Brian Lara Memorial Scholarship

It was odd growing up as a first-generation Hispanic girl in a somewhat conservative area. To support my sisters and myself, my parents had year-round jobs in Suffolk County, one of the most expensive counties in New York. It was sometimes hard to see my parents struggle every day seeing the prices rise of produce, the bills of our home continue to grow with each month, and taxes each year getting pricier. However, this inspired me to make my family, along with other families, more aware of financial oppurtunitise within their communities. Having personally seen and overcome financial obstacles ever since my first job, I have a keen understanding of the structural inequalities and unfairness that sustain unequal access to possibilities for accumulating wealth. When it comes to obtaining the resources and assistance required to attain financial stability and prosperity, many people and communities are unjustly disadvantaged, whether it's because of their socioeconomic level, race, ethnicity, gender, or other characteristics. I have a strong interest in financial literacy and education because I think it can be a very useful instrument for promoting economic inclusion and empowerment. My goal is to break the cycle of poverty and enable people to become financially independent by providing them with the knowledge and skills necessary to make wise financial decisions through workshops, seminars, and educational programs. Apart from my pledge to support economic empowerment, I am also committed to cultivating a culture of moral leadership and conscientious corporate practices. In an era where news headlines are frequently dominated by corporate greed and unethical behavior, I want to set an example for others by upholding honesty, openness, and social responsibility in every facet of my professional life. Through my advocacy for sustainable business practices and my commitment to the community's and stakeholders' well-being, I hope to establish long-term success and credibility in the organizations I work with. I understand the value of empowerment and education in tackling the fundamental factors that contribute to inequality. As a result, I'm dedicated to supporting programs that advance financial education and literacy in underrepresented areas, giving people the information and tools they need to take charge of their financial destiny and create wealth that will last for generations. I’d like to be able to help families leave a sort of financial inheritance for their children. In the end, I want to be a force for good, putting in endless effort to tear down structural obstacles and build a more just and inclusive financial system that helps all people, no matter what their circumstances or background may be. In my opinion, we can all live in a more equitable and prosperous society if we support fairness and equality in wealth-building resources.

Growing up, I always visited my father's business. His business was a small auto repair shop that he opened as an entrepreneur. Almost every day, my father had many customers coming in and out of his business. Despite everything seeming right and wonderful, my father's small business closed one day. My father was sad since all his hard work had been wasted. According to my mother, he didn't receive enough money for the business to remain open. Although that was true, other determinant factors led to the closure of the business, even though I did not understand anything about business at the time. I always think that my father's business would have been much different had he gotten a higher education and operated it properly. As my father did, many Hispanic immigrants open businesses in the United States in order to provide their families with a stable passive income. However, many of them lack business knowledge or are not literate in business, so they fail to maintain their properties. Supporting small businesses from underrepresented communities, especially Hispanics, is my goal. I want to be a mentor and a guide for those business owners who do not know how to grow their businesses Over time, I have developed a deeper understanding of what being Hispanic means. Despite the richness of our culture in terms of history, food, language, music, and so much more, many of us don't seek out our people. The importance of being close to family, roots, and country was always instilled in me by my parents. Where I come from and the people around me always make me proud and it inspires me to become a respectable professional in the future. The values that my parents have taught me throughout the years and their financial support is something that I respect and I will be always grateful for their sacrifice. People judged my decision when I graduated high school and decided to get a business degree, telling me that I wouldn't make a lot of money and that it was too broad. Although I was not the smartest kid, my parents never questioned my decisions, and they celebrated my decision to pursue higher education. As a first-generation student who does not speak fluent English and throughout my college journey have failed so many times, I have also learned from my colleagues and have joined other many organizations that have helped me overcome difficult situations. Furthermore, after graduation, I would like to provide financial support, and knowledge to those in need by using the skills I am learning in business school.