Turning No into a Yes of Endless Opportunities
Hearing no wasn’t something new for me, but how I responded to that feedback changed my life and career, creating a catalyst for change and possibilities. “Don’t listen to those who say YOU CAN’T. Listen to the voice inside yourself that says, I CAN.” – Shirley Chisholm
Growing up, I heard, “No, you are too smart for an HBCU.” However, receiving a letter of recommendation to go to a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) propelled me into one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I decided to attend an HBCU, the prestigious North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (now the largest HBCU in the country), because they touted being young, gifted, and Black as the “standard.” They challenged me to attend the university, and they offered something more than the standard. Throughout my four years at A&T, I heard “Aggies Do” and “…this is a place where dreamers become achievers”. And those words set me on a path to achieve greatness.
