Seven years ago, I met a woman who changed the trajectory of my life completely—her name is Ashley. She has been a constant, loving, and reliable force in my life and in my children’s lives since the moment I first met her. In hindsight, I know God placed her in my life at the perfect moment. She has been my encourager, my safe space, and the one who sees me when I can’t see strength in myself. There is no question in my mind that Ashley is my Phoebe. Ashley shows up in every way that matters. Whether I needed help with watching my kids when I was at a low point in my life, a late-night phone call to debrief and process through my personal junk, or a simple reminder that I can do hard things—she was always there. She has a heart of gold, and people don’t just say that about her, she lives it. She gives of herself without expectation of receiving in return. She loves others unconditionally and supports them without judgment. Her gentle strength and faith in me through some of the darkest seasons of my life are what helped me to persevere. Ashley was the one who encouraged me to go back to school and complete my degree in Business Administration. I had doubts about going back to school in my 30s, while raising children and working, but she kept the bigger picture in front of me. She breathed life into my dreams and desires, helped me source resources, and most importantly, never let me give up on myself. I walk in this life more confident in the direction of my dreams because of her. If I were to be selected to receive this scholarship, it would not only help with the financial burden of continuing my education—it would help me to honor the legacy of women like Ashley by paying it forward. My hope is to use my education to build businesses and spaces that uplift other women, especially Black women and mothers, who are often the invisible or forgotten ones in our society. I want to create opportunities, mentorship, and safe spaces for others—just as Ashley has created in me. Ashley’s faith in me gave me a voice and purpose. Now I want to be the Phoebe for someone else. I want to show up, to believe in people when they can’t believe in themselves, and remind them it is never too late to grow, dream, and rise.

I am a Black woman pursuing a degree in Business Administration. I have chosen the career field I am currently pursuing, not for the opportunities it will provide me, but for the impact that I will have on other Black women and people of color who feel as though they are on the outside looking in. It is not uncommon for us to not be represented or included at the decision-making tables or given the proper platforms to showcase our talent. My mission with this career path is to empower others and create change for my people. I currently work in the field of hospitality where service, communication, and flexibility are a few skills one learns in order to flourish. I also learned how difficult it is to move up in a field where we have minimal to no leadership or a reflection of the diversity that is seen in our workforce. In addition to being an employee, I am a mother of 2. I have 1 child of my own and one child that was given to me through fostering. They are the center of my world, and I want to make sure that my children are able to see Black people in a position of power and excellence at every level of their life, especially business and leadership. So I can be that change. I will be intentional in the career path I have chosen and make sure to be a reflection of the change I want to see. I know that my education will assist me in accomplishing my goals but also my lived experiences. I will continue to advocate for diversity in hiring, supporting other black-owned businesses, and mentoring and training young professionals who are just starting in their careers. I know the power of visibility and I know that if you do not see it, you cannot be it. I want to make sure that I am someone that not only opens the door but keeps it wide open for others behind me. I aspire to be an owner of a business or a business manager that will be dedicated to underserved communities and creating opportunities through job training, employment, and developing other people of color in the leadership space. I am also very passionate about creating change for young black professionals who are just beginning their career path. It is one thing to be in the room but to have your voice amplified, recognized, and heard.

Marketing has always appealed to me because it involves human connection. I have a hospitality background and have been working with people from all walks of life for years. During my time as a server, I learned to listen carefully, respond with kindness, and understand what people needed before they needed it. To me, these are the core skills of a good salesperson or marketer. What I love about the field is that it’s a mix of creativity and strategy. It’s about telling a story that makes people stop and pay attention. It’s about building trust with words, images, and ideas. It’s about getting people to act in a way that benefits everyone involved. I find it very rewarding to know that something I’ve made or said can influence another person, solve their problem, or open a door for a business to grow. The reason I applied for this course is that I want to learn and excel in sales and marketing. They are not only my areas of strength, but also my future. I am pursuing a Business Administration degree, and I know that these are the key skills for any successful leader and innovator. These are the areas of the company that create the most growth, visibility, and long-term value. I want to be part of that creation. I want to create value, not just revenue. I also have some personal motivation to do this. I am the mother of two wonderful children, one fostered and one through IVF. These are not the usual paths to parenthood, and they have been both challenging and rewarding. They have given me resilience, purpose, and perspective. I have learned how to adapt to change, think on my feet, and focus on the big picture. These are the skills that help me thrive in any people-oriented, dynamic, and fast-paced environment, such as marketing and sales. I enjoy helping others and being part of something that is constantly changing and growing. The field of marketing and sales is all about continuous learning, creativity, and direct connection with the audience in meaningful and lasting ways. Whether you are promoting a product or service, building a brand identity, or creating a memorable customer experience, you are making a difference. You are creating those moments that make people stop, think, feel, and act. To sum up, I am interested in pursuing marketing and sales because it is who I am. I am a relationship builder, a creative thinker, and a lifelong learner. I always look for ways to grow, improve, and help others do the same.

Hard work, perseverance, and empathy have always been the three cornerstones of a worthwhile life for me, and I have lived by these beliefs throughout all parts of my journey. Growing up in the hospitality industry, I learned from a young age how to properly serve people with patience, professionalism, and a smile. I worked long days and nights, took on challenging positions that required me to remain calm under pressure, and came to see how these things can all shape a person’s character. I witnessed firsthand how essential excellent leadership, proper attention to detail, and a focus on human connection can be to the work that is done in hospitality and in life in general. I soon discovered that I did not want to simply be a part of the workforce—I wanted to understand it, lead in it, and one day start a business of my own. This is what inspired me to return to school to earn my degree in Business Administration. In my studies I have found a new passion for business and hope that one day I can own a business of my own that represents the core values that I live by, while also creating a second chance and opportunity for those around me, particularly working parents, women, and members of underserved communities. My personal life as a mother has had an equally, if not more significant role in the person I am today than any of my career experiences. I am a mother of two children, one who I have had the privilege to raise and be there for every step of the way through the process of fostering, and one who I labored for, both physically and emotionally, through the miracle of IVF. Fostering and IVF have been two completely different experiences with numerous challenges along the way, but both of these journeys have taught me the meaning of true, unconditional love, of sacrifice, and of picking myself up when times are toughest. Parenting, working, and attending school has been hard at times and there have been days when I’ve felt like I have not been able to provide enough for my children. But I have always been able to pick myself up and remember why I am doing this—to provide a better life for my children and to show them that their mother never gives up. I want my children to know that success is not defined by having the easiest road or a perfectly straight path, but instead by being able to power through the unknown. The hard work and grit I have shown in earning my high school diploma while raising a child and continuing through the challenges I have experienced as a young woman in the workforce is what makes me the determined, empathetic, and motivated woman that I am today. I have come so far in my life already, and I cannot wait to see what is next. This scholarship would not only help to relieve some of the financial stress associated with continuing my education but would allow me to remain focused on my goals, on building a better life for my family, and ultimately, on being in a position to one day give back to those who are on their own challenging journeys.