2 WSSU students named Forbes Under 30 scholars
Two Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) business students have been selected as Forbes Under 30 scholars.
Lauryn Ledyard, a senior business administration major from Gaithersburg, Maryland, and Jordan Reaves, a senior finance major from Charlotte, were among the 1,000 high-achieving undergraduate and graduate students from across the country selected to attend the Forbes Under 30 summit, which was held Oct. 27-30 in Detroit.
The summit featured more than 200 speakers, including Serena Williams, Kevin Durant, Olivia Munn, Antoni Porowski. It also provided attendees with networking opportunities and practical business help, such as professional headshots and resume reviews.
Ledyard serves as secretary of the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) and is the historian for the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW).
This past summer, she interned with J.P. Morgan Chase in New York. She has received a full-time offer to return to J.P. Morgan Chase after graduation at their Texas location.
“I plan to work there while also pursuing my passion of financial literacy and teaching financial wellness to underserved communities,” Ledyard said. “J.P. Morgan Chase helped with this passion by exposing me to multiple individuals who share a similar passion and are currently working within financial literacy who have helped me further develop my plans of pursuing this passion.”
Reaves is the manager of Ram Asset Management, an investment fund managed by students. He was a member of the Rams men’s cross country team as a sophomore and junior. He also recently launched a student financial literacy program.
Reaves said he enjoyed several of the speakers, especially Morehouse College President David A. Thomas and NBA star Kevin Durant, who spoke about balancing sports and business.
“Something I learned was your major doesn’t define who you are or where you can go,” Reaves said. “It’s about where you place yourself.”
About Winston-Salem State University
Winston-Salem State University fosters the creative thinking, analytical problem-solving, and depth of character needed to transform the world. Rooted in liberal education, WSSU’s curriculum prepares students to be thought leaders who have the skills and knowledge needed to develop innovative solutions to complex problems. Founded in 1892, WSSU is a historically Black constituent institution of the University of North Carolina with a rich tradition of contributing to the social, cultural, intellectual, and economic growth of North Carolina, the region and beyond. Guided by the motto, “Enter to Learn, Depart to Serve,” WSSU develops leaders who advance social justice by serving the world with compassion and commitment.
