As Chair of NFTE's South Advisory Board, I'm continually moved by the brilliance and boldness of our young entrepreneurs. Last spring, I had the honor of emceeing the NFTE South Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge, where creativity met conviction in the most inspiring way.

Our first-place winners, Kamsi Dukes and Aaira Masood from Grand Prairie School for the Highly Gifted, created Child Guardian, a smart watch that alerts teachers in real time when a student faces bullying or distress. Their innovation was more than clever; it was compassion in motion, born from a vision to make schools safer for every child.

Why this matters to me runs deep. At 13, I had three small ventures, baking, babysitting, and sewing, and an unshakable belief that anything was possible. But without mentorship or guidance, my potential went untapped. By 20, I was incarcerated. That experience didn't break me; it built me. It taught me resilience, purpose, and the power of second chances. Now, I live to ensure young dreamers have the support I once needed.

Across the South and beyond, NFTE students are solving real-world problems with heart and hope. Every stage NFTE builds becomes a launchpad for possibility, helping young people find their voice, own their confidence, and transform dreams into action.

When you give to NFTE, you're not just funding a program; you are fueling futures. You're saying yes to potential that might otherwise go unseen. I've witnessed the impact firsthand, and this full-circle moment reminds me what transformation truly looks like.

Join me. Invest in the next generation of innovators and leaders by giving to NFTE today. Together, we are fueling the future, one bold dream at a time!