Scholarship Finalist - Finley Warren

Finley is a Sophomore at Spelman College working towards receiving a degree in Political Science with a minor in Sociology & Refugee and Forced Migration Studies.

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 as one of the few Black students in a predominantly white private school in Dallas, Texas, I encountered subtle but persistent barriers to belonging. Navigating microaggressions and implicit biases led me to question my worth and feel the weight of constantly having to prove myself. This struggle with identity and self-confidence defined much of my adolescence, but it also taught me resilience and adaptability. My turning point came during my junior year of high school when I noticed a significant gap in mentorship for younger students of color at my school. Determined to address this, I launched a peer mentorship program aimed at providing guidance, encouragement, and a sense of community for these students. Leading the initiative required me to advocate to school administrators for funding, recruit peers to join the program, and create workshops to foster a safe space for dialogue. Through this work, I discovered the power of using my experiences to uplift others and advocate for change. When I arrived at Spelman College, I carried this sense of purpose with me. At Spelman, I embraced leadership opportunities that further shaped my vision for my future. As the Digital Director for the Young Democrats of Georgia: Black Caucus, I developed marketing strategies that engaged young voters across the state. In Dublin, Ireland, I collaborated with AkiDwA, an organization focused on empowering migrant women, where I conducted research on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and created advocacy materials to influence legislative change. These experiences honed my skills in leadership, collaboration, and strategic thinking while deepening my understanding of global systems of inequity. These challenges and opportunities have not only prepared me for the rigor of pursuing a career in business but have also given me a unique lens to bring to the field. I approach problems with creativity, persistence, and a commitment to fostering equity in every space I enter. My journey has taught me to turn obstacles into opportunities, and I look forward to applying these lessons to create a meaningful impact in the business world.