From the Yard to the World: Skánia Florestal Was “Chosen” By Virginia State & Now She’s Choosing To Help Alumni With Her “HBCUMade” App
Written By: Danielle Canada
Skánia Florestal has never shied away from embarking on new beginnings, even in the face of unimaginable adversity. The Boston native with Caribbean roots’ journey to Virginia State University (VSU) was far from linear and shaped by an unexpected loss during her senior year of high school. While her classmates might have been busy applying to schools, Skánia put college applications on the back burner. Yet, through resilience and a bit of divine intervention, she not only attended VSU but thrived, earning her degree debt-free which built a foundation for her future success.
Despite living in the state home to the likes of Harvard and MIT, the change maker knew she wanted to attend a Historically Black College thanks to Black excellence celebrating shows like The Cosby Show and A Different World. So when it was time to journey to college, the CEO of the Boston Urban Youth Foundation helped her apply to college. When she turned 18, Skánia received acceptance letters from several schools, including Hampton University and Virginia State University, with VSU offering her substantial financial aid. With VSU offering almost full coverage of her tuition, Skánia decided to attend. "
Virginia State chose me. I didn't choose Virginia State," she told OffTheYard about her HBCU beginnings.
Though she initially planned to transfer after a semester, Skánia fell in love with VSU thanks to the campus, the community, and the support. Entranced by her new beginnings in Petersburg, Virginia, she became laser-focused on academics, determined not to waste the opportunity she had been given. "My first semester, I got a 4.0. It was the first time I ever got a 4.0 in my life," she proudly shared.
Beyond academics, Skánia found community and pride in VSU through organizations like The Betterment of Brothers & Sisters Incorporated which deepened her connection to the university. Working for the betterment of her people is something that Skánia has a strong belief in and it’s something that motivated her to embark on a new beginning in the tech space; the HBCUMade app.
Born out of her desire to connect alumni and students more effectively, HBCUMade addresses the challenges she and other alumni have faced in finding a post-grad support system.
"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?” asked the woman 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.”
HBCUMade is more than just a business for Skánia; it's a statement of pride and community that affirms the importance of our Historically Black colleges and universities. “
"Our new president will be HBCUMade," she told OffTheYard. "People like Kamala [Harris] show us that HBCUs are relevant and important. "To be in a space for four years where you can truly be yourself; the good, the bad, the ugly, I think that's the part that's so invaluable. HBCUs are relevant so that we can continue love on one another and truly define what it is to be black. HBCUMade truly is a statement. It's not just the name of a company to be cute, I am HBCUMade. We are HBCUMade.”