INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
Embedded Files
For over two decades, The SEED Foundation Scholarship has been a vital source of support for SEED graduates seeking higher education. Since its inception, we’ve disbursed over $1 million, directly alleviating the financial burden of college for our most promising students. The reality is that for many of our students, the dream of a college education is often overshadowed by the sheer financial burden, a burden that threatens to derail their futures before they even begin.
Right now, this $12,000 scholarship—modest yet impactful—is disbursed over four years. Awarded to seven exceptional graduates from each SEED school (SEED DC, SEED MD, SEED Miami, and SEED LA), this scholarship is more than just financial aid; it’s an investment in potential. A key component of this investment, and an important factor in increasing the likelihood of degree attainment, are our recipients’ commitments to enroll in a Right Fit college or university—institutions we’ve identified as best serving low-income and first-generation students through robust support and high graduation rates. Notably, our Right Fit colleges are also carefully selected for their affordability, recognizing that minimizing financial strain is essential for our students’ success.
The impact of The SEED Foundation Scholarship is profound. We witness firsthand the brilliance, tenacity, and perseverance of SEED graduates as they pursue their academic and career dreams. This impact is particularly vital now, given the evolving educational landscape, where potential shifts in federal funding and the dismantling of the Department of Education make reliable, private scholarships like ours even more essential. Jackie Ndayizeye’s (SEED MD ’17, Stevenson University ’21) story, “Without The SEED Foundation Scholarship, I’d be in debt or discouraged. It was my only hope,” underscores the urgent need.
To truly understand the impact of The SEED Foundation Scholarship, consider the stories of four remarkable recipients. These examples show the wide-ranging impact on SEED graduates.
HARRI-ANNA DERULOS
(SEED Miami '21, Howard University '25)
Howard University Graduate, Aspiring Immigration Attorney
As I reflect on my recent graduation from Howard University and continue my journey toward becoming an immigration attorney, I can’t help but look back at the incredible path that brought me here.
SEED and The SEED Foundation Scholarship didn’t just support my education—they made it possible.
I started at SEED Miami when I was just 11 years old, and it was there my passion for law was sparked. It was during Mock Trial when I first stepped into the role of an advocate. Learning about the U.S. legal system, arguing cases, and standing up for others ignited something in me—I knew then that I wanted to become a lawyer and advocate for others.
At Howard, I deepened that commitment. One of my proudest achievements was serving as president of Mothers of the Mecca, a research and support organization for student parents. I’ve seen firsthand how a lack of resources and the weight of judgment can force student parents to abandon their education. But I’ve also learned that advocacy can change that narrative. By fighting for better support systems, we can ensure student parents have the resources they need to succeed. Advocacy, however, isn’t just about others—it’s about standing up for yourself, too. College taught me to know my worth, ask for what I deserve, and embrace my mistakes as learning opportunities.
As a first-generation college student, I wouldn’t be here without my family. I’ll never forget the chaotic, love-filled road trip from Miami to D.C. my freshman year—five of us crammed into one car—me, my grandmother, mother, brother, his friend, and even our two pets. For my Jamaican mother, it was her first time leaving Florida. That trip wasn’t just a move-in; it was a testament to how much my family believed in me. But love and belief aren’t always enough to make earning a college degree a reality. The SEED Foundation Scholarship lifted the financial burden off me and my family. It allowed me to focus on my studies and graduate on time. Without it, I don’t know if I would have even attempted to go to a school like Howard.
Now that I have completed my degree, I’m excited about this current chapter. I am gaining work experience, studying for the LSAT, and applying to law schools so I can stay on track to becoming an immigration lawyer, and maybe even one day, a Supreme Court Justice. I’m grateful for my time at SEED Miami and The SEED Foundation Scholarship for helping me get this far. My advice to future SEED graduates is this: keep your goals in mind and take it one day at a time. Don’t let one moment of disappointment derail your dreams. If you make a mistake on Monday, work to overcome it by Tuesday, and keep pushing toward your goals by Wednesday. You got this!
My college experience was more than just academics—it was a springboard for my success, shaping both my career as a teacher and my lifelong love of learning. But before I stepped into the classroom, SEED DC laid the foundation that prepared me to thrive in college and beyond. At SEED DC, I developed strong study habits and immersed myself in extracurriculars—basketball, tennis, cheerleading, yearbook, and even serving as the school mascot. These experiences made me adaptable, confident, and comfortable in new environments. So, when I arrived at Ohio Wesleyan, I was ready to embrace everything it had to offer. College expanded my world in ways I never imagined—the classes I took, the diversity of people I met, and the perspectives I gained shaped me in profound ways.
SEED didn’t just prepare me for college; they made sure I had the tools to stay on the path to graduation. The College Transition & Success (CTS) team was always there, checking in with visits, gift baskets, and guidance on everything from financial aid to resume building. They made me feel like I could achieve anything, and that no matter what, I had people in my corner.
The SEED Foundation Scholarship played a life-changing role in my journey too, covering essential expenses—from tuition to food credits. Because of this, I didn’t just avoid financial stress—I graduated debt-free.
Since earning my degree, I have built a fulfilling career in education. From working at the Boys & Girls Club to a children’s development center to becoming a paraprofessional and now a kindergarten teacher, every step reinforced my passion for shaping young minds. I eventually earned my teaching certification and, most recently, completed my master’s degree in school counseling. Higher education opened countless doors for me—doors I once thought were out of reach. Today, I am proud to be a teacher and counselor, giving my students the same transformative experience of education that changed my life.
PATRICE WILLIS
(SEED DC ‘06, Ohio Wesleyan University ’10)
Teacher & Counselor, Graduated Debt-Free
ANSCIA BROWN
(SEED DC ’12, St. John’s University ’16)
Co-Founder & CEO, Valedictorian
Raised by my grandmother in Southeast D.C., I was no stranger to sacrifice—or hard work. When I was accepted into SEED, it opened a door not only for me, but for my little sister who would follow two years later. I started as a shy, uncertain student, and walked out as valedictorian of the Class of 2012—confident and ready to lead.
SEED changed the trajectory of my life. Through the Greek Scholars Program, I traveled to Greece for 17 days—a transformational opportunity I never imagined as a kid from Southeast D.C. SEED gave me more than academic support; it helped me find my voice, develop strong communication skills, and understand how to build healthy relationships through tools like love languages and intentional mentorship.
But SEED’s impact didn’t stop at high school graduation. The SEED Foundation Scholarship helped fund my undergraduate studies at St. John’s University, where I earned both my B.S. in Marketing and my MBA in Marketing Management. Even after I graduated, SEED stayed by my side—checking in regularly, supporting me through financial challenges, attending my college graduation, and reminding me that I had a community rooting for me. That support made all the difference.
Today, I lead with purpose. I’m the Co-Founder and CEO of Breakin’ Bread, a tech platform for Black creatives; I serve as Marketing & Communications Director for Heart, Body & Soul, a nonprofit supporting Black men’s health; and I lead brand strategy for 10:19 Productions, a Black woman-owned film and tech company. I also serve on The Gathering Spot NYC’s Community Board, helping cultivate space for Black entrepreneurs, and changemakers like me.
SEED didn’t just help me graduate—it helped me thrive. Donors like you make that possible.
Your investment plants a seed of transformation for students like me—whose dreams grow into trees that bear fruit for generations to come.
As a junior at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), I’m fully immersed in my passion for computer engineering. I attend research talks, collaborate with a professor on Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI), and actively engage with the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE). Through these experiences, I’ve connected with research opportunities at UPenn, met CEOs and entrepreneurs, and even attended the BEYA conference, where I explored cutting-edge topics in cybersecurity and machine learning.
The SEED Foundation Scholarship has significantly influenced my college journey. It has helped cover my tuition, funded summer classes, and—most significantly—lifted a financial burden off my family, allowing me to focus on what truly matters: my education and my future. Beyond the scholarship, SEED’s support network has remained a vital part of my college life. Ms. Allen, my SEED advisor, visits me and offers guidance, and Mr. Walden, my SEED college counselor, helped me with everything from driving lessons to connecting me with SEED events. I’ve even had the chance to speak on panels for SEED juniors and seniors, sharing my college experience.
My dream? To start my own software company. That ambition goes back to my time at SEED, where I spent countless hours in the IT department, learning how to fix computers, troubleshooting hardware, and discovering my love for engineering.
SEED taught me that “hungry mouths that don’t speak go unfed.” I learned that success isn’t handed to you; you have to seek out opportunities and go after them.
I can’t express how grateful I am for the SEED community. It opened doors for me, and those opportunities have truly made me the person I am today. I value the freedom to think and the peace of mind I have. Thank you to SEED and everyone who makes it possible.
FADLULAH OMITOGUN
(SEED MD ’23, University of Maryland, Baltimore County ’27)
UMBC Sophomore, Aspiring Software Company Founder
PLANTING SEEDS, GROWING FUTURES
Your support for The SEED Foundation Scholarship is more than a donation; it’s the planting of a vital seed. This initial investment doesn’t just nurture one student’s journey through college; it empowers them to become catalysts for change, planting new seeds of opportunity, inspiration, and support in their own communities and for generations to follow. They cultivate new gardens of opportunity:
They mentor the next generation, like Fadlulah Omitogun guiding current
SEED students. They advocate for systemic change, like Harri-Anna Derulos
supporting student parents. They educate and inspire, like Patrice Willis
transforming young lives in her classroom. They build platforms for others,
echoing Anscia Brown’s belief that their “dreams grow into trees that bear
fruit for generations to come.”
Each SEED graduate who goes on to inspire, lead, support, or create positive change in their community is a testament to the initial seed you helped plant. They are the living proof that your investment multiplies, creating a sustainable ecosystem of achievement and giving back.
Empower a dream. Forge tomorrow’s leaders. By investing in a SEED scholar, you invest in a future where countless more seeds of hope and success will be sown.
Will you support the dreams of a SEED Foundation Scholarship recipient with a donation today?
Questions? Contact Alisha Huntley at ahuntley@seedfoundation.com
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