Brandee Jones is a student from Suncoast Community High School in Riviera Beach, Florida. She maintains a 4.5 GPA and is the 2021-2022 Miss Suncoast. Brandee is very involved in her community; she holds leadership positions in her school’s Speech and Debate Team, National Honor Society, and Active Minds, the latter of which aims to erase mental health stigma and provide resources to young adults.
Additionally, she volunteered with the South Florida Chapter of the American Red Cross, the Solid Waste Authority, and local daycares and libraries. One issue Brandee is very passionate about is environmentalism and environmental justice. After Hurricane Dorian devastated the Bahamas in 2019, she participated in a Hurricane Relief Drive. She believes climate change was a factor of the hurricane's strength, and it's unfair that countries like the Bahamas have the lowest carbon footprint but bear the brunt of our changing global climate.
Providing assistance to countries most impacted by global warming and climate change is one way she aims to achieve environmental justice. One of Brandee’s long-term goals is to draft climate change legislation in Congress. By getting an education in chemical engineering and material and energy processes, she will learn both the knowledge and technical skill necessary to develop technology to mitigate the harms of climate change. FAMU’s location will put her in close proximity to the state’s government, allowing her to participate and network.
FOSSI: Why is receiving the FOSSI scholarship important for you?
Recieving the FOSSI scholarship would do wonders for my family. The award would lessen the financial strain put upon my family due to tuition costs, and I wouldn’t have to go into debt or get a job during college. I would be able to focus on getting an education instead of worrying about how to pay for it. This scholarship would give me considerably more time to dedicate to my studies and become a more involved member on campus. The financial aid would be enough for me to devote my passion and creativity to things that could benefit the world such as accessible water purification, instead of stressing about if I can afford to further my education.
FOSSI: Who is a role model that has influenced you?
My role model is Matthew N. Portis, Founder & President of SolGreen, the first black-owned-and-operated company that has patented the first solar workstation. Portis’ ingenuity and his success in the clean energy niche are what motivates me to do the same. I’ve kept my eyes on the SolGreen endeavor. Because I live in the “Sunshine State” of Florida, it has been a hot topic for as long as I can remember. I plan to develop or improve sustainable methods of energy, such as solar, wave, and geothermal energy. One of my goals is to research quantum chemistry and catalytic reactions and apply it to energy production. By seeing the success of Portis and having one of his inventions affect a community so close to me, I realized that my goals aren’t unrealistic.
I too can develop clean technology that benefits my local community, if not the world.
FOSSI: Share a few fun facts about yourself.
- I am very interested in astrology and can guess almost anyone's zodiac sign.
- Despite never playing tennis, Serena Williams was my favorite athlete as a kid. She still is.
- I listen to all genres of music, from rap to bubblegom pop to neo-soul and alternative R&B.
- I have been learning German for 5 years.