Connect Who or what is your inspiration in business?

My biggest inspiration in business is my mom, a true testament to resilience and service. She defied the odds, migrating alone to build a better life for her five children. Her sacrifices shaped me and my journey. As the founder of a small catering business, she not only kept our family afloat but also made service her cornerstone. Every month, she cooked and served meals at a homeless shelter in D.C., bringing us along to witness her belief that life’s purpose is rooted in serving others.

How do you stay motivated?

I stay motivated by remembering that my purpose is deeply tied to others, especially on the days when the journey feels lonely and hard. My story is a testament to what’s possible, and it’s essential for people who look like me to see that their dreams are within reach. When challenges arise, I draw strength from the resilience of the women I aim to serve—those breaking barriers in spaces where they’ve been underrepresented for far too long. Knowing that every step I take

What would you do with the $25,000?

I will launch a dinner series designed to reduce the degrees of separation that often exclude Black women from opportunities in tech. These intimate gatherings will foster connections, provide actionable tools such as personal laptops to address the pervasive challenge of access, and build a supportive community. By combining practical resources with an empowering network, the initiative will equip participants to break barriers in an industry where their voices have been underrepresented.