2017 NABA National Scholarship Award Winners

A Celebrations of Scholars 2017 NABA NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT BIOS Antonio Bell is from Fort Drum, 2017 NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS BIOS Kyria Aho is a senior at Texas A&M New York and has always been a person to volunteer time in his military University-Commerce pursuing a community. His most recent bachelor’s degree in accounting. She has accomplishment was to create a maintained a GPA of 3.85 and has been playground for families to spend time named to the President’s List her entire together while the mother or father is college career. She is an active member deployed. His goal in life is to become a of NABA as well as other organizations on forensic accountant for the Federal campus and in the community. She plans Bureau of Investigation. on obtaining her CPA and ultimatelyestablishing a CPA practice. Kacey Bernard is an accounting Isaac Akanmu is a Nigerian major at Monroe College and currently serves proudly as the president of the American born and raised in Staten Monroe College NABA student chapter. Island, New York. A sophomore at the In addition to her six courses per Macaulay Honors College at CUNY semester, she is also employed as an Baruch on full academic scholarship, Isaac academic mentor and resident assistant is a dedicated member of NABA Baruch, at her school. These positions have the African Student’s Association, and strengthened her leadership, social and Golden Key International Honour Society. communication skills. Tenacity, passion for what she does and Recently, Isaac completed an internship God has allowed her to remain disciplined and maintain her 4.0at PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP and was honored as a NABA GPA.Eastern Region scholarship award winner. Wendon Blair is the oldest of 4 Raphael Allen, II is a junior children to Wendell and Leketia Blair. He accounting major with a finance minor is a junior accounting major at Jarvis from Sanford, North Carolina attending Christian College in Hawkins, TX set to Winston-Salem State University. As a graduate in May of 2018, he has had the member of NABA, he serves as treasurer honor of traveling to St. Louis, New for the Winston-Salem State University Orleans, Oakland/San Francisco, Raleigh/ Chapter. He also serves as the President Durham, Atlanta, Washington D.C., and of Beta Gamma Sigma, International Perryville on behalf of his internship, Business Honor Society, and Beta Alpha numerous scholarship, non-profit, and school organizations, andPsi. He is motivated by his love for learning and succeeding as he The White House Initiative on HBCU’s.strives to become successful. Pearl Brian-Esema is one person Mirabel Awoniyi is a freshman driven with immense passion for success. student from Huston-Tillotson University What many call obstacles became majoring in accounting. She was born necessary tools for climbing and and raised in Nigeria. She is a W.E.B discovery of oneself. Her discovery of self Dubois Scholar working to maintain her came about after her dad lost his job and newly obtained 4.0 GPA. She is the she was suddenly faced with prospects treasurer of the HTU NABA Chapter. She is never envisaged in life which threatened an active member of Pre-Alumni Council, her life ambition of being who she is Toastmasters International and turning out to be now.International Students Association. Mirabel’s great desire is to addvalue to whatever she does or finds herself doing. She believespressure makes diamonds. DARE TO LEAD

2017 NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS BIOS SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT BIOS CONTINUED Pierre Djonou is an accounting and Shantel Brown is a junior at finance student at Minnesota State University. Last academic year, from Monroe College blossoming to become a August to December 2015, he applied for CPA. After earning her BBA in accounting, over 250 summer internship positions for she intends to zealously pursue a masters 2016. He was rejected for all those degree to get her CPA license. She applications and he felt like school was a believes that “volunteers are not paid not waste of time. After attending the NABA because they are worthless but priceless.” national convention and receiving 3 offers This is to say Shantel is a strong advocate from top companies, he decided to become a NABA ambassador for involvement: serving as SCREP Chair, and preach the NABA opportunity from my success story. and actively volunteering in the academic center at Monroe and recently NABA VITA tax program. Djonna Dorouwa is a junior and an Calvin Calloway attends Eastern accounting major at Monroe College. He is currently an active member of NABA Michigan University and within NABA student chapter. His achievements awards program events for his chapter of the for Academic Excellence include the organization. He loves numbers and using President List and Dean List for the past two my analytical skills to figure out problems, semesters. He was born and raised in Togo, which is why he chose to be an accountant. West Africa, an orphan and is a volunteer of Outside of school he enjoys taking part in the NABA-NY VITA/TCE program. community service, planning his future, and playing video games. Joyce Esedebe is a sophomore A’naiya Cozart is a driven young undergraduate student at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, working lady who attends LaSalle University. towards a double major in Accounting A’naiya has maintained a 3.8 GPA and and Computer Science. She has an overall currently serves as LaSalle’s NABA GPA of 3.99 and a major GPA of 4.00. She President. She loves traveling, basketball also serves as the treasurer of Class of and shopping. As one who embodies the 2019 Student Government Association “Lifting As We Climb” motto, A’naiya loves and as a resident assistant. to give back to the community. In 2016, A’naiya participated in various give-back Christopher Feazell is a junior initiatives. As A’naiya develops professionally, she hopes to merge her passion for traveling and giving back with her accounting from Mendenhall, Mississippi, majoring in career. accountancy with a minor in economics. On campus, he is involved in Phi Kappa Phi Mykela DeVille is a freshman and Gamma Beta Phi honor societies. He is the vice president of programming for the accounting major at Howard University. NABA, Co-Treasurer for the Black Student Mykela graduated from Rockville High Union, Education Chair for the Columns School as an International Baccalaureate Society, Peer Leader for the Luckyday scholar and also served as the team Success Program, and a Start Intern for the Atlanta Office of captain for the Varsity Cheerleading Squad. PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP. She also participated in a mentoring program, National Honors Society and various service groups. At Howard, Mykela is a member of the National Association for Black Accountants, the Howard University DMV Club as well as involved in service learning projects throughout campus. 2017 NATIONAL CONVENTION & EXPO

SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT BIOS CONTINUED Ashli Hodges is a young woman 2017 NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS BIOS Allison Floyd is a junior honor from Stone Mountain, Georgia. She is a senior human and organizational student at the University of Mississippi development major with a specialization from Magee, MS. She is currently in leadership and organizational pursuing her interest in accountancy effectiveness and an African American along with a minor interest in Spanish and diaspora studies minor at Vanderbilt while being president of her university’s University. After she graduates, she will NABA chapter and while also maintaining attend Owen School of Management and pivotal roles in other organizations. After pursue a master of accounting. She is passionate about giving completing undergrad, she plans to back and providing opportunities to those who cannot do so forcontinue her studies at Ole Miss in efforts to become a CPA. themselves. Kayla Foy is a sophomore majoring Laura Huckleby is an accounting in accounting and finance at Tuskegee major at Tuskegee University. She has a University. She has been able to maintain 3.82 overall. She is the Treasurer of her a 3.8 GPA, while being extremely active school’s NABA student chapter. Her on campus. Due to her hard work, Kayla academic achievements include the was awarded the Distinguished Freshman Honor Roll, several scholarships within Achievement. Upon graduation, she Tuskegee University; including the AICAP plans on pursuing a career as an auditor Legacy Scholarship, and a previous NABA or a financial analyst. When she is not Scholarship recipient. Laura is a memberfocusing on her studies, you will find Kayla spending quality time of the Texas Club, and is the Vice President of Finance for Pi Sigmawith her family. Epsilon Fraternity Inc. Jonathan Ghebreamlak is a Candace Irons is a second year young man from Garland, Texas that was accounting major at The University of raised by two parents that migrated to Georgia. She was introduced to NABA in America to give their children a better life. 2014 by participating in the Accounting Jonathan has gone above and beyond to Career Awareness Program in Atlanta, GA. satisfy his parents through his exceptional Ever since then, she have been following academics and constant strive for greatness. the motto, “Lifting as We Climb” in not only her professional life, but as well as her Omolara Giwa is a junior daily life. accounting major at the University of Jasmin Johnson is a business Central Florida. During the time that she has have been at UCF, she has maintained administration major with a a 3.8 GPA and received numerous concentration in accounting. Originally academic honors. Also, she has been from Long Beach, CA she attends Fisk involved with the National Council of University in Nashville, TN as a rising Negro Women(NCNW), UCF’s student junior. Her interest lies in the overlap of philanthropy Knight-Thon, the UCF finance and accounting found inCollege of Business Administration as a Student Ambassador and investment banking and valuation.the student chapter of NABA at UCF. However, her hobbies and pastimes include working with start-ups, art, and spending time with Jeremiah Hathorn grew up in St. friends. She hopes to become a CPA and work in the financial services industry in the future. Louis, Missouri. Jeremiah obtain has BSBA in Accounting at Southeast Missouri State DARE TO LEAD University, class of 2015. He is currently a graduate student at Lindenwood University earning his master’s degree in accountancy. With his degree he plans to sit for the CPA and CMA licenses and pursue a career in corporate accountingto one day become CFO of a fortune 100 company.

2017 NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS BIOS SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT BIOS CONTINUED Akil Martin is an ambitious and Chris-Annie Joseph is originally professional individual from Saint Kitts which is an island located in the from Port-au-Prince, Haiti. She currently Caribbean. His goal of becoming a CPA resides in Baton Rouge going to LSU. encouraged him to attend the University Sometime after she graduates and starts of North Carolina Charlotte which he is a working, she plans to visit Haiti more and junior, pursuing a Bachelor of Science more and look into ways that she can degree in Accounting. He has always serve it and make a positive impact in been an active member of his other’s lives. She enjoys spending time community, where he developed leadership and teamwork with friends and being adventurous. She oriented characteristics. likes cooking, watching movies, dancing, working out and listening to music or simply trying anything new. Karlyn Mason is a junior Mpho Lethoba is a junior at accounting major from Los Angeles, California currently attending Howard Huston-Tillotson University, in Austin University. She has a 4.0 GPA in her major Texas. She was born and raised in and a 3.81 overall. She is the Treasurer of Lesotho, Southern Africa. She is a W. E. B. the NABA Howard University Chapter. Her Dubois Honors Scholar maintaining a 4.0 most recent academic achievements GPA. Mpho is the Vice-President include becoming a member of Alpha Operations of the HTU NABA Chapter, Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity, Vice-President Education of Toastmaster Jordan Scholarship Award on behalf of Howard University, International and Treasurer of Golden Key Howard University School of Business Scholarship, and NABA DC International Honours Society to mention a few. She loves Metro Local Scholarship. reading on entrepreneurship and investment. She also enjoys hiking, skydiving, and bungee jumping. Hillary Mokaya is an honors Kimberly Lewis is a Texas native student at Claflin University pursuing a degree in Business Administration with a but has lived in seven different states concentration in Accounting and because she is also a Navy brat. She has Finance. He is a systems thinker, a received her Bachelor of Business T-shaped professional , and a student of Administration in Accounting from Texas life. What motivates him to achieve is the Southern University and is currently need to create value in whatever he does, working on completing an Executive whether for a client, or for a team. He is MBA in Energy Finance while studying to also very passionate about innovation, leadership, and sit for the CPA exam. In her free time, community service. Kimberly loves to travel and has a mutual love for the Dallas Cowboys and the Houston Texans. Nasheka Nash is currently Kelsi Long is a junior at the pursuing her MBA at Monroe College. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in University of Alabama majoring in Accounting (honors) from the University Accounting. She has interned with Ernst of Technology, Jamaica. She enjoys and Young in Atlanta and San Diego. Kelsi conducting research and hopes to one serves as Fundraiser Chair for the day become an entrepreneur. As such, Culverhouse College of Commerce she hopes to develop a product which Ambassadors, Treasurer for Mortar Board will offer convenience to car owners as it Honor Society, Director of Scholarships relates to the care and security of their vehicle. for the Student Government Association (Finance Division) and is an active member in her university’s NABA. She also volunteers with Impact America. Kelsi plans to work in public accounting. 2017 NATIONAL CONVENTION & EXPO

SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT BIOS CONTINUED Trevor Nelson is a sophomore Grace Nolitse is originally from 2017 NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS BIOS majoring in accounting and finance with Togo, a West African country. She is a a minor in mathematics at NC A&T State freshman in Accounting at Huston- University. He aspires to own a large Tillotson University with a 4.0 GPA. She Hedge Fund and empower people to enjoys helping the community and understand the importance of personal currently works as a computer lab finance. He is an honor student that assistant in her school. She is also part of enjoys volunteering and learning outside the International Students Association. of the classroom. Upon graduation, Mr. Grace dreams of becoming a goodNelson plans to begin his career in investment management to accountant able to contribute to the development of herstart his path to owning his own Hedge Fund. country’s economy. Her maxim is: “Everything made with determination always works”. Triza Nganga is a currently a senior . who will be pursuing her master’s degree in accounting this fall. She is actively Similoluwa Oyefeso is a involved in the University of Texas at Dallas campus, where she holds various freshman at the University of Texas at officer positions, including the Vice- Dallas majoring in finance. She is President of the UTD NABA Chapter, and American by birth but Nigerian by blood. works as a campus tutor. Triza has Her experiences as a Nigerian influences completed various internships at PwC her to impact the world significantly. As aand plans on taking the CPA Exam to become a licensed CPA result, community service is very centralafter graduating with her master’s degree. to her life and she hopes to create a legacy of philanthropy in the future. Blessing Nkama is currently a . sophomore at Baruch College pursuing a major in accounting. She keeps her mind Dennis Peebles, III is a freshman sharp outside of the classroom by reading leadership and fiction books, accounting major at NC A&T State singing in the choir, playing the drums University. He is a member of Oak City and volunteering. Her biggest Baptist Church located in Raleigh, NC inspirations are her parents and her where his grandfather, Rev. Dr. William T. grandest desire is to one day be an Newkirk Sr., is pastor. The many activities he participated in at church have moldedinspiration to others. him to be who he is today. He is an active member of NABA. Upon graduation, he Chinedu Nnaji is a senior at will become a successful Financial Adviser. Morgan State University, currently . pursuing a BS degree in accounting with honors. He is the vice- president of his Jada Pinckney is a business school NABA Chapter and treasurer for Beta Alpha Psi. When not engaged in administration major with a school work he involves himself in concentration in finance. She is currently volunteering. He is also a member of a Sophomore at Mercy College. Her numerous honor societies such as Golden academic achievements include beingKey Int’l, Phi Eta Sigma, Beta Gamma Sigma & National Society of named on the Business Honors Dean’sCollegiate Scholars and is a WileyCPA campus rep. list, inducted into the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and treasurer for the Mercy college NABA chapter. She was the recipient of the 2016 NABA Eastern Region Conference Grant Thornton Scholarship and was the 2016 Deloitte Case Study Competition 3rd place winner. . DARE TO LEAD

2017 NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS BIOS SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT BIOS CONTINUED Jodeen Shillingford Courtney Privette is a senior is an ambitious accounting and computer information systems double accounting student at North Carolina major at Grambling State University, A&T State University. She is an active home of the current HBCU football member of Beta Alpha Psi and Beta champions. She currently serves as the Gamma Sigma Honor Societies. She will vice president of her N.A..BA student be attending The Ohio State University in chapter and enjoys working on campus the fall of 2017 to complete a Master of as a Senior Resident assistant. She Accounting. She has completed two belongs to several other organizations and societies but in her internships with Deloitte & Touche LLP, spare time enjoys baking, music, movies, campus events, sports and has accepted a full time offer out of their Raleigh office. and community service activities. . . Jordaan Ramirez-Jennings Brianna Stephens is a sophomore has three younger siblings but he is the at The University of Alabama studying first born to Ryan and Nikki Ramirez- Accounting with a Specialization in Real Jennings. He is a 2015 alum of Topeka Estate. She holds the following positions: High School graduating with superior Assistant Team Leader for the Center for honors. He is currently attending Ottawa Service and Leadership and the University with a double major in Programming Coordinator/ Chairperson accounting and economics. Currently for NABA. Brianna also participates in other maintaining a 3.8 grade point average, he extracurricular activities such as weekly believes in strong work ethics, taking the extra effort, honesty, service and a host of clubs/organizations. She is a member of the commitment and by doing this he will be successful. Honors College and has been awarded with both President’s and Dean’s List recognition. . . Moya Reid is a W.E.B. DuBois Scholar Gregory Stewart is a junior at Huston-Tillotson University. She is a junior pursuing a B.A. in Business finance student from Garner, North Administration with a concentration in Carolina. He currently attends North Accounting. She is the President of the HT Carolina Agricultural and Technical State chapter of NABA, Vice-President University and has maintained a 3.87 GPA. Membership for HT’s Toastmasters and Gregory has been an active member of P.R.O. for Golden Key International. She will NABA for three years and previously be interning with PricewaterhouseCoopers served as Vice President. During the at the Houston office this summer. Her life motto is: “If the plan spring of 2017, Gregory studied abroad in doesn’t work, change the plan but never the goal”. Cyprus at the University of Nicosia. Upon graduation, Gregory plans to pursue his goal of becoming a financial analyst or . financial advisor. Jasmine Richardson is a senior . studying accounting with a Xavier Thomas is a junior finance concentration in financial analysis at North Carolina State University. She major at Winston-Salem State University. currently serve as the treasurer of the NC He serves as Mister Omega Psi Phi and is State NABA chapter. She will be apart of The National Association of Black continuing her education at NC State Accountants, Rams Asset Management while pursing a Masters of Accounting and G3 Rams Community Enrichment. He through the Jenkins Graduate School of also serves as a campus ambassador, Management. After obtaining her CPA, she plans to start a career office assistant and math tutor. Due to his in corporate taxation. hard work and dedication, Xavier has been awarded the Tabernacle Baptist Church Scholarship, . Tabernacle Baptist Silver Award, and the Tabernacle Baptist Church Participant award. . 2017 NATIONAL CONVENTION & EXPO

Ashia Thompson is a senior Michael Williams was born in the 2017 NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS BIOS accounting major at Monroe College. She Boston, Massachusetts and lived there for has a 4.00 GPA within her major and three years. Relocated to Lagos, Nigeria, overall. She is the 2nd Executive Vice and lived there for 12 years. He moved to President of her school’s NABA student Canada for five years, and currently lives chapter. Her most recent academic in DeKalb, Illinois. He is currently an honor achievements include the NABA NY student majoring in accountancy at scholarship, the NABA National Northern Illinois University(NIU) and Scholarship, the NABA ERSC scholarship serves as the vice president for NABA’sand she has constantly been recognized as a top achiever on her NIU chapter. He enjoys basketball, soccer, and video games.school’s President’s list. .. Jesse Wilson is a sophomore at the Rohan Wattley grew up in London, University of Illinois at Urbana- England. His mum’s family is from Champaign. He hails from Berkeley, IL and Anguilla and his dad’s family is from St attended Saint Joseph High School. His kitts and Nevis, all islands are in the hobbies include playing basketball, Caribbean. He enjoys reading,sports, spending time with friends, and listening helping others, and spending time with to music, especially J. Cole. Upon those important to him. He believes in a graduation, he plans to obtain a Masters strong work ethic and creating a of Accounting Science with a successful path for yourself, but for others concentration in either Finance or Tax. He is looking to startthat need guidance. Law of attraction is real, create positive vibes. full-time with a public accounting firm.. . Antoinette Williams is a senior accounting major at Prairie View A&M University. She has maintained a GPA of 3.92 and has been named to the Honor Roll List her entire college career. She is the president of the PVAMU NABA chapter as well as an active member of other organizations on campus and in the community. Upon graduationAntoinette plans to obtain her CPA, and work in assurance at aBig 4 firm..Congratulations to all of our2017 Scholarship Recipients! DARE TO LEAD