My name is Pearl Brian-Esema and I am currently a junior at Huston-Tillotson University from Abuja, Nigeria. I am a Business Administration major with a concentration in Accounting. I am a contestant for the Miss United Negro College Fund Pageant. UNCF is the nation's largest and most effective minority education organization. Since their founding, they have raised $4.5 billion to help 400,000 students to receive college degrees at UNCF-member institutions. They award scholarships and internships for students from low-income families and just providing financial support for its 37 member Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU's). Many people ask me, who am I? I am a hardworking student who has a goal to accomplish. I am a lady whose mind has been liberated and has discovered herself and purpose in destiny, one who has not allowed gender, culture or background be a hindrance to fulfilling her desired goals in life. I am a Presidential Scholar, a Dean's List scholar, and I serve as a University ambassador. I am the vice-president for the National Association of Black Accountants and the treasurer for the Student Government Association and the Pre-Alumni Council. By reason of my background, I experience the need to help to give others hope and a lifeline to realize that which is the driving force behind this goal. I have the irresistible passion to help others interpret their dreams as it is paramount because organizations like UNCF and others contribute in interpreting my dream. Interpreting dreams means help another be fulfilled in their life ambition. And their motto "A mind is a terrible thing to waste" converges with my lifestyle. I was able to contest for this position by going for the interest meeting, submitting three letters of recommendation from professors and advisors and being the Treasurer for the Pre-Alumni Council. The purpose of the Pre-Alumni Council is to stimulate the interest and participation of students enrolled at UNCF-member institutions in order to preserve and create further loyalty between the colleges, students and alumni. I am contesting because it is really important to me. I understand and know what it feels like to want to go to school, but not having the resources to. I have had to miss a whole semester of college due to financial difficulties so being able to raise money to provide scholarships to people will make me have a sense of accomplishment and pride. I want to give someone else the opportunity to go to college to get an education so they can be prepared to compete in the global economy. My dad always tells me, "Be the change you want to see." The money that shall be raised will be submitted to UNCF, as it will be used to provide someone with a scholarship. UNCF’s motto “A Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste” applies to me because the human mind is the biggest and largest bank unlimited in the world. That is why my platform is "Reality of Hope." I want others to look forward to going to college and being optimistic as I am. The first step to creativity is identifying a need, then engaging the mind to access the solutions.. If you can access it, then you can break into opulence and affluence. Think today, Create tomorrow. I want to give others the hope to be able to go to college. The Miss UNCF winner is chosen based on who raises the most amount of money. The reason behind me running is to help students from low-income families attend college. One of the main reasons students are not able to go to college is because of the lack of funds. That is why I am asking for your financial support so I can give others the opportunity to go to school. If chosen as Miss UNCF, I will do everything within my reach to make scholarships more accessible to students to increase retention rates, work with different corporations to host seminars such as how to prepare for interviews, how to properly conduct themselves in the business environment, etc to benefit the students. Should I win the title of Miss United Negro College Fund, I will also have the opportunity to compete for the National Miss UNCF title. I would deeply appreciate any contribution you could make to my campaign for Miss UNCF. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact my advisor, Ms. Bridget Lee at bclee (at) htu (dot) edu. Remember, "A mind is a terrible thing to waste." Thank you for your continuous support. Pearl Brian-Esema