Derby Chukwudi’s Post

It was great to attend the “A Great Mind is…” Gala to celebrate 80 years of the United Negro Colleges Fund (UNCF) transformative legacy impact of the organization with Louis Romano, CFP® , Lorenzo Smith III, CFA Jonathan Parris CFP®, CIMA® , Terry Woodard, Adama Diggs, Jamie Woodard For eight decades, the UNCF has been the nation’s largest provider of scholarships to minority students and the guiding light in propelling our nation’s HBCUs forward. Congratulations to Tony Signore, Fawn Weaver, and Essence (award accepted by Caroline A. Wanga for being honored and recognized for their support of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). As the motto of the organization states “ A great mind is a terrible thing to waste.” Looking forward to see more lives positively impacted by this organization in the next 80 years! #uncf #greatminds #education #legacy #hbcu #gala #jpm

A Year of Unforgettable Transformation Exactly one year ago, I was crowned Miss New Jersey USA 2023, igniting a journey that has reshaped my life in ways I could have never imagined. It's been a whirlwind of growth, empowerment, and profound lessons learned. As I approach the passing down of my crown in three short months, I feel compelled to share 12 of the most profound insights gleaned from this remarkable journey. These lessons aren't just about beauty or pageantry; they're about life, resilience, and the power we all hold within. 1. Seize Every Sunrise: Carpe Diem. Each day presents an opportunity to sculpt your destiny. Don't wait for chances; craft them. 2. You're Surrounded by Champions: Even in your darkest hour, remember, there's a legion of believers rooting for your success. Harness their energy and press on. 3. Commit to Greatness: Choose your battles wisely and fight them with unwavering determination. Success favors the relentless. 4. Mighty Ripples from Modest Acts: Never underestimate the power of small beginnings. Every action, no matter how humble, sets monumental change in motion. 5. Embrace the Abyss: Embrace the uncertainty of the unknown, for therein lies the canvas upon which greatness is painted. 6. Strength in Unity: Behind every triumph lies a network of supporters. Treat every soul with kindness and reverence; they hold the keys to your success. 7. Relentless Pursuit of Excellence: Let complacency be your adversary. Strive for greatness with unbridled fervor and refuse to settle for mediocrity. 8. Dance in the Storm: Amidst the chaos, find solace in the joy of the journey. Embrace the challenges, for they are the crucibles that forge resilience. 9. Your Story, Your Superpower: Share your journey with the world, for within your experiences lie the seeds of inspiration that can move mountains. 10. Stay Open-Minded: Expand your horizons and embrace diversity of thought. In the collision of ideas lies the genesis of innovation. 11. Break the Mold: Your past doesn't define your future. Use your story as a springboard to defy expectations and blaze your own trail. 12. Embrace Life's Symphony: Surrender to the serendipity of life. Embrace the unexpected, for therein lies the magic of existence. As I reflect on this whirlwind year, I'm reminded of the potency of resilience, community, and self-discovery. Thank you for being an integral part of this incredible adventure! #MissNJUSA #MissUSA #MissUniverse #WallStreet #Pageantry #Fashion #Leadership #Growth #Anniversary

Last week, I had the opportunity to share the stage with Ryland McClendon on a panel organized to celebrate Black History Month and kick off Women’s History Month. As we celebrate International Women’s Day today, I am reminded that there is power in sharing out stories as our stories give life to experiences that we have had. Perhaps these stories can spark an inspiration in the hearts of other women to forge ahead and create their own paths. Thank you to the JPMorgan Manhattan Tech DEI Barbara Miranda Winkler, Kevin G. Hillary Leonard Prabhujeet Singh, Michelle Jones, Michael Jansen and Marisa Mendez Johnson for working hard to organize this event. Happy International Women’s Day! #iwd #womenhistorymonth #march #jpmc

All roads lead to purpose and (Berea College)… Berea College has played an integral role in my life not only by providing a Full Tuition Scholarship worth ~$200k for me to pursue my two degrees but by also providing a work-study opportunity for students to develop core professional skills. Berea College believed in me even when I didn’t. When I was a student, I had 6+ jobs during my time on campus and each added a different skill set and experience to my toolkit. From building professional relationships to running the school’s newspaper as Editor in Chief. The opportunities were endless. In 2021 Berea College invited me back to speak to ~800 students in 2021 when I had just competed at Miss New Jersey USA and didn’t make any placements. So coming back this year as Miss New Jersey USA was truly a full-circle moment. Special Thank you to Collis Robinson, Ed.D. , the Dean of Labor Department for inviting me back to campus. It was an honor to be invited to speak to the students on the Annual Labor Day for the college to impart my knowledge and experiences. One of my sessions was on building effective communication skills. My key message to the students was to AMPLIFY. Articulate your key message Master clarity  Pursue connectivity  Learn the concept of storytelling  Influence your listeners  Focus on your audience  Yank off the fluff While on my visit, I got to have a great conversation with the new college president and first female president, Cheryl Nixon (so exciting especially as we celebrate Women’s History). Cheryl is full of energy, drive, and vision - I can’t wait to see all that she will do to take the College to the next level. Thank you again, Berea College. Until next time. #missnjusa #missusa #bereacollege #whyberea #alum

Black History month is an opportunity to celebrate excellence and the contributions that the Black community has made all these years. Personally, it is also an opportunity for me to give back by sharing knowledge to elevate others. In the spirit of sharing, I am partnering with Angelica Gantt, MBA Gantt to host a 1 hour session to talk about cultivating healthy relationships with money. On Thursday, February 15th at 7pm EST, we will be discussing money myths, lessons from our journey with finances, and ways we can amplify the Black community financially. We invite everyone who is eager to get a different perspective on their relationship with money to sign up. Access to this session is free but registration is mandatory. Our hope and goal is to have every attendee feeling elevated and equipped to navigate their money journey with confidence, knowledge, and optimism. Money may not buy happiness but it will definitely determine how happy you will be. We hope to see you there! Here is the link to register (https://cutt.ly/ywVhJo6F) #blackhistorymonth #bhm #financialliteracy #money #moneytalks #missnjusa #missusa

What’s December without a Spotify-themed recap of 2023! As I reflect on the past months, I can't help but smile at the journey that unfolded. At the beginning of the year, my word was "excitement," and I was unsure of where this journey would lead. Now, looking back, I can confidently say it's been a thrilling ride on all fronts. Challenges were inevitable, but I made a conscious effort to focus on the positives in every situation. This mindset allowed me to embrace each experience with gratitude and excitement, turning obstacles into opportunities. Here's a glimpse into some of the highlights that made this year truly unforgettable. I documented my journey through spreadsheets, videos, pictures, and audio files – a collection of memories I will revisit whenever I need to relive those moments. There were other experiences I wanted to include but how does one recap a year full of a million experiences in a few slides? While these recaps capture only a fraction of my experiences this year brought, I hope you enjoy the snapshot. Thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout this year! Note: all numbers are rounded up to the nearest thousand #Wrapped2023 #YearInReview #SpotifyWrapped #2023Recap #Gratitude #MissNJUSA #MissUSA #Fashion #Pageantry #Finance #YearEndJourney

At several points in your life, you will need to believe in yourself and leave no room for doubt to slip in. Your ability to do this will always make your journey worthwhile. One of these moments for me was this past weekend when I competed at Miss USA. The journey leading up to this very moment was full of unmatched discipline, commitment, resilience and tenacity. I am glad I rose up to the challenge to take up such a unique opportunity that I never considered would be part of my journey. I am thankful to have placed Top 20 at Miss USA 2023 while also being on PrimeTV. Thank you to everyone who supported my journey including J.P. Morgan! My story is still being written and the journey continues. Cheers! #missnjusa #missusa #missuniverse #jpmorgan

Hi LinkedIn Family! I’m taking a commercial break from my Miss USA rehearsals to share a quick update. This journey has been one of the most transformative experiences thus far in my life and I am honored that I get to represent New Jersey at Miss USA. Many people have asked how they can watch and support. The final show will be broadcast on the CW network on Friday, September 29th at 8pm EST - please tune in and watch :) One other way you all can support me is by voting for People’s Choice. The winner of People’s Choice makes it automatically to Top 20 during the final show. Each vote is $2 and you can purchase as many as you’d like! All proceeds go to selected charity organization for a good cause. People’s Choice link - https://lnkd.in/gXWnEMKC Thank you for all your support and prayers! #missnjusa #missusa #missuniverse #missusa2023 #thedefinitionofpageantry

They say if your dreams don’t scare you then your dreams aren’t big enough. I say… it is not enough to dream, but you must be willing to roll up your sleeves and work those dreams into reality. I’m forever on a journey of learning, growing, and blooming. The journey may not be easy (no one ever said it will be), but it will be so worth it that you would be thankful that you gave yourself a chance. Dream again • Work again • Believe again Your dreams are valid💚 #runway #nyfw #fashion #dreams #yourdreamsarevalid #missnjusa #missusa #missuniverse

A few weeks ago, I got to speak with Linda Wallentine from Munaluchi Bride Magazine about my story and journey as Miss New Jersey USA. We met at one of my appearances featuring bridal designs by Andrea Osei and ended up having an amazing conversation. Our in real life conversation led to an official interview with the magazine. The story was published this morning and I am thankful for the opportunity to share my perspective, story, and approach to life. I hope you are inspired to keep pursuing your dreams after you read this feature. You can read the article using this link: https://lnkd.in/eS6kEwda 📸: @danielgagnonphoto MUA: @jeremymakeup Hair: @studio92hair @themanemanipulator #missnjusa #missusa #missuniverse #fashion #feature #interview #roadtomissusa