Connect Who or what is your inspiration in business?

People. Architecture impacts every human being on the planet. I am blessed to be an architect. My heart is to use the vehicle of business to improve the conditions of everyone, everywhere. My inspiration as a leader is Jesus. Jesus was the CEO of His Father’s business. His leadership has a legacy which is still impacting millions of people around the world today. Jesus’ entire mission & purpose were to heal and save people. My inspiration is to do the same through architecture.

How do you stay motivated?

I lived in the projects of Paterson, NJ. At one point eight family members lived in a one-bedroom apartment. In college I ran out of money, went to college for 2 yrs without being enrolled because I did not want to give up. God blessed me to receive a miracle scholarship. I owe God my absolute best for allowing me the gift of becoming an architect. My motivation is to maximize my life to inspire others to know they were born to be great. Everyday is a gift and I am grateful to help humanity.

What would you do with the $25,000?

In addition to my architecture firm, METICULOUS Design Architecture, I created a nonprofit called ARCHETAINMENT to increase awareness of the profession for minority youth and support those seeking to become architects. I would use a portion to pay for the publishing of a kids book I wrote, a portion to purchase podcast equipment for the nonprofit, and the rest would go to my nonprofit toward scholarships and programs for minority youth and architecture students.