2021 HSBC Scholars
Sponsored by HSBC Bank USA, N.A., this scholarship is awarded to high-achieving Black students enrolled in an accredited four-year college or university who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, a commitment to community involvement and are pursuing a degree in STEM or finance fields of study.
The 2021 class received a one-time, need-based scholarship in the amount of $17,500 to assist with educational expenses for the 2021 – 2022 academic year
Aaron Amankwaah
Aaron Amankwaah is an applied mathematics major and data science minor at Rutgers University Newark. He is enthusiastic about developing innovative code, mathematically challenging himself, and learning about next-generation technology and how it can be used to solve problems that affect our society while also having fun. Amankwaah enjoys reading, working out, and outdoor activities such as playing volleyball, soccer, or hiking.
Alana Burrell
Alana Burrell is a junior computer science major at Spelman College who aspires to earn a Bachelor of Science in computer engineering from her dream engineering institution, Georgia Tech. Burrell has a commitment to excellence in both her academic and professional presence. Burrell has chartered two organizations at her past school, Perimeter College. She served as a student senator, and as a campus ambassador to three different programs while maintaining a 3.8 major GPA. She has been awarded over 12 prestigious awards, grants, and scholarships throughout her collegiate career, most notably the Assistance league of Atlanta scholarship, consecutive invitations to the dean’s list, and the 2019 Carl V. Patton award. In her free time, Burrell combines her interests of social justice/liberation with her skills of programming to prototype apps that address the needs of low-income and stigmatized minority communities.
Albert Jackson
Albert Jackson is a high honors student who attends Xavier University of Louisiana. He is a biology pre-med sophomore who is also a member of the Men’s Basketball Team, Chemistry Club, Xavier Premedical Honors Corps, the 100 Black Men Club and the Xavier DMV Club. Jackson was employed by Lifetime Athletic Club prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. He recently was inducted into the Alpha Epsilon Delta Honors Society and the National Society for Leadership and Success. Jackson is Chair of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and has served as a volunteer tutor within the New Orleans Parish elementary school system. He has also served as a Media Specialist at the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia. Jackson has received the Sister Grace Mary Flickinger Athletic Honor Roll recognition as an outstanding student athlete. He is a multi- year dean’s list recipient with aspirations of becoming an orthopedic surgeon.
Godlyse Mahungu
Godlyse Mahungu is a sophomore double majoring in marketing and finance at Rutgers University. She is a campus leader and currently holds the position of President of the Marketing and Management Society on the Rutgers Business School campus. Mahungu is also the VP of Marketing for the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) Chapter on her campus. During her free time, she advocates for diversity in the corporate work setting by using her position as an ambassador for a platform called Jopwell to encourage diverse talent to pursue challenging roles. She is a recipient of both the NABA Northern New Jersey and Eastern Regional Scholarships, the Marketing EDGE scholarship award, the Rutgers Business School Engagement and Leadership Program Award, and the New York Women in Communications scholarship award. Mahungu has an internship this summer as a finance intern with Johnson & Johnson and has the main goal of working in business consulting and strategy.
Kenthia Roberts
Kenthia Roberts is a critical thinker, problem solver and leader. She grew up on the twin-island of Trinidad and Tobago and is currently a junior studying applied mathematics with dual minors in computer science and psychology at Howard University. There, Roberts serves in numerous leadership positions such as president of Gamma Iota Sigma, Tau Chapter and sits on the E-board of the Caribbean Student’s Association (CSA) as the 51st Miss HUCSA. She is also an esteemed inductee of Pi Mu Epsilon (mathematics honor society), has been a four-time consecutive dean’s list awardee, and was awarded a Solveig Epselie award for her outstanding achievements in the mathematics department. In her free time, Roberts enjoys learning new things whether it be a new skill or hobby. In everything she does, she intends to broaden her knowledge in hopes of becoming a self-starter, equipped to contribute to this fast-advancing world.
Laia Garland
Laia Garland is a sophomore in the Willie A. Deese College of Business & Economics at North Carolina A&T State University, studying management entrepreneurship. Garland is interested in risk management and on another scale event planning. Being that she aspires to become a successful entrepreneur, Garland feels that these two very different careers will help balance her out and teach her practical skills to be able to run multiple businesses. On campus, Garland is involved in a plethora of organizations including the Residence Hall Association, Queen City Aggies, Aggie Toastmasters and Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society while participating in community service throughout these organizations. Raised in Charlotte, North Carolina, Garland enjoys reading, shopping, and listening to music.
Taylor Weekes
Taylor Weekes is a junior finance major at Howard University. Weekes currently serves as the Engagement Manager at Build & Brand You, a branding startup founded by Howard School of Business students that supports students in obtaining prestigious internships and full-time opportunities. Through this position, she has fulfilled her goal of giving back by increasing students’ chances of receiving opportunities in competitive industries. Weekes was also a member of the 2021 Cohort of the Goldman Sachs HBCU Market Madness Program. She engaged with HBCU students from across the nation in a case competition, where financial modeling skills were used to create a presentation for Goldman Sachs professionals. Weekes is currently interning at PwC’s New York office in Consulting this summer. While obtaining professional accomplishments, Weekes prioritized her academic commitments and was named a student on the Howard School of Business dean’s list during the 2021 – 2022 academic year.
Zacharias Lee
Zacharias Lee is a junior studying finance and philosophy at Rutgers University, where he is a James Dickson Carr Scholar and Ron Brown Captain. He is active on campus and part of the Road to Wall Street program, RBS B-STAR program, and the Student Managed Fund. During his first year, he was a member of the Leadership Living-Learning community and will be a Resident Assistant in the fall. Last summer, Lee interned at a wealth management firm where he supported the CIO, working diligently to maintain client relationships and onboard new ones. This summer, he interned at RBC Capital Markets in their Global Investment Banking division. Lee is heavily involved with the community and continues to give back to his church to help the youth. During his winter and summer break, he helped organize a reading club for the church’s children in the absence of camps.
