Florida A&M University student Exzabriana Barton, founder of HER University, was honored as a changemaker at the Impressions of Beauty’s 2025 Future ChangemakeHer’s Award.
The award recognizes college women who are creating change, uplifting their communities and overcoming challenges with resilience.
Barton, who founded HER University to empower women through workshops and resources, reflected on the journey that led to this recognition.
“If I’m being completely honest, when I first started, I didn’t have a clear vision of how I wanted the organization to grow,” Barton said. “I didn’t do any research—I didn’t do anything but give God my yes when He gave me a dream and the approval to start my organization.”
HER University hosts a monthly initiative known as Becoming HER Week, designed to support personal growth and development for women on campus. The organization’s efforts have made a lasting impact on its members, including its leadership team.
Chierie Hieh, the current president of HER University, spoke about Barton’s leadership.
“She’s just been a great role model not just for myself but for everyone else in the organization,” Hieh said. “She’s consistent with everyone else before herself.”
Asia Williams, the second vice president of HER University, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing Barton’s commitment to impact over numbers.
“One of the biggest things that Bre [Barton] always stated from when we first started off campus is that she didn’t care about the numbers,” Williams said. “She just wanted to make an impact. She didn’t care if it was only one girl as long as she could make an impact on that one person’s life.”
Barton’s journey has not been without challenges. While leading HER University, she balanced her responsibilities as a graduating senior at FAMU, serving as the Founder & Executive Director of HER University National Headquarters and the President of HER University FAMU.
On top of her academic and leadership commitments, she worked a part-time job, clocking 30 hours a week to support both herself and the organization.
“It was the most stressful year of my life,” Barton said. “However, I had to learn how to balance work, school and leadership responsibilities. Finding a work-life balance was the key to managing such a demanding and overwhelming stage in my life.”
Despite the challenges, Barton’s perseverance and dedication have made HER University a transformative space for women on campus. As she continues to uplift and inspire, her impact on FAMU and beyond remains undeniable.