Jeffrey Kyei-Asare, Class of ’25, knew he belonged in the business world, he just needed a chance to prove it. He got his chance at Smith, enrolling in fall 2023 after transferring from Montgomery College.
Kyei-Asare earned a UMD Transfer Scholarship, among others, in recognition of his outstanding academic achievements. He says, “Scholarships made it possible for me to be in rooms I knew I belonged in and to earn an education I could make the most of.”
The finance and information systems student is applying classroom lessons to his startup—and it’s paying off. StreetLoveDMV, a streetwear clothing store, earned first place in the 2024 Pitch Dingman Competition’s Main Street Track, earning $20,000 and the chance to sell wares at Shop Made in Maryland.
Kyei-Asare was chosen to participate in the 2023 Young Men of Color Small Business Roundtable at the White House, led by Vice President Kamala Harris . “We fully understand that when our entrepreneurs and our small-business leaders are strong, America is strong,” the vice president remarked.
“I always recognize that I’m not just doing this for myself. Someone believed in me, someone chose to bet on me, and I will take advantage of that opportunity,” Kyei-Asare says.
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About the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business
The Robert H. Smith School of Business is an internationally recognized leader in management education and research. One of 12 colleges and schools at the University of Maryland, College Park, the Smith School offers undergraduate, full-time and flex MBA, executive MBA, online MBA, business master’s, PhD and executive education programs, as well as outreach services to the corporate community. The school offers its degree, custom and certification programs in learning locations in North America and Asia.