Reviving Communities, Reclaiming Futures My name is Simone Smith. I am a first-generation college student, entrepreneur, and founder of a real estate development and property management company driven by one clear mission: to revitalize communities that have been overlooked, disinvested in, and written off. My passion doesn’t lie in building luxury towers or upscale commercial plazas. I care about the neighborhoods that raised me—the ones filled with boarded-up buildings, crumbling sidewalks, and families who deserve more than what they’ve been given. Real estate development is my calling because it allows me to restore dignity to communities through intentional design, ethical ownership, and long-term investment. I’ve experienced housing instability firsthand. I know what it’s like to feel uprooted, to not know where you’ll be a month from now. That’s why I don’t just want to “build”—I want to rebuild in a way that protects people, preserves culture, and opens the door for generational opportunity. I currently operate a small company that manages residential properties and develops new spaces with a focus on affordability, accessibility, and sustainability. In the future, I plan to grow that work across New York and the Northeast, targeting underdeveloped urban areas and rural towns with high vacancy and low income. I don’t just see empty lots—I see potential. I see the corner store that could reopen. I see the duplex that could house a single mom. I see blocks that could breathe again. The Heron Wolf Scholarship would allow me to continue my education at the University at Buffalo, where I’m pursuing a degree in Management with plans to eventually earn a master’s in Real Estate Development. Financial support would ease the burden I carry as a business owner and student, giving me the stability I need to scale my company with care and vision. The most influential person in my life is myself. While I have been inspired by others along the way, it’s been my own determination that’s carried me through housing insecurity, financial barriers, and emotional setbacks. I’ve learned to trust my instincts, honor my growth, and take ownership of my future. I am proud of the woman I’m becoming—a builder, a visionary, and a leader in spaces where people like me are still too rare. My legacy will be rooted in healing and hope. I want people to walk through my developments and feel seen. I want them to know that the world hasn’t forgotten them—and neither have I.