Fisk Forever

This month marks my 3rd Annual #HBCUWalkingBillboard Campaign to promote awareness and peak interest in historically black colleges and universities. My passion for these institutions is rooted in my own experience, one in which I learned very quickly about both family and faith...

When I was in the 7th grade, our band teacher encouraged us to begin fundraising for a big trip that we would be eligible for as Freshmen. I was super excited, so I got to hustling every candy bar, popcorn, cookie, candle, you name it! At the close of the fundraiser, my teacher kept asking me for the money. I'd delivered all my merchandise, but my parents never gave me the money to take to school. I assumed they were going to write him a check or deliver the money themselves because it was too much for me to have on me. Time went on and eventually my teacher was visibly irritated with having not received the money. Finally, the truth came out...

My mother revealed that she and my step-dad were in a bind and had used that money to pay rent and bills. I was devastated and embarrassed. I could tell my mom was also ashamed, so we both just cried and kept it pushing.

A few years later, my friend Tamisha's mom made sure I joined them on the Black Health Care Coalition's HBCU College Tour. It was beyond a fun time, and it was then that Fisk found me. I tell people all the time that when our bus pulled up, and I stepped onto the cobblestone, something magical happened. I literally felt like I belonged there. It was a feeling that would warm me for the next few years, as I knew that was the college I was going to attend.

Fast forward to my Senior year. I hadn't received a grade card from my school since the 7th grade. Why? Because that money still hadn't been repaid. It was now time for me to apply to colleges. But I needed a transcript which wasn't about to happen until the school got their money. In the meantime, a man named AJ was my assurance that it would all work out.

AJ was the Fisk admissions rep who called me personally to make sure I received my acceptance letter. I told him the situation about the transcripts and the report cards. He assured me that was not for me to worry about. Dismissing my obvious anxiety, AJ said, "Listen. If your score goes up by 3 points, we can take you from a partial scholarship to a full scholarship. College costs a lot of money, but the ACT is only $40. Take it again. I'll call you later."

Little did I know, AJ, my mama, my granny, my papa, and my aunts were all working behind the scenes to take care of the bill, arrange my transportation to college, provide me with a computer, and stock my dorm. As it all unfolded, I was in awe...of it all!

Once we arrived on campus, the registration lines were SUPER long, but AJ found me and my aunts and got us expedited service. Before my aunts left campus, he talked to them for a while to reassure them that I was in safe hands. He later promised to call my granny and my mom one last time to let them know I made it and was getting settled. He gave me one of these proud dad hugs and told me, "Welcome home future Fiskite!" It was basically AH-MAZING!

When I think back on my time at Fisk, I am reminded that when God has something for us, it WILL come to pass. Were there obstacles? Yep. I had no idea how I'd get a transcript. I knew my parents didn't have the means to get me to school. I wasn't sure that a 3 point increase was even in the cards. But, I just did what I was told and trusted the process. That is what faith looks like. Faith isn't having the answers or knowing the outcome. Faith is trusting that what is for you will be, no matter what. Faith is pushing on when you have no idea what to expect. Faith is not being hindered by worry or doubt; both will arise on any faith walk, that's natural, but allowing them to stop us from our God-given destiny is a no-go. Faith is what got me to Fisk, and faith is what got me through Fisk. Because of faith, I will always be a "Daughter ever on the altar." Be Blessed XOXO