What an Afternoon!
It just keeps on getting better. Our 2nd Annual Scholarship Luncheon was a great success. Mentorship and scholarships are the heart of A.B.W.A., and this year’s event did not disappoint. A.B.W.A. was ecstatic to provide seven scholarships this year totaling $10,000 with our general and Rosemarie Brown Scholarship, named after A.B.W.A.’s founder. 
Rosemarie’s desire and vision was to “encourage young women of color so that they can succeed with an accounting education.” This year’s and future scholars are seeing the fruition of her vision come true. This is what our scholars have to say about the world of accounting and finance.
From our scholars…
Reyna Clark – Freshman, Ca Lutheran University, CA
“My career aspiration is to be a Forensic Accountant. As such, my goal is to graduate with a degree in accounting. I like to help people, and Forensic Accountants can help people solve financial crimes and help them build business processes that make companies stronger. I believe that Forensic Accounting would be a rewarding career.”
Shakira Drummond – Sophomore, Santa Monica College, CA
“I started taking my first accounting class and I was so shocked to find out how amazing I was at it. I passed every single assignment, exam, class activity, literally everything with a 100%. It was at that moment that I knew that Finance was the field for me. A career in finance became my biggest motivator.”
Tynisa Finley – Postgraduate, Azusa Pacific University, CA
“My goal with this degree is to teach financial literacy, in addition to helping minorities and those with small businesses during tax time. Many in my community and family are unsure of how to save and even struggle with managing their day-to-day finances. That is going to change.”
Carmieshra Gorman – Freshman, Santa Monica College, CA
“I took my first steps into studying formal accounting at Santa Monica College. Now, I am even more fascinated by the way accounting can help me as I work to improve businesses and the lives of others. From my experience at Santa Monica College, I now understand why accounting can be more that just a way to pay the bills.”
Niresha Motley – Senior, University of Houston-DT, TX
“For as long as I can remember, I’ve had a strong passion for Accounting and Taxation. My goal is to graduate from UHD with my BBA in Accounting, then go onto working on my Master’s Degree in accounting. Being a Certified Public Accountant is the goal. I can do it, especially with the fellowship of A.B.W.A.”
Brianna Neal – Junior, Ball State University, IN
“I realized the importance of me being in the accounting field as a Black woman. Accountants are respected business professionals, and I am looking forward to becoming a trusted accountant as well. I want the day to come that I’m able to create an organization or firm that can help further the career path and knowledge of the minority.”
Leisha Smith – Sophmore, Santa Monica College, CA
“Accounting isn’t just a ‘desk job.’ Accountants play such a key essential role in businesses by analyzing statements to help decision-makers come to informed decisions, provide preparation and outlooks, ensure statutory compliance, keep records of expenses and incomes, etc. There is an abundance of opportunities.”
Thanks are in order!
In addition, we are SO thankful to our 17+ sponsors that showed up in abundance for our event. Our top sponsors this year included Cal Baptist University, The Brown Family, Soren McAdams, Alta Loma Enterprises, AmPac Business Capital, and Black Voice News. 
This would have been impossible without A.B.W.A.’s Scholarship Selection Committee, Kaiesha Davidson, Paige Madkin, Abimbola Famuyima, and Faizah Dean. The Scholarship Event Committee, Nefertiti Long, Marjorie McPike, Helen Jones, Kaiesha Davidson, Tamara Brown, and the many vendors brought the luncheon together with style and grace. We also graciously thank our keynote speaker and A.B.W.A. member, Tayiika Dennis.
This is what sisterhood is ALL about. We look forward to an even grander scholarship luncheon event next year. Want to enjoy more photos from the luncheon? Click here >>>
