Spring 2025 Scholarship Winner

Charli Bre Brown

In her essay, Charli shares that she sees a college education as an opportunity for a fresh start. It provides the chance to meet new people and grow her professional network. She believes the true fresh start comes after college, when she can begin building the life she envisions for herself. Congratulations, Charli, and we wish you all the best!

Read her essay here:

“Do the best you can until you know better” - Maya Angelou

As a young, African American girl growing up in New York, I always knew that I wanted to continue my education. I knew there was a need for me to have more credentials than just a high school diploma. I knew there would be competition amongst my peers and other working groups who are in the workforce. I knew there would be so many factors taken into consideration when recruiters review my resume and that a college degree would only enhance my chances and therefore I needed to do the best I could until I knew better.

The quote by Maya Angelou is a direct mirror of what I knew to do. Obtaining a college education would offer me opportunities that demonstrate to the world that I have additional understanding in a specific field of study and this is how I hope to obtain a fresh start. Whether starting my own business or entering an established organization, the world sees you by the credentials on your resume and I would like this document to speak in great volume for me and it starts with my college education.

College is often a time for self-discovery and personal growth. During this time, I will also build social and professional networks that I believe will enhance chances of success by meeting people within my field of study. These connections can open up increased chances for internships, job opportunities, recommendations and so much more that can lead to a more attractive fresh start. There is great value in networking with professors, college alumni and other like-minded students.

My earlier years before college were composed of me working with young children. I’ve been a head counselor at an after school program, Theodore Young Community Center, for 3 years where I provided guidance and care for children 5-7 years of age. I provided daily activities for the children including teaching them some basic life skills during their time at the program. I enjoy working with the youth and as an older sibling to my autistic brother, I learned the importance of providing different learning styles to the children.

I strongly believe investing in the youth contributes to a healthier community in which we live. The youth is the population that carries how the world will be shaped. When children receive the right support, they are less likely to experience poverty or engage in criminal activity. They will contribute more to economic growth by developing a healthier, better-educated and productive workforce leading to healthier lifestyles and families.

I believe life starts right after college and getting a degree that says I have additional knowledge in my field. I believe that is also when the world sees me as a young adult able to make sound decisions. This to me is also known as a “fresh start.” A fresh start to my career, my life choices and my way of supporting myself. Most importantly, obtaining a college education benefits me by setting a standard of generational competency for my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren so they have the desire to follow suit with a minimum of a college education.

Starting fresh is always a benefit because it provides an opportunity at another chance. Whether I decide to change career paths, go back to school to further my degree, there is no drawback to starting fresh and being offered the opportunity to have a clean slate.