Monique McDowell who was born and raised in West Palm Beach, Florida is a May 2006 Howard University graduate with a B.B.A. in International Business. Monique’s love of poetry first developed while in high school classes analyzing the works of famous poets such as Shakespeare and Emily Dickinson. While at Howard, Monique had the opportunity to study the works of famous poets such as Amiri Baraka, Nikki Giovanni, and Ntozake Shange. The 2004 Who’s Who Amongst American Students in Colleges and Universities award recipient, previously served as a Resident Assistant at Howard University, National Visionary Leadership Project (NVLP), DC Vote intern and personal assistant to the Reality TV star, Omarosa Manigualt Stallworth. Monique’s travels and international volunteerism in Manila, Philippines and Hong Kong and Zhang jia jie, China has forever enhanced her perspective of the human impact of compassion. Upon graduation, Monique worked as a Distribution Analyst for a year at Payless ShoeSource Inc. corporate headquarters located in Topeka, Kansas. During her brief tenure at Payless, Monique kept true to her passion in the community and served United Way of Topeka, March of Dimes and Brown vs. Board of Education. Also, Monique served as a mentor for a resident of the girl’s shelter, Florence Crittenton, for at-risk youth in Topeka. Monique currently resides in Aurora, Colorado. Monique uses poetry as her venue to address issues such as love, poverty, spousal abuse, racial discrimination, homelessness and faith. More information about Monique can be found on her website at www.moniquemcdowell.com

•Published Author, Bruised Kisses: Affliction vs. Affection, A Collection of Poems
•Especially Me, 11th Annual Conference Facilitator (2009)
•United Way, PwC Bridging the Gap Co-Coordinator (2008)
•Florence Crittenton Home Mentor to Homeless Youth (2007)
•Brown vs. Board of Education Volunteer (2007)
•United Way, Payless Silent Auction Volunteer (2006)
•United Way, Payless Prize Committee Volunteer (2006)
•March of Dimes, Iron Chef Silent Auction Volunteer (2006)
•Accomplished a childhood dream & Graduated with BBA from Howard University (2006)
•First Generation in family to graduate from a four-year institution (2006)
•Awarded TAPIT scholarship $4000 (2006)
•HOPE Youth Corps Volunteer in Hong Kong & China (2004)
•Who's Who Amongst Students in American Colleges & Universities (2004)
•Competed in first Pageant, Miss School of Business - 1st Runner-up (Coached by Omarosa Manigualt Stallworth) (2004)
•Outstanding Resident Assistant Award (2004)
•Served as a Resident Assistant at HU for two consecutive years (2003)
•Awarded Carl J Domino Scholarship (2003)
•HOPE Youth Corps Volunteer in Manila, Philippines (2002)
•Awarded Kiwanis Club of Singer Island Scholarship (2000)
•Awarded NAACP Scholarship (2000)
•Awarded Law Offices of Richard A. Ryles Scholarship (2000)
•Awarded Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Scholarship (2000)
•President's Education Award Program (1996)