering was immediate and undeniable, yet ignored. As a Nigerian student at a predominantly white institution, I already felt invisible in many spaces, but this lack of empathy shook me deeply. It forced me to confront how easily people forget those who are struggling when they aren’t personally affected. At the same time, I was struggling myself. My family’s finances had been ravaged by Nigeria’s economic instability, leaving me with absolutely no financial support. I worked multiple jobs, relied on loans, constantly terrified that one unexpected expense would end my college career. But instead of turning inward, I felt an overwhelming responsibility to act. I thought about the people who didn’t have beds to lay in and worry. The people who were ignored and shunned every day. I couldn’t ignore their suffering, because I had lived it. FeedingBloom began quietly, with a few home-cooked meals prepared with love. I didn’t want the food to be just about survival or hunger. I wanted people experiencing homelessness to feel the loving comfort of a warm meal. I wanted them to laugh, eat, and enjoy something made specifically for them. Even if only for a few minutes, I wanted them to feel like people again. What started as a small act of service grew into something far greater than I imagined. Through FeedingBloom, I have raised over $8,000, provided hundreds of fresh meals, and distributed care packages filled with women’s sanitary products and clothing. Each event reminds me that food is more than nourishment, it is warmth, dignity, and human connection. My identity as a Nigerian American student who experienced poverty is inseparable from FeedingBloom’s mission. I know what it feels like to be overlooked, struggling quietly, and fighting for stability. That’s why I have decided to formally establish Feeding Bloom as a nonprofit. I will expand our events beyond my college community into Indianapolis, reaching even more individuals who are often ignored and forgotten. However, my ability to continue my college education is at risk. My brother was recently laid off, leaving me without a cosigner for student loans. Without support, I may be forced to pause not only my education, but stop Feeding Bloom entirely. I am applying for this scholarship in hopes that you see my journey and believe in the future of FeedingBloom. Receiving this support would allow me to stay enrolled, continue learning the business skills necessary to sustain my nonprofit, and keep serving the communities that shaped me. My Nigerian heritage made me deeply sensitive to the suffering around me, and through FeedingBloom, I hope to show that even with limited resources, communities can come together and change lives. Thank you! Links to the most recent FeedingBloom Event, and Fundraising Page : https://www.instagram.com/p/DSLi4cvETQM/?img_index=1 https://gofund.me/e52771fe5

Most businesses start with inspiration. Mine started with desperation. As a freshman, without capital or a blueprint, I decided to become an entrepreneur. I received no financial support from my family, and had to find my own means of paying my tuition. That means was EightAPlate. I started small with EightAPlate, a meal preparation business operated out of my dorm kitchen. I’d always had a passion for cooking, but passion doesn’t lead to sales. I went door-to-door, advertising my meals to every person on my floor, promising that one taste of my Mac & Cheese Stuffed Buffalo Wings would have them hooked. Then, I expanded to social media, and even got some of my professors to buy a meal! Over time, it grew into a reliable source of income that allowed me to pay my tuition independently. What began as a survival strategy became my first lesson in entrepreneurship. A small idea, when nurtured with discipline and vision, can grow into something life changing. But I soon realized that sustaining myself was not enough. While building EightAPlate, I became increasingly aware of the unhoused population in Bloomington. Driving back from the grocery store, I saw people in horrible conditions, ignored by everyone around them. All they needed were some people who would view them as people. That realization led me to create FeedingBloom, a community initiative focused on providing meals to people experiencing homelessness. Our first event was modest, just a handful of volunteers and home-cooked meals. Still, the impact was immediate. Seeing people smile, sit down, and enjoy our warm meals is one of my favorite memories from college. But again, that was not enough. Food alone could never meet the full scope of need. FeedingBloom expanded intentionally and thoughtfully. We added clothing drives, hygiene and care packages, women’s sanitary products, and handwritten notes placed in every bag to remind each recipient that they are valued and seen. Each event was designed to be better than the last, and over 3 years my team and I built something beautiful. Through planning, fundraising and volunteer coordination, we could impact every aspect of someone’s life with a FeedingBloom event. In under 3 years, FeedingBloom has raised nearly $10,000 and supported hundreds of individuals in Bloomington through meals, clothing, and essential resources. But, that’s still not nearly enough. My dreams for FeedingBloom go far past my college town. Next year, I will formally register FeedingBloom as a nonprofit, and expand operations to Indianapolis, creating sustainable spaces where people can eat, gather, and be treated with dignity. After, I plan to scale this model nationwide, proving compassion to people who are too often overlooked, and underserved. However, at this critical moment, my academic journey is in danger. I cannot afford tuition for my final semester, and private loans are no longer an option after my brother lost his job, leaving me without a cosigner. Without support, I will not be able to graduate this spring, and pursue my dreams with FeedingBloom The Start Small, Dream Big Scholarship represents everything I stand for. I have lived its values every step of my journey by turning my difficult beginnings into growing impact. This scholarship would not only allow me to complete my education, it would protect the future of FeedingBloom. It would give me the stability to create this nonprofit, and prove that everyone can make positive change, regardless of how little they start with. Thank you for believing in entrepreneurs like me who start small, and never stop chasing their big dreams! I hope to hear from you soon!

Filled with obstacles, my college journey has always been a struggle. I’ve worked tirelessly to fund my tuition and remain in school. Despite those obstacles, I created FeedingBloom, a nonprofit that cooks meals and provides clothing for local homeless individuals in Bloomington, Indiana. After graduation, I plan to expand this organization and use my education to serve communities on a larger scale. Although I’m a U.S. citizen, I spent nearly my entire life in Nigeria and returned to the United States alone for college. I arrived as a first-generation student with nothing but heavy expectations weighing on my shoulders. Without any financial support, staying enrolled was a constant battle. Out-of-state tuition was overwhelming, and my parents couldn’t contribute a single dollar due to Nigeria’s ongoing hyperinflation crisis. Each year I worked full-time to pay my tuition independently, while managing a heavy courseload. I’ve moved furniture, shoveled snow, donated plasma, and done any work to help me stay enrolled. In the middle of this struggle, I had a realization that changed me. Despite everything, I was still extremely privileged. I knew countless people in Nigeria who would give anything for access to higher education, no matter the cost or difficulty. I had been given a life-changing opportunity, and I knew I could not waste it by focusing only on myself. I wanted to use my position to give back. That realization led me to found FeedingBloom. What started as a small effort grew into something bigger than I ever imagined. Over the past three years, FeedingBloom has raised over $8,000 and provided hundreds of meals to people in need. We expanded our impact to include care packages, women’s sanitary products, and handwritten letters to remind recipients that they are loved. Standing face to face with people receiving our meals, hearing their stories, and watching their genuine joy changed me forever. FeedingBloom taught me that even with limited resources, I can impact the people around me. Even while struggling financially, I could still able to help others in my community! Links to the most recent FeedingBloom event / fundraising page - https://www.instagram.com/p/DSLi4cvETQM/?img_index=1 - https://gofund.me/e52771fe5 My dream is to expand FeedingBloom into Indianapolis after graduation as a registered nonprofit to feed underserved communities and spread joy to those in need. I want show that someone who started with almost nothing can still impact their community! However, my academic journey is in danger. I cannot afford the tuition for my final semester, and private loans are no longer an option after my brother lost his job, leaving me without a cosigner. Currently, I will not be able to graduate this spring. This scholarship would not just help me, it would save me, and the future of FeedingBloom. It would allow me to complete my education, apply my business skills to grow this organization, and continue giving back to communities that need it most. Thank you for considering my application and for believing in students like me who are determined to turn hardship into impact!

First, I would like to express my sincere condolences for the loss of Marcia Bick Herman, and thank you for honoring her legacy with this scholarship for first-generation students like me. My name is Toluwalope Semowo. I’m not only a first-generation student, I’m a first-generation Nigerian-American. In 2022, I arrived in the United States from Nigeria alone, with no guidance, no safety net, and the weight of my family’s financial future on my shoulders. Being first-generation, I had to learn how college works while already enrolled. I battled financial aid, housing, employment, and academics, knowing that failure wasn’t an option. Finances have been an especially massive obstacle throughout college. Paying my tuition independently every year has been HARD. Out-of-state tuition is overwhelming, and my parents can't contribute a single dollar due to the hyperinflation crisis in Nigeria. I’ve worked five jobs, moved furniture, ploughed snow and donated plasma just to stay enrolled. I’ve worked full time since my freshman year, and when that still was not enough, I relied on private loans to fill the gap. Despite my own struggles, there were clearly people around me who were hurting even more. My college town, Bloomington, has a massive homeless population who don’t get the support they need. It’s not uncommon to walk past people on the streets, begging for food to help them get to the next day. As someone who grew up poor, where every morsel of food was treasured, I wanted to help them. Therefore, I founded FeedingBloom, an initiative to feed unhoused Bloomington residents. In 3 years, FeedingBloom has raised over $8000, and fed hundreds of people in need. We also expanded to providing care packages, women’s sanitary products, and handwritten letters. FeedingBloom showed me that even with limited resources, change can be made. Despite my own financial struggles, I was able to raise funds to help those in worse situations than me. (Link to FeedingBloom Event - https://www.instagram.com/p/DSLi4cvETQM/?img_index=1) My dream is to take FeedingBloom and expand into Indianapolis next year as a registered nonprofit, feeding underserved communities and allowing people to eat with dignity. I want to prove that someone who started with almost nothing can still build something that aids others. However, my academic journey is currently at risk. I cannot afford the tuition for my final semester, and without support, I will not be able to graduate in Spring. Private loans are no longer an option, as my brother was recently laid off and I no longer have a cosigner. I want to graduate with my business degree and use that knowledge to help FeedingBloom grow as a nonprofit. This Bick First Generation Scholarship wouldn't just help me, it would save my academic dreams and allow me to graduate, strengthen FeedingBloom, and build a beautiful future for my family. Thank you so much for taking the time to read my application! If you believe in me, and my dreams for FeedingBloom, I truly hope you choose to invest in me through this scholarship!

First, I want to express my deepest condolences to the Sullivan Family, and say thank you for honoring Jimmie’s legacy by offering this scholarship to people who embody his values. Sports saved me when I had nowhere else to go. In 2020, I moved from Nigeria to the United States alone during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic to pursue further education. The world was locked down, and I was miserable. I stayed with “family” in Houston, but it was the furthest thing from a home. Living with a drunk, abusive uncle who made it painfully clear that my presence was unwanted, every day was like navigating a living landmine, never knowing what might set him off. With lockdown in effect, in a new country, I had nowhere else to go. Basketball became my escape. When things felt unbearable at “home,” I would go into the driveway with a ball and disappear into my own world. I took imaginary fadeaway jumpers to win the NBA Championship, counting down the final seconds in my head. I studied my favorite players like Damian Lillard and PG13, replaying their highlights to make my handles as smooth as theirs. For those few hours, basketball gave me peace. On the court, I was free, and forgot about the nightmare waiting inside. That escape is what pushed me to give back through sports in college. I volunteered at my local YMCA, working with youth basketball programs. I wanted to be for someone else what basketball had been for me. A safe place, an escape, and a source of confidence. I remember a young boy I worked with struggled badly at the free throw line. Every shot came up short, hitting the front rim repeatedly. I could see the frustration building. Instead of focusing on the miss, I broke it down with him. Wider foot placement, knee bend, follow-through. We practiced together every weekend when I volunteered. Then it happened. He made one free throw….then another….then a third!! His face lit up in disbelief and joy, and we jumped into each other, celebrating like we’d just won a championship. Those experiences are what drive my passion for improving youth basketball in Africa. Back in my home country of Nigeria, many schools don’t even have basketball courts. The few that do are often rusty and neglected. Hoops are bent, nets are missing, and balls are worn down until they barely bounce. There are countless young students who could fall in love with the game and use basketball as an escape, but they never get the chance. I know this reality because for years, I was one of those students. After I graduate, I plan to return to Nigeria and invest in basketball facilities for schools and community programs. I am certain that improving even a single court could change someone’s life. That hoop could become an escape from reality, where hundreds of children fall in love with the sport, just like I did. However, I am currently struggling to afford tuition for my next semester. Without financial support, my graduation is uncertain. This scholarship would be life-changing, allowing me to stay in school and continue building toward the impact I hope to make . The way Jimmie Sullivan committed himself to youth sports and community involvement reflects the same values that drive my own journey. Like him, I believe sports can reach people where words cannot. The only thing I love more than basketball is sharing that love with others. Investing in me with this scholarship would help me do that, not just here, but across the world.

When I came to the United States, I came alone. My family remains in Nigeria, doing everything they can to survive, meaning there is no financial safety net for me. Every semester, staying in school feels like an extreme sport. I work three jobs at once while balancing my academics and extracurriculars. I donated plasma, signed up for research studies, and said yes to anything that paid, just to keep going. I was ineligible for any state programs that support low-income students like me, so I was forced to take out high-interest private loans with no idea of how to pay them back. Throughout everything, my family never knew how close I came to giving up. Every phone call home carried a smile, and reassurance that everything was fine. I carried the weight alone because I came here to build a future for them too. The pressure was constant, the fear was quiet, and I came so close to crumbling under the pressure. Somewhere in the middle of survival mode, I realized something that changed me. Even while struggling, I was still privileged to be here. I had access to education, opportunity, and the chance to build something meaningful. I had friends back home that would die to be in my position. That realization pushed me toward reflection, and eventually, action. That action became FeedingBloom. FeedingBloom is a community initiative I started to provide quality meals, warm clothing, and care packages to unhoused individuals in my college town of Bloomington, Indiana. Today, FeedingBloom has become an established event at Indiana University. In three years, we have raised over $9,000, feeding hundreds of people. We expanded beyond meals to provide warm clothing, care packages, and handwritten letters of love to every person we fed. At every FeedingBloom event, the handwritten letters are crucial to the people we serve. They are reminders that someone sees them, values them, and wishes them well. Sometimes, I place a stamp from my personal collection on the envelope to make it feel even more personal. That stamp tells them this letter traveled with care and that it was chosen with love. Stamp collecting has shaped how I see people. I started collecting stamps during COVID, when I had lots of time, and felt disconnected from the world around me. I love how every stamp represents a story, a place, and a moment in time that could easily be overlooked. In the same way, many of the people we serve are often passed by and ignored. Philately taught me to slow down, to appreciate meaning in small details, and to recognize value where others may not look. That perspective is at the heart of FeedingBloom. Right now, I do not have the funds to cover my tuition, even while working full time across three jobs. With my brother recently being laid off, I no longer have a cosigner to secure private loans, making scholarships my only way to graduate on time. This scholarship would genuinely change my life. Receiving this support would allow me to finish my degree and apply my business skills toward transforming FeedingBloom into a registered nonprofit, with plans to expand to Indianapolis and serve even more people with the joy and dignity they deserve. If you believe in my dream of FeedingBloom, I truly hope you invest in me. This scholarship isn’t just financial support, it’s the difference between stopping short and continuing forward. Through my education, my service, and FeedingBloom, I promise I will give that investment back many times over! Thank you so much for reviewing my application!

In my freshman year, I learned how easy it is to feel invisible, even when your heart is full of things you want to say. This is the story of how I learnt to use my voice to make change in my community. FeedingBloom began as a quiet idea, shaped by what I saw in my college town of Bloomington. I noticed people who were unhoused, overlooked, and treated as invisible. It was common to walk past someone asking for scraps of food while walking with friends, conversations continuing as if nothing was wrong. Each time I saw people sitting in the cold, hungry and ignored, my heart ached. I wanted to help. Simultaneously, I was struggling myself. With no financial support from my family, I worked three jobs to pay tuition, constantly worrying about finances. Private loans were the only things keeping me in college. I wanted to help others, but I felt so unqualified. I didn’t have money, influence, or a platform. I barely had stability of my own. When I started FeedingBloom, the hardest part was asking for help. I sat at my laptop for hours, staring at a blank GoFundMe, unsure how to explain why this mattered without sounding naïve or unqualified. I questioned whether people would take me seriously, a college student with no nonprofit background, asking others to trust me with their money and time. Once the fundraiser went live, I shared it everywhere I could, on every social media platform. The response shocked me. Friends shared. Strangers donated. People I had never met reached out offering to volunteer and support. Each message chipped away at my self-doubt. I learned that people don’t need you to be perfect, they need you to be honest. I learnt that my voice had power. Running FeedingBloom taught me how to advocate for others, not just fundraise for them. On event days, I spoke directly with individuals experiencing homelessness. I listened to their stories, their preferences, their gratitude, but also their frustrations. One moment that stayed with me was when someone thanked us not just for the food, but for treating them like a person. That sentence reshaped how I understood impact. My voice was helping set a standard of dignity and respect that people experiencing homelessness rarely receive. Today, FeedingBloom has become an established event at Indiana University. In three years, we have raised over $8,000, feeding hundreds of people. We expanded beyond meals to provide warm clothing, care packages, and handwritten letters of love to every person we fed. Each addition came from listening, learning, and using my voice to advocate for what people truly needed. FeedingBloom showed me that even without financial resources, I could mobilize people, spread awareness, and create change with my voice. Looking ahead, I plan to build on this momentum. After graduation, I’m partnering with friends in Indianapolis to establish FeedingBloom as a nonprofit organization. My dream is to create a future where people can enjoy delicious meals consistently and with the dignity they deserve. If you believe in the future of FeedingBloom, this scholarship would be a massive help towards that. Despite working three jobs, I do not have the funds to pay my senior-year tuition. With my brother recently being laid off from his job, I don’t have a cosigner to apply for private loans either. Scholarships are my only hope of graduating on time and using my business skills to expand FeedingBloom nationwide. I would be forever grateful if you make the decision to invest in me, and my dream. Thank you so much for reviewing my application!

I want to extend my deepest condolences for the loss of Andrea Worden, an inspirational woman whose life clearly brought joy and purpose to everyone around her. Genuinely, thank you so much for this opportunity to apply for this award in her memory. Three years ago, I arrived in the U.S, from Nigeria, completely alone. That marked the start of a difficult journey. One where I have worked tirelessly to stay in school, earn my degree, and build a life as a non-traditional student. I’m a non-traditional student because, despite being born in the U.S, I spent my entire life in Nigeria before returning in 2022 for college. I am a US Citizen. On paper, I belong here. In reality, every system meant to help me treats me as someone else’s responsibility. Schools classify me as “from the US,” yet I’m denied the in-state tuition that would make education affordable. Because my family lives across the ocean, I’m shut out of the state-funded aid programs designed for low-income students like me. I’m treated like an international student without the support that even they receive. With the financial crisis in Nigeria, I didn’t have financial support from family either. Every single dollar of my tuition was mine to figure out, and it was terrifying. In summary, my time in college has been extremely challenging. However, I wouldn’t change a single second of it! My purpose in life is simple. I want the world to feel a little kinder because I existed. One day, far in the future, I want to die smiling, knowing that I brought joy to the lives of others. That’s what drives me. Now, as a senior, I can proudly say that I have made a difference, and people smiled because I was here. And it all started with EightAPlate! In my freshman year, out of pure necessity, I began cooking food in my dorm and selling it to students. I called it EightAPlate, a simple way for students to get a home-cooked meal, and for me to pay tuition. I found purpose in watching someone take a bite, smile, and tell me how much they loved my food. It showed me that food was a tool that can truly spread joy to others. I decided to spread that joy to people who didn’t have access to eating food to enjoy how good it tastes. That’s how FeedingBloom was born. Alongside this essay, I uploaded an image of something that makes me happy. That image is me, last week Saturday, preparing food for the 7th Biannual FeedingBloom event. By crowdfunding over $1800 with my GoFundMe (linked here - https://gofund.me/25fdc6b16) my team of volunteers and I provided over 150 plates of food, 100 care packages and 100 handwritten letters of love. In partnership with Wheeler Mission Homeless Shelter, this was the largest FeedingBloom ever, and it was amazing to be able to cook for, eat with, and smile alongside so many people. How did we get there? Back in my freshman year, with the money I made from EightAPlate, I began preparing meals and handing them out to the homeless population in Bloomington. I didn’t have a lot, but I gave what I could. I made flyers, partnered with friends and volunteers, and shared stories on social media to raise awareness. At each event, we learned names, joked about our bad sports teams (I’m a Portland Trail Blazers fan, so mine is REALLY bad), and listened to stories. At every event, what people cared about most was having someone who would truly listen. Someone who let them talk about their struggles without judgment or criticism. Someone who let them feel like a person again. That is why FeedingBloom is my proudest achievement so far. I have been able to show up for others and help prevent the overwhelming loneliness that I once felt when starting college. FeedingBloom is more than an organization. It has become a space built on kindness, compassion, and love. FeedingBloom is about seeing people the way Andrea Worden did. Not for what they lacked, but for who they are. A specific moment that shaped the FeedingBloom journey came when someone at one of our events said: “I wish everyone could get a meal like this”. That sentence changed the future of FeedingBloom. I realized it shouldn’t be something that ended when I graduated college. I decided to keep it growing. After graduation, I plan to partner with friends in Indianapolis to formally establish FeedingBloom as a nonprofit organization. My dream is to begin a journey where everyone CAN enjoy a meal like this, not just for a single afternoon, but consistently and with dignity. However, despite this momentum, I am at risk of not being able to graduate. Currently, I cannot afford my tuition next semester. With my older brother recently being laid off, I do not have a cosigner to apply for private loans. I have exhausted all options for public loans and grants. I’ve turned to research studies, donating plasma and working on holidays to make extra cash, yet my bursar balance is simply too large for me to pay individually. This scholarship wouldn’t just help me, it would save me. It would allow me to remain enrolled and complete my degree. It would give me the stability to focus on my coursework, and fully develop the business skills I need to build a future for FeedingBloom. I truly believe that I embody the values Andrea lived by. Resilience in the face of adversity, a commitment to serving others, and an unwavering belief in people, even during their most difficult moments. My story isn’t “clean.” It was messy, uncertain, and surprisingly full of food. But it’s also full of heart. I would be forever grateful if you chose to invest in me, and the future of Feeding Bloom. Thank you so much for considering me for this opportunity. Thank you for honoring Andrea’s memory by giving hope to nontraditional students like me!

Growing up poor in Nigeria, financial struggles are a constant reality. My parents worked tirelessly, often sacrificing their own needs, just to make sure we could eat. Watching their resilience taught me the value of perseverance and instilled in me a responsibility to use my opportunities to serve others. Therefore, as a freshman, I founded Feeding Bloom, a philanthropic effort dedicated to providing meals to people experiencing homelessness in Bloomington. Today, we have raised over $4000 for the homeless, and fed and clothed hundreds of people in need. In combination with my experience with AmeriCorps NCCC, where I supported food shelters that provided meals to hundreds of families, I became fully devoted to service. These experiences showed me that I could improve the issue of food insecurity in America. Now, as a business student at Indiana University, I am committed to turning Feeding Bloom into a fully established nonprofit organization. My vision is to combat food insecurity on a national scale, ensuring that no one has to endure the indignity of going to bed hungry. However, as the first in my family to study in the US, I no longer have the financial support of my parents, who remain in Nigeria and are unable to help with my tuition. Without scholarships, I will not be able to graduate from my senior year, cutting my dreams short. This scholarship would not only help me finish my education but also empower me to fulfill my mission of uplifting others. Just as my parents’ sacrifices opened doors for me, I am determined to open doors for others by addressing hunger and building stronger communities. With your support, I can graduate, establish Feeding Bloom as a nonprofit, and create a future where fewer families face the painful choice of going without food.

My name is Toluwalope, and I'm a first-generation Nigerian-American student, the first in my family to leave the country in pursuit of higher education. Despite working three jobs and being on a first-name basis with every campus researcher running a paid study, I’m heading into my senior year $65,000 in debt. I promise you’ve never seen anyone sweat this much for a degree in Human Resources. Due to the hyperinflation crisis in my home country, Nigeria, my family cannot afford to send any financial support toward my education. Since stepping onto campus, I’ve been walking a tightrope of tuition bills, homesickness, and the crushing knowledge that there’s no safety net below me. But, I haven't fallen yet. In fact, I've risen. As a freshman, I launched a small meal-prep business called EightAPlate to help pay my tuition. What began as a side hustle, frantically making chicken sandwiches in my cramped dorm kitchen, evolved into something beautiful. With the social media following I built from EightAPlate, I founded Feeding Bloom, a philanthropic effort serving home-cooked meals to Bloomington’s homeless community. Two years later, Feeding Bloom held its largest event yet, distributing 100 freshly made meals, 50 handwritten letters, and 50 care packages in a single day. My passion for Feeding Bloom is why I plan to use my Human Resources degree to support and grow nonprofits after graduation, while simultaneously working and saving to make Feeding Bloom an independent nonprofit. In addition to running Feeding Bloom, I work three on-campus jobs, maxing out the university’s 29-hour weekly limit. I serve as a Leadership Mentor, Student Ambassador, and Residence Assistant. Each role is meaningful, but juggling them means late nights, early mornings, and the constant anxiety that I’m forgetting a task for one of my jobs. The exhaustion is real, and I can feel this schedule taking a toll on my physical and mental health. But what choice do you have when you don’t get to choose? This summer, while completing my Human Resources internship, I was able to pay for my mother’s flight from Nigeria to the U.S. so she could visit her grieving sister. It was the first time I had the means to help my family in a significant way, to make something happen that would have otherwise been impossible. I was able to help spread joy. In my Human Resources career, my personal life, and through Feeding Bloom, that is the person I want to be! But the reality is, with debt hanging over me, that kind of giving will be impossible. I’ll be paying thousands of dollars every month just to keep my balance from growing, watching money that could feed families disappear into interest payments. The thought of my dreams dying, not because I lack the will or the work ethic, but because of my undergraduate debt, terrifies me to the depths of my core. Winning the Charles Cheesman Student Debt Reduction Scholarship would not just shrink a number on my statement, it would give me hope. Hope that one day, my hard work will be enough to push past the weight of my loans and fund the future I envision for myself. Hope that someone recognizes the countless sacrifices I've made to pursue higher education and believes in my vision for the future. This scholarship would help reduce my debt while allowing me to save toward transforming Feeding Bloom into a full-fledged nonprofit organization. Cheesman Family, thank you for creating this scholarship. Thank you for seeing those of us who feel invisible as we drown in student debt! Feeding Bloom / EightAPlate Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/eightaplate/

One Friday evening, I used my squeaky old grocery cart to haul homemade BBQ Ribs, Mac and Cheese and jugs of juice to Seminary Park, Bloomington’s homeless encampment. I had been cooking for over 12 hours straight in a dorm kitchen with no staff, limited sleep, the smell of ribs soaked deep into my clothing. That was the first FeedingBloom event, a community meal program I founded to feed and uplift the unhoused residents of Bloomington. But, you need a bit of backstory before you understand how I got here. As a first-generation Nigerian-American student at Indiana University, I was poor. The hyperinflation crisis back home had wiped my family savings away, and they had nothing to contribute to my education. I came to the U.S. alone, and I felt every bit of it. I was now responsible for paying my massive out-of-state tuition when I didn't even have enough money for groceries. So, I cooked. I started a food business called EightAPlate in 2022 to help pay for college. Every weekend, I turned a dorm kitchen into a pop-up restaurant, cooking for hours, delivering meals, and trying to stay awake between classes and my 16-hour cooking shifts. However, every Friday, when I purchased my ingredients for the weekend, I walked by the people of Seminary Park. Hungry, cold and alone. Walking past those people each week with my arms full of food made my heart ache. I thought I knew what it felt like to struggle, but I didn't. These people were the ones truly suffering. And I knew I needed to help them. In February 2023, I taught myself graphic design using Canva, promoted a new initiative using the EightAPlate Instagram account I’d grown to 500+ followers, and launched a GoFundMe with a $250 goal. Within days, it raised more than $500. I cooked as if I were feeding family. We gave away over 30 full meals that first day. After the event, a woman pulled me aside and said that she had been having a really bad day, and she really appreciated me looking out for her. That moment changed everything. Since then, FeedingBloom has raised over $2,000 and served more than 200 people. It’s now a recognized student-led initiative at IU. But it’s not just about food. I want FeedingBloom to remind people that someone sees them, and someone cares. I’ve started documenting each event in a short video series to help other students launch similar efforts in their own communities. I’ve also connected with Rev. Kate Layzer of The Friday Cafe, a weekly meal-based community space in Cambridge, to learn how to build a sustainable, long-term model for FeedingBloom’s future. Thank you to the O’Neal Family for offering this scholarship to students like me that are trying to make a positive change. As I work toward transforming FeedingBloom into a registered nonprofit, I know I need more than passion, I need time. Currently, I work 30+ hours each week between EightAPlate and my 2 other jobs that I work to afford tuition. Every hour spent working is an hour I can’t use to grow FeedingBloom or focus on school. This scholarship would allow me to reduce my hours, deepen my education, and accelerate FeedingBloom’s growth. I believe this work can scale, and I don't want to let my dreams of FeedingBloom's expansion wither and die. I truly believe this program can help people! If you believe in my story, and in the mission of Feeding Bloom, I would truly appreciate you investing in me. Thank you!

As a first-generation Nigerian-American student, the journey to earning a college degree has been just that. A JOURNEY. My parents live thousands of miles away in Nigeria and are unable to contribute financially to my education due to the hyperinflation crisis back home. That reality means taking full responsibility for everything. I've worked tirelessly to pay my tuition, rent, buy groceries, and every other expense associated with pursuing a degree. I currently juggle three jobs at Indiana University, in addition to maintaining a full course load and an executive position in my business fraternity. I absolutely love all my jobs, but I also don't have the choice not to. I need to work these jobs or tuition doesn't get paid. I don't have any rich family member who could spot me the money in a financially difficult time. There have been days when I had to choose between buying groceries or paying a bill, between attending class or picking up an extra shift. Despite that, I’ve used these challenges as fuel to create solutions for others who are struggling too. In 2022, I launched EightAPlate, a meal preparation business I started in my college apartment. My goal was to make high-quality, affordable meals for students who, like me, didn’t have the time or budget to cook consistently. What began as a side hustle to pay my rent quickly became something much more meaningful. I discovered a passion for food, service, and creating community. Through EightAPlate, I started to see the deeper issue of food insecurity on campus and in the broader Bloomington community. Some people weren’t just too busy to cook; they genuinely couldn’t afford to eat. That realization led me to create FeedingBloom, a philanthropic effort dedicated to feeding the homeless and food-insecure individuals in my community. Since its founding, FeedingBloom has distributed over $4500 worth of meals, completely funded by donations I crowdfunded over various social media platforms, and profits from EightAPlate. Each semester, I manage a team of 15-20 volunteers as we prepare, package and serve our freshly made food at Seminary Park, a local homeless camp in Bloomington. Running FeedingBloom has changed me. I’ve had face-to-face conversations with people experiencing homelessness, heard their stories, and learned just how many barriers they face. It's a horrible cycle. People are living in poverty because they don't have a job. But employers refuse to hire them because they live in poverty. As I learnt these stories, I decided that FeedingBloom would be about more than just food. It is connecting, and showing people that they are seen and valued. This work has given me purpose beyond just earning a degree. My long-term goal is to expand FeedingBloom into a nationwide nonprofit that combats food insecurity through sustainable meal programs, community partnerships, and job training initiatives. I want to use my education in Human Resource Management not only to improve workplace environments but also to structure FeedingBloom into an organization that uplifts communities and creates career opportunities for marginalized people. The obstacle of financial hardship could have been me end point. I would have been justified to look at my mountain of student loan debt and quit. Instead, it’s become the reason I’ve succeeded. It forced me to become resourceful, to innovate, and to build something that makes a real impact! Receiving this scholarship would not only ease my own financial burden but also support a student who is actively working to alleviate the burdens of others. I am proud of what I’ve built, and I hope that you decide to invest in me, and the future of FeedingBloom!

In the next five years, I will create a lasting impact on my local and global communities through culinary innovation by transforming Feeding Bloom into a full-fledged nonprofit. Right now, it’s a grassroots effort of friends, family and volunteers coming together to feed the homeless in Bloomington. But I envision something bigger. I want to build a place where those who are often overlooked can eat, laugh, and be treated with the kindness that they deserve. Food is more than just nourishment; it’s comfort, joy and dignity. Too often, people experiencing food insecurity are treated like an inconvenience—given whatever is easiest to hand out rather than meals that make them feel valued. With Feeding Bloom, I want to change that. We make BBQ Ribs, Chicken Sandwiches, Shrimp Skewers and more. No pots of mystery soup here! I imagine a space where people don’t just receive food but share meals, connect, and feel seen. There is undoubtedly still a need for the regular soup kitchens that provide more cost-effective bulk meals, but I also want to create Feeding Bloom to restore the joy of eating for enjoyment. Tables, conversations, and the warmth of a real dining experience. After graduating from Indiana University, my plan is simple but bold: I want to turn Feeding Bloom into a nationwide movement. Currently, over the span of 6 events, we have raised over $5000 through crowdfunding, provided hundreds of meals, and donated essentials like warm clothes, women's sanitary products, and new tents. Running Feeding Bloom events has already given me a deep understanding of what it takes to grow and sustain a food venture, but I know there’s so much more to do. I’m not just looking to give back, I’m looking to make a long-lasting change to the system. I want to change the conversation about food insecurity. What if cities across the country had community kitchens where people in need could come, not only for a meal, but for an experience that makes them feel valued? What if restaurants could easily donate surplus food without sending hundreds of thousands of pounds of food into the trash every day? In the next five years, I see Feeding Bloom expanding from a small local initiative to a nationwide movement. I want to see it spread across cities, creating community-driven kitchens where chefs, volunteers, and people in need work side by side to provide meals and support each other. My dream isn’t just about serving food; it’s about creating a culture where food insecurity is no longer a silent issue but one that’s actively addressed and solved. More than feeding people, this initiative is about restoring dignity. It’s about showing the world that no one is invisible, and no one’s worth should be measured by their circumstances. To make this a reality, the FLIK Hospitality Group’s Entrepreneurial Council Scholarship, along with other financial aid I receive, will play a pivotal role in funding my senior year at Indiana University. With me moving to the U.S. without my family, I bear the cost of my expensive out-of-state tuition myself. This scholarship will allow me to focus on acquiring the business skills and leadership tools I need to expand EightAPlate and take it nationwide, all while finishing my degree. With these resources, I will be able to turn my vision for Feeding Bloom into something that not only impacts my community but resonates on a national scale. If you believe in my vision, then let's get cooking!

As a Black entrepreneur, I’ve always known that talent is everywhere, but opportunity? Much more scarce. Growing up as a first-generation Nigerian-American, I quickly figured out that the road to success is way steeper for people like me. Between limited funding, systemic barriers, and constantly having to prove ourselves in spaces that weren’t designed for us, the climb is tough—but that’s exactly why we need to climb it. While juggling three jobs and fighting off over $60,000 in student debt just to stay in school, I could’ve let these obstacles take me down. Instead, I flipped the script. I turned my struggles into action and decided to do something about it. Firstly: EightAPlate, a meal-prep business I started out of pure necessity. With next to no money, I had to get creative. My first “investment” was a $100 bonus from opening a student bank account at Chase, and $40 I made selling my Blue Snowball Microphone on Facebook Marketplace. From my cramped dorm kitchen I sold BBQ Ribs, Chicken Sandwiches, and a variety of other meals every weekend, to help make money for my tuition. EightAPlate was born out of the need to stay afloat, but something bigger started to stir. Every week, after buying my ingredients for EightAPlate, I drove by a local homeless camp. I saw crowds of people begging for food, and my heart ached for them. That’s when I decided that my entrepreneurial skills weren’t just for self-sufficiency—I would be a tool for real change. That’s when Feeding Bloom came into the picture. I wanted to do more than just fill empty stomachs. I wanted to give people something nourishing, something that reminded them of joy. I wanted them to experience food as a gift, not just a need. I took everything I learned from EightAPlate, everything I learned about business operations, and I used it to start something bigger than myself. No startup money? No problem. I made it happen by relying on my network and crowdsourcing funds from friends, family, and even faculty at my University. The first Feeding Bloom raised $300, and we cooked 20 meals that we handed out at a homeless camp. Since then, Feeding Bloom has raised over $4,000, provided 300+ meals, and expanded to include warm clothing, hygiene kits, and handwritten letters of encouragement. Because, let’s be honest, food is just one part of it. It’s about dignity, about showing people they matter. But here’s the thing: passion alone isn’t enough. To really take Feeding Bloom to the next level, I need the business skills to match. I need structure. I need funding. I need a strategy. And that’s where my education at Indiana University comes in. Every class I take, every marketing plan I create, helps me fine-tune the skills I need to turn Feeding Bloom into a nationwide nonprofit. This isn’t just about serving food—it’s about building a scalable model that can be replicated in cities across the country. My dream isn’t just to feed people. I want to give them the tools they need to stand on their own. That’s why I’m planning to expand our services beyond meals—job training, financial literacy, and pathways to stability. I want to empower people to regain their independence, not just receive a meal and move on. But like many Black entrepreneurs, I face barriers—resources, funding, you name it. This scholarship will directly support my education and give me the chance to keep learning and growing so I can make Feeding Bloom everything it can be. As Nigeria’s economic crisis deepens and my student debt grows, this financial support is more crucial than ever—not just for me, but for the bigger picture I’m building. Investing in me is investing in a vision—a vision where food insecurity is tackled at its roots, where entrepreneurs like me get the chance to grow and give back, and where everyone, no matter who they are, gets a fair shot at success. Through Feeding Bloom and beyond, I’m committed to creating solutions that drive real, lasting change. Thank you for considering my application.

My greatest achievement to date is founding Feeding Bloom, an organization dedicated to tackling the rampant issue of food insecurity in my local community. Walking through the streets of Bloomington, I have seen firsthand the harsh reality of hunger—individuals bundled up against the cold, unsure where their next meal will come from. I will never forget the first time I locked eyes with a man shivering on the sidewalk, his empty hands clenched into fists against the cold. His silence said everything—hunger, exhaustion, hopelessness. In that moment, I knew I couldn’t just turn away. Despite being a first-generation Nigerian-American college student struggling to fund my education alone, I felt a deep responsibility to make a difference. At times, I resented my circumstances—working three strenuous jobs, taking on over $60,000 in loans just to stay in school. But when I saw people lying on the streets with nothing, I was forced to reframe my struggles. Yes, I was burdened, but I had opportunity. I had hope. That realization humbled me and ignited a passion to serve those without the same privilege. With no major financial backing or blueprint to follow, launching Feeding Bloom was daunting. But I leaned on my resourcefulness, strategic thinking, and the power of community. I started small, using my own funds and rallying volunteers from my network. Over time, through persistent outreach, fundraising, and partnerships, Feeding Bloom grew from a personal mission into a movement. We have now raised over $4,000, donated more than 300 meals, and expanded our impact to include warm clothing, hygiene kits, and handwritten letters of encouragement—small tokens of humanity that remind people they are seen and valued. One moment that solidified my purpose was when a woman, clutching a handwritten letter from a volunteer, teared up and told us "I've been having a really bad week. I needed this" That one simple moment fueled me even further. That despite the hunger and the harsh circumstances she was facing on the cold streets of Bloomington, the handwritten letter is what warmed her week the most. Feeding Bloom isn’t just about food—it’s about dignity, about restoring a sense of belonging to those who have been forgotten. It reinforced something I deeply believe: service is most impactful when it’s personal. Beyond its emotional significance, Feeding Bloom has taught me invaluable lessons in leadership and business strategy. I’ve learned that passion alone isn’t enough—sustainable change requires structure, funding, and strategic growth. That’s why my business education at Indiana University is so important to me. I am gaining the skills to scale Feeding Bloom into a nationwide nonprofit, one that doesn’t just provide temporary relief but creates lasting solutions to food insecurity. I want to build a model that blends social impact with financial sustainability—leveraging partnerships, implementing efficient operations, and expanding outreach to ensure no one in America goes hungry. This journey has solidified my belief that true leadership is about using what you have to uplift others. And while Feeding Bloom began as a local effort, my vision is national. I see a future where this organization provides not just meals but comprehensive support—job training, shelter, financial literacy programs—so that the people we serve can regain stability and independence! With every meal we serve, every person we help, and every life we touch, I am reminded why I started. And I know that with perseverance, the right education, and an unwavering commitment to service, I can turn that vision into reality. Because hunger is not just about food—it’s about opportunity, dignity, and hope. And through Feeding Bloom, I know that we can fight to restore all three! If awarded this scholarship, it would directly support my education, allowing me to earn my business degree and take meaningful steps toward expanding Feeding Bloom. As my student debt continues to grow and Nigeria’s economic crisis deepens, financial support has become more critical than ever. This scholarship would not just be helping me—it would be fueling a mission to fight food insecurity and restore dignity to those in need. If you believe in the power of service and the impact of Feeding Bloom, this investment would go beyond one student; it would help build a future where more people receive the care, support, and opportunities they deserve! Thank you!

I am deeply sorry for the loss of Chidubè. Though I never had the privilege of knowing him, his legacy of academic excellence, faith, and service is truly inspiring. His commitment to lifelong learning and uplifting others reflects the values I strive to uphold in my own life. As a first-generation Nigerian-American student, I have faced many obstacles in my pursuit of higher education, yet my dedication to learning and giving back has never wavered. Like Chidubè, I believe education is not just a personal achievement but a tool to create lasting change in communities. I am currently pursuing a Business degree at Indiana University Bloomington, where I am developing the skills necessary to expand my nonprofit initiative, FeedingBloom. FeedingBloom is the event I created to gather donations and cook meals for the homeless population in my local community. What started as a small effort to provide meals and essentials to those experiencing homelessness has grown into a structured initiative that serves more people with each event. We now donate warm clothes, women's sanitary products, and even new tents! My long-term goal is to turn FeedingBloom into a nationwide nonprofit that not only provides food but also offers shelter and job training programs. My studies in business, along with my leadership experiences, are equipping me with the knowledge to make this vision a reality. Beyond academics, my leadership roles have further reinforced my passion for service. As Director of Philanthropy for Mu Beta Lambda Business Fraternity, I organize community service projects and educational workshops, fostering a culture of giving among my peers. Working with the fraternity’s Expansion Committee has taught me valuable lessons about organizational growth—skills that will be crucial as I expand FeedingBloom. Additionally, my time as an AmeriCorps National Volunteer gave me firsthand experience working with Metro Lutheran Ministry, a nonprofit in Kansas City. This experience provided insight into nonprofit management, fundraising strategies, and the importance of collaboration in making a meaningful impact. Despite my commitment to education and service, my journey as a college student has been filled with financial challenges. Moving alone to the U.S. to pursue my degree was a leap of faith, made even more difficult by my family’s inability to support my education due to Nigeria’s economic crisis. I have worked multiple jobs to stay enrolled while maintaining leadership positions and excelling academically. Currently, I serve as a Resident Assistant, Student Ambassador, and Leadership Ambassador, working the maximum hours allowed for on-campus employment. Yet, even with these efforts, I have accumulated over $65,000 in student debt, an amount that will only grow without help from a scholarship. This scholarship would not only help me continue my education but also allow me to keep pursuing the work that embodies Chidubè’s legacy. I have always believed that leadership is about service, and I strive to reflect that belief in everything I do. Whether through FeedingBloom, my fraternity, or other community initiatives, my mission is to uplift those in need and create opportunities for lasting change. Receiving this scholarship would ensure that I can remain on this path, using my education, experiences, and faith to make a meaningful difference in the world. Though Chidubè is no longer here, his values live on in those who continue his mission. His dedication to lifelong learning, faith, and community impact serves as a guiding light for people like me, who aspire to use knowledge as a force for good. I am committed to carrying his legacy forward, ensuring that his belief in education and service continues to inspire change for generations to come!

My journey has been shaped by my experience as a first-generation Nigerian American and an out-of-state student navigating life at a predominantly white institution. During my freshman year, I was LONELY. Honestly, I felt isolated and struggled to find my place. Even among other African-American students, my thick accent made it painfully obvious that I was different. Even though I was born in the U.S, I didn't feel like an African-American. I felt like an African lost in America. However, joining Mu Beta Lambda Business Fraternity transformed my college experience. As the first and only minority business fraternity in the U.S, Mu Beta Lambda provided me with a supportive community that understood my struggles and ambitions. Joining as a freshman, my seniors at the time served as older brothers and sisters, who not only helped me build confidence, but also nurtured my passion for service and leadership. Consequently, for the past 2 years, I have served as the Director of Philanthropy, where I organized biweekly community service activities. We wrote letters to children's hospitals, cleaned up community parks, and built a greenhouse for a local nonprofit! My experience in this role led me to serve in the AmeriCorps National Service Program last summer, where I received the Congressional Award for our work to build wheelchair ramps in underserved communities! Today, as the Director of Training and Recruitment for Mu Beta Lambda Business Fraternity Inc., I am committed to equipping other minority students with the business skills, mentorship, and confidence they need to thrive in the corporate world—just as the fraternity did for me. I lead workshops on resume building, interview preparation, and leadership development, ensuring that our members are not only prepared for professional success but also empowered to break barriers in predominantly white spaces. By fostering an environment of support and excellence, I aim to create a legacy of opportunity and representation for future minority business leaders. Earlier, I may have portrayed my experience as a first-generation Nigerian-American alone in the U.S. as a negative one. While it comes with challenges, I recognize that this opportunity to pursue my education abroad is a rare privilege. My parents always taught me to use my privileges to help others and to never take anything for granted. Inspired by these values, I founded FeedingBloom, a nonprofit initiative dedicated to addressing food insecurity in my community. At the time, I was selling plates of food out of my dorm kitchen to help pay for tuition. I decided to combine my passion for the culinary arts with my desire to give back. With the support of friends, family, and IU staff, FeedingBloom has raised over $3,000 to provide hundreds of meals, warm clothing, tents, and women's sanitary products to the homeless. This experience inspired my long-term goal: to use my business degree to expand FeedingBloom into a nationwide nonprofit. My vision is to not only combat hunger but also establish shelters that help individuals overcome challenging times in their lives! Providing this scholarship to me is an investment into a hard-working, independent young man trying to use his position to make positive change in the world! As the sole provider for my tuition, I rely on the wages from my three jobs and high-interest student loans to fund my education. However, these wages fall short, leaving me with over $65,000 in student loan debt for undergraduate degree. Receiving this scholarship would massively alleviate my financial strain, allowing me to focus on pursuing my business degree. The business world needs more people dedicated to helping others, and I want to be part of that change!

Immigrating to the United States from Nigeria was both an exciting and extremely challenging chapter of my life. I arrived at Indiana University Bloomington eager to start of my Bachelor's degree in Business, make friends and build a future! Yet, the reality of being so far away from my regular life set in. Honestly, the loneliness was overwhelming at times. I was navigating a new culture, balancing academics, and searching for a sense of belonging in an environment where I was often one of the few who looked like me. Even among other African-Americans, my thick Nigerian accent made it too apparent that I was "different". I had to put on a brave face when I called my family back home, because they were enduring even worse times as hyperinflation destroyed the Nigerian economy. Everything changed when I discovered Mu Beta Lambda Business Fraternity Incorporated, the first and only minority business fraternity in the nation, right here at IU. Becoming a part of this community was like finding a family. The members embraced me, shared their experiences, and inspired me to not only survive at IU but to thrive. It was through Mu Beta Lambda that my passion for community service truly flourished. The fraternity’s encouragement and support gave me the confidence to launch Feeding Bloom, my philanthropic initiative focused on providing meals to the homeless population in Bloomington. What started as a small effort quickly gained momentum. Seeing my fraternity brothers volunteer at events and witnessing the organization’s substantial donations was a turning point. Their support showed me that Feeding Bloom could be more than a local initiative—it could grow into a nationwide nonprofit committed to combating food insecurity and providing resources to underserved communities across the country. This realization ignited my dream of expanding Feeding Bloom beyond Bloomington, reaching cities nationwide where food insecurity remains a pressing issue. This vision is the reason I am pursuing Business at Indiana University. My goal is to gain the business acumen and leadership skills necessary to scale Feeding Bloom into a sustainable nonprofit organization that can make a lasting impact. I want to learn how to manage teams effectively, secure funding, and develop strategic partnerships that can extend our reach to communities in need. Receiving this scholarship would alleviate the financial strain of my education, allowing me to focus on turning my aspirations into reality. I currently have 3 jobs, all going towards financing my education, because my parents cannot afford to support my out-of-state tuition. Each year, I have turned to expensive private loans to keep me in school, and I am currently over $65,000 in debt, before my senior year even begins. Mr. Christopher Franks, if you award me this scholarship, it would be a beacon of hope in my life, proving that there are people out there who want to help independent, hard-working immigrant students. It would serve as a testament that immigrants like me—who start from scratch in a new country—can build something meaningful and transformative. I am determined to honor this opportunity by continuing to lead with compassion, empower others, and expand Feeding Bloom into a force for good that uplifts communities nationwide! Thank you for considering my application, and I hope to hear from you soon!

To the United African Organization, I extend my deepest condolences for the loss of Sgt. Albert Dono Ware. His selfless service and ultimate sacrifice for the United States embody the highest ideals of duty, courage, and dedication. As a first-generation Nigerian American, I am profoundly moved by his story, and I am inspired to uphold the values he exemplified—service, sacrifice, and bravery—through my own commitment to uplifting marginalized communities. He serves as an example of a modern day African-American hero, and how their powerful will can be passed on, long after their life ends. Growing up as an out-of-state student navigating the complexities of higher education, I quickly realized that success is not solely about individual achievement—it is about lifting others along the way. This belief has shaped my academic pursuits, leadership roles, and commitment to community service. I am currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs with a major in Human Resource Management at Indiana University, where I strive to create equitable opportunities for minorities in business and beyond. One of the most pressing challenges facing the African diaspora in the U.S. is economic disenfranchisement, which limits access to stable employment, financial security, and generational wealth-building opportunities. Addressing these disparities requires comprehensive reforms in education, workforce development, and entrepreneurship. To tackle this, I have committed myself to ensuring that minority students are equipped with the business skills necessary to succeed. As the Director of Training and Recruitment for Mu Beta Lambda Business Fraternity Incorporated, I am working to prepare underrepresented students for leadership positions in business by providing professional development resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities. Beyond career advancement, another challenge that disproportionately affects the African diaspora is food insecurity, which impacts thousands of families across the country. This issue deeply resonates with me, which is why I founded Feeding Bloom, a philanthropic initiative dedicated to providing meals to Bloomington’s homeless population. Inspired by Sgt. Ware’s unwavering service, my vision is to expand Feeding Bloom into a national nonprofit organization that not only combats food insecurity but also offers job training programs, financial literacy education, and access to essential resources for marginalized communities. By reducing economic hardship and empowering individuals with the skills needed to thrive, I aim to create long-term, sustainable change. To enact these changes on a broader scale, it is essential to engage key stakeholders, including local governments, universities, business leaders, and community organizations. Policymakers must implement initiatives that support Black entrepreneurs, expand job training programs, and increase access to higher education. Universities should provide more resources for first-generation students, while businesses must commit to equitable hiring and leadership development practices. Finally, grassroots organizations like the United African Organization play a pivotal role in advocating for systemic reforms and mobilizing communities toward collective action. Sgt. Albert Dono Ware’s legacy serves as a guiding light, reminding us that true service is about sacrifice and unwavering dedication to the well-being of others. His commitment to a greater cause inspires me to continue my journey of service, ensuring that every individual—regardless of their background—has the opportunity to succeed. With the support of this scholarship, I will be able to further my education, expand my community initiatives, and contribute to the legacy of empowerment that Sgt. Ware so honorably upheld. His sacrifice will never be forgotten, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations to serve, uplift, and fight for a better future.

Throughout my journey, I have embraced leadership through service by addressing food insecurity and increasing accessibility for underserved communities. Leadership through service has taught me invaluable lessons in compassion, empathy, and the power of community. In 2023, I founded Feeding Bloom, a philanthropic initiative dedicated to providing meals to the homeless population in Bloomington, Indiana. What began as a modest effort with only $300 in donations for our first event quickly grew into a larger movement. As we served home-cooked meals to those in need, I witnessed firsthand the impact that small acts of kindness can have. I knew that Feeding Bloom could be more than just a meal distribution—it could become ray of hope to those in need. Over time, our community came together, and Feeding Bloom evolved into an event that has raised over $3,000 and provided more than 200 meals to homeless individuals. But our efforts have gone beyond simply feeding the hungry. We recognized that those experiencing homelessness face a range of challenges, from a lack of access to hygiene products to the need for warm clothing. As a result, we began distributing tents, sanitary products for women, and warm clothes, ensuring that we met a broader range of needs. My vision for Feeding Bloom extends beyond Bloomington. I aim to turn it into a nationwide nonprofit organization, expanding to urban and rural communities, providing not just meals but also access to resources such as job training, financial literacy education, and emergency assistance for those in need. The process of growing Feeding Bloom has not been easy, but it has been immensely rewarding. It required not only financial resources but also a great deal of time, dedication, and leadership. We faced challenges—securing donations, coordinating volunteers, and overcoming logistical barriers—but through it all, we remained committed to our mission of serving others. This effort has reinforced my belief that leadership through service is essential because it teaches compassion, which is an invaluable tool in life. Compassion allows you to understand others better and, therefore, become a better person to others because of it. Out of respect to those that we donate to, we do not take any pictures of them. So, I only have pictures of my volunteers and I making the food. All of those can be found on FeedingBloom's Instagram, (https://www.instagram.com/eightaplate/) For my picture, I decided to select an Image from my volunteering with AmeriCorps last summer! I spent the summer of 2024 with the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps, dedicating my time to improving accessibility for low-income residents in Kansas City, Missouri. Partnering with Metro Lutheran Ministries, I helped build wheelchair ramps in sweltering 80-degree heat, ensuring that residents with mobility challenges could access their homes safely. This hands-on experience reinforced my belief that true leadership is about action—being willing to do the hard work that directly improves the lives of others. The attached picture is me constructing one of those wheelchair ramps last year! Leadership through service is not about recognition; it is about stepping up where others will not, taking initiative, and inspiring those around you to do the same. It is about cultivating empathy, fostering meaningful relationships, and creating lasting change. Whether through Feeding Bloom, AmeriCorps, or my future aspirations, I will continue using my leadership to serve, uplift, and build a more equitable society for all. The lessons I have learned through these experiences have shaped me into someone who understands the true value of compassion and the profound impact that service has on the lives of others.

As a first-generation Nigerian American and an out-of-state student at Indiana University, I have always been driven by the desire to create pathways for underrepresented individuals. I am currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs with a major in Human Resource Management because I believe people are the most valuable asset of any organization. My passion lies in fostering inclusive workplace cultures where diverse talent can thrive and contribute meaningfully. Human Resource Management is an essential yet often overlooked aspect of business. While HR professionals play a crucial role in shaping organizational success, Black representation in this field remains disproportionately low. According to industry data, Black professionals account for less than 10% of the HR workforce, and even fewer hold executive leadership roles. I am committed to increasing this representation by not only excelling in my own career but by mentoring and uplifting the next generation of Black HR professionals. My leadership experiences have equipped me with the skills necessary to drive this change. As the Director of Philanthropy for Mu Beta Lambda Business Fraternity Incorporated, the first and only minority business fraternity founded at Indiana University, I have actively worked to recruit and empower Black and minority students pursuing business careers. Additionally, as a Student Ambassador for IU Undergraduate Admissions at the O’Neill Office, I engage in outreach efforts to encourage underrepresented students to see themselves at a top business institution. Beyond my university involvement, I have founded initiatives that directly impact my community. Through my philanthropic organization, Feeding Bloom, I provide meals to the homeless in Bloomington, reinforcing my commitment to social responsibility. My business venture, EightAPlate, has also allowed me to understand the intersection of HR, business strategy, and social entrepreneurship. The reality of my journey has been one of resilience. I work the maximum allowable hours across three on-campus jobs to afford my out-of-state tuition, all while maintaining academic excellence and leadership roles. Despite financial challenges, I remain dedicated to making a lasting impact in the business world. I aim to inspire the next generation by serving as a visible example of what is possible. By sharing my story and actively mentoring other Black students in business and HR, I hope to increase representation in my field. I plan to develop career pipelines, internship opportunities, and professional workshops tailored for Black students interested in HR and business leadership. Through advocacy, mentorship, and tangible action, I will ensure that the odds continue to improve for those who come after me. Receiving this scholarship would not only alleviate my financial burden but also enable me to further my mission of diversifying the HR profession and the broader business industry. My education is more than a personal achievement—it is a tool to break down barriers and create a future where Black professionals are well-represented, valued, and empowered to lead.

As a business student at Indiana University Bloomington, I am not only pursuing a degree but also actively working to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for Black students in the business world. My journey in business has been shaped by a deep desire to pave the way for others who, like me, seek a sense of belonging and professional success in a field where we are often underrepresented. I am honored to serve as the Director of Philanthropy for Mu Beta Lambda Business Fraternity, Incorporated, the first and only minority business fraternity in the nation. Coming to Indiana University as a first generation Nigerian-American, I faced immense challenges—navigating new cultures, adapting to a predominantly white institution, and striving to succeed in a competitive business environment without a strong support system. Initially, I struggled to find a community where I felt seen and supported. That changed when I joined Mu Beta Lambda. Through this fraternity, I gained invaluable professional skills, mentorship, and a network of like-minded individuals who empowered me to excel. This experience has inspired me to give back and ensure that other minority students never feels as isolated as I once did. As the Director of Recruitment and Training for Mu Beta Lambda, I have dedicated myself to bringing in and developing the next generation of Black business leaders. I am committed to equipping them with the knowledge, resources, and professional connections necessary to thrive in corporate spaces. Through structured training programs, networking events, and personal development initiatives, I aim to provide opportunities that many minority students might not otherwise access. Additionally, I serve on the fraternity’s Expansion Committee, working to establish new chapters nationwide. By expanding our reach, we can support more Black students across the country, fostering a stronger presence of minority professionals in business. Beyond my work with Mu Beta Lambda, I am deeply invested in financial accessibility for Black students in higher education. The economic barriers many of us face make it difficult to complete our degrees and pursue ambitious career paths. Due to hyperinflation in Nigeria, my family is unable to contribute financially to my education, forcing me to take on three on-campus jobs, working the maximum allowable hours to afford my out-of-state tuition. Even with this effort, I have accumulated over $65,000 in student debt before entering my senior year. These financial struggles drive my passion for creating sustainable support systems for Black students in business, whether through scholarships, mentorship, or career development programs. My commitment to building a better path for Black people in the business world extends beyond my immediate community. I aspire to leverage my education and experiences to advocate for increased diversity in corporate spaces. With my upcoming summer 2025 internship at Citibank in Tampa Bay, Florida, I will gain firsthand experience in the financial industry, positioning myself to drive meaningful change. My long-term goal is to establish initiatives that bridge the gap between Black students and high-level business opportunities, ensuring that future generations do not face the same barriers I have had to overcome. Receiving the Edward Dorsey, Jr. Memorial Scholarship would not only ease my financial burden but also empower me to continue my mission of expanding opportunities for Black business students. If awarded this scholarship, I will use it as a stepping stone to further my efforts in creating an inclusive and supportive business landscape where Black professionals can thrive. By investing in me, you are investing in a future where diversity in business is not an exception, but the norm.

With my nonprofit events to feed unhoused people, you might assume that I'm addressing the issue of hunger. While that is a factor, my primary mission is something deeper: combating the loneliness and melancholy that pervade the unhoused community. I am fighting the idea that anyone should live life without feeling loved and cared for. I founded Feeding Bloom in 2022 to create spaces where the unhoused not only receive meals but also get genuine, kind interactions. Alongside my volunteers, I prepare meals like BBQ ribs, mac & cheese, and buttered bread rolls—not just to satisfy hunger, but to provide the joy of eating for pleasure, a joy many take for granted. We don’t simply distribute food; we sit, eat, and engage in conversations. We remind those we serve that they are seen, valued, and loved! From humble beginnings, Feeding Bloom has grown significantly. Thanks to the generosity of supporters, we have raised over $3,000, allowing us to expand beyond meals to provide clothing, tents, and care packages. Our most recent event on February 15th, 2025, provided over 100 meals and care packages, each containing hygiene products and a handwritten letter of love. Many recipients have shared that, while they appreciate the food, what means the most is the reminder that someone cares. By studying business at Indiana University Bloomington, my dream is to expand Feeding Bloom beyond Bloomington, across Indiana, and eventually nationwide. I want to reach those who feel invisible and forgotten, to remind them of how appreciated they are. However, this dream comes with massive challenges. My family, living in Nigeria, has been severely impacted by hyperinflation, making it impossible to support my education. Despite taking on $45,000 in student loans, financial strain threatens my ability to graduate in Spring 2026. Therefore, I currently stretch myself thin over 3 different jobs, which I work to pay my tuition. Working these jobs is taking a toll both physically and mentally, making it much more difficult for me to keep up with my academics. This scholarship would help alleviate that burden, allowing me to work less hours, focus on my business classes, and gain the skills necessary to expand Feeding Bloom into a movement that changes lives! I know I can make this vision a reality because I have done it before. Upon moving to the U.S., I started a dorm-based food business called EightAPlate to help pay for my education. Every weekend, I cooked meals until 4 AM, selling them to fellow students. What began as a financial necessity became a lesson in entrepreneurship and impact. Seeing the joy my food brought to others reminded me of the comfort a shared meal can provide. That realization led me to start Feeding Bloom. With the business acumen I developed through EightAPlate, I am confident that I can take Feeding Bloom even further. I envision it as an established nonprofit that provides weekly meals and fosters community among unhoused individuals across the country. This scholarship would not only help me stay in school but also equip me with the skills and knowledge to expand my impact. For months, I have poured my heart into applications like this one, hoping for an opportunity to continue building my dream. I pray that the West Family Scholarship will be the light that keeps my vision alive, enabling me to bring hope, dignity, and joy to those who need it most. Thank you for your consideration, and God bless you for offering this opportunity! Link to my FeedingBloom GoFundMe Page - https://www.gofundme.com/f/f54ktg-feed-the-homeless-at-seminary-park Link to FeedingBloom Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/p/DDfdrCfRwOd/?img_index=1

Being the first in my family's history to move from Nigeria to pursue further education was both exhilarating and terrifying. As I my freshman year progressed, doubt filled my every step. "Am I studying enough?" "Do I need to get another job?" "Do I even deserve to be here?" However, with my family depending on me financially, I knew I had no choice but to persevere. Even my loving parents, who had always been my guides through life, could not brighten this unfamiliar path. So, I found guidance elsewhere. I joined communities of people who shared similar struggles, and we lifted each other up. Joining Mu Beta Lambda Business Fraternity, the first and only minority business fraternity in the nation, was transformative. They welcomed me into a family that provided academic resources to help me thrive and connected me with mentors who helped me overcome my uncertainties. Additionally, I joined the African Student Association, where I connected with others who shared my experiences as a first-generation immigrant. We bonded over our mutual fears of failure and the immense responsibility we felt to support our families back home. These communities became my pillars of support, empowering me to succeed! Inspired by the massive impact these organizations had on my life, I took on leadership roles to give back. As Intake Leader for Mu Beta Lambda, I equipped future minority students with the resources that had been so instrumental to my success. Similarly, as Outreach Coordinator for the African Student Association, I expanded our network of African students to ensure nobody felt isolated. These experiences shaped my career aspirations of working in Human Resources, specializing in Recruitment and Training. I want to connect individuals with organizations where they can thrive and provide them with the tools to succeed. My goal is to ensure that no one feels as alone as I did when I first arrived in the U.S. With hyperinflation devastating my home country of Nigeria, this scholarship would significantly ease the financial burden on my family. I currently have over $40,000 in student loans before the start of my senior year, and that number is only set to grow. Receiving the Phoenix Opportunity Award would enable me to continue my education and bring my dream of creating inclusive, supportive environments through HR to life. Thank you so much for considering my application, and I hope to hear from you soon!

My vision for the future is simple yet profound: I want to bring happiness to others and leave the world better than I found it. When my time comes to an end, I want to look back and know that I made people feel seen, cared for, and loved. That dream began with Feeding Bloom, the nonprofit I started in 2022 to support the homeless in my community. It began as a small idea—to provide meals to those who were struggling—but it quickly grew into something much bigger. With the help of generous supporters, Feeding Bloom has raised over $3,000, providing meals, clothing, tents, care packages, and hope to the unhoused in Bloomington. I dream of expanding Feeding Bloom beyond Bloomington, across Indiana, and eventually the entire country. I want to bring smiles to the people who need them most—the ones who feel invisible, forgotten, or left behind. But this dream is not without its challenges. Hyperinflation has devastated my home country of Nigeria, leaving my family struggling to afford my college education. Despite taking on over $45,000 in loans, our financial burdens have made my Spring 2026 graduation feel like a distant hope. This scholarship would not only ease that burden but also allow me to focus on the work that truly matters: continuing my education so I can grow Feeding Bloom into a movement that changes lives. Why am I so certain I can do this? Because I’ve done it before. When I moved to the U.S. to pursue my education, my family’s financial woes moviated me to create a dorm-based food business called EightAPlate. Every weekend, I cooked until 4AM, preparing meals that I sold to fellow students. The money I earned helped pay my tuition and supported my family back home. But something unexpected happened. I saw the joy on my customers’ faces when they bit into a delicious plate of food I’d made. That joy reminded me of the beauty of sharing a meal, of bringing comfort to someone else. I wanted to share that feeling with people who couldn’t afford to buy a plate themselves. That’s how Feeding Bloom was born. Our first event, funded by just $300 raised through GoFundMe, was small but powerful. We provided meals to people at a local homeless shelter, and their reactions were unforgettable. With tears in her eyes, a woman said quietly, “I’ve been having a bad day and I really needed this. Thank you.” Since then, Feeding Bloom has grown beyond what I could have imagined. Over four events, we’ve raised over $3,000, providing not just food but also care packages filled with essentials like gloves, hand warmers, snacks. Each with a handwritten letters of love and encouragement. We’ve donated tents, blankets, and other items to help people survive harsh winters. Each event reminds me why I started Feeding Bloom—to show people that someone cares, that they are not invisible. If I’ve been able to grow Feeding Bloom from $300 to $3,000 in under two years, I know I can take it even further with time and the education I’m pursuing. This scholarship would allow me to stay in school, learn the skills I need to expand Feeding Bloom, and touch even more lives. For months, I’ve poured my heart into applications like this one, hoping for a chance to continue building my dream, without even hearing a response. I pray that the Bright Lights Scholarship will be the light that keeps my vision alive and helps me spread smiles to countless more people. Thank you for considering my application!

My name is Toluwalope Semowo, and I study Human Resources at Indiana University. That mundane sentence is something I never thought I'd be able to say Growing up in Nigeria, the ability to advance your education abroad is a rare and expensive privilege. I never imagined that I would be one of the lucky few able to do so. I am only here due to the indissoluble love of my parents who are weathering the devastating hyperinflation in Nigeria and taking tens of thousands in loans to keep me in college. To honor their love and sacrifice, I decided to graduate college with absolutely no regrets! To name a few, I am the Director of Community Service for Mu Beta Lambda Minority Business Fraternity, a senior member of the African Student Association, starting Center for the 2024 Intramural Basketball Championship team, an AmeriCorps National Service Volunteer, a Student Ambassador for Indiana University and the proud owner of a culinary business where I sell home-cooked meals from my dorm! That was a lot, I know. But that's the point! I am painfully aware of both how lucky I am to be in this position and the massive financial burden accompanying it. Due to the weight of out-of-state tuition, I am facing $35,000 in student loans at the start of my junior year, an amount that might double before I graduate. Just typing that sentence makes my chest tighten with a horrible pain. It honestly terrifies me. However, if I’m going to graduate with significant debt, I refuse to leave with regrets as well! In February 2023, I founded Feeding Bloom to create a positive impact on my community. After crowdfunding donations via GoFundMe, I cook massive meals and donate them to the homeless Bloomington community. For these events, I studied graphic design, social media marketing, and recruited a team of 20+ volunteers. I am elated to announce that in 4 events since then, Feeding Bloom has collected over $2000 in donations and fed 200+ people in need! My passion for helping others is why I study HR. I want to bring joy to the workplace, an environment of such deep sadness for millions. Humans spend approximately 1/3 of their lives working, so why not fill that with smiles?. This summer, I studied rigorously to improve as an HR professional, resulting in my status as a Corporate Recruiting Professional, certified by the American Staffing Association. With my skills from this certification, I want to work in recruitment to ensure that the right people get matched to the right job, increasing satisfaction for employees and the company. However, that goal becomes increasingly difficult as my debt increases. Working 20+ hours a week with EightAPlate while also Student Ambassador is exhausting. Toiling just to make ends meet as my loans drain every excess dollar from my account is frustrating. Even using resources like food banks and applying for SNAP benefits, I am struggling financially. The cost of my attendance at IU leaves me with no savings, which is terrifying as I don't have health insurance. I am one medical emergency away from ruin. This scholarship would allow me to reduce the number of hours I work, freeing up time to study and learn how to become the HR professional I want to be. I believe I should be awarded this scholarship because I work tirelessly to finance my education and make my dreams come true. I am a driven, dedicated worker, and this scholarship will be essential to help me graduate college and spread joy in the workplace! Thank you for considering my application!

My name is Toluwalope Semowo, and I study Human Resources at Indiana University. That mundane sentence is something I never thought I'd be able to say. Growing up in Nigeria, the ability to advance your education abroad is a rare and expensive privilege. I never imagined that I would be one of the lucky few able to do so. I am only here due to the indissoluble love of my parents who are weathering the devastating hyperinflation in Nigeria and taking tens of thousands in loans to keep me in college. To honor their love and sacrifice, I decided to graduate college with absolutely no regrets! To name a few, I am the Director of Community Service for Mu Beta Lambda Minority Business Fraternity, a senior member of the African Student Association, an AmeriCorps National Service Volunteer, a Student Ambassador for Indiana University and the proud owner of a culinary business where I sell home-cooked meals from my dorm! That was a lot, I know. But that's the point! I am painfully aware of both how lucky I am to be in this position and the massive financial burden accompanying it. Due to the weight of out-of-state tuition, I am facing $35,000 in student loans at the start of my junior year. Just typing that sentence makes my chest tighten with a horrible pain. It honestly terrifies me. However, if I’m going to graduate with significant debt, I refuse to leave with regrets as well! In February 2023, I founded Feeding Bloom to create a positive impact on my community. After crowdfunding donations via GoFundMe, I cook massive meals and donate them to the homeless Bloomington community. I am elated to announce that in 4 events since then, Feeding Bloom has collected over $2000 in donations and fed 200+ people in need! My passion for helping others is why I study HR. I want to bring joy to the workplace, an environment of such deep sadness for millions. Humans spend approximately 1/3 of their lives working, so why not fill that with smiles?. This summer, I studied rigorously to improve as an HR professional, resulting in my status as a Corporate Recruiting Professional, certified by the American Staffing Association. With my skills from this certification, I want to work in recruitment to ensure that the right people get matched to the right job, increasing satisfaction for employees and the company. However, that goal becomes increasingly difficult as my debt increases. Toiling just to make ends meet as my loans drain every excess dollar from my account is exhausting. Even using resources like food banks and applying for SNAP benefits, I am struggling financially. The cost of my attendance at IU leaves me with no savings, which is terrifying as I don't have health insurance. I am one medical emergency away from ruin. This scholarship would allow me to reduce the number of hours I work, freeing up time to study and learn how to become the HR professional I want to be. I believe I should be awarded this scholarship because I work tirelessly to finance my education and make my dreams come true. I am a driven, dedicated worker, and this scholarship will be essential to help me graduate college and spread joy in the workplace! Thank you!

My name is Toluwalope Semowo, and I study Human Resources at Indiana University. That mundane sentence is something I never thought I'd be able to say Growing up in Nigeria, the ability to advance your education abroad is a rare and expensive privilege. I never imagined that I would be one of the lucky few able to do so. I am only here due to the indissoluble love of my parents who are weathering the devastating hyperinflation in Nigeria and taking tens of thousands in loans to keep me in college. To honor their love and sacrifice, I decided to graduate college with absolutely no regrets! To name a few, I am the Director of Community Service for Mu Beta Lambda Minority Business Fraternity, a senior member of the African Student Association, starting Center for the 2024 Intramural Basketball Championship team, an AmeriCorps National Service Volunteer, a Student Ambassador for Indiana University and the proud owner of a culinary business where I sell home-cooked meals from my dorm! That was a lot, I know. But that's the point! I am painfully aware of both how lucky I am to be in this position and the massive financial burden accompanying it. Due to the weight of out-of-state tuition, I am facing $35,000 in student loans at the start of my junior year, an amount that might double before I graduate. Just typing that sentence makes my chest tighten with a horrible pain. It honestly terrifies me. However, if I’m going to graduate with significant debt, I refuse to leave with regrets as well! In February 2023, I founded Feeding Bloom to create a positive impact on my community. After crowdfunding donations via GoFundMe, I cook massive meals and donate them to the homeless Bloomington community. For these events, I studied graphic design, social media marketing, and recruited a team of 20+ volunteers. I am elated to announce that in 4 events since then, Feeding Bloom has collected over $2000 in donations and fed 200+ people in need! My passion for helping others is why I study HR. I want to bring joy to the workplace, an environment of such deep sadness for millions. Humans spend approximately 1/3 of their lives working, so why not fill that with smiles?. This summer, I studied rigorously to improve as an HR professional, resulting in my status as a Corporate Recruiting Professional, certified by the American Staffing Association. With my skills from this certification, I want to work in recruitment to ensure that the right people get matched to the right job, increasing satisfaction for employees and the company. However, that goal becomes increasingly difficult as my debt increases. Working 20+ hours a week with EightAPlate while also Student Ambassador is exhausting. Toiling just to make ends meet as my loans drain every excess dollar from my account is frustrating. Even using resources like food banks and applying for SNAP benefits, I am struggling financially. The cost of my attendance at IU leaves me with no savings, which is terrifying as I don't have health insurance. I am one medical emergency away from ruin. This scholarship would allow me to reduce the number of hours I work, freeing up time to study and learn how to become the HR professional I want to be. I believe I should be awarded this scholarship because I work tirelessly to finance my education and make my dreams come true. I am a driven, dedicated worker, and this scholarship will be essential to help me graduate college and spread joy in the workplace! Thank you for considering my application!

My name is Toluwalope Semowo, and I study Human Resources at Indiana University. That mundane sentence is something I never thought I'd be able to say Growing up in Nigeria, the ability to advance your education abroad is a rare and expensive privilege. I never imagined that I would be one of the lucky few able to do so. I am only here due to the indissoluble love of my parents who are weathering the devastating hyperinflation in Nigeria and taking tens of thousands in loans to keep me in college. To honor their love, I decided to graduate college with absolutely no regrets! To name a few, I am the Director of Community Service for Mu Beta Lambda Minority Business Fraternity, a senior member of the African Student Association and an AmeriCorps National Service Volunteer. That was a lot, I know. But that's the point! I am painfully aware of both how lucky I am to be in this position and the massive financial burden accompanying it. Due to the weight of out-of-state tuition, I am facing $35,000 in student loans at the start of my junior year. Just typing that sentence makes my chest tighten with a horrible pain. It honestly terrifies me. However, if I’m going to graduate with significant debt, I refuse to leave with regrets as well! In February 2023, I founded FeedingBloom to create a positive impact on my community. After crowdfunding donations via GoFundMe, I cook massive meals and donate them to the homeless Bloomington community. I am elated to announce that in 4 events since then, FeedingBloom has collected over $2000 in donations, feeding 200+ people in need! My passion for helping others is why I study HR. I want to bring joy to the workplace, an environment of such deep sadness for millions. Humans spend approximately 1/3 of their lives working, so why not fill that with smiles?. This summer, I studied rigorously to improve as an HR professional, resulting in my status as a Corporate Recruiting Professional, certified by the American Staffing Association. With my skills from this certification, I want to work in recruitment to ensure that the right people get matched to the right job, increasing satisfaction for employees and the company. However, that goal becomes increasingly difficult as my debt increases. Toiling just to make ends meet as my loans drain every excess dollar from my account is exhausting. Even using resources like food banks and applying for SNAP benefits, I am struggling. The cost of my attendance at IU leaves me with no savings, which is terrifying as I don't have health insurance. I am one medical emergency away from ruin. This scholarship would allow me to reduce the number of hours I work, freeing up time to study and learn how to become the HR professional I want to be. I am a driven, dedicated worker, and this scholarship will be essential to help me graduate college and spread joy in the workplace! Thank you!

My name is Toluwalope Semowo, and I study Human Resources at Indiana University. That mundane sentence is something I never thought I'd be able to say Growing up in Nigeria, the ability to advance your education abroad is a rare and expensive privilege. I never imagined that I would be one of the lucky few able to do so. I am only here due to the indissoluble love of my parents who are weathering the devastating hyperinflation in Nigeria and taking tens of thousands in loans to keep me in college. To honor their love and sacrifice, I decided to graduate college with absolutely no regrets! To name a few, I am the Director of Community Service for Mu Beta Lambda Minority Business Fraternity, a senior member of the African Student Association, starting Center for the 2024 Intramural Basketball Championship team, an AmeriCorps National Service Volunteer, a Student Ambassador for Indiana University and the proud owner of a culinary business where I sell home-cooked meals from my dorm! That was a lot, I know. But that's the point! I am painfully aware of both how lucky I am to be in this position and the massive financial burden accompanying it. Due to the weight of out-of-state tuition, I am facing $35,000 in student loans at the start of my junior year, an amount that might double before I graduate. Just typing that sentence makes my chest tighten with a horrible pain. It honestly terrifies me. However, if I’m going to graduate with significant debt, I refuse to leave with regrets as well! In February 2023, I founded Feeding Bloom to create a positive impact on my community. After crowdfunding donations via GoFundMe, I cook massive meals and donate them to the homeless Bloomington community. For these events, I studied graphic design, social media marketing, and recruited a team of 20+ volunteers. I am elated to announce that in 4 events since then, Feeding Bloom has collected over $2000 in donations and fed 200+ people in need! My passion for helping others is why I study HR. I want to bring joy to the workplace, an environment of such deep sadness for millions. Humans spend approximately 1/3 of their lives working, so why not fill that with smiles?. This summer, I studied rigorously to improve as an HR professional, resulting in my status as a Corporate Recruiting Professional, certified by the American Staffing Association. With my skills from this certification, I want to work in recruitment to ensure that the right people get matched to the right job, increasing satisfaction for employees and the company. However, that goal becomes increasingly difficult as my debt increases. Working 20+ hours a week with EightAPlate while also Student Ambassador is exhausting. Toiling just to make ends meet as my loans drain every excess dollar from my account is frustrating. Even using resources like food banks and applying for SNAP benefits, I am struggling financially. The cost of my attendance at IU leaves me with no savings, which is terrifying as I don't have health insurance. I am one medical emergency away from ruin. This scholarship would allow me to reduce the number of hours I work, freeing up time to study and learn how to become the HR professional I want to be. I believe I should be awarded this scholarship because I work tirelessly to finance my education and make my dreams come true. I am a driven, dedicated worker, and this scholarship will be essential to help me graduate college and spread joy in the workplace! Thank you for considering my application!

My name is Toluwalope Semowo, and I study Human Resources at Indiana University. That mundane sentence is something I never thought I'd be able to say Growing up in Nigeria, the ability to advance your education abroad is a rare and expensive privilege. I never imagined that I would be one of the lucky few able to do so. I am only here due to the indissoluble love of my parents who are weathering the devastating hyperinflation in Nigeria and taking tens of thousands in loans to keep me in college. To honor their love and sacrifice, I decided to graduate college with absolutely no regrets! To name a few, I am the Director of Community Service for Mu Beta Lambda Minority Business Fraternity, a senior member of the African Student Association, starting Center for the 2024 Intramural Basketball Championship team, an AmeriCorps National Service Volunteer, a Student Ambassador for Indiana University and the proud owner of a culinary business where I sell home-cooked meals from my dorm! That was a lot, I know. But that's the point! I am painfully aware of both how lucky I am to be in this position and the massive financial burden accompanying it. Due to the weight of out-of-state tuition, I am facing $35,000 in student loans at the start of my junior year, an amount that might double before I graduate. Just typing that sentence makes my chest tighten with a horrible pain. It honestly terrifies me. However, if I’m going to graduate with significant debt, I refuse to leave with regrets as well! In February 2023, I founded Feeding Bloom to create a positive impact on my community. After crowdfunding donations via GoFundMe, I cook massive meals and donate them to the homeless Bloomington community. For these events, I studied graphic design, social media marketing, and recruited a team of 20+ volunteers. I am elated to announce that in 4 events since then, Feeding Bloom has collected over $2000 in donations and fed 200+ people in need! My passion for helping others is why I study HR. I want to bring joy to the workplace, an environment of such deep sadness for millions. Humans spend approximately 1/3 of their lives working, so why not fill that with smiles?. This summer, I studied rigorously to improve as an HR professional, resulting in my status as a Corporate Recruiting Professional, certified by the American Staffing Association. With my skills from this certification, I want to work in recruitment to ensure that the right people get matched to the right job, increasing satisfaction for employees and the company. However, that goal becomes increasingly difficult as my debt increases. Working 20+ hours a week with EightAPlate while also Student Ambassador is exhausting. Toiling just to make ends meet as my loans drain every excess dollar from my account is frustrating. Even using resources like food banks and applying for SNAP benefits, I am struggling financially. The cost of my attendance at IU leaves me with no savings, which is terrifying as I don't have health insurance. I am one medical emergency away from ruin. This scholarship would allow me to reduce the number of hours I work, freeing up time to study and learn how to become the HR professional I want to be. I believe I should be awarded this scholarship because I work tirelessly to finance my education and make my dreams come true. I am a driven, dedicated worker, and this scholarship will be essential to help me graduate college and spread joy in the workplace! Thank you for considering my application!

My deepest condolences for the loss of Mohamed. Losing a loved one is an excruciating pain nobody should experience. However, I commend the Taha family for taking a tragedy and using it to inspire others to live upstanding lives just like Mohamed did. As soaring inflation continues to ravage my home country, my tuition grows into an even larger financial burden on my family. Decades of savings lost value, forcing them to take out extortionate college loans rose. So, during my freshman year, my first action to be an up-stander was to create my culinary business, EightAPlate and ease the massive burden my parents faced. Every Friday, I trudged to Kroger for ingredients and used the dorm kitchen to sell everything from Chinese Fried Rice to Southern BBQ. I couldn't afford to hire employees, so it was an immensely tiring ordeal. 12-16 hour shifts where I often fell asleep in the kitchen due to exhaustion, splattered with ingredients. But I loved EightAPlate. I adored making money to help my benevolent parents who sacrificed for me to study abroad. However, let's go back to the part where I bought ingredients from Kroger. Opposite my local Kroger is "Seminary Park", a camp for homeless people in the Bloomington community. Walking past Seminary Park with my arms full of food every weekend made my heart ache. I wished I could help, but I was a child thousands of dollars in debt. What could I possibly do? Unfazed by the fears clouding my mind, however, I decided to push forward. I decided to find a way to help Seminary Park! In February 2023, I created the "FeedingBloom", an event where crowdsourced funds via GoFundMe to cook food for the homeless people of Seminary Park! I studied graphic design on Canva to make digital flyers and leveraged my EightAPlate Instagram account to spread word of the event. Through all promotional material, I constantly emphasized that Feeding Bloom wasn't about making food because people are hungry. A massive bowl of soup would be much more cost-effective for that purpose. However, like Mohamed, who I write this application in honor of, I wanted to have a true impact on my community. My mission was to cook the best food that I could possibly make. Food that would make people excited to eat and bring smiles to dreary faces! My initial goal was $250, but the GoFundMe surpassed $500 within days! It was a beautiful outpouring of support from people all over the globe. A plethora of people donated, making the 1st Feeding Bloom a massive success, allowing us to donate over 30 meal filled to the brim with food! In just 4 events since then, Feeding Bloom has gathered over $2000 in donations and fed 200+ people in need. But Feeding Bloom doesn't end in college. Post-graduation, I will transform Feeding Bloom from a small series of events to a real business with more constant community support. The model of my business will take inspiration from "The Friday Cafe", a weekly event led by First Church Cambridge where food is provided for homeless community members and they're given a space to eat, socialize smile I have reached out to Rev. Kate Layzer, founder of this beautiful initiative, to learn how FeedingBloom can have a similar impact! My name is Toluwalope and I build my community by delivering meals to those most in need! This scholarship would help finance my education, reduce the financial burden on my parents, and bring me closer to my goal of expanding FeedingBloom. Thank you for considering me! God bless you! EightAPlate-Website-(https://www.instagram.com/eightaplate/) FeedingBloom-Website-https://gofund.me/ba2958ce

Being a first generation Nigerian-American while Nigeria suffers through a financial crisis, my tuition was an exorbitant amount. Even after borrowing over $30,000 in costly student loans, our funds were insufficient. Therefore, in November 2022, I created EightAPlate, my culinary business, to make money and relieve my family of the financial shock we faced. Every Friday, I trudged to Kroger for ingredients and used the dorm kitchen to make a myriad of meals to sell. I couldn't afford to hire employees, so it was a strenuous ordeal. 12-16 hour shifts where I sometimes fell asleep in the kitchen due to exhaustion. Balancing that strenuous ordeal while also being a student was the adversity I faced every week. However, the money I made helped my family, so I always cooked with a massive smile across my face. But let's go back to that Kroger part. Right beside Kroger is a place called "Seminary Park", a camp for homeless people in the Bloomington community. Walking past Seminary Park with my arms full of food every weekend made my heart ache. I wanted to help them. But my own tuition left me thousands of dollars in debt. Was there anything I could do? In February 2023, I found the answer! Leveraging the 500+ followers I had amassed with my EightAPlate Instagram account, I announced the "FeedingBloom" event, where I would be crowdsourcing funds via GoFundMe to cook food for the homeless people of Seminary Park! My mission was to cook the best food I could possibly make. I didn't just want the residents of the park to be full. I needed to provide them with the pleasure of eating for enjoyment that we relish every day. Despite the initial GoFundMe goal being $250, it surpassed $500 within days! All the generous donations allowed us to make over 30 meals filled to the brim with food! After the event, a lady approached me and said she hadn't been able to find a job, and money was running extremely tight. However, she said that my food made her day so much better. That is my definition of a positive impact! In just 4 events since then, FeedingBloom has gathered over $2000 in donations and fed 200+ people in need! In just a year’s time, it became a well-known event on the IU campus that people are extremely supportive of! I hope to donate even more with the 5th FeedingBloom next semester! But what about in the future, you ask? Post-graduation, I will transform FeedingBloom from a series of events to a real nonprofit with constant community support. The model of my business will take inspiration from "The Friday Cafe", a weekly event led by First Church Cambridge where food is provided for homeless people in the community and they're given a space to eat, talk and be treated well. Last week, I reached out to Rev. Kate Layzer, founder of this beautiful initiative, to learn from her and give FeedingBloom a similar impact! We have a call scheduled for later this week. In addition, I want FeedingBloom to encourage people to make change in their communities! I want my story to illustrate that abundant financial resources aren't required to succeed. The biggest step is simply the burning desire to make change! If you believe in my vision for a positive impact and would like to see FeedingBloom flourish, I can't under-emphasize how significant this scholarship would be. It would allow me to hire EightAPlate employees, freeing up time to study and learn how to make FeedingBloom a successful nonprofit! Additional-Information FeedingBloom Instagram-Page (https://www.instagram.com/eightaplate/). FeedingBloom-GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/f/feed-the-homeless-at-seminary-park?utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer

In November 2022, EightAPlate, my culinary business, was founded at Indiana University. Being a first generation Nigerian-American while Nigeria suffers through a financial crisis, my tuition was an exorbitant amount. Even after borrowing over $30,000 in costly student loans, we needed more. I created EightAPlate to make money and relieve my family of the financial shock we faced. Every Friday, I trudged to Kroger for ingredients and used the dorm kitchen to make a myriad of meals to sell. I couldn't afford to hire employees, so it was a strenuous ordeal. 12-16 hour shifts where I sometimes fell asleep in the kitchen due to exhaustion. Balancing that strenuous ordeal while also being a student was the adversity I faced every week. How did I overcome it? By remembering everything that my family sacrificed for the sake of my education and taking pride in my ability to help them. But let's go back to that Kroger part. Right beside Kroger is a place called "Seminary Park", a camp for homeless people in the Bloomington community. Walking past Seminary Park with my arms full of food every weekend made my heart ache. I wanted to help them. But my own tuition left me thousands of dollars in debt. Was there anything I could do? In February 2023, I found the answer! I leveraged the 500+ followers I had amassed with my EightAPlate Instagram account. I announced the "FeedingBloom" event, where I would be crowdsourcing funds via GoFundMe to cook food for the homeless people of Seminary Park! My mission was to cook the best food that I could possibly make. I didn't just want the residents of the park to be full. I needed to provide them with the pleasure of eating for enjoyment that we relish every day. Despite the initial GoFundMe goal being $250, it surpassed $500 within days! All the generous donations allowed us to make over 30 meals filled to the brim with food! After the event, a lady approached me and said she hadn't been able to find a job, and money was running extremely tight. However, she said that my food made her day so much better. That is my definition of success! In just 4 events since then, FeedingBloom has collected over $2000 in donations and fed 200+ people in need. In just a year’s time, it became a well-known event on the IU campus that people are extremely supportive of! I hope to donate even more with the 5th FeedingBloom next semester! But what about in the future, you ask? Post-graduation, I will transform FeedingBloom from a small series of events to a real nonprofit with more constant community support. The model of my business will take inspiration from "The Friday Cafe", a weekly event led by First Church Cambridge where food is provided for homeless people in the community and they're given a space to eat, talk and be treated well. I have reached out to Rev. Kate Layzer, founder of this beautiful initiative, to learn from her and give FeedingBloom a similar impact! In addition, I want FeedingBloom to encourage people to make change in their communities! I want my story to illustrate that abundant financial resources aren't required to succeed. The biggest step is simply the burning desire to make change! If you believe in my vision of success and would like to see FeedingBloom flourish, this scholarship would be an enormous help. It would allow me to hire EightAPlate employees, freeing up time to study and learn how to make FeedingBloom a successful nonprofit! Additional-Information FeedingBloom Instagram-Page (https://www.instagram.com/eightaplate/). FeedingBloom-GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/f/feed-the-homeless-at-seminary-park?utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer

Growing up in Nigeria, the ability to advance your education abroad is a rare (and expensive) privilege. I am only here due to the love of my parents and the countless sacrifices they made to help finance my education. To honor their love, I decided I would graduate college with absolutely no regrets! To name a few, I am the Director of Community Service for Mu Beta Lambda Minority Business Fraternity, a senior member of the African Student Association, the starting Center for the 2024 Intramural Basketball Champions (Where I was nicknamed "Mutombo" for averaging 2.5 blocks per game) and I am the proud owner of EightAPlate (https://www.instagram.com/eightaplate/) my culinary business where I sell different customizable meals every weekend out of my dorm! That was a lot, I know. But that's the point! I am painfully aware of both how lucky I am to be in this position and the massive financial burden accompanying it. Because I pay out-of-state tuition, I currently have $30,000 in student loans before my junior year even begins. Those loans are a terrifying weight that will make my life much more grueling. However, if I'm leaving college with back-breaking debt, why leave with regrets too? I want to graduate knowing that I made a positive impact on my community. Therefore, in February 2023, I founded "Feeding Bloom", crowdfunding donations via GoFundMe to cook meals and donate them to the homeless Bloomington community. The events are massive undertakings that I had to learn graphic design, social media marketing, and gather a team of 15 volunteers just to pull off. I am proud to say that in 4 events since then, Feeding Bloom has collected over $2000 in donations and fed 200+ people in need! I am currently planning the 5th Feeding Bloom in Fall to help even more people! My passion for helping others is why I am studying H.R. I want to bring joy to the workplace, an environment that causes distress and depression for millions. I know firsthand that a simple smile can illuminate the worst days. So, I study HR to bring smiles to my future workplace and help make employees happy. Humans spend approximately 1/3 of their lives working, so why not do it with a smile? My current job as a Student Ambassador helps sharpen my HR skills as I meet with multiple student families every day! I love being an Ambassador, but working 8 hours a week in addition to 20+ hours for EightAPlate is extremely exhausting. I can't afford to hire employees, so my Saturdays consist of arduous 12–16-hour shifts where I have to be a Chef, Social Media Manager, Waiter and Janitor until I finish at 6AM the next day. Sometimes I fall asleep in the kitchen due to fatigue, just to wake up the next morning and get back to work. I love EightAPlate, but these long shifts are unsustainable and take a toll on my health. In addition, they snatch away time I want to use for my studies. However, I need to work those hours to support my family financially, as all my paycheck money goes towards paying my tuition. This scholarship would allow me to reduce the number of hours I work and hire employees, freeing up time to focus on my studies and fulfill my goal of graduating college with no regrets as an educated business professional. Being awarded this Nyadollie Scholarship would be a massive help in making that goal a reality! Thank you very much for reading my submission!

I dream of adding blankets of warmth to what can so often be a terrifyingly cold world. My vision of success is to help as many people as possible with the expansion of my FeedingBloom nonprofit. What is FeedingBloom? That requires a bit of backstory. In November 2022, EightAPlate, my culinary business, was founded at Indiana University. Being a first generation Nigerian-American while Nigeria suffers through a financial crisis, my tuition was an exorbitant amount. Even after borrowing over $30,000 in costly student loans, we needed more. I created EightAPlate to make money and relieve my family of the financial terrors we faced. Every Friday, I trudged to Kroger for ingredients and used the dorm kitchen to sell everything from Chinese Fried Rice to Southern BBQ. I couldn't afford to hire employees, so it was a strenuous ordeal. 12-16 hour shifts where I sometimes fell asleep in the kitchen due to exhaustion. But I loved EightAPlate because it let me support my family. But let's return to that Kroger part. Right beside Kroger is a place called "Seminary Park", a camp for homeless people in the Bloomington community. Walking past Seminary Park with my arms full of food every weekend made my heart ache. I wanted to help them. But my own tuition left me tens of thousands of dollars in debt. What could I possibly do? In February 2023, I found the answer! I studied graphic design on Canva to make digital flyers and leveraged the 500+ followers I had amassed with my EightAPlate Instagram account. I announced the "FeedingBloom" event, where I would be crowdsourcing funds via GoFundMe to cook food for the homeless people of Seminary Park! My mission was to cook the best food that I could possibly make. I didn't just want the residents of the park to be full. I needed to provide them with the pleasure of eating for enjoyment that we relish every day. Despite the initial GoFundMe goal being $250, it surpassed $500 within days. It was a beautiful outpouring of support from a myriad of people who made the 1st FeedingBloom a massive success. We donated over 30 meals filled to the brim with food! After the event, a lady approached me and explained that life had been anything but easy recently. She hadn't been able to find a job, and money was running extremely tight. However, she said that my food made her day so much better. That is my definition of success! In just 4 events since then, FeedingBloom has collected over $2000 in donations and fed 200+ people in need. In just a year’s time, it has become a well-known event on the IU campus that people are extremely supportive of. But the FeedingBloom events are simply the beginning. True success will be when I transform FeedingBloom from a small series of events intto a real business with more constant community support. The model of my business will take inspiration from "The Friday Cafe", a weekly event led by First Church Cambridge where food is provided for local homeless residents, and they're given a space to eat and socialize. I have reached out to Rev. Kate Layzer, founder of this beautiful initiative, to learn from her and give FeedingBloom a similar impact. In order to do this, however, I have to focus on my education and build the entrepreneurial skills required to make FeedingBloom a successful nonprofit. That's where this scholarship comes in. As I mentioned earlier, Nigeria is in a financial crisis. Hyperinflation threatens to rip the country apart. The Naira to Dollar exchange rate heavily worsened and my family's life savings lost most of its value. Therefore, I work both as the owner of EightAPlate and as a Student Ambassador to aid my family financially. Being required to work 30+ hours each week takes away from the time I would like to use for my studies and plan Feeding Bloom's future. This scholarship would give me the financial assistance I need to reduce the amount of hours I work and focus more on my education. Aside from feeding the homeless, I also want FeedingBloom to encourage people to make change in their communities. I want my story to illustrate that abundant financial resources aren't required to succeed. The biggest step is simply the burning desire to make change! I am also making a short-video series on how I plan each FeedingBloom event to aid anyone creating a similar community initiative. If you believe in my vision of success and would like to see FeedingBloom flourish, I cannot understate how massive of an aid this scholarship would be. To me, success is helping others. With this scholarship, I will use FeedingBloom to spread my vision of success across America! Additional-Information FeedingBloom/EightAPlate Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/eightaplate/). FeedingBloom-GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/f/feed-the-homeless-at-seminary-park?utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer

In February 2023, my greatest achievement was created! But before then, let's visit November 2022. That was when EightAPlate, my culinary business, was created at Indiana University (https://www.instagram.com/eightaplate/). Being a first generation Nigerian-American, my tuition was a massive financial burden on my family, so I created EightAPlate to help make money. Every Friday, I trudged to Kroger for ingredients and used the dorm kitchen to make everything from Chinese Fried Rice to Southern BBQ. I couldn't afford to hire employees, so it was a strenuous ordeal. 12-16 hour shifts where I sometimes fell asleep in the kitchen due to exhaustion. But I loved EightAPlate because it let me support my family. But let's go back to that Kroger part. Right beside Kroger is a place called "Seminary Park", a camp for homeless people in the Bloomington community. Walking past Seminary Park with my arms full of food every weekend made my heart ache. I wanted to help them. But my own tuition left me thousands of dollars in debt. Was there anything I could do? In February 2023, I found the answer! I studied graphic design on Canva to make digital flyers and leveraged the 500+ followers I had amassed with my EightAPlate Instagram account. I announced the "Feeding Bloom" event, where I would be crowdsourcing funds via GoFundMe to cook food for the homeless people of Seminary Park! I constantly emphasize that Feeding Bloom isn't about making food because people are hungry. A massive bowl of soup would be much more cost-effective for that purpose. But that isn't Feeding Bloom. My mission was to cook the best food that I could possibly make. Food that would make them excited to eat and share that joy of eating for enjoyment that we experience every day! My initial goal was $250, but the GoFundMe surpassed $500 within days! It was a beautiful outpouring of support from people all over the globe. Friends, family, co-workers, IU staff. A plethora of people donated and made the 1st Feeding Bloom a massive success, allowing us to donate over 30 meals, filled to the brim with food! In just 4 events since then, Feeding Bloom has collected over $2000 in donations and fed 200+ people in need. I hope to donate even more with the 5th Feeding Bloom next semester! But what about after college, you might ask? I will transform Feeding Bloom from a small series of events to a real business with more constant community support. The model of my business will take inspiration from "The Friday Cafe", a weekly event led by First Church Cambridge where food is provided for homeless people in the community and they're given a space to eat, talk and be treated well. I have reached out to Rev. Kate Layzer, founder of this beautiful initiative, to learn from her and give Feeding Bloom have a similar impact! In addition, I want Feeding Bloom to encourage people to make change in their communities! I want my story to show that you don't have to be a perfect planner or have all the financial resources. The biggest step is just getting out and trying to make a change! I am also making a short-video series on how I plan each Feeding Bloom event to teach anyone who wishes to create a similar community initiative. I will be overjoyed if my success with Feeding Bloom inspires others to cast doubt aside and finally be the change they hope for. I will create a positive environmental impact by feeding the homeless and showing people how simple making change can be!

In February 2023, my greatest achievement was created! But before then, let's visit November 2022. That was when EightAPlate, my culinary business, was created at Indiana University (https://www.instagram.com/eightaplate/). Being a first generation Nigerian-American, my tuition was a massive financial burden on my family, so I created EightAPlate to help make money. Every Friday, I trudged to Kroger for ingredients and used the dorm kitchen to make everything from Chinese Fried Rice to Southern BBQ. I couldn't afford to hire employees, so it was a strenuous ordeal. 12-16 hour shifts where I sometimes fell asleep in the kitchen due to exhaustion. But I loved EightAPlate because it let me support my family. But let's go back to that Kroger part. Right beside Kroger is a place called "Seminary Park", a camp for homeless people in the Bloomington community. Walking past Seminary Park with my arms full of food every weekend made my heart ache. I wanted to help them. But my own tuition left me thousands of dollars in debt. Was there anything I could do? In February 2023, I found the answer! I studied graphic design on Canva to make digital flyers and leveraged the 500+ followers I had amassed with my EightAPlate Instagram account. I announced the "Feeding Bloom" event, where I would be crowdsourcing funds via GoFundMe to cook food for the homeless people of Seminary Park! I constantly emphasize that Feeding Bloom isn't about making food because people are hungry. A massive bowl of soup would be much more cost-effective for that purpose. But that isn't Feeding Bloom. Like Michael, I wanted to have a true impact on my community. My mission was to cook the best food that I could possibly make. Food that would make them excited to eat and share that joy of eating for enjoyment that we experience every day! My initial goal was $250, but the GoFundMe surpassed $500 within days! It was a beautiful outpouring of support from people all over the globe. Friends, family, co-workers, IU staff. A plethora of people donated and made the 1st Feeding Bloom a massive success, allowing us to donate over 30 meals, filled to the brim with food! In just 4 events since then, Feeding Bloom has collected over $2000 in donations and fed 200+ people in need! And we're just getting started! Feeding Bloom doesn't end in college. Post-graduation, I will transform Feeding Bloom from a small series of events to a real business with more constant community support. The model of my business will take inspiration from "The Friday Cafe", a weekly event led by First Church Cambridge where food is provided for homeless people in the community and they're given a space to eat, talk and be treated well. I have reached out to Rev. Kate Layzer, founder of this beautiful initiative, to learn from her and give Feeding Bloom have a similar impact! In addition, I want Feeding Bloom to encourage people to make change in their communities! I want my story to show that you don't have to be a perfect planner or have all the financial resources. The biggest step is just getting out and trying to make a change! I am also making a short-video series on how I plan each Feeding Bloom event to teach anyone who wishes to create a similar community initiative.I will be overjoyed if my success with Feeding Bloom inspires others to cast doubt aside and finally be the change they hope for. I embody selflessness by working to support my family, feeding the homeless and encouraging others to make change!

Hello! My name is Toluwalope Semowo and I study Human Resources at Indiana University, which is much further than I ever expected to be. Growing up in Nigeria, the ability to advance your education abroad is a rare (and expensive) privilege. I am only here due to the love of my parents and the countless sacrifices they made to help finance my education. To honor their love, I decided I would graduate college with absolutely no regrets! To name a few, I am the Director of Community Service for Mu Beta Lambda Minority Business Fraternity, a senior member of the African Student Association, the starting Center for the 2024 Intramural Basketball Champions (Where I was nicknamed "Mutombo" for averaging 2.5 blocks per game) and I am the proud owner of EightAPlate (https://www.instagram.com/eightaplate/) my culinary business where I sell different customizable meals every weekend out of my dorm! That was a lot, I know. But that's the point! I am painfully aware of both how lucky I am to be in this position and the massive financial burden accompanying it. Because I pay out-of-state tuition, I currently have $30,000 in student loans before my junior year even begins. Those loans are a terrifying weight that will make my life much more grueling. However, if I'm leaving college with back-breaking debt, why leave with regrets too? I want to graduate knowing that I made a positive impact on my community. Therefore, in February 2023, I founded "Feeding Bloom", crowdfunding donations via GoFundMe to cook meals and donate them to the homeless Bloomington community. The events are massive undertakings that I had to learn graphic design, social media marketing, and gather a team of 15 volunteers just to pull off. I am proud to say that in 4 events since then, Feeding Bloom has collected over $2000 in donations and fed 200+ people in need! I am currently planning the 5th Feeding Bloom in Fall to help even more people! My passion for helping others is why I am studying H.R. I want to bring joy to the workplace, an environment that causes distress and depression for millions. I know firsthand that a simple smile can illuminate the worst days. So, I study HR to bring smiles to my future workplace and help make employees happy. Humans spend approximately 1/3 of their lives working, so why not do it with a smile? My current job as a Student Ambassador helps sharpen my HR skills as I meet with multiple student families every day! I love being an Ambassador, but working 8 hours a week in addition to 20+ hours for EightAPlate is extremely exhausting. I can't afford to hire employees, so my Saturdays consist of arduous 12–16-hour shifts where I have to be a Chef, Social Media Manager, Waiter and Janitor until I finish at 6AM the next day. I often have to sleep in the kitchen to wake up the next morning and get back to cleaning. I love EightAPlate, but these long shifts are unsustainable and take a toll on my health. In addition, they snatch away time I want to use for my studies. However, I need to work those hours to support my family financially, as all my paycheck money goes towards paying my tuition. This scholarship would allow me to reduce the number of hours I work and hire employees, freeing up time to focus on my studies and fulfill my goal of graduating college with no regrets. Being awarded this Carlos F. Garcia Muentes Scholarship would be a massive help in making that goal a reality!

In February 2023, my greatest achievement was created! But before then, let's visit November 2022. That was when EightAPlate, my culinary business, was created at Indiana University (https://www.instagram.com/eightaplate/). Being a first generation Nigerian-American, my tuition was a massive financial burden on my family, so I created EightAPlate to help make money. Every Friday, I trudged to Kroger for ingredients and used the dorm kitchen to make everything from Chinese Fried Rice to Southern BBQ. I couldn't afford to hire employees, so it was a strenuous ordeal. 12-16 hour shifts where I sometimes fell asleep in the kitchen due to exhaustion. But I loved EightAPlate because it let me support my family. But let's go back to that Kroger part. Right beside Kroger is a place called "Seminary Park", a camp for homeless people in the Bloomington community. Walking past Seminary Park with my arms full of food every weekend made my heart ache. I wanted to help them. But my own tuition left me thousands of dollars in debt. Was there anything I could do? In February 2023, I found the answer! I studied graphic design on Canva to make digital flyers and leveraged the 500+ followers I had amassed with my EightAPlate Instagram account. I announced the "Feeding Bloom" event, where I would be crowdsourcing funds via GoFundMe to cook food for the homeless people of Seminary Park! I constantly emphasize that Feeding Bloom isn't about making food because people are hungry. A massive bowl of soup would be much more cost-effective for that purpose. But that isn't Feeding Bloom. My mission was to cook the best food that I could possibly make. Food that would make them excited to eat and share that joy of eating for enjoyment that we experience every day! My initial goal was $250, but the GoFundMe surpassed $500 within days! It was a beautiful outpouring of support from people all over the globe. Friends, family, co-workers, IU staff. A plethora of people donated and made the 1st Feeding Bloom a massive success, allowing us to donate over 30 meals, filled to the brim with food! In just 4 events since then, Feeding Bloom has collected over $2000 in donations and fed 200+ people in need. I hope to donate even more with the 5th Feeding Bloom next semester! But what about after college, you might ask? I will transform Feeding Bloom from a small series of events to a real business with more constant community support. The model of my business will take inspiration from "The Friday Cafe", a weekly event led by First Church Cambridge where food is provided for homeless people in the community and they're given a space to eat, talk and be treated well. I have reached out to Rev. Kate Layzer, founder of this beautiful initiative, to learn from her and give Feeding Bloom have a similar impact! In addition, I want Feeding Bloom to encourage people to make change in their communities! I want my story to show that you don't have to be a perfect planner or have all the financial resources. The biggest step is just getting out and trying to make a change! I am also making a short-video series on how I plan each Feeding Bloom event to teach anyone who wishes to create a similar community initiative. I will be overjoyed if my success with Feeding Bloom inspires others to cast doubt aside and finally be the change they hope for. I will create a positive environmental impact by feeding the homeless and showing people how simple making change can be!

My name is Toluwalope Semowo and I'm a first generation Nigerian-American studying H.R. at Indiana University. To be honest, that's not a sentence I ever expected to say. When you grow up in Nigeria, advancing your education abroad is a rare (and expensive) privilege. With nationwide strikes, insecurity, and hyperinflation ripping the country apart, simply living in Nigeria is becoming a herculean task. My ability to study in the U.S. is solely due to the love of my parents and the countless sacrifices they made to support my education. They constantly denied themselves the luxuries to invest in the advancement of my learning. However, when the exchange rate of Naira to Dollar skyrocketed, savings slipped through their hands like flour through a sieve. Decades of work simply...vanished. Even after scholarships, grants and wages from both of my jobs, the out-of-state tuition was an impossible amount to pay. Defeated, we turned to private loans as a last resort to keep me in school. Currently, I have borrowed over $30,000 in high-interest loans before my junior year even begins. The idea of repaying such a large sum of money terrified me. Merely thinking about finances left my palms drenched and my heart pounding ferociously. With 2 years of college left, I was far from done paying tuition. Would I have to borrow even more money? How on Earth would I repay all of this alone?? I fell into despair. I became my own worst enemy. When a $30,000 price tag floats menacingly behind all your actions, nothing is good enough. I was angry at myself for not having perfect grades. "$30,000 just to get a A-"? I was angry at myself for feeling scared. "People back in Nigeria would kill to be in your position! Why are you being ungrateful?" I was angry at myself for taking breaks after studying. "You can rest after you study more. People who can afford college get to rest, not you. " My life was miserable, and I was the one causing the misery. I yearned to be perfect to justify that massive sum of money. All while feeling guilty because (even with the loans) studying in the U.S. is a great privilege. But finally, I accepted it. I stopped hurting myself by running away from the truth and accepted the my entire situation. I am extremely privileged to have parents who made sacrifices for me to study in the U.S. Simultaneously, having $30,000 in loans is a very difficult position to be in. Accepting both sides of my situation was the first step to overcoming the adversity I faced. Having such huge loans puts me in a worse position than my peers, that is correct. But that doesn't mean that I can't take a break while studying. This mentality change didn't happen in a day. In fact, it's still happening! I'm still learning how to give myself grace with this terrifying weight over me. Accepting my situation was an excellent first step in that proccess. To anyone else enduring similar circumstances, I remind you of your past. Think of every massive issue that once plagued your mind. Being a kid and not being able to go for a sleepover. Being a teenager feeling isolated in High School. Being a young adult struggling with college applications. Each one of those things passed by, becoming nothing but memories. You don't know these loans will get paid, and that's scary. But there will be a point where you look back and, like everything else, it's nothing but a memory. So don't let those loans stop you from living!

Hello! My name is Toluwalope Semowo and I study Human Resources at Indiana University, which is much further than I ever expected to be. Growing up in Nigeria, the ability to advance your education abroad is a rare (and expensive) privilege. I am only here due to the love of my parents and the countless sacrifices they made to help finance my education. To honor their love, I decided I would graduate college with absolutely no regrets! To name a few, I am the Director of Community Service for Mu Beta Lambda Minority Business Fraternity, a senior member of the African Student Association, the starting Center for the 2024 Intramural Basketball Champions (Where I was nicknamed "Mutombo" for averaging 2.5 blocks) and I am the proud owner of EightAPlate (https://www.instagram.com/eightaplate/) my culinary business where I sell different customizable meals every weekend out of my dorm! That was a lot, I know. But that's the point! I am painfully aware of both how lucky I am to be in this position and the massive financial burden accompanying it. Because I pay out-of-state tuition, I currently have $30,000 in student loans before my junior year even begins. Those loans are a terrifying weight that will make my life much more grueling. However, if I'm leaving college with back-breaking debt, why leave with regrets too? I want to graduate knowing that I made a positive impact on my community. Therefore, in February 2023, I founded "Feeding Bloom", crowdfunding donations via GoFundMe to cook meals and donate them to the homeless Bloomington community. The events are massive undertakings that I had to learn graphic design, social media marketing, and gather a team of 15 volunteers just to pull off. I am proud to say that in 4 events since then, Feeding Bloom has collected over $2000 in donations and fed 200+ people in need. I am currently planning the 5th Feeding Bloom in Fall to help even more people! My passion for helping others is why I am studying H.R. I want to bring joy to the workplace, an environment that causes distress and depression for millions. I know firsthand that a simple smile can illuminate the worst days. So, I study HR to bring smiles to my future workplace and help make employees happy. Humans spend approximately 1/3 of their lives working, so why not do it with a smile? My current job as a Student Ambassador helps sharpen my HR skills as I meet with multiple student families every day! I love being an Ambassador, but working 8 hours a week in addition to 20+ hours for EightAPlate is extremely exhausting. I can't afford to hire employees, so my Saturdays consist of arduous 12–16-hour shifts where I have to be a Chef, Social Media Manager, Waiter and Janitor until I finish at 6AM the next day. I often have to sleep in the kitchen to wake up the next morning and get back to cleaning. I love EightAPlate, but these long shifts are unsustainable and take a toll on my health. In addition, they snatch away time I want to use for my studies. However, I need to work those hours to support my family financially, as all my paycheck money goes towards paying my tuition. Being awarded the Hines scholarship would allow me to reduce the number of hours I work and hire employees for EightAPlate, freeing up time to focus on my studies and fulfill my goal of graduating college with no regrets! I sincerely hope you aid my path of no regrets, and thank you for reading my application!

For the longest time, I struggled with feeling privileged. Growing up in Nigeria, the ability to acquire a good education was a rare advantage that I felt guilty for having. "Why me?" I asked, looking at a child even younger than myself forced to sell food on the road in sweltering heat while I sat in a car with the AC blasting. That guilt only worsened when I came to the U.S. to further my education, another privilege that so many with they could have. But, instead of letting that guilt consume me, I came to an answer. If God blessed me to have these privileges, I will use them to help the less fortunate around me. In February 2023 I founded the Feeding Bloom events at Indiana University Bloomington where I collect donations via GoFundMe, cook delicious meals, and donate them to the homeless people in the community. In order to get those donations, I had to teach myself graphic design on Canva and learn social media marketing to spread my message on a variety of social media platforms. In just 4 events since then, Feeding Bloom has collected over $2000 in donations and fed almost 200 people in need. However, that $2000 is all from the generous donations of people around me. I am unable to donate much, if anything to Feeding Bloom apart from my labour. I mentioned my parents being from Nigeria, and the economic situation there is only worsening. Like sand slippig through their fingers, the worsening Naira to Dollar exchage rate has left their savings nearly useless. We are now fully reliant on expensive loans, scholarships, and the two jobs I work on campus to pay my tuition. To be honest, the burden of having $30,000 in student loans before my junior year even begins is terrifying. I don't know where I will get that money from and how it will impact my future. However, I do know that there are people back home who would do anything to be in my position with $100,000 of debt. Regardless of how I acquire it, education is a blessing and a priviledge. I just maintain hope that programs like this WCEJ Thornton Foundation Low-Income Scholarship can help me reduce the financial burden of education while I achieve my goals of helping others! Many kind-hearted people simply do not have the financial means to donate to Feeding Bloom. That is perfectly fine, because I also need volunteers! On my Instagram, where I crowdfund donations and give updates, this is an example of the volunteers that I gathered for the event (https://www.instagram.com/p/C5wZhhRv9Nw/?img_index=9). Over the course of the event, there have been more than 25 volunteers who have helped me buy ingredients, cook, distribute food, and clean up for these events. People from all different sides of campus, united by the desire to help the less fortunate, and delighted to have Feeding Bloom, a program they can use to help those people. In addition to becoming an HR professional, after college, I aspire to turn Feeding Bloom from a small, infrequent series of events, to a real business with more constant community aid. I am inspired by Reverend Kate Layzer, owner of "The Friday Cafe", a weekly event led by First Church Cambridge where food is provided for homeless people in the community and they're given a space to eat, talk and be treated well every Friday. Being a devout Christian, this woman of God taking the initiative to improve her community, drives me to do the same. I want my legacy to show people that making an impact doesn't have to be some world-shattering change. You don't have to be a perfect planner and have all the skills. The first Feeding Bloom event was riddled with flaws. But so what? I continued going and it turned out excellent! I will be overjoyed if my successes with Feeding Bloom can inspire others to cast doubt aside and finally be the change that they want to see. I want to shine my light to not only help the less fortunate, but be an inspiration for like-minded people that need a blueprint to do the same!

Hello! My name is Toluwalope Semowo and I study Human Resources at Indiana University, which is much further than I ever expected to be. Growing up in Nigeria, the ability to advance your education abroad is a rare (and expensive) privilege. I am only here due to the love of my parents and the countless sacrifices they made to help finance my education. To honor their love, I decided I would graduate college with absolutely no regrets! I am the Director of Community Service for Mu Beta Lambda Minority Business Fraternity, a senior member of the African Student Association, the starting Center for the 2024 Intramural Basketball Champions and the proud owner of EightAPlate my culinary business where I sell different customizable meals every weekend out of my dorm! (https://www.instagram.com/eightaplate/) That was a lot, I know. But that's the point! I am painfully aware of both how lucky I am to be in this position and the massive financial burden accompanying it. Because I pay out-of-state tuition, I currently have $30,000 in student loans before my junior year even begins. Those loans are a terrifying weight that will make my life much more grueling. However, if I'm leaving college with back-breaking debt, why leave with regrets too? I want to graduate knowing that I made a positive impact on my community. Therefore, in February 2023, I founded "Feeding Bloom", crowdfunding donations via GoFundMe to cook meals and donate them to Bloomington;s homeless community. The events are massive undertakings that I had to learn graphic design, social media marketing, and gather a team of 15 volunteers just to pull off. I am proud to say that in 4 events since then, Feeding Bloom has collected over $2000 in donations and fed 200+ people in need. Planning is underway for the 5th Feeding Bloom to help even more people! My passion for helping others is why I am studying H.R. I want to bring joy to the workplace, an environment that causes distress and depression for millions. I know firsthand that a simple smile can illuminate the worst days. So, I study HR to bring smiles to my future workplace and help make employees happy. Humans spend approximately 1/3 of their lives working, so why not do it with a smile? In addition to becoming an HR professional, I aspire to turn Feeding Bloom from a small, infrequent series of events, to a real business with more constant community aid. I am inspired by Reverend Kate Layzer, owner of "The Friday Cafe", a weekly event led by First Church Cambridge where food is provided for homeless people in the community and they're given a space to eat, talk and be treated well every Friday. Being a devout Christian, this woman of God taking the initiative to improve her community, drives me to do the same. I want my legacy to show people that making an impact doesn't have to be some world-shattering change. You don't have to be a perfect planner and have all the skills. The first feeding bloom event was so badly planned that I forgot to bring a table and the people I was donating food to had to help me set up. But so what? I continued going and it turned out excellent! I will be overjoyed if my successes with Feeding Bloom can inspire others to cast doubt aside and finally be the change that they want to see. I want to shine my light to not only help the less fortunate, but be an inspiration for like-minded people that need a blueprint to do the same!

Hello! My name is Toluwalope Semowo and I study Human Resources at Indiana University, which is much further than I ever expected to be. Growing up in Nigeria, the ability to advance your education abroad is a rare (and expensive) privilege. I am only here due to the love of my parents and the countless sacrifices they made to help finance my education. To honor their love, I decided I would graduate college with absolutely no regrets! To name a few, I am the Director of Community Service for Mu Beta Lambda Minority Business Fraternity, a senior member of the African Student Association, the starting Center for the 2024 Intramural Basketball Champions (Where I was nicknamed "Mutombo" for averaging 2.5 blocks) and I am the proud owner of EightAPlate (https://www.instagram.com/eightaplate/) my culinary business where I sell different customizable meals every weekend out of my dorm! That was a lot, I know. But that's the point! I am painfully aware of both how lucky I am to be in this position and the massive financial burden accompanying it. Because I pay out-of-state tuition, I currently have $30,000 in student loans before my junior year even begins. Those loans are a terrifying weight that will make my life much more grueling. However, if I'm leaving college with back-breaking debt, why leave with regrets too? I want to graduate knowing that I made a positive impact on my community. Therefore, in February 2023, I founded "Feeding Bloom", crowdfunding donations via GoFundMe to cook meals and donate them to the homeless Bloomington community. The events are massive undertakings that I had to learn graphic design, social media marketing, and gather a team of 15 volunteers just to pull off. I am proud to say that in 4 events since then, Feeding Bloom has collected over $2000 in donations and fed 200+ people in need. I am currently planning the 5th Feeding Bloom in Fall to help even more people! My passion for helping others is why I am studying H.R. I want to bring joy to the workplace, an environment that causes distress and depression for millions. I know firsthand that a simple smile can illuminate the worst days. So, I study HR to bring smiles to my future workplace and help make employees happy. Humans spend approximately 1/3 of their lives working, so why not do it with a smile? My current job as a Student Ambassador helps sharpen my HR skills as I meet with multiple student families every day! I love being an Ambassador, but working 8 hours a week in addition to 20+ hours for EightAPlate is extremely exhausting. I can't afford to hire employees, so my Saturdays consist of arduous 12–16-hour shifts where I have to be a Chef, Social Media Manager, Waiter and Janitor until I finish at 6AM the next day. I often have to sleep in the kitchen to wake up the next morning and get back to cleaning. I love EightAPlate, but these long shifts are unsustainable and take a toll on my health. In addition, they snatch away time I want to use for my studies. However, I need to work those hours to support my family financially, as all my paycheck money goes towards paying my tuition. This scholarship would allow me to reduce the number of hours I work and hire employees, freeing up time to focus on my studies and fulfill my goal of graduating college with no regrets. Being awarded this Grandmaster Nam K Hyong Scholarship would be a massive help in making that goal a reality! But what about after I graduate with no regrets? After my graduation, I want to turn Feeding Bloom from a small, infrequent series of events, to a real business with more constant events. The model of my business will take inspiration from "The Friday Cafe", a weekly event led by First Church Cambridge where food is provided for homeless people in the community and they're given a space to eat, talk and be treated well. It is a consistent event and becomes a weekly treat that the community can look forward to. It is an amazing initiative, and I hope to be able to expand Feeding Bloom to become a community staple like that. I want my legacy to show people that making an impact doesn't have to be some world-shattering change. You don't have to be a perfect planner and have all the skills. The first feeding bloom event was so badly planned that I forgot to bring a table and the people I was donating food to had to help me set up. But so what? I continued going! I will be overjoyed if my successes with Feeding Bloom can inspire others to cast doubt aside and finally be the change that they want to see. I want to shine my light to not only help the less fortunate, but be an inspiration for like-minded people that need a blueprint to do the same!

Hello! My name is Toluwalope Semowo and I study Human Resources at Indiana University, which is much further than I ever expected to be. Growing up in Nigeria, the ability to advance your education abroad is a rare (and expensive) privilege. I am only here due to the love of my parents and the countless sacrifices they made to help finance my education. To honor their love, I decided I would graduate college with absolutely no regrets! To name a few, I am the Director of Community Service for Mu Beta Lambda Minority Business Fraternity, a senior member of the African Student Association, the starting Center for the 2024 Intramural Basketball Champions (Where I was nicknamed "Mutombo" for averaging 2.5 blocks) and I am the proud owner of EightAPlate (https://www.instagram.com/eightaplate/) my culinary business where I sell different customizable meals every weekend out of my dorm! That was a lot, I know. But that's the point! I am painfully aware of both how lucky I am to be in this position and the massive financial burden accompanying it. Because I pay out-of-state tuition, I currently have $30,000 in student loans before my junior year even begins. Those loans are a terrifying weight that will make my life much more grueling. However, if I'm leaving college with back-breaking debt, why leave with regrets too? I want to graduate knowing that I made a positive impact on my community. Therefore, in February 2023, I founded "Feeding Bloom", crowdfunding donations via GoFundMe to cook meals and donate them to the homeless Bloomington community. The events are massive undertakings that I had to learn graphic design, social media marketing, and gather a team of 15 volunteers just to pull off. I am proud to say that in 4 events since then, Feeding Bloom has collected over $2000 in donations and fed 200+ people in need. I am currently planning the 5th Feeding Bloom in Fall to help even more people! My passion for helping others is why I am studying H.R. I want to bring joy to the workplace, an environment that causes distress and depression for millions. I know firsthand that a simple smile can illuminate the worst days. So, I study HR to bring smiles to my future workplace and help make employees happy. Humans spend approximately 1/3 of their lives working, so why not do it with a smile? My current job as a Student Ambassador helps sharpen my HR skills as I meet with multiple student families every day! I love being an Ambassador, but working 8 hours a week in addition to 20+ hours for EightAPlate is extremely exhausting. I can't afford to hire employees, so my Saturdays consist of arduous 12–16-hour shifts where I have to be a Chef, Social Media Manager, Waiter and Janitor until I finish at 6AM the next day. I often have to sleep in the kitchen to wake up the next morning and get back to cleaning. I love EightAPlate, but these long shifts are unsustainable and take a toll on my health. In addition, they snatch away time I want to use for my studies. However, I need to work those hours to support my family financially, as all my paycheck money goes towards paying my tuition. This scholarship would allow me to reduce the number of hours I work and hire employees, freeing up time to focus on my studies and fulfill my goal of graduating college with no regrets. Being awarded this Scholarship in honor of Kalia D. Davis would be a massive help in making that goal a reality!

Sliding down a hill is easy. But who is the person that first ensures that you get uphill? That is a leader. I am currently working to become a leader who can confidently do the most difficult work to reduce the barriers to entry and let others join me as we slide downhill. In February 2023 I founded the Feeding Bloom events at Indiana University Bloomington where I collect donations via GoFundMe, cook delicious meals, and donate them to the homeless people in the community. In order to get those donations, I had to teach myself graphic design on Canva and learn social media marketing to spread my message on a variety of social media platforms. In just 4 events since then, Feeding Bloom has collected over $2000 in donations and fed almost 200 people in need. A variety of people donate to Feeding Bloom. Friends I made in school, family back in Africa, teachers I talk to after class. The common thread of all these people is a desire to help. These are kind-hearted people who would like to make an impact on the less fortunate, but are too busy, scared, or simply don't have the resources to do so. As a leader, I took the first step in creating Feeding Bloom in order to give people a way to use their money to help others. In addition, many kind-hearted people simply do not have the financial means to donate to Feeding Bloom. That is perfectly fine, because I also need volunteers! On my Instagram, where I crowdfund donations and give updates, this is an example of the volunteers that I gathered for the event (https://www.instagram.com/p/C5wZhhRv9Nw/?img_index=9). Over the course of the event, there have been more than 25 volunteers who have helped me buy ingredients, cook, distribute food, and clean up for these events. People from all different sides of campus, united by the desire to help the less fortunate, and delighted to have Feeding Bloom, a program they can use to help those people. I want to turn Feeding Bloom from a small, infrequent series of events, to a real business with more constant events. The model of my business will take inspiration from "The Friday Cafe", a weekly event led by First Church Cambridge where food is provided for homeless people in the community and they're given a space to eat, talk and be treated well. It is a consistent event and becomes a weekly treat that the community can look forward to. It is an amazing initiative, and I hope to be able to expand Feeding Bloom to become a community staple like that. I want my legacy to show people that making an impact doesn't have to be some world-shattering change. You don't have to be a perfect planner and have all the skills. The first feeding bloom event was so badly planned that I forgot to bring a table and the people I was donating food to had to help me set up. But so what? I continued going! I will be overjoyed if my successes with Feeding Bloom can inspire others to cast doubt aside and finally be the change that they want to see. I want to shine my light to not only help the less fortunate, but be an inspiration for like-minded people that need a blueprint to do the same So, the issue I want to solve is twofold. Not only do I want to help provide homeless people with food, I also want to inspire those who have the desire th make change!

Sliding down a hill is easy. But who is the person that first ensures that you get uphill? That is a leader. I am currently working to become a leader who can confidently do the most difficult work to reduce the barriers to entry and let others join me as we slide downhill. In February 2023 I founded the Feeding Bloom events at Indiana University Bloomington where I collect donations via GoFundMe, cook delicious meals, and donate them to the homeless people in the community. In order to get those donations, I had to teach myself graphic design on Canva and learn social media marketing to spread my message on a variety of social media platforms. In just 4 events since then, Feeding Bloom has collected over $2000 in donations and fed almost 200 people in need. A variety of people donate to Feeding Bloom. Friends I made in school, family back in Africa, teachers I talk to after class. The common thread of all these people is a desire to help. These are kind-hearted people who would like to make an impact on the less fortunate, but are too busy, scared, or simply don't have the resources to do so. As a leader, I took the first step in creating Feeding Bloom in order to give people a way to use their money to help others. But it's not just people with money that I help. Many kind-hearted people simply do not have the financial means to donate to Feeding Bloom. That is perfectly fine, because I also need volunteers! On my Instagram, where I crowdfund donations and give updates, this is an example of the volunteers that I gathered for the event (https://www.instagram.com/p/C5wZhhRv9Nw/?img_index=9). Over the course of the event, there have been more than 25 volunteers who have helped me buy ingredients, cook, distribute food, and clean up for these events. People from all different sides of campus, united by the desire to help the less fortunate, and delighted to have Feeding Bloom, a program they can use to help those people. I want to turn Feeding Bloom from a small, infrequent series of events, to a real business with more constant events. The model of my business will take inspiration from "The Friday Cafe", a weekly event led by First Church Cambridge in Massachusetts where food is provided for homeless people in the community and they're given a space to eat, talk and be treated well. It is a consistent event and becomes a weekly treat that the community can look forward to. It is an amazing initiative, and I hope to be able to expand Feeding Bloom to become a community staple like that. I want my legacy to show people that making an impact doesn't have to be some world-shattering change. You don't have to be a perfect planner and have all the skills. The first feeding bloom event was so badly planned that I forgot to bring a table and the people I was donating food to had to help me set up. But so what? I continued going! I will be overjoyed if my successes with Feeding Bloom can inspire others to cast doubt aside and finally be the change that they want to see. I want to shine my light to not only help the less fortunate, but be an inspiration for like-minded people that need a blueprint to do the same!

Hello! Thank you for the opportunity to apply for the Marie Jean Baptiste Memorial Scholarship! I am Toluwalope Semowo, a first-generation Nigerian-American studying H.R. at Indiana University. I am not of Haitian descent, but I speak French, and I love speaking with Haitians to see how much my French knowledge translates to creole. My family still lives in Nigeria, and as the economic situation there worsens, my parents have suffered financially. Tuition has become too expensive for them, and we now rely on high-interest student loans for me to stay in school. To help them, I work as a Student Ambassador at IU and use my wages on my tuition. However, my part-time wages weren't significant enough to make a difference, so I also started a culinary business called EightAPlate where I sell meals every weekend. It is extremely strenuous, as I can't afford to hire employees, so I work arduous, 12-16-hour shifts. Despite that, I love it because it allows me to make more money and support my family financially. In February 2023 I founded the Feeding Bloom events at Indiana University Bloomington where I collect donations via GoFundMe, cook meals, and donate them to the homeless people in the community. In order to get those donations, I had to teach myself graphic design on Canva and learn social media marketing to spread my message on a variety of social media platforms. In just 4 events since then, Feeding Bloom has collected over $2000 in donations and fed almost 200 people in need. A variety of people donate to Feeding Bloom. Friends I made in school, family back in Africa, teachers I talk to after class. The common factor between these people is a desire to help. They are kind-hearted individuals who want to make an impact on the less fortunate, but are too busy, scared, or simply don't have the resources to. Therefore, I took the first step in creating Feeding Bloom in order to give people a way to use their money to help others. But it's not just people with money that I help. Many kind-hearted people simply do not have the financial means to donate to Feeding Bloom. That is perfectly fine, because I also need volunteers! On my Instagram, where I crowdfund donations and give updates, this is an example of the volunteers that I gathered for the event (https://www.instagram.com/p/C5wZhhRv9Nw/?img_index=9). After college, I want to turn Feeding Bloom from a small, infrequent series of events, to a real business with more consistent events. The model of my business will take inspiration from "The Friday Cafe", a weekly event led by First Church Cambridge where food is provided for homeless people in the community and they're given a space to eat, talk and be treated well. It is a weekly event and becomes a constant treat that the community can look forward to. It is an amazing initiative, and I hope to be able to expand Feeding Bloom to become a community staple like that.

Sliding down a hill is easy. But who is the person that first ensures that you get uphill? That is a leader. I am currently working to become a leader who can confidently do the most difficult work to reduce the barriers to entry and let others join me as we slide downhill. In February 2023 I founded the Feeding Bloom events at Indiana University Bloomington where I collect donations via GoFundMe, cook delicious meals, and donate them to the homeless people in the community. In order to get those donations, I had to teach myself graphic design on Canva and learn social media marketing to spread my message on a variety of social media platforms. In just 4 events since then, Feeding Bloom has collected over $2000 in donations and fed almost 200 people in need. A variety of people donate to Feeding Bloom. Friends I made in school, family back in Africa, teachers I talk to after class. The common thread of all these people is a desire to help. These are kind-hearted people who would like to make an impact on the less fortunate, but are too busy, scared, or simply don't have the resources to do so. As a leader, I took the first step in creating Feeding Bloom in order to give people a way to use their money to help others. But it's not just people with money that I help. Many kind-hearted people simply do not have the financial means to donate to Feeding Bloom. That is perfectly fine, because I also need volunteers! On my Instagram, where I crowdfund donations and give updates, this is an example of the volunteers that I gathered for the event (https://www.instagram.com/p/C5wZhhRv9Nw/?img_index=9). Over the course of the event, there have been more than 25 volunteers who have helped me buy ingredients, cook, distribute food, and clean up for these events. People from all different sides of campus, united by the desire to help the less fortunate, and delighted to have Feeding Bloom, a program they can use to help those people. I want to turn Feeding Bloom from a small, infrequent series of events, to a real business with more constant events. The model of my business will take inspiration from "The Friday Cafe", a weekly event led by First Church Cambridge where food is provided for homeless people in the community and they're given a space to eat, talk and be treated well. It is a consistent event and becomes a weekly treat that the community can look forward to. It is an amazing initiative, and I hope to be able to expand Feeding Bloom to become a community staple like that. I want my legacy to show people that making an impact doesn't have to be some world-shattering change. You don't have to be a perfect planner and have all the skills. The first feeding bloom event was so badly planned that I forgot to bring a table and the people I was donating food to had to help me set up. But so what? I continued going! I will be overjoyed if my successes with Feeding Bloom can inspire others to cast doubt aside and finally be the change that they want to see. I want to shine my light to not only help the less fortunate, but be an inspiration for like-minded people that need a blueprint to do the same!

He jumped into the air, sword in hand, and literally stabbed his own father through the heart. How fitting was it that your son brandishing a blade against you, the most painful thing a father could see, was a literal stab to the heart? Yet, Whitebeard, the strongest man in the world who could have crushed Squard like an ant, embraced him. Because to err is human, and to be a father is to forgive. As much as I love anime, I've never been able to be fully drawn into it. Even when Jiraiya died and it was excruciating to see Naruto with tears streaming down his face, losing the only family he had just gained, I was still aware that I was watching an anime. At the end of the day, Naruto wasn't real. I cannot say the same for the characters of One Piece. Specifically, Edward "Whitebeard" Newgate, the world's strongest man. The story I told above was when one of his "sons", Squard, was led to believe that Whitebeard betrayed him and attempted to take his own father's life. In that moment, when Whitebeard lifted his arm and hugged Squard, his sword wound still bleeding profusely, One Piece was real. It wasn't Whitebeard on screen. It was my parents, holding me as a child despite the mountain of silly mistakes I made growing up. Mistakes that they had every right to shout at me for, they simply forgave. As I saw Whitebeard hug Squard, I heard the words my mother said years ago after I had an explosive argument with my brother. She agreed with me that he was in the wrong. He said some horrible things that he got punished for. But I had said horrible things back. And she told me "Just because you were in the right and you COULD say it, doesn't mean you should." In that scenario, an all-out war with the Marines, Whitebeard had every reason to squish Squard into the ground. In fact, Squard, ridden by guilt, wanted to die. But Whitebeard, embodying the true meaning of love, forgave him. That is why One Piece, above anything else, is my favorite Anime. There is no show with characters as real and impactful as this anime. Characters are riddled with flaws, but those flaws make them completely human. The main character himself is unbelievably stupid, and his crew is full of oddballs and outcasts. But beyond their simple interiors, every character in this show is complex, well thought out, and feels extremely real. The prime example being Whitebeard, the greatest character in all of anime. (No wonder all of them got that tattoo on their back, I would too for Whitebeard!)

Hello! My name is Toluwalope Semowo and I study Human Resources at Indiana University, which is much further than I ever expected to be. Growing up in Nigeria, the ability to advance your education abroad is a rare (and expensive) privilege. I am only here due to the love of my parents and the countless sacrifices they made to help finance my education. To honor their love, I decided I would graduate college with absolutely no regrets! To name a few, I am the Director of Community Service for Mu Beta Lambda Minority Business Fraternity, a senior member of the African Student Association, the starting Center for the 2024 Intramural Basketball Champions (Where I was nicknamed "Mutombo" for averaging 2.5 blocks) and I am the proud owner of EightAPlate (https://www.instagram.com/eightaplate/) my culinary business where I sell different customizable meals every weekend out of my dorm! That was a lot, I know. But that's the point! I am painfully aware of both how lucky I am to be in this position and the massive financial burden accompanying it. Because I pay out-of-state tuition, I currently have $30,000 in student loans before my junior year even begins. Those loans are a terrifying weight that will make my life much more grueling. However, if I'm leaving college with back-breaking debt, why leave with regrets too? I want to graduate knowing that I made a positive impact on my community. Therefore, in February 2023, I founded "Feeding Bloom", crowdfunding donations via GoFundMe to cook meals and donate them to the homeless Bloomington community. The events are massive undertakings that I had to learn graphic design, social media marketing, and gather a team of 15 volunteers just to pull off. I am proud to say that in 4 events since then, Feeding Bloom has collected over $2000 in donations and fed 200+ people in need. I am currently planning the 5th Feeding Bloom in Fall to help even more people! My passion for helping others is why I am studying H.R. I want to bring joy to the workplace, an environment that causes distress and depression for millions. I know firsthand that a simple smile can illuminate the worst days. So, I study HR to bring smiles to my future workplace and help make employees happy. Humans spend approximately 1/3 of their lives working, so why not do it with a smile? My current job as a Student Ambassador helps sharpen my HR skills as I meet with multiple student families every day! I love being an Ambassador, but working 8 hours a week in addition to 20+ hours for EightAPlate is extremely exhausting. I can't afford to hire employees, so my Saturdays consist of arduous 12–16-hour shifts where I have to be a Chef, Social Media Manager, Waiter and Janitor until I finish at 6AM the next day. I often have to sleep in the kitchen to wake up the next morning and get back to cleaning. I love EightAPlate, but these long shifts are unsustainable and take a toll on my health. In addition, they snatch away time I want to use for my studies. However, I need to work those hours to support my family financially, as all my paycheck money goes towards paying my tuition. This scholarship would allow me to reduce the number of hours I work and hire employees, freeing up time to focus on my studies and fulfill my goal of graduating college with no regrets. Being awarded this Dr. Soronnadi Nnaji Legacy Scholarship would be a massive help in making that goal a reality!

Sliding down a hill is easy. But who is the person that first, ensures that you get uphill? That is a leader. As a leader, I do the most difficult work to reduce the barriers to entry and let others join me as we slide downhill. In February, 2023 I founded the Feeding Bloom events at Indiana University Bloomington where I collect donations via GoFundMe, cook delicious meals, and donate them to the homeless people in the community. As a devout Christian, I believe it is my duty to use any privilede I have to help those who have less. In order to get those donations, I had to teach myself graphic design on Canva and learn social media marketing to spread my message on a variety of social media platforms. In just 4 events since then, Feeding Bloom has collected over $2000 in donations and fed almost 200 people in need. How does this make me a leader? A variety of people donate to Feeding Bloom. Friends I made in school, family back in Africa, teachers I talk to after class. The common thread of all these people is a desire to help. These are kind-hearted people who would like to make an impact on the less fortunate, but are to busy, scared, or simply don't have the resources to do so. As a leader, I took the first step in creating Feeding Bloom in order to give people a way to use their money to help others. But, it's not just people with money that I help. Many kind-hearted people simply do not have the financial means to donate to Feeding Bloom. That is perfectly fine, because I also need volunteers! On my Instagram, where I crowdfund donations and give updates, this is an example of the volunteers that I gathered for the event (https://www.instagram.com/p/C5wZhhRv9Nw/?img_index=9). Over the course of the event, there have been more than 25 volunteers who have helped me buy ingredients, cook, distribute food, and clean up for these events. People from all different sides of campus united by the desire to help the less fortunate, and delighted to have Feeding Bloom, a program they can use to help those people. I believe I am a leader not because I am the first one to have an idea, or even the best person to have said idea. I am a leader because when I have an idea, God gives me stregth, and I refuse to let it remain one. My ideas become reality, and I rally those around me to help me make change.

By design, I live a much better life than either of my parents did. They drove me to school every morning whereas they had to catch a crickety, old bus. My lunchbox was packed with nutritious food, and I had every writing material needed for the school day. When they were growing up, they had nothing near that. Is it because we're rich? Not even close. As I've grown, I learnt that I had much less money than those around me. Looking back, that's why my closet was comprised of brother's old clothes. But as a child, I would have never known the woes of our financial situation. Because my parents refused to compromise on anything relating to their children, especially education. Despite being born in the U.S, I grew up in Nigeria. For everything that I love about Nigeria, it definetely lacks good public education. My parents, who were taught via that same public education system, wanted better for me. Sacrificing their finances, they sent me to private schools to ensure I recieved the best education. As I prepare for my Junior year of college, they are still supporting me financially, despite the economic situation in Nigeria worsening. The exchange rate of Nigerian Naira to Dollar has more than tripled since 2018. The money that they worked tirelessly for simply...dissapeared. I saw my parents go through the most harrowing time of their life, genuinely unsure of how our family would survive. All while still putting on a brave front for their children. How did they continue? What allowed them to push on in the face of their Naira becoming worthless before their eyes? "National African American Recognition Program Scholar, Toluwalope Semowo" "IU NAACP Innovator of The Year, Toluwalope Semowo" "Hutton Honors College Scholar, Toluwalope Semowo" I used to think that my parents were happy about awards because it was something to brag about. "My son was the best in Biology in his class this year!" And don't get me wrong, Nigerian parents are ALWAYS going to brag. But that is so far from what those awards truly represent. Hope. My parents still live in Nigeria while all 3 of their children scattered across the U.S, unable to live with them because they can't afford it. They have been driving the same car they complain about daily for over a decade because it would be too expensive to replace it. They have to have to sit, feeling inept as parents, as their children take on tens of thousands of dollars in loans because they simply can't afford all the tuition. When I tell them news of a new scholarship, award or excellent report card, that represents hope that one day, I will have a good enough job to change the fortunes of our family. My successes allow them to toil through the difficult present as they dream of an easier future. One where my family can laugh and smile together without the daunting prices of plane tickets ripping us apart. What has education done for me? What hasn't it? To be able to do something for my parents who have been making sacrifices for me before I was born is the greatest gift I have received. To provide even the tiniest glimmer of light in their darkest days brings joy to my soul. Education has allowed me to march to a better future for my family, making difficult days so much easier to bear. What more could I possibly want than that?