Education has been a powerful influence in my maturity and social mobility. However, many students of color from my hometown have not yet earned the “college graduate” title. More have been academically tracked and/or have fallen into the school-to-prison pipeline. Higher education was originally intended for white elite men, but our nation has diversified over […]
Perseverance Against Imposter Syndrome
“You weren’t a 4.0 GPA college student. You struggled to find the motivation to finish strong in your classes every semester. Some may say you didn’t deserve to be accepted at UCLA. Yet, you continued to pursue your Master’s degree. Where did you find the strength?” Firstly, GPA does not accurately determine your entire level […]
Leaving The Hood Does Not Define My Success
“Why would you go back to the hood that has caused you much harm and pain? You moved out of the hood already. Is that not enough success for you?” I lived in a neighborhood where young students of color were systematically pushed out of school; as a result, many were policed and fell within […]