Being a member of Caracal Academy Cohort 3 has shown and mentored me with many values that are essential for life itself as well as being a young black entrepreneur. It has allowed me to make connections with strong-minded individuals who help accelerate my knowledge, work ethic, and leadership. One Sunday of each month at 7 pm, we would meet on Zoom with a mentor where they would engage with all of the members of the cohort and share their knowledge of the field that they were in. Sometimes, we would come up with different scenarios and answer what we would do or what should be done.

Our very first meeting was with the CEO of Caracal Products and Services, Don Roberts. One thing I will never forget about Don is his story of how he started and got to where he is today. The moral of his story is that you can start as something small in a big city, but once you surround yourself with individuals who are where you want to be, or come across the right individual, there are multiple opportunities that life may throw at you and your only choice should be to take them. Caracal Academy is not only an opportunity, but it is a privilege being that you must be selected and recommended for this program.

One thing that I enjoyed about being in Caracal Academy was how each member was different. We were of different ages, educational levels, hobbies, and majors (if in college). Despite our differences, we all brought unique opinions and feedback to each meeting. Hearing others engage gave me the confidence to engage more every Sunday that we had a meeting. We were all so eager to participate that we would sometimes interrupt each other.

Overall, Caracal Academy has been a pivotal experience for me. It has provided me with invaluable insights, a network of like-minded individuals, and the confidence to pursue my entrepreneurial goals. The mentorship and connections I’ve gained will undoubtedly continue to influence my journey positively.