The Exercise Science major and Business minor created his own line of T-shirts, “Rise and Grind,” after he couldn’t find any stores that sold urban clothing in Westminster. His powerful designs illustrate his struggle, focus, and achievement. They represent different times in his life.

“My creativeness comes out of deep emotion,” Stokes says. “It’s more culture than it is clothing.”

Stokes says Business Administration and Economics Lecturer Joseph Carter’s course “Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management” inspired him to make his dream come true.

“He’s out there trying to give this thing a run for its money,” Carter says. “It’s a daunting task when you realize how much time it takes and what your time is truly worth. It’s one thing to talk about it, but it’s something else to go out and do it.”

Stokes is hoping to sell his T-shirts in stores nationwide. In the meantime, he is inspiring teenagers to think big. Twice a week, dressed in a suit and tie, he visits local high schools to encourage students to enter his design contest. He’ll print the winner’s T-shirt and award them $100. But more importantly, he’s hoping to pass on the entrepreneurial bug.

“Young kids in Westminster need a business they can look up to. Everybody has some kind of dream to accomplish,” Stokes says.

“Rise and Grind” T-shirts are sold through Stokes’ Web site www.riseandgrind.com, and in the campus bookstore.