Student Spotlight: Ari’Anna Redmond

At Bowie State University, students are proving every day that leadership can take many forms: in the classroom, in business and in the community. One of those remarkable leaders is Ari’Anna Redmond, whose story is rooted in resilience, passion and a drive to make a difference. 

Ari’Anna was recently honored with the Lanta Evans-Motte Youth Advocacy Award, recognizing her dedication to mentoring and uplifting young people. Her advocacy stems from a deeply personal journey. After losing her father, Anthony “Tony” Redmond, she found healing and purpose by turning his legacy into action. Together, they shared a love of cooking, and out of that bond she created Tony’s Kitchen and Bakery, a company offering allergy-friendly baked goods — vegan, nut-free, sugar-free and gluten-free — so no child is turned away for dietary needs. 

The idea was born while she was working in a dessert shop and saw children with allergies being denied treats. “It was something I wanted to fix for them,” she explained, and it quickly became a mission that combined compassion with entrepreneurship. 

At the same time, she launched a nonprofit in her father’s name, building youth mentorship programs in entrepreneurship and personal development through Bowie State University, the Prince George’s County Police Department and other local organizations. 

Though her accomplishments are impressive, Ari’Anna’s path has been far from simple. She entered Bowie State as a nursing major, motivated by the hope of helping her father through healthcare. His passing before she began college prompted her to redirect her studies, and she soon found a better fit in Health Services Administration, a program that allowed her to combine her love of science and community health with her entrepreneurial spirit. 

Today, she is part of the first class of students to graduate under this new program. Along with her classmates, she has helped shape the future of the degree track by sitting in on faculty interviews and ensuring the curriculum reflects what students need most. 

Her academic journey has also included several semesters of research through the Semester-based Undergraduate Research Institute (SURI), where her team is working toward publication on projects in psychology and public health. For Ari’Anna, research isn’t just an academic requirement: it’s a passion. She envisions herself going deeper into clinical research and one day owning a psychiatric unit, creating a space where her business knowledge and compassion for people intersect. 

Even as she balances entrepreneurship and research with a 22-credit course load, Ari’Anna continues to strengthen her leadership skills through the Entrepreneurship Innovation Center (EIC) and the HomeFree USA’s Center for Financial Advancement® (CFA). She also recently completed the Greater Baltimore Urban League’s Black Restaurant Accelerator Program, gaining new tools to expand her bakery business. Still, she admits, “Some days I honestly don’t know how I do it.” That honesty makes her success even more inspiring. Her journey is not effortless but rather built on persistence, time management and the willingness to keep moving forward. 

Her drive is rooted in a mindset that has carried her through challenges. One quote resonates with her: “You can’t complain about too much on your plate when all you ever wanted to do was eat.” It’s a reminder that the very responsibilities that sometimes feel overwhelming are the same opportunities she once dreamed about. While the weight of her commitments has sometimes meant losing friends or missing out on social time, Ari’Anna views those sacrifices as investments in a future where she can serve more people and create lasting change. 

Her growth has been transformative. Once a self-described “nerd” who preferred books over conversations, Ari’Anna says the loss of her father pushed her to step outside her comfort zone. “I realized I had nothing more to lose,” she explains, which gave her the courage to enter pitch competitions, speak at events, and advocate for other young people facing similar struggles. She has become a voice of encouragement, showing others that healing and hope are possible even in the face of grief. 

Looking ahead, Ari’Anna is eager to expand her reach. She is learning both Spanish and American Sign Language so she can connect with more people in the DMV community and beyond. With aspirations of running a psychiatric unit, she wants to ensure language is never a barrier to care. She continues to mentor youth and plans to remain engaged with Bowie State as an alum, sharing the lessons she has learned about entrepreneurship and perseverance with future generations of students. 

When asked what advice she would give to her peers, she doesn’t hesitate: “Once you get over the battle with yourself, anything is possible. We can be our own biggest doubters, but breaking past that opens every door.” 

Ari’Anna’s story is one of resilience, vision and love turned into action. By honoring her father’s legacy, she has discovered her own voice. It's one that is inspiring others to dream bigger, push through challenges and use their talents to uplift the community. As she continues her journey at Bowie State and beyond, Ari’Anna Redmond stands as a shining example of what it means to embody the university’s spirit of excellence, innovation and service.