Brijae Harper is a senior analyst with ScottMadden and has been with the firm since 2021. She works primarily on the C&SS side, as well as doing work for energy clients. She is an active member of the attract and retain team within the firm’s DEI group and serves on the leadership team for SynERGy, the firm’s multicultural ERG. Brijae earned a degree in economics from Spelman College in 2020.
Stitching Together a Support Network
Born and raised in Sacramento, California, Brijae comes from a close-knit family with Guamanian and Filipino roots. Her upbringing was filled with rich cultural traditions, family functions, and of course, delicious food. “My grandmother and her nine siblings moved to the United States as teenagers, and family gatherings were always a staple in our household,” she recalls. Brijae, her two younger brothers, and her cousins proudly participated in and kept the traditions alive through signature dishes like red rice (Guamanian style, similar to Spanish rice), pancit (rice noodles with chicken and vegetables), and lumpia (a Filipino eggroll made in the Guamanian style with meat, corn, cabbage, and carrots). These moments instilled in her the importance of cherishing loved ones and carrying on the traditions of her island roots.
In high school, Brijae was involved in cheerleading, which she believes helped her strengthen friendships and make new ones when she transferred schools a few years later. As a backspot, she often anchored, supported, and caught teammates soaring through the air. Brijae also discovered her creative side and started her first “business” making duct tape wallets. Inspired by a YouTube video, she convinced her mom to buy patterned tape and began selling the wallets at school and through her mom’s coworkers. During this period, Brijae developed a deep interest in DIY projects, which eventually grew into a passion for interior design.
When it came time to choose a college, Brijae sought out an environment that would push her toward excellence. Her aunt, a Fisk University alumna and first-generation college graduate, played a pivotal role in her decision to attend an HBCU (historically black college/university). That is when she decided she would strive for the best—Spelman College—the #1 ranked HBCU in the country. Hearing about the impact that Fisk provided her aunt, Brijae recognized that an HBCU is more than just a school—it is an experience that would connect her to a legacy of strong women and Black excellence. Determined, she embraced the opportunity, moving across the country to Atlanta and confidently immersing herself in a thriving community of successful Black female professionals. “Atlanta is the mecca,” she says.
A Model of Giving Back
At Spelman, Brijae connected with a student-led modeling agency run by students in the Atlanta University Center. The agency provided real training, teaching her how to do the specific walks and strike poses. Brijae found joy in the opportunity to participate in a few fashion shows on campus and was later signed to an Atlanta-based modeling agency before COVID shut things down. In the future, she plans to apply to agencies in Atlanta as well as other fashion-forward cities.
While in a work study program, Brijae quickly found a key mentor and took advantage of the nearby Morehouse Business Association through networking and social events. Her mentor was always looking out for Brijae, both personally and professionally, eventually connecting her with ScottMadden.
Brijae draws a straight line from her experiences at Spelman to the person she is today. Throughout her work at ScottMadden, she has found a way to give back to Spelman and Morehouse as part of the attract and retain team of ScottMadden’s DEI group. Brijae and analyst/Morehouse alumnus, Emmanuel Badru, spearheaded new recruiting engagement at the schools. Brijae felt very fulfilled to be a part of hiring an analyst from that program.
Walking a New Runway
Outside of work, Brijae is channeling her passion for style and fashion into launching a clothing brand specifically for tall women. Along with two friends, she has established an LLC, designed initial pieces, and is currently searching for manufacturers, aiming to launch the brand in the fall of 2025. Rather than succumbing to the fear of starting or failing, Brijae and her friends embrace the motto: “Why not just try?”
Additionally, she has discovered a love for event planning. “I started hosting small events at my house,” she says. Recently, she and a friend organized a Galentine’s brunch, complete with food, drinks, a mimosa bar, and a thoughtfully curated ambiance. “I enjoyed the entire process,” she shares, hinting at the potential of turning this hobby into another future business.
Through it all, Brijae continues to balance and navigate her career and passions. Whether it’s launching a brand, giving back to her community, or exploring new opportunities, she approaches every challenge with confidence and determination—qualities that make her a trailblazer, mentor, entrepreneur, and creative force.