Bodrick Scholarship Award recipients
2025: Shian Earlington | Invincible Beauty | CT State Asnuntuck Community College
Invincible Beauty LLC is more than a brand—it is a movement dedicated to redefining
beauty standards while empowering Black and Afro-Latinx women. Born from a college student who has a burning passion for challenging conventional norms, Shian's business celebrates diversity through high-quality, ethically sourced nail, haircare, and beauty products designed to enhance natural beauty. Every product is meticulously hand-crafted, emphasizing innovation,sustainability, and authenticity. This scholarship opportunity will enable Shian to further develop Invincible Beauty by enhancing research, expanding product offerings, and implementing advanced sustainable practices. She is committed to making a lasting impact in the Black beauty industry, inspiring others to embrace their true beauty, and empowering individuals.
Invincible Beauty LLC is more than a brand—it is a movement dedicated to redefining
beauty standards while empowering Black and Afro-Latinx women. Born from a college student who has a burning passion for challenging conventional norms, Shian's business celebrates diversity through high-quality, ethically sourced nail, haircare, and beauty products designed to enhance natural beauty. Every product is meticulously hand-crafted, emphasizing innovation,sustainability, and authenticity. This scholarship opportunity will enable Shian to further develop Invincible Beauty by enhancing research, expanding product offerings, and implementing advanced sustainable practices. She is committed to making a lasting impact in the Black beauty industry, inspiring others to embrace their true beauty, and empowering individuals.
2025: Serenity Howery | University of Texas at Austin
Women in developing countries, particularly those in socio-economically vulnerable settings, face significant health and social risks due to unhygienic menstrual practices. In many countries, women are forced to use unsanitary materials, such as old clothing, to mitigate menstrual flow. This can expose women to serious medical risks, such as UTis and other infections. Additionally, a lack of accessible products have been cited as a significant reason for adolescent women dropping out of school. Considering these needs, Serenity's business proposal involves developing a highly absorbent, biodegradable menstrual product using naturally occurring plant fibers. By focusing on cost-effective, eco-friendly materials, she aim's to create a product that can be mass-produced within various regional contexts, reducing waste and increasing accessibility. A scholarship from the Khari Bodrick Foundation will support her in sourcing additional materials and equipment to develop a prototype.
Women in developing countries, particularly those in socio-economically vulnerable settings, face significant health and social risks due to unhygienic menstrual practices. In many countries, women are forced to use unsanitary materials, such as old clothing, to mitigate menstrual flow. This can expose women to serious medical risks, such as UTis and other infections. Additionally, a lack of accessible products have been cited as a significant reason for adolescent women dropping out of school. Considering these needs, Serenity's business proposal involves developing a highly absorbent, biodegradable menstrual product using naturally occurring plant fibers. By focusing on cost-effective, eco-friendly materials, she aim's to create a product that can be mass-produced within various regional contexts, reducing waste and increasing accessibility. A scholarship from the Khari Bodrick Foundation will support her in sourcing additional materials and equipment to develop a prototype.
2025: Zakiya Gilles | Breezy Cosmetics | North Carolina A&T State University
At just 15, Zakiya launched Breezy Cosmetics, a beauty brand designed to empower women by promoting confidence and economic mobility. Growing up in her mother's hair salon, she witnessed firsthand how beauty services uplifted women, not just externally but emotionally. Inspired by this, she created Breezy Cosmetics to provide high-quality, affordable beauty products while also fostering entrepreneurship within her community. Receiving this $1,000 scholarship will significantly enhance Breezy Cosmetics by allowing Zakiya to expand product offerings, improve branding, and increase outreach. Specifically, she plan's to use the funds to upgrade packaging, invest in digital marketing strategies, and secure event venues for pop-up shops. These improvements will help Breezy Cosmetics reach a wider audience while continuing to support aspiring business owners.
At just 15, Zakiya launched Breezy Cosmetics, a beauty brand designed to empower women by promoting confidence and economic mobility. Growing up in her mother's hair salon, she witnessed firsthand how beauty services uplifted women, not just externally but emotionally. Inspired by this, she created Breezy Cosmetics to provide high-quality, affordable beauty products while also fostering entrepreneurship within her community. Receiving this $1,000 scholarship will significantly enhance Breezy Cosmetics by allowing Zakiya to expand product offerings, improve branding, and increase outreach. Specifically, she plan's to use the funds to upgrade packaging, invest in digital marketing strategies, and secure event venues for pop-up shops. These improvements will help Breezy Cosmetics reach a wider audience while continuing to support aspiring business owners.
2022: Taylor Stanford | Pelican's Snoball's | Limestone University
Taylor is the owner of a "Pelican 's SnoBalls" franchise in Gaffney, South Carolina. It is Taylor's goal to provide local children with a safe space where they feel appreciated, respected, and loved. With the $1,000 Bodrick Scholarship award, Taylor's goal of renovating their outdoor "hangout" area will be supported, and children will be able to learn skills they will need for adult competences in addition to encouraging outdoor play. It is her goal to encourage children to cooperate with others, develop new social skills, make wise decisions, and remain open-minded. Congratulations on this latest success and we look forward to supporting you through the rest of your entrepreneurial journey!
Taylor is the owner of a "Pelican 's SnoBalls" franchise in Gaffney, South Carolina. It is Taylor's goal to provide local children with a safe space where they feel appreciated, respected, and loved. With the $1,000 Bodrick Scholarship award, Taylor's goal of renovating their outdoor "hangout" area will be supported, and children will be able to learn skills they will need for adult competences in addition to encouraging outdoor play. It is her goal to encourage children to cooperate with others, develop new social skills, make wise decisions, and remain open-minded. Congratulations on this latest success and we look forward to supporting you through the rest of your entrepreneurial journey!