Scholarship Finalist - Dajhon Williams

Dajhon is a graduate student at Brown University, pursuing a Master's Degree in Public Health.

Prompt: Share a personal story of how you overcame a major life challenge or obstacle and what lessons you learned that prepared you for college and beyond. How will these experiences provide you with a unique perspective in pursuing a career in business?

Growing up in Southeast D.C., poverty wasn’t just a statistic it was my daily reality. In our home, money was scarce, and even when I earned my own, I often had to hide it. If the adults in my household discovered I had any savings, it would likely disappear. I vividly remember stashing money in old sneakers, hollowed-out books, and under loose floorboards to protect what little I managed to earn. Those early struggles didn’t just teach me resilience they ignited a fire in me to rise above my circumstances and take control of my future. My entrepreneurial journey began in elementary school. I noticed my classmates wanted snacks during recess, so I bought candy and chips in bulk and resold them. I treated every dollar like gold because it wasn’t just about making money it was about taking my first steps toward independence. By middle school, I had refined my operation, learning which snacks sold best and reinvesting my profits to grow my inventory. Those moments of counting coins and tracking sales taught me more about budgeting and supply and demand than any textbook ever could. In high school, I took my ambitions to a new level. I started selling electronics phone cases, chargers, and headphones products that my peers wanted but couldn’t always afford from big-name stores. This wasn’t just a hustle; it was a full-fledged business. I researched suppliers, negotiated prices, and promoted my products on social media. It wasn’t easy. Every dollar I invested was money I couldn’t afford to lose, and every sale felt like a small victory against the odds. One mistake, like overstocking the wrong products, could set me back weeks. But I didn’t give up. I learned to adapt, surveying customers to better understand their needs and refining my strategy. These challenges weren’t obstacles they were lessons in resilience, adaptability, and perseverance. While my childhood was marked by financial instability, it also instilled in me a deep sense of purpose. At Brown University, I am majoring in public health with a minor in entrepreneurship, combining my passion for business with my desire to address systemic issues that affect underserved communities like the one I come from. I’ve seen firsthand how a lack of resources—whether it’s financial, educational, or healthcare-related can trap families in cycles of poverty. My goal is to create businesses and initiatives that tackle these barriers, from providing access to affordable health services to empowering young entrepreneurs through mentorship and training. My journey from selling snacks in elementary school to running a small electronics business in high school reflects more than just an entrepreneurial spirit it’s a testament to my determination to build a better life. These experiences taught me how to navigate adversity, innovate under pressure, and stay focused on my goals, no matter how challenging the circumstances. They also gave me a unique perspective: I understand what it means to stretch a dollar, to face systemic barriers, and to fight for every opportunity. Winning this scholarship would be more than financial support it would be an investment in a future business leader determined to give back. I don’t just want to succeed for myself; I want to uplift others who come from communities like mine. With your support, I can continue turning the lessons of my past into tools for building a brighter, more equitable future