Cherise Daniella Elysia Brookes, a proud Antiguan and Barbudan, has made history as the first from her country to attend the prestigious Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis. Graduating on May 13th with an MBA specializing in Marketing and Entrepreneurship, Cherise has set a new standard for excellence and innovation.
Hailing from St. John’s, Antigua, Cherise’s journey is a testament to her determination and passion. She attended Antigua Girls’ High School from 2000 to 2005, followed by completing her A ‘Levels’ at Antigua State College from 2005 to 2007.
She then pursued higher education at The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, earning a Bachelor of Psychology and Sociology (double major).
Furthering her education, Cherise obtained a Master of Social Work from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI).
During her time at Olin Business School, Cherise founded For Womanhood, a pioneering startup focused on preventing intimate partner violence among college women across America.
This groundbreaking initiative has garnered significant attention and accolades, including the Dean’s Special Service Award and features in leading business publications such as Poets & Quants and Clear Admit. Her efforts earned her a spot on Poets & Quants’ 100 Best & Brightest MBAs: Class of 2024.
Cherise’s entrepreneurial spirit and leadership extend beyond her startup. She was the first black, Caribbean, immigrant Entrepreneurship Fellow at Olin and co-president of the Entrepreneurship & Venture Capital Association. Her initiatives championed diversity and inclusion, fostering an environment where underrepresented voices could thrive. Two of her notable achievements include organizing a successful startup fair and an all-female panel collaboration with Olin Women in Business.
Her academic and extracurricular accomplishments are numerous. She received the Honors in Innovation & Entrepreneurship Recognition through the Skandalaris Center, won the WashU Skandalaris Center IdeaBounce, and participated in the Summer Customer Discovery Program.
Cherise’s leadership roles include serving as vice president of the Olin Black MBA Association and a board member of Olin Women in Business. She was also a member of the National Black MBA Association and a volunteer with various community organizations.
Cherise’s professional journey is equally impressive. Before enrolling in business school, she worked part-time at RMB Sales and Services as an assistant manager and as a counselor at Bubbles Beyond Borders Antigua. During the summer of 2023, she interned as a summer associate at CCS Fundraising in Philadelphia. Post-graduation, Cherise will focus on her startup, For Womanhood LLC, as founder and CEO.
A fun fact about Cherise is that she is currently writing her first science fiction novel, set in the enchanting world of Gemisle in the Caribbean region.
The book centers on a young girl from Antigua and Barbuda who embarks on a journey of self-discovery, exploring themes of identity, friendship, and the extraordinary.
Cherise’s contributions and achievements have made her an invaluable member of the Class of 2024. As Professor Doug Villhard stated, “Cherise stands out not just as a diligent student but as a rising star in the entrepreneurial world. Her intelligence, enthusiasm, resourcefulness, and unwavering determination position her for remarkable success as a future leader in the entrepreneurial landscape.”
Reflecting on her MBA journey, Cherise attributes her success to the supportive and diverse community at WashU Olin.
She is grateful for the mentorship and opportunities that have shaped her path.
As she continues to champion her Antiguan and Barbudan heritage and pursue her entrepreneurial dreams, Cherise Daniella Elysia Brookes remains a beacon of hope and a role model for future generations.
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Congratulations lady. So proud. If you are not a greencard holder, maybe you were an international student, you can apply for a greencard based on your advance degrees. If I could only advertise via these comments section.
But truly proud of you, you will do a lot of good in the US. You will not get to do anything of substantial merit and nationally important in Antigua and Barbuda. Politicians care nothing for your endeavor and the fact you are overly qualified. So, you will be tremendously useful everywhere but in Antigua.
I am so proud of you and pray you get to do all you want to do where you want to do it.
Congratulations to Cherise and her family.
So Mr Entitled u could not just congratulated the young lady and kept it moving. Do you have to go off on ur usual long winded rants tearing down the country of ur birth just because they not giving u a 🔫 license to pow pow and cripple people? #bittermuch. Oh right u can’t cause u so spoiled and entitled its either I get want I want or I throw a tantrum
Typical backward, miserable Antigua hater!
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