Meet the Black Woman Whose Non-Profit Has Helped Teens Secure $65M in College Scholarships

Nationwide — Nitiya Walker, an African American woman from Brooklyn, New York, turned her own college struggles into a mission to help other young women. After facing the high costs of education, she now runs Seeds of Fortune, a nonprofit that assists teens in securing college scholarships and financial literacy.

Walker always knew she wanted to attend college. Throughout high school, she worked hard to meet the academic requirements for a four-year university. But when she was accepted to Babson College in Boston, she faced a new challenge — the $50,000 annual tuition.

Realizing her family couldn’t afford the costs, Walker sought advice from a mentor. She dedicated herself to applying for scholarships, sacrificing her senior year social life. The hard work paid off. Walker received a $250,000 scholarship from The Posse Foundation and additional support from organizations like Alpha Kappa Alpha and Zeta Phi Beta.

Inspired by her own journey, Walker launched Seeds of Fortune Inc. after graduation. According to Woman’s Day, the nonprofit helps young girls from over 22,000 high schools nationwide secure scholarships, gain financial knowledge, and master college applications. In its 10 years, the organization has helped students earn $65 million in scholarships.

Walker’s program also provides leadership training and connects students to global resources. Recently, Seeds of Fortune celebrated its anniversary with a service trip to Ghana, expanding its reach to first-generation American students and young women around the world.

“Our goal is to help give them the opportunity to be more empowered with economic resources and to fund not only their education but also their dreams,” said Walker.