As a graduate that has endured student debt and all that comes with it, I understand the complexities and frustrations that are associated with taking out student loans. My mother and the namesake of this scholarship fund ensured that I was able to attend and complete college at North Carolina A&T. In her passing, I want to ensure her dream of young Black men and women can attend college. My mother gave me the gift of not having to worry about HOW college was going to get paid for, going as far to co-sign her name on all of my student loans and to challenge the loan servicer in court. She truly believes in the value of higher education for young Black men and women, and I share her vision and want to do everything I can to help these individuals circumnavigate the pitfalls of student loans. I am also a proud graduate of North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, North Carolina. I attribute any success I have attained as a professional to this school, and firmly believe it is a place that nurtures talent, ensures their students are prepared for a professional world that presents more than its share of challenges, and protects young men and women from the harshness of the world while also equipping them with the tools they need to successfully navigate it.