Grace, Service, and Scholarship: What Being a Debutante Truly Means

I have the honor of participating in the 2025 Cultured Pearls Debutante Cotillion, hosted by the Sisters of Ivy (SOI) Educational Foundation, Incorporated, in partnership with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Xi Upsilon Omega Chapter. For me, being selected as a debutante is more than wearing a gown and learning the waltz. A cotillion is a tradition with deep history.
 
In African American culture, cotillions are spaces of pride and preparation. They are places where academic excellence is celebrated and young women are taught to develop confidence, etiquette, and leadership skills. Fundraising and service ensure that debutantes are not only introduced to society but also give back to their community. They also serve as a reminder that attributes like dignity, education, and service are not outdated but essential values to carry forward.
 
My first fundraiser, Yoga at the Vineyard, reflected that tradition. With the gracious sponsorship of Potomac Point Winery and Vineyard, family, friends, and neighbors came together in a beautiful setting to support scholarship. Ms. Lisa Henderson, our inspiring yoga instructor, led the class with warmth and encouragement, making everyone feel welcome. Local businesses, Beauty Bees Boutique and Clean Slate Bath & Body, also supported us by donating beauty products and candles, making our raffle baskets extra special. And because every debutante needs a signature keepsake, my debutante candle will be available online throughout the season, giving supporters a meaningful and great-smelling way to stay connected to this journey.
 
Every dollar raised helps provide scholarships for debutantes like me and supports charitable efforts within the local community. That combined mission is what makes this tradition so meaningful: it celebrates beauty and grace while also calling us to serve with responsibility.

Being a debutante is an honor, but even more, it is a promise to move through the world with purpose and intention. I am grateful for every sponsor, supporter, and community member who is walking with me in this season of growth, legacy, and service.