
Hobbies and interests
ATV Riding
Athletic Training
Bible Study
Business And Entrepreneurship
Clinical Psychology
Reading
Business
I read books multiple times per week
William Scott
925
Bold Points1x
Finalist
William Scott
925
Bold Points1x
FinalistBio
I’m William Scott a business major at Morehouse College and a proud father of nine. After overcoming homelessness at 16 I’ve worked tirelessly to support my family fund my education and pursue a better future. I’m passionate about leadership, mentor young men and giving back to my community.
Education
Morehouse College
Bachelor's degree programMajors:
- Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other
Miscellaneous
Desired degree level:
Master's degree program
Graduate schools of interest:
Transfer schools of interest:
Majors of interest:
Career
Dream career field:
Executive Office
Dream career goals:
Supervisor
It’s Your Choice Construction2023 – Present2 years
Sports
Track & Field
Varsity2000 – 20033 years
Awards
- yes
Public services
Volunteering
Stone Square Lodge #239 — Helper2003 – 2025
Future Interests
Advocacy
Volunteering
Entrepreneurship
Delories Thompson Scholarship
In the future, I plan to use my career to uplift underserved communities by merging business, technology, and leadership. My ultimate goal is to establish a consulting firm that helps minority-owned businesses grow through strategic planning and data-driven decision making. I want to create a pipeline of opportunity for people who come from backgrounds like mine, people who have the talent and drive but lack access to resources and support. Having experienced homelessness at 16 and worked multiple jobs to survive, I know how powerful opportunity can be. I want to be the person who opens doors for others and gives them the tools to walk through them. Being Black means being rooted in resilience, strength, and brilliance. It means knowing that I am part of a legacy filled with innovation, culture, and perseverance. Being Black is about rising above adversity while never forgetting where I come from. It’s about turning struggle into success and lifting others along the way. My identity is not a limitation; it’s a source of power and pride. I chose to attend an HBCU because I wanted to be in a space where my culture, potential, and leadership are celebrated. At Morehouse College, I am surrounded by like-minded brothers committed to excellence, service, and impact. This environment has helped shape me into a confident leader who values purpose over position. Morehouse isn’t just preparing me for a job, it’s preparing me for a mission. I’m here to lead, uplift, and leave a legacy worth remembering.
Debra S. Jackson New Horizons Scholarship
At sixteen years old, I found myself sleeping in my car, working multiple jobs, and still showing up to school every day. I wasn’t just trying to graduate I was trying to survive. Getting kicked out of the house forced me to grow up fast, but it also lit a fire in me to pursue a life bigger than my circumstances.
Growing up in a crowded house with five brothers and one sister, we didn’t have much. We shared meals, clothes, and sometimes even the floor when there weren’t enough beds. My parents worked hard, but times were tough. Still, my siblings pushed me to stay in school, play sports, and stay active in music and church. I didn’t know it then, but those early experiences were shaping the man I’d become a leader, a provider, and someone committed to giving back.
After going through so much, I realized that education was the key to rewriting my story. Now, as a Business Administration major at Morehouse College and a proud father of nine, I’m not just doing this for me I’m doing it to break cycles and create new opportunities for my family and my community. Being the first in my family to seriously pursue a college degree is both a challenge and an honor I carry with pride.
Through my role as Director of Communications in the Student Government Association and my 15 years of leadership as Worshipful Master of Stone Square Lodge #239, I’ve learned that leadership is about service. It’s about listening, showing up, and guiding others when they feel lost. That’s why I’m passionate about mentoring young men, especially those who’ve been written off or overlooked. I see myself in them.
My long-term goal is to launch a nonprofit that helps underserved youth gain real-world job skills, financial literacy, and mentorship. I want to build something that makes lasting change something that speaks to that 16-year-old version of myself who just needed someone to believe in him. With this scholarship, I’ll be able to stay focused on my studies, worry less about finances, and devote more time to service and leadership.
I’m not just looking for a degree I’m building a foundation to impact lives. This scholarship isn’t just an investment in my education; it’s an investment in every young person I’ll mentor, every family I’ll inspire, and every community I’ll serve. Thank you for considering me.
Dr. Soronnadi Nnaji Legacy Scholarship
While I am not a first- or second-generation African immigrant, I deeply understand what it means to overcome generational challenges and commit myself to education, service, and purpose. I was raised in Houma, Louisiana, in a large, financially struggling family. At 16, I became homeless and had to fight for my future working multiple jobs, finishing school, and eventually enrolling at Morehouse College as a Business Administration major and full-time father of nine.
My life is rooted in community and purpose. I’ve served my neighborhood and faith community for years, including as Worshipful Master of Stone Square Lodge #239 (AF&AM), where I led back-to-school drives, food distributions, and mentorship programs. I’ve contributed to STEM-related community initiatives through project management roles in facility maintenance and operations coordinating energy-efficient infrastructure upgrades, water control systems, and sustainable drainage solutions in public venues like stadiums. These experiences have shown me that STEM is not just about science it’s about improving the conditions and safety of real people.
At Morehouse, I serve as a Director of Communications in the Student Government Association, where I advocate for online and non-traditional students especially fathers and working adults like myself. I’ve organized virtual town halls, promoted academic resources, and helped shape communication that centers student needs.
Though my path wasn’t shaped by immigration, it has been deeply shaped by generational poverty, lack of access, and the responsibility of breaking cycles for my children. These struggles taught me values shared across many cultural heritages: grit, discipline, faith, and the belief that education is a tool to uplift not just the individual but the whole community.
Receiving the Dr. Soronnadi Nnaji Legacy Scholarship would directly support my continued education in a field that blends STEM and business particularly project management and data analytics. I want to pursue certifications that will allow me to bridge the gap between underserved communities and sustainable infrastructure. My long-term goal is to launch a business that combines facility operations, green innovation, and youth mentorship creating jobs while solving real environmental and structural problems in our neighborhoods.
As someone who once slept in a car and now mentors others, I carry a legacy not defined by bloodline, but by commitment. I am raising nine children to believe in service, self-worth, and education. I’m mentoring young Black men who think no one sees them. And I’m using every opportunity I’m given to bring someone else up with me.
This scholarship would allow me to focus more fully on my education, obtain specialized training, and scale my community efforts with greater impact. I’m not just studying to succeed I’m studying to build, to teach, and to lead others into opportunities they’ve never imagined.
Edward Dorsey, Jr. Memorial Scholarship
As a Business Administration major at Morehouse College, I don’t just see my education as a means to a personal end I see it as a launchpad to lift others. I’m a father of nine, a first-generation college student, and someone who overcame homelessness at 16. These lived experiences taught me how broken systems can hold Black people back not because of a lack of talent or drive, but because of a lack of access, mentorship, and opportunity.
The business world isn’t built for everyone equally. Too often, Black entrepreneurs and professionals face limited access to capital, mentorship, and networks that others take for granted. My goal is to help change that by building pathways that don’t just open doors but teach others how to build their own.
I plan to use my degree to start a Black-led business consulting and development firm that focuses on three pillars: mentorship, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy. This firm will serve as both an incubator and a support hub for Black-owned businesses especially those in under-resourced communities. We’ll provide coaching, operational strategy, marketing support, and funding guidance, all designed with cultural understanding and long-term success in mind.
In addition, I plan to create internship and leadership pipeline programs specifically for young Black students interested in business. I believe early exposure and real-world experience can shift someone’s entire mindset. These programs will be rooted in mentorship matching students with professionals who look like them, who’ve been through what they’re going through, and who can guide them through the often-intimidating corporate landscape.
Another area where I plan to make change is in advocacy and policy. I want to use my platform and knowledge to push for supplier diversity, investment in Black entrepreneurship, and equity in corporate hiring and advancement practices. I know that real change isn’t just built in boardrooms it’s shaped through policy, visibility, and pressure.
At Morehouse, I already serve as Director of Communications in the SGA and work on initiatives that help students especially nontraditional ones stay enrolled and supported. I’ve mentored young men coming from the streets, and I’ve been the first call for brothers navigating school, work, and family. I do this work not because I have to, but because I understand what’s at stake when we don’t show up for each other.
This scholarship will help lighten the financial load so I can keep showing up not just for my education, but for my community. With your support, I can take the next step in building a career rooted in purpose, equity, and transformation.
I don’t just want to succeed in the business world I want to reshape it so that the next Black man or woman walking through the door won’t feel like the only one in the room. I want them to know they belong, they are seen, and they are supported. Because that’s the future we all deserve.
Gladys Ruth Legacy “Service“ Memorial Scholarship
What makes me different is that I’ve been both the one who needed help and the one who now gives it. I’ve been the student sleeping in his car, the young man working three jobs to stay in school, and the father raising a family of nine while pursuing a college degree. My life hasn’t followed a perfect script it’s been built on resilience, faith, and an unwavering commitment to show others that where you start doesn’t have to be where you finish.
I’m not just different because of what I’ve been through many people struggle. I’m different because I choose to be visible while I rise. I share my story. I lead with transparency. And I do it all knowing that someone out there is watching me, even if they never say a word.
As a Business Administration major at Morehouse College, I’m often in spaces where I don’t fit the traditional mold. I’m older than most of my classmates. I’m balancing fatherhood, work, leadership, and education all at once. But I don’t hide any of it because I want that younger student, that single parent, that person who feels like giving up, to look at me and see what’s possible.
I’ve learned that leadership isn’t always about who’s in front of the crowd it’s about who’s being watched from a distance. I’ve had people come up to me months after a talk, a post, or a quiet act of kindness to say, “You kept me going.” And that’s why I stay intentional with how I live. Whether I’m organizing a food drive through my Masonic lodge, mentoring young men from tough backgrounds, or just being present for my kids everything I do is about being the example I once needed.
Even on the days when no one claps, I know someone is watching.
That’s what makes me different. I don’t need an audience to lead. I believe in “silent influence” the power of consistent character. I carry myself with integrity because I know the impact of just one decision, one gesture, one conversation. I know that the young man sitting quietly in the back of the room might be holding on by a thread, and just seeing me show up again and again might be what keeps him going.
This scholarship would allow me to continue showing up not just in class, but in my community, for my children, and for those silently looking to me for hope. I don’t pretend to have it all figured out, but I’ve found purpose in being the kind of man others can look to and say, “If he can do it, maybe I can too.”
And if I can live in a way that inspires someone I’ll never even meet to keep going, then I know I’m doing something right.
Mark A. Jefferson Teaching Scholarship
Education saved my life though not in the traditional classroom sense. I didn’t grow up with privilege. I grew up in Houma, Louisiana, in a home with seven children, where food was shared, space was tight, and resources were limited. At 16, I became homeless, sleeping in my car and juggling multiple jobs to stay in school. But through every struggle, there was one constant: a belief that knowledge could open doors I never thought possible.
Now, as a Business Administration major at Morehouse College and a father of nine, I’m determined to give back by becoming the kind of educator I needed growing up. Not just someone who teaches content but someone who teaches life. My plan is to merge my experience in leadership, project management, and mentorship with a career in education, where I can build minds and restore hope in students who feel left behind.
To me, education is more than academics it’s empowerment. It’s teaching young people that their past does not define their future. It’s about helping students see their own worth and giving them the tools to succeed in a world that often tells them they can’t.
I plan to make a positive impact by teaching with purpose and leading by example. I’ll create classroom spaces where students feel safe, seen, and challenged to grow. I’ll integrate real-world lessons into business and life skills courses teaching everything from financial literacy to conflict resolution to emotional resilience. My lived experiences will allow me to connect deeply with students, especially those who come from similar backgrounds.
But my vision extends beyond the classroom. I plan to build after-school programs and mentorship initiatives that serve at-risk youth and young men of color. These programs will include career exploration, entrepreneurship, leadership development, and community service all rooted in the belief that success is not just about getting out, but about giving back.
I also want to use my voice and leadership to advocate for policy change particularly in underserved schools. Too often, students in low-income areas are treated like statistics instead of individuals. I want to help shift that narrative by becoming an educator who not only teaches but leads systemic change.
This scholarship would help me continue my education without taking resources from my family. It would be an investment in someone who’s already committed to uplifting others. With your support, I’ll continue walking this path not just for me, but for every student who’s ever been told they won’t make it.
In the end, I don’t just want to be an educator I want to be a builder of leaders, a lifter of dreams, and a reminder that with guidance, love, and belief, every student has the potential to rise.
Sarah F. Watson and James E. Dashiell Scholarship
Charity isn’t just important to me it’s personal. I’ve been on the receiving end of kindness during some of my darkest moments. When I was 16 and homeless, sleeping in my car and trying to stay in school, it was the generosity of others an aunt, a coach, a community member that helped me get back on my feet. Those small acts of charity created a ripple effect that still carries me today.
That experience taught me that charity isn’t always about money it’s about showing up for people, especially when they’re down. Now, as a Business Administration major at Morehouse College and a father of nine, I give back through mentorship, community service, and leadership. Whether organizing school supply drives through my Masonic lodge or mentoring young men trying to find their way, I make it a point to pour into others.
In the future, I plan to launch a business that hires and trains individuals from underserved backgrounds, including those formerly incarcerated. I’ll also continue to support programs focused on youth empowerment and financial literacy. Giving back isn’t just something I do it’s part of who I am. Because I know what it feels like to need help and I’ll never forget those who gave it.
TRAM Purple Phoenix Scholarship
My life has never followed a straight path. I’ve been homeless, broken, doubted, and overlooked but I’ve never been without purpose. I grew up in a large, low-income household in Houma, Louisiana, where we often went without. At 16, I found myself living out of a car, working multiple jobs just to survive, and trying to finish school with no safety net. Now, as a Business Administration major at Morehouse College, father of nine, and a mentor in my community, I know I didn’t come this far just for myself. I came this far so I could lead others to freedom mentally, financially, and spiritually.
I plan to use my degree not only to build a career, but to build a mission. With my background in leadership, project management, and faith-based service, I’m preparing to launch a social enterprise that provides jobs, mentorship, and second chances to people who’ve been through what I’ve been through. Whether it’s someone who’s been incarcerated, grown up in poverty, or feels stuck in the system, I want them to see that there’s a path forward and that someone’s walking with them.
My time at Morehouse has taught me the power of brotherhood, education, and purpose. As a student leader in the Student Government Association and a Director of Communications, I use my voice to amplify those who are often unheard especially online students, working fathers, and first-gen scholars like myself. My experience raising nine children while attending school full time has strengthened my belief that real leadership means service and that positive change starts when someone who’s been through the fire turns around and helps others through theirs.
This scholarship would help lighten the load of tuition and books, giving me more space to focus on what truly matters building a business rooted in impact, not just profit. I’m not chasing a title or a paycheck. I’m building a platform to transform lives.
Through workshops in financial literacy, leadership training, and entrepreneurship, I will teach others the lessons I had to learn the hard way. I’ll create mentorship programs for young Black men, especially those growing up without strong male role models. I’ll advocate for education, therapy, and healing in communities where silence has replaced support.
Ultimately, I plan to be a voice in rooms where decisions are made whether that’s a boardroom, a city hall, or a classroom. My degree is my ticket to those rooms. My life story is what gives me the credibility to speak. And my purpose is what drives me to use both for good.
I’m not just working toward a diploma I’m working toward a legacy of impact. One life at a time.
Milan Alexander Memorial Scholarship
My name is William Scott, and my journey into business didn’t begin in a boardroom it started in survival. I grew up in Houma, Louisiana, in a home filled with love but not always resources. As one of seven siblings, I learned early how to make things work, how to lead, and how to serve. When I became homeless at 16, I worked multiple jobs, went to school, and eventually found my footing through hard work, faith, and the support of a few people who believed in me. Now, as a Business Administration major at Morehouse College and a father of nine, I am determined to turn my past into a foundation for helping others rise.
This scholarship is critical to me because it would help ease the financial strain of continuing my education while supporting a large family. I’m doing everything I can working, studying, parenting but the burden is heavy. Receiving this support would allow me to stay focused on my studies and mission: to use business as a tool for empowerment, particularly in underserved communities like the one I came from.
My future goal is to launch a socially responsible business that provides jobs, mentorship, and financial education to at-risk individuals, including returning citizens and young adults with limited options. I want to bridge the gap between business success and community growth. With my background in project management and operations, I see the power of systems but I also see the gaps where people fall through. My dream is to build a business that doesn’t just generate profit, but plants seeds of opportunity where they’ve long been missing.
While my focus is more business than agriculture, I’ve always respected the land and those who work it. I’ve had opportunities to support local urban farming efforts and food distribution drives through my church, helping get fresh food into food deserts. If possible, I’d love to tie my business into community gardens or green sustainability practices that feed and support low-income neighborhoods.
As for community service, it’s been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I’ve served in my church, helped run mentorship programs for young men, and worked with nonprofits to provide basic necessities to families in crisis. As Worshipful Master of Stone Square Lodge #239 for 15 years, I organized events, food drives, school supply giveaways, and financial literacy sessions. At Morehouse, I now serve as Director of Communications for our SGA, where I advocate for students especially online and non-traditional learners who often feel overlooked.
I don’t believe in handouts. I believe in investing in people who will multiply that investment through service, leadership, and impact. That’s who I strive to be. With this scholarship, I won’t just finish my degree I’ll continue building a life dedicated to empowering others, one person, one business, one community at a time.
FLIK Hospitality Group’s Entrepreneurial Council Scholarship
Growing up in Houma, Louisiana where hurricanes, flooding, and poverty are part of daily life I learned early on that environmental issues don’t exist in isolation. They affect real people, real families, and entire communities trying to make ends meet. After being displaced and even homeless as a teenager, I experienced firsthand what it means to live without basic security. Now as a Business Administration major at Morehouse College, I see a path where my personal story, leadership skills, and passion for marketing and finance can come together to make a meaningful environmental impact.
Over the next five years, my goal is to build a community-centered business model that merges environmental responsibility with economic empowerment. I want to help underserved communities especially those vulnerable to climate change gain access to sustainable jobs, eco-friendly solutions, and financial tools that make green living both accessible and affordable.
Here’s how I plan to do it:
1. Green Marketing Campaigns That Educate and Empower
Marketing is a powerful tool for change. I plan to lead campaigns that educate local communities about practical ways to live more sustainably whether it’s through energy conservation, recycling, reducing food waste, or supporting local farmers. I’ll use my voice and background in storytelling to craft messages that don’t just inform, but inspire. I want to speak directly to families like the one I came from people who care about the environment but often lack the access or support to make sustainable choices.
2. Launching Eco-Conscious Small Businesses
As a project manager and future entrepreneur, I aim to start a business that creates environmentally responsible jobs like urban farming, sustainable landscaping, or zero-waste consulting in areas that need them most. These businesses will prioritize not only green practices but also hiring returning citizens and individuals from marginalized backgrounds. It’s my way of addressing two issues at once: environmental impact and economic inequality.
3. Financial Literacy Meets Environmental Innovation
I believe you can’t talk about going green without addressing the cost. Many people want to make better environmental choices but can’t afford them. That’s why I plan to create financial workshops and micro-grant programs to help families transition to energy-efficient appliances, solar solutions, and sustainable home improvements. By combining financial literacy with environmental tools, I’ll help people make smart, affordable changes that benefit both their wallets and the planet.
This vision isn’t just theory it’s rooted in how I already live and lead. At Morehouse, I serve as a student leader in the SGA and work hands-on in facilities and operations, where I advocate for better resource use and safer, cleaner spaces. My goal isn’t to save the world all at once but to start where I stand, build partnerships, and expand my reach over time.
With this scholarship, I’ll be able to continue my education, grow my impact, and scale these ideas into real change. Because for me, creating a better world isn’t just a dream it’s a duty.
Willie Mae Rawls Scholarship
My story begins in Houma, Louisiana, where I was raised in a house full of love but short on resources. As one of seven siblings, I learned early on how to stretch a dollar, share space, and survive with what we had. At 16, I became homeless not because I wanted to leave, but because I wasn’t following the rules at home. I found myself sleeping in a car, working odd jobs, and trying to stay in school while life kept throwing punches. But even then, I knew I had a purpose bigger than my circumstances.
Now, I’m proud to be a Business Administration major at Morehouse College and a father of nine incredible children. I’m also a project manager, a community servant, and a brother in the Masonic Order. These roles don’t just define what I do they shape who I am. Every experience, good or bad, has taught me to lead with integrity, serve with purpose, and build with vision.
My education at Morehouse is more than a degree it’s a launching pad for the impact I want to make in the world. Through my studies, I’m gaining the tools to understand business, leadership, and strategic decision-making. But more importantly, I’m learning how to use those tools to help others rise.
Here’s how I plan to make a positive difference:
1. Mentorship and Youth Empowerment: I’ve lived through what many young men are going through today. I plan to mentor at-risk youth, teaching them about leadership, life skills, and entrepreneurship. I want to create programs that provide not just motivation, but real resources and pathways out of poverty and into purpose.
2. Building Community-Focused Businesses: With my background in project management, I plan to launch a business that hires people from disadvantaged backgrounds and helps rebuild underserved communities. I want to invest in people who are often overlooked because I know firsthand how powerful second chances can be.
3. Advocacy and Leadership: As a student leader and Director of Communications for the Morehouse SGA, I already use my voice to advocate for students facing financial strain, especially those paying out of pocket. Long-term, I want to use my business acumen and lived experience to help shape policies and systems that better serve working-class families and non-traditional students.
This scholarship would mean more than financial help it would be a vote of confidence in a journey that hasn’t always been easy but has always been full of determination. I’m not just pursuing education for my own success I’m doing it so I can turn around and pull others up with me.
At the end of the day, I don’t just want to be remembered for what I’ve accomplished I want to be remembered for what I gave, who I uplifted, and how I helped create opportunity where it once felt impossible.
I Can and I Will Scholarship
Mental health is something I didn’t have the words for growing up but I definitely felt the weight of it. As a child in a low-income household with seven siblings, pressure was a constant presence. We didn’t talk about stress, anxiety, or emotional struggle. We just kept moving. When I became homeless at 16, living in my car while trying to finish high school and work jobs to survive, I found myself in the middle of a mental storm I couldn’t name overwhelmed, exhausted, and alone.
Those early years took a toll on me, and I didn’t fully realize the impact until much later. There were times I felt like I wasn’t enough. I isolated myself, even while trying to be strong for everyone else. But as I grew older, especially as a father and a leader in my community, I began to understand that mental health isn’t a weakness it’s a vital part of our well-being. Acknowledging my own struggles was the first step toward healing.
These experiences have deeply shaped my beliefs. I no longer see struggle as something to be ashamed of. Instead, I view vulnerability as strength. I’ve come to believe that true leadership doesn’t mean pretending to be invincible it means being honest, seeking help when needed, and encouraging others to do the same. Mental wellness is just as important as financial stability or academic success.
It’s also influenced my relationships. As a father of nine, I’m intentional about how I talk to my kids about emotions. I check in with them regularly, because I know how dangerous silence can be. With my friends, classmates, and brothers in the Masonic lodge, I’ve made it a mission to break the stigma around men’s mental health. I listen more. I speak up more. I let people know it’s okay to not be okay.
As for my career aspirations, mental health has completely reframed how I want to serve others. I’m currently studying Business Administration at Morehouse College, but my ultimate goal goes far beyond corporate success. I want to create a business and mentoring platform that supports at-risk youth and formerly incarcerated individuals not just with jobs and skills, but with real mental health resources and support systems. I’ve seen how untreated trauma can sabotage even the most talented people. That’s why my dream is to build something that prioritizes the person, not just the profit.
I’m already doing the work in my own way mentoring young men, organizing support for struggling students, and using every leadership opportunity to speak truth and offer hope. But I know I need to keep learning and growing, which is why this scholarship would help immensely. It would allow me to continue my education without putting even more financial pressure on my family and would help me stay focused on my mission to serve with purpose, compassion, and strength.
Charles E. Nettles Continued Education Scholarship
Education has always been my way out and now, it’s become my way forward. As a Business Administration major at Morehouse College, my journey hasn’t been traditional. I’m a father of nine, a former athlete, a project manager, and someone who once slept in a car just trying to survive. Through all of life’s challenges, one truth has remained: I don’t just want a degree I want to use education to grow, lead, and serve. That’s why I fully intend to continue my education after graduation.
My ultimate goal is to earn a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in data analytics and leadership. I’ve always been passionate about using strategy and communication to solve problems and drive impact. But I know that in today’s business world, mastering data and decision-making is just as important as understanding people. An MBA will help me bridge both sides equipping me with the skills to scale businesses, lead organizations, and make meaningful contributions to the community.
I also plan to pursue specialized certifications in project management (like PMP) and digital marketing analytics, because I want to stay sharp in a competitive and constantly evolving field. These credentials will not only boost my professional credibility they’ll give me practical tools I can apply in real-world leadership and consulting roles.
But my drive for continuing education is bigger than titles or income. It’s about setting an example for my children, proving that it’s never too late to grow, and showing that we rise by lifting others. I want them to see that learning doesn’t stop with a diploma it’s a lifelong commitment to excellence.
My long-term vision is to build a consulting firm that supports small businesses and nonprofits, especially in underserved communities. I want to help them use data, marketing, and strategy to grow sustainably and make lasting change. Whether it’s coaching a first-time entrepreneur or helping a nonprofit streamline its operations, I believe knowledge should be shared and that’s the kind of impact I want to have.
This scholarship would be a major help in reducing the financial strain of continuing my education. Every dollar I save on tuition means more resources I can invest in my family and future goals. I’m not just pursuing more education for myself I’m doing it to serve others better and be a stronger voice for my community.
In the end, my journey has taught me that education is more than a degree it’s a responsibility. I plan to continue learning, growing, and using everything I gain to build something that matters.
Larry Joe Gardner Memorial Scholarship for Public Policy
I grew up in a small Louisiana town as one of seven children, where financial hardship was a daily reality. At times, we shared clothes, slept on the floor, and relied on each other to get through. At 16, I found myself homeless, sleeping in a car while trying to stay in school and work multiple jobs. Those experiences could’ve broken me but instead, they became my reason for pushing forward. Today, I’m a Business Administration major at Morehouse College, a father of nine, a former Worshipful Master of my Masonic lodge, and a man committed to making a lasting impact in my community.
Through my degree and career path, I plan to make a positive impact in three key ways:
1. Empowering underserved youth through mentorship and education. I know what it feels like to be counted out. That’s why I make it a point to mentor young men especially those growing up without guidance or support. As a student leader and community servant, I use my voice to uplift and encourage others. With my business background, I plan to create youth programs that teach leadership, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship giving the next generation a path I never had.
2. Launching businesses that hire and uplift communities. With a passion for both project management and people, my goal is to launch a company that not only creates jobs but also invests in people’s growth. I want to offer second chances to those who’ve been incarcerated, overlooked, or underestimated. By creating opportunities for others to thrive, I’m not just building a business I’m building a legacy.
3. Using data and strategy to advocate for policy change. I’m deeply interested in using data analytics to highlight economic disparities and push for reform in education, housing, and healthcare. By combining business tools with social purpose, I aim to become a voice in rooms where decisions are made whether that’s as a nonprofit leader, consultant, or policymaker.
Right now, I’m already involved in this mission. At Morehouse, I serve as Director of Communications for our Student Government Association, where I help amplify student voices and bring awareness to the challenges faced by online learners especially those paying out of pocket. I also work in facilities and project management, where I ensure safe, efficient environments for people who rely on them. My lived experience fuels everything I do, and I use it to connect, advocate, and serve.
This scholarship would not only help lighten my financial load it would be an investment in someone who’s already committed to giving back. I’m not just earning a degree for myself I’m doing it to be a better father, leader, and servant to the communities I represent.
Neal Hartl Memorial Sales/Marketing Scholarship
Growing up in a household where every dollar counted, I learned early on the value of communication, resourcefulness, and influence. I didn’t know it at the time, but these were the foundational skills of marketing. From helping my mom sell homemade plates on weekends to watching my uncles hustle side jobs in our small Louisiana town, I witnessed the power of word-of-mouth, storytelling, and presentation before I even understood what branding meant.
My interest in sales and marketing is deeply rooted in my desire to connect with people. I’ve always been drawn to the idea that a message, when delivered right, can inspire someone to act, believe, or buy into a vision. In high school, I was the kid who could convince others to join a club, come to an event, or try something new. I didn’t have a title or a platform I just had passion and purpose. Later, I realized this is what marketing truly is: creating meaningful connections that drive results.
What drives me most is the opportunity to tell stories that matter. Whether it’s helping a small business grow or launching a campaign that brings awareness to an important cause, I want to use my skills to make a real impact. I believe that marketing isn’t just about selling products it’s about understanding people, building trust, and delivering value.
Pursuing a degree in Business Administration with a focus on marketing is more than just a career path for me. It’s a way to build a life where I can uplift others while doing something I genuinely enjoy. I’m motivated by the challenge of keeping up with trends, learning consumer behavior, and using data creatively to reach an audience. My experience as a project manager and community leader has taught me how to lead teams, develop strategies, and adapt quickly skills that are directly transferable to a marketing career.
My long-term goal is to launch a marketing firm that specializes in helping underrepresented businesses and nonprofits amplify their voices. I want to give others the same tools and opportunities that changed my life. Every campaign would be more than just business it would be a chance to empower and elevate others.
This scholarship would help relieve the financial strain I currently face as I continue to invest in my education and growth. I’m determined to not only succeed for myself but to create a legacy for my nine children, showing them that no matter where you start, you can build something powerful with vision, purpose, and heart.