Once a Scholar, Always a Scholar.

The week that changed me forever.
It all started with the urge to become reconnected, to give back, to be a part of a community that shakes things up. The urge turned into a soul search. Weeks later, I was sending a cover letter to the Horatio Alger Association, an organization who granted me a $20,000 scholarship in 2008 for college and an all-expenses paid trip to Washington D.C. for a week. Here I was, 10 years later, asking for the opportunity to get reconnected with NSC.

I was invited to return to the Horatio Alger National Scholars Conference (NSC) in Washington D.C. April 1st – 8th as a Team Leader. I was excited to accept the position; I couldn’t wait to give back to the organization that had so overwhelmingly given to me. I was selected as a National Scholar in 2008 and since then, I had spent my life tirelessly working with youth in New York City as a high school instructor.

While my day to day was spent influencing our young people, I began to feel that my impact was short lived. My students come to class for 6 hours and then go home—everyday. But I wanted to do more. I wanted to have a lasting influence. I wanted to have a greater impact. How could I reach more young people? How could I spend my breaks throughout the year giving back?

Monday, April 1, 2018, I arrived to Washington D.C. to begin what turned out to be an answer to my prayers.

“I used to wonder if my neighbors could hear me when I prayed. Now I wonder if they recognize that these are the answers to my prayers.”

Meeting Jerry.
NSC organized a meet-and-greet social at a local restaurant and bar. I met all the amazing people I would work with for the rest of the week. The one person who I am happy to have met was Jerry Bruno. By the end of the week, Jerry became my brother.  We just clicked; it was almost like we had known each other forever. As the week drew on, we learned that we had so much in common. We often reflected on the event during the week, sharing how lifted and inspired we were feeling. Connecting with Jerry was one of the many opportunities I had to reconnect. I was truly blessed.

Justice Clarence Thomas.
I met Justice Thomas exactly 10 years ago as a National Scholar. Seeing him again for the second time was really an answered prayer. I was always inspired by Justice Thomas, by his humility and his work ethic. I showed him a throw back of us in 2008, rocking our medallions. He couldn’t believe I had come back to serve. I told him the youth make me better and that I am honored to serve. He was proud and told me to spend time sharing with the young people my story of triumph. I gave him my word.

Justice Thomas Inspires the Youth.

“I will prepare myself and when the time comes, I will be ready” – Abraham Lincoln

This was Justice Thomas’ favorite quote!

Justice Thomas is scheduled every year to speak with the Scholars during the Conference. This was a pivotal time during the Conference for the youth because this was the moment that Justice Thomas introduced the Scholars to their new family. This was the time that all their fears, worries and frustrations would potentially be wiped away. If the Scholars had walked into the Conference on Day 1 vowing not to share pieces of themselves due to a lack of trust, Justice Thomas ensured them that within these walls and among this family, trust could be found. The Scholars gave him their trust. The Scholars opened themselves up and allowed the organization to come into their lives and make a difference. Everything that Justice Thomas shared about his own journey as a young boy and now as the only black Supreme Court justice, a lifetime appointment, was enlightening.

Some of my favorite moments from the speech included Justice Thomas sharing how the bad guys of the world today are the heroes and we worship them. But the real heroes are you and me. We are the real Horatio Algers! I enjoyed him passionately speaking about the desire to give up along his journey but having role models in place that he could often reflect on kept him steadfast.

“I wanted to give up, but its hard to do that when I see my grandfather didn’t give up”.

I loved hearing Justice Thomas remind all of us that we are winners; that we are all survivors. He shared something that I never really thought as I reflected upon my own journey to success. Justice Thomas talked a lot about people not cheering you on along the way as you continue on your path to success. People will most definitely resent you even if they don’t pretend they don’t. It was important for the Scholars and was also a reminder for myself to cut ties with people who don’t understand you or relate to your life. We have to stick close to people who will fill our bucket, not those who will drill holes in them.

“Resentment comes because you are setting a high standard. People are not going to like your success.”

After hearing Justice Thomas speak, so much energy had filled our hearts. I decided to create a space where the Scholars could express their emotions. Scholars were provided posters throughout the room to write their thoughts–whether that was by sharing some of their favorite quotes or parts of his speech. All the ideas that floated about the room resonated with at least one of us, if not, all.

 “You are entitled to your own opinion but you’re required to construct those opinions on a strong foundation”.

“You will never be alone again”.

“All I had was my little dreams & my work ethic”.

The Supreme Court
If you thought Justice Thomas was inspiring, my experience walking through the Supreme Court was a once in a lifetime opportunity. Seriously. Right after I had walked through the court room, I immediately shared my experience:

Let me try to explain this in words. I just went to the United States Supreme Court, the highest court in the land. This wasn’t my first time. Today was different. Not only did I see the Supreme Court for a second time, I got to walk through the court room—the place where the 9 black chairs of the Supreme Court Justices sit including Justice Clarence Thomas, and where the biggest decisions are made. Roe v. Wade. Brown v. Board of Education. Plessy v. Ferguson. Remember those? Here is where those cases happened! I marveled at the oversized marble stone pillars surrounding me and the red and gold trimmed curtains draping the room. Walking through the court, I began to feel that I was not worthy, that my shoes were not clean enough to tread the red carpets. But then I realized, it is I, a person who embodies resiliency, hard work, public service, and a passion to lead our Nation’s youth that is deemed worthy. Let me say this again y’all—I just walked through the court room of the United States Supreme Court—the highest court in the land! Not even the general public has access to the court room. I’m shook!

Meeting Alphonso Jackson.
Alphonso Jackson was selected as a Member of the Horatio Alger Association this year. I was excited to hear this news because it provided me an opportunity to meet him. As soon as I saw him during the Members’ Forum, I made sure to introduce myself and share how much I appreciated his story and how much he inspired me. I finally started to accept that the organization was literally having me experience things that no one would ever believe. The Scholars could barely explain all the amazing things the organization was doing for them. It was all just too over the top! Shortly after meeting Mr. Jackson, I reflected on that moment:

You Deserve the Best.
Everything about the Conference was fancy. From the hotel to the food to the events, everything.

NSC made sure that everything they did had a lasting impression on the youth. Scholars quickly forgot they were receiving $25,000 for college because it was the experience that was the most impactful. There were moments during the Conference when I found myself journaling about what I had just eaten, or what I had just experienced because I didn’t want to ever forget. The Awards Dinner was one of those experiences. I didn’t want to forget.

The Awards Dinner.
The awards dinner almost felt like being at the Emmys. It was just stunning. Talk about feeling like a celebrity. The cost to attend this event was entirely free for the National Scholars and everyone invited to the Conference. All the other guests including the Members purchased tables for thousands and thousands of dollars. During the awards night newly selected Members of the Horatio Alger Associated were recognized. To name a few, some of the new Members include Reba McEntire, Alphonso Jackson, and Rob Lowe. It was during the Awards night that we all learned about each Member’s journey from humble beginnings to their current success. It was revitalizing to hear these stories. It was even more amazing to see the Members in person. Aside from the presentations, the food was great! We started our meals with Jumbo Shrimp appetizers. At first glance it was too fancy to eat. But we quickly dug in! The main course was Beef glazed in Gravy with Mashed Potatoes and Asparagus. We ended the meal with a chocolate desert.

Breakfast and the Members Forum.
The following morning, the Scholars were invited to eat breakfast at the Ritz Carlton  with the Members.

And of course, everyone wanted to sit with Reba! The breakfast was a significant moment of the conference because it provided an opportunity for Scholars to network in more intimate settings. I enjoyed pacing the room and watching the Scholars engage in conversation with the Members. It turned out that one Scholar said one of the Members agreed to pay for her tuition for each year of her undergraduate education. How life-changing! After the breakfast ended, I journaled my reaction to experience:

How do you go home and tell your families that you sat in the same room and ate breakfast at The Ritz Carlton with Alphonso Jackson, Former U.S. Secretary of HUD, or Barbara Barrett, a female Astronaut with 6 college degrees and Former Ambassador of the U.S. under George W. Bush or Robert Brown, who raised Nelson Mandela’s children while he was in jail, or Reba McEntire, an American singer and actress…and so many others… Tell me how? You almost can’t. It is so over the top that you have to show them. My heart is full and if I’m on cloud 9, I can’t imagine which cloud the youth are on. This week has been incredible and there is still so much more to come. “All I had was my little dreams and my work ethic”. | Justice Thomas

All of those experiences were really true and all of it made me wonder.

Leading the Scholars.
Spending time with the youth was the one thing I was looking forward too the most before arriving at the Conference. I couldn’t wait to ask them about their reactions to receiving the $25,000 scholarships and being awarded all-expense paid trips to Washington D.C. Many of them were still pinching themselves. On their first night, I had to warn them that they had a long and fulfilling week ahead and to spend the evening mentally preparing themselves.

Within just a small time frame, I noticed that the lives of the Scholars were beginning to change. Scholars quickly realized that there was help, that there were people who actually cared about them and their vision and their goals and wanted to help them along the way. The Scholars became emotional, walls came down, voices were heard. Scholars began building relationships with each other, with me, and other leaders in the organization. Some of the Scholars honestly thought they had found their Savior, although I assured them them Jesus loves them more than they know.  Working with these young people blessed me beyond what I can explain. I was here being a part of lives and seeing young people grow mentally and emotionally. There was nothing more powerful than that week being with these resilient souls. There was no where else that I would have rather been. I am so thankful to NSC for inviting me and giving me the opportunity to be a part of a transformational week. It reinforced the decision I made 4 years ago to revolve my life and my career around our Nation’s youth!