For A Bright Future Foundation Unveils its Fintech Innovation Scholarship Awardee

The Foundation recognizes Mariah Hicks as an exceptional scholar pursuing a career in the field of Computer Science

MIAMI, Jan. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Louis Hernandez Jr.'s Foundation For A Bright Future ("For A Bright Future") ("FABF"), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the needs of underrepresented and underprivileged children through education, healthcare, the arts, and youth leadership development, awarded its 2024 Fintech Innovation Scholarship to Mariah Hicks, 19, of Illinois.

The Fintech Innovation Scholarship For A Bright Future empowers underrepresented and exceptional students to shape the future of fintech and make a lasting difference in the industry.

Mariah Hicks is pursuing a degree in Computer Science with a minor in Economics at Spelman College, where she began her freshman year as of the fall of 2024. Mariah's journey exemplifies resilience and determination. During her junior year of high school, her stepfather's severe illness and subsequent amputations halved her family's income and left them with $150,000 in medical debt. She overcame this challenge by taking on caregiving responsibilities for her stepfather and younger sister: balancing cooking, cleaning, and driving to appointments while maintaining a commendable academic standing. Despite these hardships, Mariah has been able to launch the Wisdom Workshop, a nonprofit tutoring service where she inspired a struggling student to embrace C++ programming. Her dedication to education and community service shines through her leadership roles as Key Club treasurer, a Peer Power student leader, and a mentor for FinPro World. Mariah remains passionate about addressing societal challenges and she plans to use her degree to tackle poverty and economic policy while continuing to uplift her community.

"By alleviating my financial stress and any external misdirection from my studies, this scholarship will create positive impact leading to my future successes; for that I am forever grateful," said Mariah Hicks.

For A Bright Future Foundation was founded by Louis Hernandez, Jr., CEO of Black Dragon Capital℠, a multi-phased investment firm focused on advanced technologies in high-growth segments that strengthen economic stability within communities. Committed to illuminating the path to success, the foundation provides scholarships emphasizing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), financial technology, healthcare, and education. These opportunities are tailored to uplift students from underserved demographics, including single-parent households and families with military backgrounds.

For A Bright Future empowers underserved communities by championing equal access to education. In 2024, the Foundation received nearly 6,000 applications, underscoring the critical need for educational support. Through rigorous evaluation by expert reviewers, scholarships are awarded to exceptional students who excel academically and demonstrate a passion for community impact, creating a new generation of leaders and changemakers.

We express our sincerest thanks to the hardworking leadership behind our Scholarship Committee, Chairwoman Susie Hernandez and Vice-Chairwoman Jennifer Oddo. We also recognize Christina Stubbs, SVP at Amerant Bank, for her remarkable insights as part of the Fintech Innovation Scholarship selection team.

Lastly, we would also like to express our gratitude to For A Bright Future's operational team led by Gina Rogoto, SVP of Operations and Programs, for their steadfast commitment to finding the best and brightest candidates across the country and facilitating the scholarship process.

Contact:
 Gina Rogoto, SVP of Operations & Programs,
 For A Bright Future
 Email: [email protected]

About Louis Hernandez Jr.'s Foundation For A Bright Future
Louis Hernandez Jr.'s Foundation For A Bright Future is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting the needs of underrepresented and underprivileged children through education, healthcare, the arts, and youth leadership development. Our initiatives provide equal opportunity for all children to have the tools and opportunities to fulfill their life goals and become constructive members of our global community.

To learn more or support For A Bright Future educational programs, please visit our donation page at www.forabrightfuturefoundation.org.

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SOURCE Louis Hernandez Jr.'s Foundation For A Bright Future