BWHM Magic Maker: Skánia Florestal Is The Tech…
As we honor Black Women’s History Month, BOSSIP is celebrating Skánia Florestal as a licensed Magic Maker within the tech space, somebody who’s not solely strolling in function but in addition leaving a highly effective legacy within the course of.
The dynamo Boston native is the power behind HBCU MADE, a tech-forward platform she created to bridge the hole between HBCU alumni and college students.
Skánia’s highway to success wasn’t linear. During her senior yr of high faculty, she was confronted with the sudden loss of a liked one and the tragedy that quickly positioned her faculty goals on maintain. But with resilience and the help of the Boston Urban New Foundation and its CEO, Chris Troy, Skánia pressed ahead. Her dedication paid off. She was accepted to a number of faculties, nevertheless it was Virginia State University (VSU) that stepped up with substantial financial assist and a neighborhood she didn’t know she needed.
“I didn’t choose Virginia State. Virginia State chose me,” Skánia advised BOSSIP.
Although she initially deliberate to switch after one semester, VSU’s vibrant campus tradition and sense of neighborhood impressed her to remain. Her first semester ended with a 4.0 GPA, her first ever. Skánia had discovered her footing and rapidly leaned into her function, becoming a member of pupil organizations like The Betterment of Brothers & Sisters Incorporated and forming significant bonds that deepened her pleasure in being half of the HBCU legacy.
That ardour for neighborhood and Black excellence adopted her past commencement and sparked the concept for HBCU MADE.
A digital space designed to attach, empower, and have a good time HBCU alumni and college students, HBCU MADE was born out of Skánia’s personal experiences navigating post-grad life. Like many HBCU grads, she struggled to take care of these sturdy college bonds as soon as she entered the skilled world.
“The goal of HBCUMade is to roll out that red carpet for each other, but if we don’t know each other, then how can we do that and be that support system?” requested the lady in tech. “I just took all of those pain points from my own experience from talking to alumni and students and I just put it in this platform where we can really just share our own stories rather than having to go through the universities or wait until homecoming. When I created this I asked, how do we really break down those barriers and just really bridge these gaps.”
Rather than ready till homecoming or counting on scattered alumni occasions, HBCU MADE presents an intentional platform to share tales, community, and construct lasting relationships year-round.
“It’s not just a cute name,” she added. “I am HBCU MADE. We are HBCU MADE.”
More than a model, HBCU MADE is a reflection of id, pleasure, and the facility of shared experiences. And with Skánia Florestal on the helm, it’s solely simply starting.
As we proceed to uplift Black ladies who’re blazing new trails and reshaping narratives, BOSSIP proudly salutes Skánia for her innovation, impression, and simple #BlackLadyMagic.
To be taught more about HBCU MADE or to hitch the neighborhood, go to hbcu-made.com.
The post BWHM Magic Maker: Skánia Florestal Is The Tech Trailblazer Behind ‘HBCU MADE’ [Exclusive] appeared first on GWN.
