Seven years ago, Lukhanyo Mafu was caring for plants as a gardener at the University of Fort Hare in South Africa. Now, he has received his college degree from the same institution that he used to work for.The University of Fort Hare has a long history of admitting honorable and progressive students. From Nelson Mandela to Robert Mugabe, the university has long list of accomplished graduatesThree years before the abolition of the apartheid, Mafu was sentenced to prison for a crime he says he did not commit. In 2012, he was released on parole. Later that year, he began work as a gardener at the University of Fort Hare, where he earned $5 an hour.Just seven years ago Lukhanyo Mafu was tending and pruning plants at the University of Fort Hare (UFH), where he was employed as a gardener, earning a meagre R50 a day. Today his a Graduate Social science. Now this is Black Excellence 👑✊ pic.twitter.com/eYCJwJHdi9— Themba Rumbu (@ThembaRumbu) May 18, 2019With the help of a good friend and academic staff member of the University, Mafu decided to apply to the University in 2014, Awonke Tshefu.. After initially being rejected, Mafu applied a second time and was accepted to the university. Mafu recently received his degree in social sciences and dreams of becoming a social worker one day.“I would like to get my criminal record expunged as I believe prison is a place of rehabilitation and I have been rehabilitated” said Mafu, “All I want to do is make my mother and siblings proud by getting a decent job and building them a decent home”.Mafu continues to inspires members of his community to pursue an education and he even has been known to bring them...
A loving father honored his daughter’s memory by treating her classmates to a day filled with fun.Jeremy Smith paid for 111 second graders to play at SkyZone in Florence, Alabama, reports WHNT. He took his daughter Jaleia to the trampoline play center for her eighth birthday last year. Sadly, she passed away following a car accident on September 27. The tragic incident happened just three weeks after her birthday celebration.Smith wished his daughter was there to have fun with her friends.Skyzone Field Trip for 2nd Grade- Honoring our friend, Jaleia Smith. Thank you Jeremy Smith for the wonderful memories. @TuscumbiaCitySc
@DARRYLAIKERSON
@VeronicaBayles
pic.twitter.com/FOKMQo5qH8— G.W. Trenholm (@GWTPrimary) May 20, 2019“I’m not going to say it’s tough,” he said. “I going to say I just wish my daughter could have been here with them. This is one of her places that she loved to come to.”
Jaleia’s classmates also miss her presence, according to ABC7.“Try to have as much fun as we can, but sometimes we can't have as much fun as we would have if she was here," said classmate Mia Awaad.Smith wanted to give the kids a celebratory close to the school year because of the support he received after Jaleia died.Our thoughts and prayers are with the Jaleia Smith Family and the staff and students @GWTPrimary pic.twitter.com/bSlJ2QYUmD— Tuscumbia City Schools (@TuscumbiaCitySc) October 2, 2018“Everything they helped me through with my daughter’s situation; all the support they gave me,” said Smith. “So, I just wanted to thank G.W. Trenholm for being there with me through my sorrows.”After Jaleia died, the school retired her school lunch number and planted a tree in her memory. Her classmates also left messages on the chalkboard for their late...
This piece was submitted from a member of our enthusiastic community of readers. If you’re interested in sharing your opinion on any cultural, political or personal topic, check out our how-to post to learn more.“Effective advocacy of both public and private points of view, particularly controversial ones, is undeniably enhanced by group association,” Supreme Court Justice John Harlan wrote in 1958. “It is hardly a novel perception that compelled disclosure of affiliation with groups engaged in advocacy may constitute as effective a restraint on freedom of association as [other] forms of governmental action.”Harlan’s words echoed the opinion of the sitting SCOTUS in its decision in National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) v. Alabama.The dispute between the day’s premier civil rights organization and the “Heart of Dixie” arose when state officials crusading to uphold Jim Crow tried to silence the NAACP. When the NAACP bucked back, the state of Alabama demanded that they divulge a list of all members’ names and addresses. This decree posed a threat to NAACP who would be making themselves vulnerable to harassment, intimidation and/or worse if they complied. The group’s monetary support would also be jeopardized. The issue made it to the highest court in the land and justices unanimously ruled in favor of the NAACP’s right to privacy in a 9-0 vote.Yes, society has changed (somewhat) in the 60+ years that have passed since that landmark decision, but the more things change, the more they stay the same. There are still advocates for many causes challenging the existing system. At the same time, the state remains paramount and will use its omnipotence-- even if unethically-- to squash any resistance. Times may be different, but political advocacy still needs protection from government obstruction. Blavitize your inbox! Join our daily newsletter for fresh stories and breaking news.In recent months, a situation concerning the government and those helping/reporting on the Central American migrant caravan of around 5,000 seeking asylum at the Mexican border. The refugees’ journey through Mexico to the United States’ front door in 2018 has been well-documented. When the caravan arrived at the San Ysidro Port of Entry (the largest land border crossing between San Diego and Tijuana), it was greeted by American advocates, journalists, and attorneys. According to reports, government agencies created a database of 59 of those activists, journalists, and lawyers and had them under surveillance. In the months that followed, journalists and those aiding caravan members felt like targets due to the intense pressure applied to them by border officials during inspections. Some were detained for hours by the authorities and questioned about their activities before being denied entry into Mexico. The skepticism was validated in March when NBC San Diego released a report of alleged government corruption after a compilation of documents and screenshots titled “San Diego Sector Foreign Operations Branch: Migrant Caravan FY-2019, Suspected Organizers, Coordinators, Instigators and Media,” was leaked. The intelligence gathering campaign dubbed “Operation Secure The Line” was a collaborative effort by agents in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the U.S. Border Patrol and the San Diego arm of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Furthermore, the graphic emblazoned on the cover of the documents (dated January 9, 2019) features the American and Mexican flags over a banner with “ILU-OASIS-OMEGA” on it. According to a Homeland Security official, the “ILU” element indicates that the documents were produced by the International Liaison Unit (ILU), a body that coordinates intelligence between the United States and Mexico. The documents list individuals who the powers-that-be felt should be monitored and targeted for screening at the border. Each name is accompanied by a photo ripped from either that person’s passport (which may or may not have had an alert placed on it that could flag them for additional screening) or his/her social media accounts. Personal information for each such as birthday, “country of commencement” and supposed role in relation to the caravan is also included. A colored “X” drawn on a photo means the person has been interviewed, arrested, or had their visa or SENTRI pass revoked. Additionally, the government created dossiers for everyone listed, which the DHS whistleblower denounced as an abuse of power.In response to these revelations, 103 civil liberties and press rights organizations have banded together to call out the DHS for this seemingly unconstitutional spy game. The methodology of the operation appears to violate the First Amendment rights of the individuals listed based on viewpoint. The determined coalition is demanding that the DHS cease all surveillance and that an investigation into how it all started and its full extent be opened. Also, full disclosure of the information collected has been called for.The DHS has not commented on the matter. The CPB issued statements explaining its motivations for participating in the investigation. According to the agency, the people listed in the database were all on hand for violence that broke out at the border in November. They added that journalists were being watched to learn more about the violence. “It is protocol following these incidents to collect evidence that might be needed for future legal actions and to determine if the event was orchestrated,” reads one of the statements. There is a recent instance of the people taking the state to task over privacy issues. In October, a federal judge ruled that the Memphis Police Department violated a consent decree between the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Tennessee and the city of Memphis by surveilling several Black Lives Matter protestors through the department’s “political spying program.” It appears that the coalition holding down the activists, attorneys, and journalists targeted in the caravan investigation has the passion to endure a standoff with the feds, but can they win? They’re receiving support from high places. Most notably, presidential hopeful Sen. Kamala Harris is behind them, evidenced by a tweet she posted on May 11 that reads, “My colleagues and I are calling on DHS to answer for its disturbing surveillance of journalists, activists, and lawyers in recent months. This abuse of power is contrary to the ideals of our country - DHS should be focusing on actual threats to our homeland, not...
This piece was submitted from a member of our enthusiastic community of readers. If you’re interested in sharing your opinion on any cultural, political or personal topic, check out our how-to post to learn more.First of all, who knew that Netflix had a genre called "Fight the System"? The newest Spike Lee offering See You Yesterday is nestled right in this category. I just needed to record that in our collective memory for future consumption.Now let's get into this film.Temporal relocation. Police brutality. Black excellence. This film is better than Avengers: End Game. (I don't care Fight me.) See You Yesterday is an innovative, original amalgamation of STEM and #BlackLivesMatter. When the film starts, you see two Black teenagers (CJ and Sebastian) hacking into an alley surveillance camera to record their experiment for a science fair. This experiment if successful will create a socioeconomic gateway out of the struggle of Black life. That alone speaks to the film's layers. Shortly after their first successful trial, police attempt a 'stop and frisk', but they're thwarted by CJ's resilience and their friend's camera phone. Within the next few scenes, we are yanked through their first successful trip through time, the police shooting of CJ's older brother Calvin, and Calvin's funeral. It is a direct parallel to the way our timelines look. There are so many hashtags and unarmed victims that it feels like a ride we can't get off. Calvin's death dramatically shifts CJ's focus. She and Sebastian begin making plans to go back in time and save him. It's a heartbreakingly relatable sentiment. How many of us have wondered what we could have done differently to avoid the racist acts of others? When can we get a break from the incessant injustice? What did we do to deserve this? This film reminds us that none of us deserve this.Blavitize your inbox! Join our daily newsletter for fresh stories and breaking news.During pointless work icebreakers when we get asked what decade we'd go back to, for Black people the question it's usually not a fun way to get to know our coworkers. There is not a single time when Black people were seen as human. Think back to the three/fifths clause when white people only considered us partially human. Then there's the point in history where our children were spit on and hosed and assaulted just for wanting to go to school or eat inside a restaurant. This year alone, an unarmed grandmother was killed by police in Texas, Oklahoma police shot an unarmed a 14-year-old Black boy when he was playing in his own backyard, and white women consider themselves good Samaritans when they kill innocent Black victims. Sadly, that's not even close to the end of the list.There is no decade in this country that was kind to us. What struck me most about this film was the relentless audacity of our people. Unlike so many time travel films before it, See You Yesterday is the manifestation of our wildest dreams. It is a fantasy that repeatedly forces us to keep the real world in the back of our minds. The characters assert through a beautifully written script that anti-Blackness is not our fault. CJ in particular offers a lens of incomprehensible hope. We balance our fears and dreams throughout each act of the movie the way we do in real life whenever this country passes new voting rights legislation or elects a Black person to office or graduates a historic amount of Black women from a military institution.Aside from the themes that speak to your soul, the soundtrack is everything. For the sci-fi fans, the eloquent nods to time travel films of the past are icing on the cake. Writer Fredrica Bailey wanted a strong female lead which allowed us to witness glorious displays of Black girl magic and Black boy joy. Bailey's co-writer Stefon Bristol worked with her to create a protagonist who encompassed what it really means to grow up in a paradoxical world of endless possibilities and life threatening exclusion for Black youth.See You Yesterday is definitely in my top 20. As I write this, I am watching it for the third time since its release. The spirit of this script is captivating and you're guaranteed to identify with at least one, if not all the characters. With any luck, there is a pair of young Black engineers re-calibrating history in real life to give our people a better chance at happiness in some alternate reality. Until then...see you...
Kameela Russell has been missing since May 15, and her employer is calling on anyone with information regarding her whereabouts to contact the Miami Gardens Police Department. Kameela’s family is incredibly worried about her and we @MDCPS are praying for her swift and safe return. Please take a moment to look at her picture and call police if you have seen her. pic.twitter.com/S75aGzSauH— Alberto M. Carvalho (@MiamiSup) May 19, 2019"Kameela's family is incredibly worried about her and we @MDCPS are praying for her swift and safe return," Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho tweeted on May 19. "Please take a moment to look at her picture and call police if you have seen her."According to the Miami Herald, Russell's family last saw her in Miami Gardens. The Miami Norland Senior High School exam administrator was operating a 2014 black Audi A6 with Florida plates HBQJ20, donning purple braids, grey leggings, a striped shirt and tennis shoes.
Per Local 10, the mother of two was supposed to pick her children up from a family member's house on the 15th but never arrived. Russell's aunt, Donna Blyden, doesn't believe Russell lived with any mental or physical illness. At one point, Blyden thought she saw her niece's vehicle outside her driveway the same day she went missing. When she checked later on, there wasn't an Audi in sight. Russell's last Instagram post was an April 29 video celebrating the graduation of some former students of hers. "Listen up…class of 2019, from Walter C. Young, if I don't get an invitation for your graduation, some bodies are going to hit the floor, and that’s a promise. Love you, mean it. Bye," the 41-year-old said.Anyone with tips about Russell's disappearance can contact the Miami Gardens Police at 305-474-6473 Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at...
Protesters from the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas, picketed the entrances of Morehouse College and Spelman College in Atlanta on Sunday over the schools' policies of admitting transgender students.As NBC affiliate WXIA reports, the demonstrations at Morehouse, an all-male historically black college, took place prior to the school's graduation ceremonies.Demonstrators took issue with Morehouse's updated gender identity admissions policy. In April, it was announced that the school will include students who identify as men, regardless of the sex assigned to applicants at birth:"In furtherance of our mission, tradition, and values as a men’s college, and in recognition of our changing world and evolving understanding of gender identity, Morehouse will now consider for admission applicants who live and self-identify as men, regardless of the sex assigned to them at birth. Women will not be eligible for admission at Morehouse," the statement reads.The school also noted that it will continue to use "gendered language" that reflects Morehouse's identity as a men’s college.
"This admissions policy affects students who transition while enrolled at Morehouse. Once admitted, every student will receive the individualized support that is an essential part of the Morehouse experience. However, all students are expected to continue to self-identify as men throughout their matriculation at Morehouse. If, during a student’s time at Morehouse, a student transitions from a man to a woman, that student will no longer be eligible to matriculate at Morehouse."While protesting at Spelman, a historically Black liberal arts college for women, church members reportedly took issue with the student organization Afrekete. The LGBTQ+ club provides a space for alumnae and allies of Spelman's lesbian and bisexual community. In 2018, Spelman College began admitting transgender...
Researchers say they have located the ruins of the last ship known to bring slaves from Africa to the United States.On Wednesday, historical researchers at the Alabama Historical Commission say that the remains of the Gulf schooner (a sailing ship with two or more masts) Clotilda were identified near Mobile -- a port city on Alabama’s Gulf Coast. The vessel was destroyed the year before the Civil War, to hide evidence of its illegal trip, and hasn’t been seen since. "The discovery of the Clotilda is an extraordinary archaeological find. The voyage represented one of the darkest eras of modern history and is a profound discovery of the tangible evidence of slavery," Lisa Demetropoulos Jones, executive director of the Alabama Historical Commission, said in a statement.The U.S. officially banned the importation of slaves in 1808, although smugglers continued to sail the Atlantic with slave ships.According to the Commission: in 1860, the ship illegally transported 110 people from what is now known as the west African country Benin, to Mobile, Alabama. The journey took place more than 50 years after importing slaves was outlawed. The Clotilda then sailed north of the port, but was burned to avoid detection. The slaves were eventually freed and settled in Africatown, USA. The freed slaves built Africatown in the midst of Jim Crow segregation.As for the Clotilda, no one knew its location -- until now. The Commission states that the building materials, dimensions and construction of the wreck match those of the Clotilda. The wooden vessel also showed signs of fire."It's the best documented story of a slave voyage in the western hemisphere," historian Sylviane Anna Diouf, told National Geographic.CNN reports the ship is also known to have carried the last enslaved person, a woman named Redoshi, from the US-Africa slave trade. Descendants of slaves that were on this ship will be informed of its...
A 14-year-old Georgia girl made history as the youngest student to be admitted to Spelman College.Sydney Wilson’s family realized she was gifted when she was still in elementary school, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. She mastered algebra in the first grade and started high school when she was just 10 years old.Her education started at a Montessori school, followed by a few years of homeschooling and a spot at her father’s private school. The young prodigy used to have trouble fitting in with other students.When kids teased Sydney Wilson for being “too smart” she said “I just stayed on my path, I didn’t really feel like I needed to be popular or liked - I like myself.” This Fall, she’ll be the youngest student @SpelmanCollege at just 14 years old. pic.twitter.com/9Rtzd6wPJA— Tyisha Fernandes (@TyishaWSB) May 23, 2019“I have been in the middle and torn between two worlds,” she said. “I could be in a classroom and not be invited to parties and it did use to affect me. But not everyone is willing to accept me, and I had to learn sometimes people are not going to be as openhearted, and that’s OK.”Wilson applied to Spelman a few months ago and received her acceptance letter via father’s email address."So, he calls me in and he says, 'Look at the computer!' So I looked at it, and I just melt," Wilson recalled to WSB-TV. "I was screaming and I was crying. I ran out to tell my family, and we took a bunch of pictures and posted it on Instagram and everything."Wilson plans to live on campus during the week and spend time with her family during the weekend. She isn’t nervous about dorm life."I’ve been with the older kids all my life, so socially, I don’t think it will be a problem for me," Wilson said. Even though she’s heading to college, Wilson insists she’s still a child.“People might think I am separate from the rest of people my age, but there are some facets of my life when I am still just a kid,” she said. “I still like to play LEGOs, and I think it’s cool to still play with LEGOs.”The teen hasn’t started classes yet but she’s already building her network.“I am so excited to be in the sisterhood,” said Sydney. “So many women have reached out to me and have been very nice and supportive, and I am so excited to see what my life will be at Spelman.”Ingrid Hayes, vice president of enrollment management at Spelman, released a statement expressing their eagerness to welcome Wilson.“This is the first time in recent memory that we have had an admitted student this young,” Hayes said. “Sydney has shared with us that she intends to enroll. We are excited to welcome her to campus in the fall, along with the rest of the incoming class.”Wilson wants to major in biology and work in animal sciences to discover cures for human...
Cousin Dionne Warwick became the latest to succumb to the wrath of the Beyhive after saying that 23-time Grammy winner Beyoncé hasn't achieved "icon" status quite yet. In an interview with Essence published Wednesday, Warwick, 78, acknowledged Bey's success in the music industry."I have an admiration for Beyoncé Knowles Carter now," the New Jersey native said. "Watching her growth has been quite refreshing. It's wonderful to see how she's been able to create what and who she wanted to be and who she is… very proud of that, I really am."Had she stopped there, the Hive would have been satisfied. However, Warwick continued by saying Mrs. Carter has yet to cement herself as a big icon."Now sustaining and becoming a big icon that Gladys Knight, or Patti LaBelle, or Johnny Mathis, or Frank Sinatra, or Sammy Davis Jr. is? I doubt that. And I love her to death and can appreciate her talent. But that iconic status? It's a long road [ahead]."
Like clockwork, the Beyhive swarmed Warwick's Instagram page with hoards of bee emojis and tossed plenty of shade her direction on Twitter.All respect to Dionne Warwick, but she is really coming off as a hater. Her voice, even in it’s prime, is nowhere near as amazing as Beyoncé’s at any point. Her own niece(Whitney Houston) voice was in a league of it’s own, and Whitney outsold her. So has Beyoncé— Cardi at the tip top bitch (@bardixbey) May 23, 2019Dionne Warwick is very successful but she hasn’t had a fifth of the success that Beyoncé has had. The jealous jumped!— Cal (@cal_erm) May 23, 2019Dionne Warwick: Beyoncé ain’t no classic or iconc sin....
Bey Hive: pic.twitter.com/KYMCORj1CY— Bunifa Latifah Halifah Sharifa Jackson (@POPOFFSON_) May 23, 2019Not all Hive members were quick to criticize the "Valley of the Dolls" crooner, calling on fellow Bey stans to allow a living legend to have an opinion different from theirs.I'm a Beyoncé stan but what we're not gonna do is drag living legend Dionne Warwick. You can disagree with her but the amount of disrespect I'm seeing is out of control. She paved the way for 90% of your faves. pic.twitter.com/PPr829HdBm— Melanie Hawkins (@MelHawk92) May 23, 2019 Warwick clarified her comments in a since-deleted tweet, urging fans to comprehend what she actually said versus what Essence wrote. "What I said is in quotes," ET Canada reports she wrote. "What @Essence said is not. It takes a long time to reach and achieve iconic status. That’s not to say that Beyoncé isn’t well on her way. She is a gifted performer. That was a reach from Essence."Perhaps Tamera Mowry, who has also fallen victim to the Beyhive's rage this year, can give Ms. Warwick some advice on handling such a force like Bey's dedicated...
Three wills allegedly written by Aretha Franklin were discovered in her home this week.The handwritten documents were found hidden in her Detroit home, according to People magazine.The most recent one, dated March 2014, were found in a spiral notebook under the cushions of her couch. Franklin stored the other two wills, reportedly written in 2010, in a locked cabinet. Franklin, 76, died from pancreatic cancer on August 16.David Bennett, her longtime attorney, filed the papers with Oakland County court on Monday and shared them with lawyers who represent Franklin’s four sons. Two of her sons expressed doubt of the validity. The Associated Press reports Kecalf, her youngest son, filed papers claiming his mother wanted him to be the executor of her estate in the 2014 will.Franklin’s estate released a statement pledging to remain impartial during the proceedings.“[Estate executor and niece Sabrina Owners] remains neutral and wishes that all parties involved make wise choices on behalf of their mother, her rich legacy, the family and the Aretha Franklin estate,” it read.Before the papers were found, Don Wilson, another lawyer, claimed the “Respect” singer did not leave documentation of her last wishes despite his frequent requests, reports The Detroit Free Press."I was after her for a number of years to do a trust," Wilson said in August 2018. "It would have expedited things and kept them out of probate and kept things private."
After Franklin died, her four sons filed documents listing themselves as interested parties for her estate. Wilson was worried there would be a lengthy court battle."I just hope (Franklin's estate) doesn't end up getting so hotly contested," Wilson said. "Any time they don't leave a trust or will, there always ends up being a fight."Under Michigan law, the assets of a deceased unmarried person are to be divided equally among their children. Franklin appeared to believe in fairness as well because she wanted her assets to be "evenly distributed" among three of her sons, according to Freep. She requested special provisions for her eldest son Clarence, who has special needs. Franklin identified Edward Jordan Sr. as his father. Jordan is also the father of her second child, Edward Jr.She stated Jordan should "never receive or handle any money or property belonging to Clarence.""He has never made any contribution to (Clarence's) welfare, future or past," she wrote, underlining never for emphasis.She also left property and various belongings to other members of her family including nieces, a cousin and her half-sister, who died in January.A hearing to determine how the wills will affect the estate is scheduled for June...
One troll learned the hard way to keep Ayesha Curry's children out of her Instagram commentary. The drama unfolded on Wednesday after the restauranteur shared a family photo following the final game of the NBA's Western Conference Finals series that put her husband Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors against younger brother Seth Curry, who balls for the Portland Trail Blazers. The Warriors swept the Trail Blazers in four games to advance to the NBA finals for a fifth straight year. View this post on Instagram
Infinitely proud of these guys. Gods grace and mercy continues to cover our family and we are so grateful. Not about wins and losses, it’s all about family. Moments like this simply put it all into perspective. “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” - Matthew 6:33A post shared by Ayesha Curry (@ayeshacurry) on May 21, 2019 at 10:26am PDT"Infinitely proud of these guys. Gods grace and mercy continues to cover our family and we are so grateful. Not about wins and losses, it’s all about family. Moments like this simply put it all into perspective," a portion of her caption read.One commenter asked the mother of three if she was pregnant with her fourth, prompting the 30-year-old to immediately shut down those speculations. "Absolutely not LOL," Curry responded. "My 30 lb son is just breaking my back in every photo." In the photo Curry is holding her youngest child, 10-month-old son Canon.In a now-deleted comment someone rudely suggested: "Maybe portion-control his food a bit." When did it become acceptable to police what a child eats? Curry was quick to put the shamer in their place.
"Excuse you?" People reports Curry retorted. "No. Just no."This isn't the first time Mrs. Curry had to check someone who made a comment about her family. In November 2018, the television personality posted an innocent video of her and eldest daughter Riley recreating a Progressive "Meat Sweats" video using the popular music app Dubsmash."Lawwd have mercy, whyyy don't you know how to brush them girls' hair???" someone commented underneath.Curry defended herself then too, firing back: "I don't make moments happen for Instagram. Moments happen and I sometimes share. I'm not going to doll my children up for perception or anyone's approval on here."Y'all gon' learn to leave Ayesha Curry and her children...
Tupac Moseley, 17, graduated as valedictorian of Raleigh Egypt High School in Memphis, Tennessee, on Sunday. Although Moseley had a 4.3 GPA and was offered more than $3 million worth of college scholarships at 44 colleges, the most impressive part of his story is he did it all while being homeless.“Never let your current situation, whatever circumstances you’re going through, be a mountain that you can’t climb,” he said during his graduation speech, according to NBC News."When I heard that I got $3 million, I was more than elated, "Moseley told CNN affiliate WHBQ.
After Moseley's father passed, he says the family got behind on bills which led to their eviction this past February.Thankfully, local organization For The Kingdom provided a cabin for Moseley and his family to live in. The non-profit Christian organization seeks to inspire and impact inner-city youth to lead their communities.Moseley says that if it wasn't for the help of this organization, college might not have been an option. "We were blessed to have For The Kingdom," he said.
Moseley decided to major in electrical engineering at HBCU, Tennessee State University, telling NBC that he knew he'd have "the kind of support there" that he had during his high school career. On Wednesday, the president of Tennessee State University, Glenda Glover, said she'll even pick up the teen and escort him to the school's Nashville campus when he moves into his new dorm.“I will personally travel to Memphis later today and bring him back to Nashville, to our campus, so he can get acclimated to college life as an academically talented student. We are prepared to provide summer housing and employment for him as well,” Glover told NBC in a statement.As for Moseley, he wants to encourage other young people to accomplish their goals, no matter how trying the circumstances.“Your location is not your limitation," he said. "Anything that is a blockade is not something you can’t...
