Where Purpose Meets Preparation: The Rise of Jakaylee Minor
By Jakaylee Minor didn’t just graduate, she made history. At only 19 years old, she’s earning a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from the Jesse H. Jones School of Business, capping off a journey marked by clarity, purpose, and discipline that goes far beyond her years.
By the time most students were focused on finishing high school, Jakaylee was already collecting college credits. At 17, she completed an associate degree in Business Management and Marketing from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. One year later, she held both her high school diploma and a college degree , and now, she’s walking the stage again, this time with a bachelor’s degree in hand.
“Every move I’ve made has been with intention,” she says. “This is about more than me — it’s about showing others what’s possible.”
Jakaylee chose Texas Southern as the place to take her next steps, drawn by its legacy and the energy of Houston. What she found was more than a campus, it was a community that helped fuel her ambition and sharpen her voice.
“This university has given me more than I imagined — mentors, confidence, and a sense of direction,” she reflects.
Jakaylee didn’t just show up, she built. As the founder and first president of the university’s Real Estate Society, she created a space for students to explore careers often out of reach, particularly for those from underrepresented backgrounds. That organization now boasts over 80 members.
She also led in multiple other spaces: managing social media strategy for the Student Government Association’s Academic Affairs Committee, directing professional development efforts for HerTSU, and contributing to organizations like NCNW and the Pre-Black Law Student Association. Along the way, her efforts earned her recognition in programs such as the Texas Southern University & FBI Collegiate Academy and the Jesse H. Jones School of Business Student Scholars.
Born and raised in Pascagoula, Mississippi, Jakaylee adapted quickly to the fast pace of Houston life. She credits her experience at Texas Southern with helping her grow personally and professionally.
“This was the place where I discovered who I want to be. It gave me both roots and wings.”
Next, she’s pursuing a dual MBA and JD, with dreams of combining international business and real estate law. Her ultimate goal: co-founding a global law firm with her identical twin sister, who is also graduating at 19, from Howard University.
Jakaylee’s path may be extraordinary, but her message is simple and powerful: “Don’t wait to be invited to the table. Build your own. Be bold. Be young. Be the first — and never doubt that you belong.”
