At nineteen, I tore my shoulder while playing semi-professional tennis in France. In a single moment, the future I had carefully trained for disappeared. During rehabilitation, instead of staying home as my parents urged, I chose to look for work. I walked into a local Applebee’s and was hired on the spot, expecting nothing more than a temporary paycheck. Instead, that decision quietly reshaped my life. At Applebee’s, I met Megan, who started out as my manager and eventually became a big sister to me. She bartended at multiple restaurants and seemed to know everyone. Customers, bartenders, and managers were always happy to see her, and by extension, they welcomed me too. Because of her, my introduction to hospitality was not simple or transactional. It felt warm, communal, and familiar, almost like having insider access to a world built on relationships rather than transactions. That sense of belonging was strongest at Sapphire, the bar many locals called the “Black Cheers.” It was where I learned how deeply a space could shape people’s lives. Familiar faces were greeted without hesitation, drinks were already being made, and conversations flowed naturally. Even after I recovered and returned to splitting my time between France and the United States, bars and lounges remained constants. Megan and I kept a tradition of visiting a new bar every Tuesday, no matter how busy or uncertain life felt. Those spaces became anchors during times of transition. When I returned to school, I chose finance with a clear purpose. I knew entrepreneurship was my end goal, and I wanted the tools to turn ideas into sustainable ventures. As a student, I noticed a pattern. Whenever I needed focus, motivation, or connection, I found myself drawn to the same environments that once supported me during recovery. In a bar, I could study productively, meet friends, or collaborate on ideas, all while feeling energized by the presence of others. That balance of focus and community revealed my “Pie in the Sky” dream. My dream is to build spaces that feel like home to people who may not always have one. I want to create bars, lounges, and hospitality concepts that grow into lifestyle brands, alongside residential and commercial properties that provide long-term stability for both my ventures and the communities they serve. I know this dream is ambitious, and even figuring out how to begin has been a hurdle in itself. There are still moments where the vision feels bigger than my experience, and the path forward feels slightly hazy. That uncertainty is exactly why I am grateful to be at my current institution. Being here allows me to continue building financial expertise, workshopping ideas, and developing the confidence to turn those ideas into reality. At its core, my goal is to build spaces that leave people better than they were before they walked in. My “Pie in the Sky” is to build a life where I have gained enough to give enough back. Just as Sapphire became a place engraved in my memory and shaped who I became during a pivotal time in my life, I hope to create spaces that do the same for others. I want the environments I build to offer comfort and possibility, becoming part of someone else’s story in the same way those spaces became part of mine.

I was born in Washington, D.C., but much of my upbringing took place in a one-bedroom apartment in Paris. However, the Paris I knew wasn’t the picturesque, romantic city that many imagine. My neighborhood was far removed from the glitz and glamour of tourist hotspots; it was a place where I knew the names of the drug dealers, where the police presence was a constant reminder of the tensions in the community, and where eviction notices were a harsh reality that often resulted in a neighbor’s belongings scattered across cobblestone streets. Despite these challenges, my community was tightly-knit, held together by shared struggles and a resilient spirit. These experiences deeply shaped my understanding of what it means to belong and the significance of contributing positively to one’s community. Living between these two worlds—spending my formative years in a low-income neighborhood on the outskirts of Paris and frequently returning to the vibrant, culturally rich city of Washington, D.C.—instilled in me a profound appreciation for adaptability, community, and the power of shared experiences. My global upbringing taught me the value of building strong, supportive networks, and it inspired me to contribute meaningfully wherever I find myself. While I’ve always been what my mother calls a “citizen of the world,” I now seek to make a tangible impact in Washington, D.C., the city that shaped my earliest memories. With a finance degree from Howard University, I plan to use my business education to significantly impact the Washington, D.C. community, particularly within the hospitality industry. My current role as a night shift manager and bartender at a local dive bar has provided me with a deep understanding of the business, and I aspire to evolve within this field. My long-term goal is to manage and eventually own multiple bars and lounges throughout the city, each with a distinct identity to cater to the diverse tastes and cultures that define D.C. However, my vision goes beyond running successful businesses. I aim to establish these establishments as community hubs, actively involved in outreach programs and charity events. By doing so, I hope to meet the needs of local residents while contributing positively to the cultural and economic fabric of the neighborhoods they serve. My ultimate objective is to achieve financial success not just for personal gain, but to create opportunities that uplift others, especially those in disadvantaged positions, providing them with the same chances that were available to me through perseverance and determination. I believe that my international experiences have given me a unique perspective on inclusion and diversity, values I plan to weave into my business ventures. Each of my establishments will be more than just a venue for socializing—they will be spaces where people from all walks of life can come together, feel welcome, and find a sense of belonging. By merging my global experiences with my deep connection to Washington, D.C., I aim to create businesses that not only thrive but also serve as pillars of support and growth within the community. Through this approach, I hope to build a legacy that reflects the values I hold dear: resilience, adaptability, and a commitment to uplifting others. Howard University, with its strong sense of community and dedication to excellence, is the ideal place for me to gain the skills and knowledge necessary to achieve these goals. By pursuing this degree, I am confident that I will be well-equipped to make a lasting impact on the Washington, D.C. community and beyond.