A Better Chance TV with host Dr. Monique S. Robinson
Educational Conversations with Scholars in Mind. "Our mission is to empower and uplift scholars pursuing higher education at HBCUs, ensuring they have the resources, support, and opportunities needed for a successful future. Through mentorship, scholarship programs, and community engagement, we strive to create a pathway to excellence, fostering academic achievement, leadership development, and a strong sense of cultural identity. Together, we are building a brighter future for young scholars, strengthening the legacy of HBCUs, and fueling positive change in our communities."
A Better Chance TV with host Dr. Monique S. Robinson
Parents and Students Navigate the Final Days Before Campus Life Begins
Four families prepare to send their HBCU-bound scholars to college in just six days, sharing their emotional journeys and hopes for the future as part of the Takesha A. Davis Scholarship competition.
• Aniya Williams heads to FAMU to pursue orthodontics after being accepted to 50 schools and earning over a million dollars in scholarships
• Paris Holiday, described as ambitious and a natural leader, chose Hampton University to prepare for a career in anesthesiology
• Ja'Sean Boyd selected Prairie View A&M University to study childhood psychology with music therapy, focusing on mental health for younger generations
• Alesha Kadiri, also Hampton-bound on a pre-med track, participated in a summer pre-college program to confirm her college choice
• Parents share the emotional preparation for sending their children to HBCUs and the importance of representation in fields like healthcare
• The families discuss how attending HBCUs provides unique support, community connections, and preparation for careers where Black professionals are underrepresented
Voting for your favorite scholar in the Takesha A. Davis Scholarship competition is now open. Visit the website or use the information scrolling at the bottom of the screen to support these exceptional students.
Welcome to a better chance for youth television show with your host, monique Robinson, where we highlight, celebrate and recognize students from all over the country who are doing great things in the classroom, community and athletics. Every student deserves an opportunity, an opportunity for hope and a future. So let's celebrate our students, the next generation of teachers, engineers, entrepreneurs and future leaders. Join us on another incredible segment of A Better Chance for Youth show with your host, monique Robinson.
Speaker 2:Hello everybody and welcome to another wonderful fabulous. I made up a whole new word fabulous, I made up a whole new word. Fabulous, I said fabulous Day at A Better Chance For you television show with your wonderful host myself, dr Monique Robinson.
Speaker 3:Now look.
Speaker 2:We have had the best interviews with some of the most amazing parents this year. Now we're up to day six and I honestly don't know what to expect. Today is probably um going to be a unique day. I'll just say that I've talked to both families um, actually even the third family offline, and I truly, truly, truly, have enjoyed engaging in conversation with our parents.
Speaker 2:Now, if you haven't engaging in conversation with our parents Now, if you haven't been following or know what is going on, it is round three of the Takesha A Davis Scholarship. That scholarship is in its fifth year, which is time flies when you're having fun and sowing the seeds Now. The scholarship is named after my deceased sister. We do this in honor of her, to provide opportunities for young people, which she had a heart of gold for, and also to let people know that you got a village behind you. You just got to reach out and let us help you. Now I have our first family.
Speaker 2:She's been consistent Throughout this competition. She's been moving up, she's been moving down, but one thing she has consistently done Is engage the audience. So I want to bring her on After this commercial, and we never know what to expect from her, but I get excited Every time I get to sit down and talk with her, but today I get to talk to her mom. Now, her mom is also, you know, a force to be reckoned with, because she's already made her mark on campus as you know, a mom. But we'll talk about that when you get to meet her.
Speaker 4:So after this wonderful commercial, I will bring this Ferris family on, so enjoy. Celebrate the excellence of HBCUs with the HBCU trivia game. This board game provides an exciting and educational way to learn about notable alumni, historical events, sports news and more. This trivia game is sure to be a hit and perfect for college-bound youth, alumni and the entire family. Don't miss out on this opportunity to support, educate and entertain. Get the HBCU Trivia Game today. Go to hbcutriviagamenet to order.
Speaker 2:Welcome back. Welcome back. See, I told you I was going to gonna have a family soon as the commercial was over. You don't believe me sometimes and I have to like really tell them. So, welcome to the show, tell us who you are, where you're from and where you will be going to in days. It's within days now, single digit.
Speaker 6:Yet in 10 days single digits though very close oh lord six days to be exact yes, but greetings.
Speaker 5:My name is anaya faith williams and I am from jacksonville, florida, but I will be attending the florida agricultural and mechanical universe. Strike, strike and strike again.
Speaker 6:And I am Patrice Crooms, her mother, proud Rattler mom. We're sending my baby off in six days, but I'm too, from Jacksonville, florida, and I'm so super proud to be here with her today.
Speaker 2:Yes, I told y'all that you don't know what to expect from him. I said that I prepped the audience. Yeah, I knew it was going to be something. I was looking for it. I'm like she's going to come out here with some kind of dramatic interest, because that's what she does, but I love it, and so you're a Rattler mom, yay.
Speaker 3:Yes.
Speaker 2:And you went through the experience as well as being on campus and um things like that. That's lovely.
Speaker 3:I'm a legacy so I get it
Speaker 2:both my parents graduated from the will before university, so okay. So yeah, I, I understand now I. How did this college process go? Because you have a unique situation, because you won. This is your passion in helping young people find scholarships and things like that, but it's different when it hits home.
Speaker 6:Very much so.
Speaker 2:So how like, explain us, walk us through that process, Because I'm like, oh, she's doing this and she got to do it for her baby, Lord Jesus.
Speaker 6:You said a mouthful, I would tell my clients. I'm the owner of PC Virtual Tutoring and so I've done this work for almost 17 years, and now that it was in my own home that was a whole different stretch out. So I thank God, have been blessed to be a part of the process, being a classroom teacher to a graduation coach, to working on a college campus, to owning my own business with tutoring and college prep and career coaching. But now it was my daughter's turn. So literally we've been preparing for this day since she was in elementary. I tell parents that and sometimes they look at me like elementary, like they're just learning their ABCs and 123s, but it literally starts that early. So we've been taking her on college campuses since she or before she could walk, instilling in Aniyah the importance of showing up, being the best version, authentic version of yourself every day and being unapologetic about it. And so that can be a lot of pressure because I'm an educator.
Speaker 6:My mom, the late Faith Croom, she was an educator. My dad he graduated from college. Her uncle they're financial advisors, cpa, so she had some big shoes to fill. But as far as our story being very intentional, in the schools that she attended, the organizations community service, church first and foremost giving God always the honor and the glory, but making sure to give Aniyah the opportunity to have the experiences and the exposure to be able to be competitive when it came to applying into college, applying for scholarships and then whatever she decides In this case she wants to be a world-renowned orthodontist. So those are some big shoes, but I know she's going to do it.
Speaker 6:She's been preparing for this day so literally we sat down, talked about the plan. I'm so excited that, being an educator but first and foremost being her mom, that she trusted the process and the plan. Now she also had her words for it and making sure she had a voice in the process. But we literally sat down and she said okay, mom, I want to apply to this amount of colleges. Like I said, we've been touring colleges super heavily since she was little, but really starting the touring process for where she may want to attend in ninth grade. And so she was accepted to 50 institutions with well over a million dollars scholarship offers from those acceptances.
Speaker 6:And it was a process. I will not say that you just she just put her feet down and just voila, magic happened. It was some blood, sweat and tears. Um, it was lots of high fives but there were some tears along the way, um, and setting and resetting expectations. But she stayed the course and she's going to be at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University come this fall pursuing her bachelor's in biology, on the road to becoming an orthodontist.
Speaker 6:That's kind of the short version of it all, but it was definitely a process of staying focused, reminding her that this was only for a season, because she was a cheerleader flag football at ninth and temporary also ran track volleyball, president of pre-collegiate, vice president of National Honor Society, the treasurer for Black Student Union, vice president of national honor society, the treasurer for black student union, on top of maintaining and finishing with the weighted gpa of 4.318. So balancing was it wasn't always sometimes a balance in certain seasons but for her to understand that this is for a season, work hard now so you don't have to work hard forever, and also so you can share your story and be able to reach back and pull others forward, um, and so that they know that this can be done even though it's hard work wow, because I follow, like you know, because we, we, our family, is really invested in this.
Speaker 2:Like this is, you know, it's our name, it's, you know, our legacy in the different things. But I'm like, and I got all this stuff going with she. You know why she would do this with this one, you know, but I'm really grateful that she did follow through and stayed, of course. Now I'm looking at you know, several things that you know you have on your repertoire as well. Now, how did her to come to an hbcu come about? Because I'm like, with that type of of, you know, and I've read all their bios as well that type of magnitude and we have and I have to give you know, kudos to every contestant this year.
Speaker 2:Most certainly all of them are like valedictorians, salutatorians, impacting their neighborhood. I'm like, and y'all applying for this, where y'all got this counselor at, but seriously, like, how does that impact? Like she is all in. I'm like she's doing this in high school. You know, how is this going to impact what you do and everything that you've instilled in her? How did she get to come to a hbcu with that magnitude of stellar academic success?
Speaker 6:so, like I said, I laid out the carpet of all options and instilling in her excellence so that you can have options, and so we went on. I can't even remember the number of the amount.
Speaker 6:But we went on so many campuses and through her pre collegiate club, so shout out to Miss Fields. But she started at FAMU in 10th grade. She went there for spring preview and that's where she ended back around, I mean. But we've been on Howard's campus, she's been to North Carolina A&T and every time we would come back home, or as we were driving or flying back home, I always liked to debrief Like I said I like for her to have a voice in this process, just because this is the work that I do, this is her life.
Speaker 6:So I always told her this is your choice, mommy's going to support you wherever you decide to go. And so every time she would come back home from HBCU campus, she would just be like Mom, it felt right, it felt like home. I felt just so, so proud, like to be a young black woman being able to carry the torch of my forefathers, to be able to continue the legacies that were set before me. And it gives me chills as I say it. Um, but literally that was what she felt. That was what she felt, that's what she wanted. My mommy heart always smiled. Like I said, I've raised Aniyah to be able to be excellent in her authentic self in any environment, regardless of the circumstance or what's going on, especially in this political climate. So, like I said, ultimately the choice was hers. Yet I'll never forget sitting down here in the living room before.
Speaker 6:It was about two weeks before that May 1st big decision day, and she texted. She was upstairs and she texted me and she said, mom, I'm going to FAMU. And my mommy heart was just smiling and she was just determined to be on the HBCU campus. I mean, we've been to a plethora of homecomings but also the academic excellence, because that's big for her.
Speaker 6:So even some of her friends that have gone before her like, surprisingly she wasn't just asking about the parties and the social part of it, but academically she would ask you know how are the classes? What type of internships are you getting? You know the connections? Even one of her mentors in Jacksonville that's a dentist, dr Monfort. She's a Florida A&M graduate and so just being able to see, before even walking on campus, the connections and the relationships and just how people are rooting for you, it's like it's not that she didn't get that for other institutions, but it was nothing like that hbc you love, which, also, being a single mom, this is my only baby. It just made me feel so prideful and comfortable as we, as I, prepare to send her off. You know it's gonna be hard, but you gotta go.
Speaker 2:She's going monday, yes, so don't be okay. On the ride back, it's two hours I'm gonna try.
Speaker 6:I can't make any promises because I'm already feeling all the feels and I'm okay with feeling the feels but also being more proud of anaya and just excited about this next journey for herself and for myself, because this is new. I've been in mommy mode 18 years and so this is a new journey for the both of us, because we like two peas in a pod. But I'm more excited than anything. So, mommy will be okay, don't you worry about me. You go do great things. Bring me that degree back.
Speaker 2:And, um, well, hey, I get it and it back. And I mean cuz I've watched. I watch you both on social media. I watched you at a parent, I guess it was orientation. Yes, I was like I told the audience, she a legend, she already been on stage. Ooh a legend.
Speaker 6:That's ooh, lots of pressure. No pressure, that's a dance contest. I tried to stay in my seat, they would not let me. I have friends from Gainesville. I hear them calling Patrice, patrice. I'm like no, y'all told y'all before we got here I'm going to stay here.
Speaker 2:And my baby say no on. Showtime.
Speaker 6:But when I looked over and she gave me the eye, I'm like, okay, it's Showtime.
Speaker 2:It's all in fun. So, don't be mad mom Show up at homecoming. They have a dance contest. We in there now.
Speaker 6:They're like we already know who's going to represent them. I'm like, hold on, Let me sign up first.
Speaker 2:I love it. That's a big family, that's what we that's the HBCU love, and I've noticed that every time I post the ratings, they're rather nation. I'm like do y'all take turns voting for people Like, what are y'all doing here? That's what they do. Now, as I have told and I've asked every parent every day, uh because it's different when parents are able to advocate for their scholars.
Speaker 2:Yes, um, if you notice uh on the bottom of the screen or in the chat, I will start putting how you can support our scholars. Now it's up to the parents. Today, usually, I have the kids advocate for themselves, but I can't call them kids, our young people, our young adults, because most of them, you know they 18. They're not grown yet.
Speaker 6:Right, just a little bit.
Speaker 2:A little bit. It's a little grown, but they are young people, are young adults, and you know they're doing big things. I'm amazingly proud of them. But why should we vote for your scholar?
Speaker 6:Not only because she's my amazing daughter, but because she has a mission in going into becoming an orthodontist and breaking barriers when it comes to adversity, accessibility, affordability for underserved communities and being able to pay it forward, and so that's why you should vote for Aniyah Faith Williams. Also because she's gonna strive in excellence and represent this organization, famu, herself, her family and her community, and, of all, her God. So thank you awesome, awesome.
Speaker 2:So I have truly enjoyed you all throughout this whole competition. But y'all know y'all can't get rid of me, so and I uh, once you get settled on campus, you know we got big plans with these internships, because, yes, ma'am, I'm ready, all right so before I let, you go.
Speaker 2:You know we got big plans with these internships because, yes, ma'am, I'm ready. All right, so before I let you go, you know, hit us. Hit us with the one time, because you know she always does something surprisingly when she tell us where she is, where she's going. I mean who she is, where she's going. But today she got like a, a co-host. So I don't know what to expect from you. Tell us one more time before you go yes, ma'am.
Speaker 5:So I am anaya faith williams, coming from jacksonville, florida, going to the florida agricultural and mechanical universities, as you can see on both of our shirts. And yes, I'm. I hope you guys um enjoyed us today and I thank you. This is my beautiful mother. Say your name up.
Speaker 6:Patrice croons, and again to the Rattler nation, we're gonna strike, strike a strike.
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Speaker 2:Welcome back, welcome back. So we, you know, switching up gears and we kind of left FAMU and now we are headed to a brand new place. We're not in Florida anymore. I don't think. I don't know where our guests are coming from, but I know we have a familiar face. Today we have miss paris and her wonderful family of supporters. Tell us you know you gotta tell our audience who you have with you, but also let us know where you will be going to in a couple days okay, my name is.
Speaker 12:Name is Paris Holiday. I'm going to Hampton University, the real HU.
Speaker 10:Go.
Speaker 12:Pirates. These are my two aunts, shannon and Bobby, and then this is my little cousin Jackson.
Speaker 2:Awesome, awesome. So welcome to the show. I'm so glad that you came to support. Now I will be asking a series of questions, and you know you got a team of supporters, so anybody can answer. But my first question is why is an HBCU necessary for such a lovely scholar as Paris?
Speaker 14:We're speaking in line. So Paris has always been very driven, very ambitious. She's always wanted to push herself, challenge herself to be the best that she can be, and she landed herself in a very prestigious high school, and while the school offered many academic resources for her, a lot of inspiration, it was a predominantly white high school, which nothing wrong with that. It was a really great high school. But being in an environment where she's around other like minded individuals who also look like her will just inspire her to a certain level of excellence that we desperately need in our community.
Speaker 14:Being a pre-med biology major, she's pursuing anesthesiology. We really, really need that in our community. We need more Black doctors. We need more people who look like us, who care about us, to save lives, to put lives in their hands, and especially in maternity, especially in gynecology like. Those types of environments are very scarce and to have such a sweet soul who also, too, is just so ambitious and so smart, it would just be a benefit to whatever city or town that she lands in for our community awesome, awesome, awesome.
Speaker 2:I'm sorry, did somebody else want to chime in?
Speaker 14:No, I'm just, she's on the squad.
Speaker 2:with her, everybody gets to talk.
Speaker 14:today she was president of the Black Student Union at her school. She created a Black student mentorship at her school. She created a chair team at her school. She led different fundraising events for these people that she put together in a room and she just helped other young women to look inside themselves and to want more out of life, like you don't have to settle, you can go for whatever you want to do. And like honestly talking about her and what she has done and what I've seen her do, regardless of some of the obstacles that have been in her way, it literally brings me to tears because she's never let anything hold her back. Regardless of things that have come and gone in our family, things that we've been through, she, at such a young age, has just always been such a rock for all of us, especially in we have a really large female family. It's just literally been inspiring for us to watch her succeed and just keep going.
Speaker 2:I love it and then she's about to be part of a huge family because, you know, the hbcu bond is just something. Like I've been out of school almost 30 some years and we still talk like we are across the hall from each other in the dorm. So I get it and, like you said, she is a true inspiration. Like I've talked to all 70 applicants and read all of their bios. But what has impressed me about parents is parents wants to give back. Um, she wants to give back in the health care field, which is very necessary. Um, now I notice you have a little cousin in the back. Is she like younger, younger or a little bit younger? It's some years between us.
Speaker 2:I know I hate to put you on the spot, little cuz, but I just need to know how has this because I'm like she already got on a Hampton shirt how has watching Paris go through her process impact you?
Speaker 3:I feel like she pay you to say that.
Speaker 2:I know she did that's. That's good that she feel like you're an inspiration and I um also do too, knowing that you had to face adversity in school. You know, and I love when you told that story that that's one of my favorite parts of your interview, when you got to talk about things that you did at your high school and things that you had to do to create a space for African-American or people of color at your school. So I applaud you for that. Like that is simply amazing. Now, as her older aunts seeing those things take place, you know, at such a time as this, this, because you've been watching the news it's no, it's no secret, no secret. Um, how, how does this like make you, make you like God, my niece is doing this. How do you feel is going to help her in the future? Like you know, four years from now, she's going to be in the field.
Speaker 14:I feel like the dedication that she puts in now, as challenging as it may be, there's always going to be something trying to deter you, distract you or just make things a little harder for you.
Speaker 14:It's going to be so fulfilling when it gets to that point where she's actually seeing the fruits of her labor, when she's seeing people come in and be able to feel comfortable to talk to her or being put in her care, or someone about to give birth that she may be having to put under, being able to reassure them, them being able to see someone and feel comfortable in their hands. I feel like it's going to be just a very monumental moment in her life and it's going to give her a different type of confidence that really nothing else can. Especially when you do something from the muscle, like it wasn't given to you, you had to earn it it, you had to fight tooth and nail for it, you can really truly appreciate it and it makes you want to give to others and create spaces for others to be able to achieve the same goals thanks.
Speaker 2:I truly, truly love it. Now I've asked every family the same question. Um, I might mix up the first couple, but this last one, um, you know, I have to ask why and you pretty much answered it all through this interview why should our listening and virtual audience, people who are viewing it like we're on several platforms, why should they vote for paris? Because you know, this is a competition that she's made it big. She made it from 70 all the way down to 20.
Speaker 14:Which is amazing yes, that alone is mind-blowing, like it's. I'm not surprised because it's Ferris, but just to achieve something like that. It just speaks to me. Yeah, it speaks to the dedication that she's put in over these years yeah.
Speaker 2:So she, she's done amazing. And I also like to thank the families because we put our scholars through everything known to man. But it's because we we want to see, like, do you really want this? Or you just going through the motions? So right, hey, they work. And I you know, even though you know, tell all of them, and there's no lies, told here, even after the competition, we still are working for them.
Speaker 2:Even if they don't win, we still got you, so we help but, why that's what we do, but why should our audience um continue to support and vote for Paris?
Speaker 14:I believe that the audience should continue to vote for Paris, because I can't think of anyone who deserves it more which wouldn't mean anything to you all, but if you knew the kind of sweet, giving, selfless soul that she was, you know, paired up with her knowledge, and how quickly she can learn and just wanting to lead others and create networks for others, she's exactly the type of young woman that we need in this day and age to create stronger sisterhoods, to create stronger communities, to lead others, to create jobs even in the future. Like she's someone who will be vital to our community and we need her out there in the field. That's essentially why we need her out there in the field. That that's essentially why we need her out there. We need someone like her. We need her to foster in others what she's seen throughout our family and what she's even fostered in herself.
Speaker 2:We need that out here desperately desperately Awesome, awesome, so I have truly enjoyed you all. Paris as well, is always a pleasure to sit down and talk to you again. Don't forget to hit us up with that address once you move in on campus. How many days you got left till you move in?
Speaker 12:I'm not sure the exact no. I think it's like six, six You're in single digits, yeah, like think it's like six Single digits. Yeah, like seven, Seven or six. I move in next Tuesday. Oh Lord, you ready.
Speaker 2:Mostly you going to cry. Maybe, I don't know. I know you're going to miss your siblings a little bit. Yeah, you're like, yes, you're going to miss your aunties at least. Yeah.
Speaker 14:Yeah, you're like, yes, you're going to miss your aunties at least. Yeah, she's put in so much for our family. She deserves an opportunity to create her own, what her own world looks like. She's had so many responsibilities growing up because we all do depend on each other so much. She deserves a moment for herself to create her own lane and her own era. So, as much as I know she'll miss us, I know that it will be just so exciting to see the way that you want to build your world.
Speaker 2:She deserves it. She does Love it, love it. Well, thank you so much for stopping by, and I just get a kick out of Ferris when she tells people what school she's going to. So one more time, before you go, tell us who you are and we'll be headed.
Speaker 12:My name is Ferris Holliday. I'm going to the Royal HU Hampton University. Go Pirates.
Speaker 5:Woo.
Speaker 15:Hampton University, go Pirates. Hello, my name is Robert Mason. I'm president and founder of the Common Black College application. Our application allows students to apply to over 50 historically black colleges and universities at the same time, for only $20. Hbcu graduates have been some of the most renowned individuals in their respective fields since the late 1800s. In addition to that, our faculty and staff are truly committed to your success and they have a vested interest in seeing that you do well. That, coupled with the academic rigor and the fact that you have established lifelong relationships, are just some of the many benefits of your attending an historically black college university. So if you're interested in completing the Common Black College app, visit our website at commonblackcollegeappcom to apply now. Thank you, and get educated.
Speaker 2:Welcome back, welcome back. I am here with another family, like today is probably like a huge day in the competition. I'm meeting with a bunch of families, but this one here they're in our own backyard, so welcome you guys.
Speaker 3:and you know who do I have the pleasure of talking to so my name is denise gerfin, and this is mom Victoria Sharp, and this is my big brother, jashon Boyd, and where he's going is Pearview A&M University.
Speaker 2:Awesome, Awesome. So you know, Jashon got the whole family involved today.
Speaker 7:Well, not the whole family, but almost the whole family involved today.
Speaker 2:And I'm not the whole family, but almost the whole family I love it, I love it, and you even got your sister here, you got mom here, so welcome you guys again, and they're like no strangers, because you know they're in san antonio and just john has had the privilege of being around us the whole entire year. So, mom, what? How is this process being?
Speaker 9:it's been a long process, but it has been a great process, um it's it's been long, so I can just imagine how tired you are, because you're like it's been long because you've been helping them now but um.
Speaker 5:It's been long because you've been helping them now.
Speaker 2:It's truly been an honor working with your family this entire year. As I mentioned, deshaun is one of our Better Chance young people and we start a new class in September with a whole new class of 7th through 12th graders where we meet and we will teach them about HBCUs, community service and everything good. But from a parent standpoint, how does it feel Like? How do you feel with Deshaun taking an unpopular choice I'm just going to name it An unpopular choice and going to an HBCU? How do you feel that decision has impacted him as well as your family?
Speaker 9:I think it's something that will help better him. Majority of his school has been a predominantly Hispanic or white school, so he won't be the minority at an HBCU. I think it would have helped him get out of his comfort zone, out of his shell, because he is very shy, reserved type of person and he just needs that community to bring him out of that and into manhood.
Speaker 2:Love it, love it. And yes, he is shy and it's. It's funny watching him grow, from the first time we had a conversation with our small until now where he's like, look, I'm ready, I'm talking, I'm like who is this hold up? It's not the same one, but I am extremely proud of him. Now I just have to ask you know how many days till you move on campus?
Speaker 7:uh, well, move. It depends, because I'm supposed to be moving on the 16th, so that's four days. But we're trying to fix that because four days is not a lot of time to move in, it's not. It's not four days, yeah, and then I start. Yeah, and then I start classes on the 25th. So I have like about a week and a half until I, like, actually start doing classes.
Speaker 2:Well, you probably gotta go to. Um, I forgot, is it called panther camp? Yeah, I think it's pamphlet camp yeah, that's, that's essential. You don't come back different, your mom not gonna be ready. You're gonna come back knowing all the chanceants.
Speaker 7:I'm going to do Panther Camp if we move the yeah.
Speaker 2:You got to do Panther Camp. Every freshman goes through Panther Camp. It's essential.
Speaker 9:He's going to do it, no matter what, if we have to get in there in four days, we will get in there.
Speaker 7:Maybe at the beginning of late, if we can.
Speaker 2:Okay, I hope you get to make it to panther camp. If not, I'm quite sure that you know san antonio has a huge alumni base that if it's something small or something just to get you there, they're gonna find a way that's the model. But you know, as a parent standpoint, you already mentioned that Deshaun going is definitely is a game changer, but how do you feel that's going to impact you, because Deshaun is your baby.
Speaker 7:I've been here.
Speaker 9:You know it's going to be an adjustment, you know, but I'm looking forward to seeing what he becomes. He's already kind of broken out of his shell right now. You know, he used to be a little caterpillar, mm-hmm. I know he's like a nice little butterfly now, so I can't wait to see what it brings, how he comes back, hey you'll still have this one right here.
Speaker 7:Yeah, I still got one more.
Speaker 9:Hopefully she makes up for him being on. She keeps me kind of busy.
Speaker 14:Just not having somebody to help me with her. Oh Lord.
Speaker 2:How are you going to feel when your brother go to school?
Speaker 7:I don't know oh, you don't know. You ready for him to go to school?
Speaker 5:yeah, no, no, I was about to say she didn't say, yeah, it's okay, that's probably gonna be the biggest.
Speaker 9:Just me I wouldn't think. You know people wouldn't think, just because they're aged different, how close they are.
Speaker 2:But yes, because they had some years exactly.
Speaker 9:They had like nine years between them, but that's probably gonna be the biggest adjustment. It's just like man not having me around.
Speaker 2:I'm having him here oh, sheashina trying to get in the luggage and go. People are like I'm going to school too, he going, I'm going too.
Speaker 9:We all going. I told you man. I said, well, we all might move down here to Perryville.
Speaker 2:You just want to follow me. I don't know, it happens, you have home-cooked meals, so plus to it. But yes, I have, um, truly, truly enjoyed, uh, working with your family this entire year and just even in the community events of just being involved in and watching him come out and show, and that's why I said even now, it's like that first meeting we had. He did not want to talk. I was like, dude, I know you talk, you talk to me. And to see him grow into this wonderful young man headed to pv um, I'm extremely proud, um, and I'm extremely proud because I know what things he faced at you.
Speaker 2:You know the high school he attended, you know which I won't name because I'm not like that, but I know that choosing to go to an HBCU is not a popular decision, and so he stood his ground and I wish him nothing but the best, nothing but the best. And you know, know, you got all my numbers and contact information. If you need something, let me know. We will find a way for you to get whatever um you need. Now back to um. The competition just shine. You have truly shocked me, um. This whole time you have went from 70 like mom. He went from 70 all the way down to 20, and I think he's consistently been in the top 10.
Speaker 7:yep, apparently top five right now. Yeah, oh yeah, that's been like the.
Speaker 9:The biggest, the proudest moment for me is like seeing him out there, like just marketing himself, like getting those votes. Um, when we go up to like the community events and things of that nature, I'm like that my job. Yes, he sounds like my baby but I don't know if that's my child up there.
Speaker 2:He really did, and even at the send-off when he was speaking. I'm like this is not the same kid. This can't be. I'm proud that you have learned to advocate for yourself in such a magnitude. I'm also proud to see you grow. I am probably going to be a little sad that you won't be on our calls when September hits, because we might have to bring you back as a mentor to the college. The college kids again.
Speaker 7:You'll always have this one there for like me, for the future.
Speaker 2:Yeah, she got like nine more years we put her in it too now and he's got a little way to go. We, we do the community events for her. Do it. But, um, before I let you go, um, I want to hear from your mom and sister. Why are listening? Why, uh, why they?
Speaker 9:why our audience should vote for you um, they should vote for Jashon because he is a selfless young man. He does a lot of things in the community as far as feed the homeless, he goes to nursing homes, he does our community leadership development program, where they go out here clean up parks, fly kites with kids. Not only that with the world nowadays, african-american men are overlooked, and he is a young man going on the right path, so we need to do all we can to support him and encourage him to go into the field. And then the field that he is also going into is childhood psychology, but not only childhood psychology, but with music. So a way to adapt to these younger generation and get them to open up Mental health is something that is going on worldwide Now.
Speaker 9:Jobs, schools are trying to involve mental health, but we need more people to be the, the voice for those kids to talk to um, and that's where he's going, that's his field, um, and he's trying to incorporate music with that, because that is what um, this generation knows. They know music, they know tiktok, they know social media and um. I think it's something that is needed, um. So, uh, voting for him will help him get to that next step.
Speaker 3:you want to say anything, why they should vote for it because he's the best, and we beautiful y'all are supposed to for Deshaun Boyd because he has tried his hardest and his best. He has done all his work and made it to 70% to 20%. You should pick him also because he's probably gonna have a better future in life.
Speaker 2:That's right, that's right, oh, that's so sweet. I mean it does shock me a lot that they're so close, but their ages are so far.
Speaker 5:So far. I'm like golly, I love this one right here yeah.
Speaker 9:They forget about me sometimes, but you know I'll be the third wheel.
Speaker 7:It's hilarious because even if it's nine years, you're fine.
Speaker 2:And the send off they like were inseparable, like he's not even gone to school yet Nine years by my me and you.
Speaker 7:Yeah, they like that at home.
Speaker 9:That's not just the send off. They are like I said, I'll be the third wheel. I don't even know I was here sometimes Just beat them against me mommy, we just don't sleep.
Speaker 7:Well, it's only fair, she's you've had. You had me alone for nine years.
Speaker 2:She's that is her there? He is well. Uh, I truly appreciate you, uh, coming on the day um, just shine, for allowing you know and allowing you know and allowing just Sean or you to just trust us with helping him throughout his educational process and anything that we can do for you as he is going through this. You know, even after the competition, please make sure we stay in touch, because we do follow our young people, and make sure that you know their goals are completed, because their goals are our goals as well. We got them there, we got to keep them there and we got to see them get out of there in four years as well.
Speaker 9:Get out of there. They got to come back and help you.
Speaker 7:We can come back and help. It would be nice.
Speaker 2:We do encourage them to do that as well. So, before we go, joshua, did you want to say anything?
Speaker 3:did you want to say, um, have your family reintroduce themselves and then yeah, okay, come and get up and reintroduce everybody so my name is juneet Gerpey and this is my mom, victoria Sharp, and this is my big brother, ja'shawn Boyd, and he is going to.
Speaker 9:Perryview A&M University.
Speaker 3:So all Panthers watch and vote for him.
Speaker 7:Yeah, go Panthers, Go Panthers yeah go Pampers, go, pampers.
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Speaker 2:Welcome back. Welcome back. We had a little technical difficulties a little bit. I don't know what happened, but I guess it worked out fine because we're back with our final family for today and tell us who you are and who you have with you today and what school you will be headed to really, really soon.
Speaker 13:OK, so my name is Alicia Kadiri. This is my mom, tori Kadiri, and I will be attending Hampton University actually next week.
Speaker 2:Awesome, Awesome. So moving day is what Tuesday for you guys?
Speaker 13:Monday for my dorm.
Speaker 2:Oh, Monday you ready.
Speaker 13:Yes.
Speaker 2:Mom you ready.
Speaker 8:I'm still trying to process it. Still trying to process it.
Speaker 2:That's fair. That's fair. I think that's where most parents are right now. They're like I'm trying to process, my child is leaving in a couple of days and you know it's starting to get like real now. It's no longer on the calendar. Now it's like wait a minute, she's about to be gone to school for real. Yeah, but she had a unique situation. She was gone over the summer, so you got a little bit feel of it.
Speaker 13:No, yeah, I was gone for about five weeks at Hampton University in their pre-college program so I got to experience the campus, albeit without like the entire student body there, but the pre-college cohort was fairly large in itself, so got to make friends and I got to take classes and kind of just get the experience like before the actual experience.
Speaker 2:so oh wow. Now mom, how did you feel about that?
Speaker 8:um, nervous, uh, I wasn't sure what to expect. But, um, I felt it would be a good opportunity for her to kind of get her feet wet a little bit, you know, prior to the fall, and kind of see if that's really what she wanted to do and where she wanted to be. And I can confidently say that it was the right decision for our family and so thankful to have had that opportunity for her to experience the pre-college atmosphere at Hampton University.
Speaker 2:Awesome, awesome. Now I have to ask I've asked several of the same questions and kind of mixed them up as I talked to different parents but how do you feel that this HBCU experience will mold your scholar for the future?
Speaker 8:So I feel, going to an HBCU just based on my observations over the years I came from a PWI but have several family members who have been through that experience and just seeing how the experience molded them and made them who they are today I encouraged Ali while we were going through the process to really look into that, especially going into a major that is pre-med, where we need more representation in terms of Black doctors in the United States.
Speaker 8:Based on the research that we've done, close to 90% of Black doctors that are trained here in the United States have been through an HBCU at some point. So there is some correlation between going to a school like that and coming out on the other side with the confidence to show up in whatever you, whatever you do, but in her case medicine and be that that doctor for you know the community that she wants to be in I love it, I love it, I love it and that was one of the things that kind of stood out throughout this competition is how confident and how she knows exactly to the point of what she wants to do and be with her career.
Speaker 2:Now, is that something she got from you?
Speaker 8:Yes, I would like to say that, yes, I'm taking the credit.
Speaker 2:I'm taking credit for that.
Speaker 8:But yeah, but Allie has always kind of been sure of herself in that way. I think she's somebody who really so she's an empath and she looks at her experiences to make decisions about how she wants to chart forward. So I'm sure you've heard, you know, a lot of her story, but the background of why she wants to go into medicine and the way she does is from experiences from our family of having you know people who you know have needed some kind of care, that it wasn't representative, you know, and where they were at the time, and so she wants to be able to be in a place where she can bridge that gap for others so that they don't experience some of the things that our friends and family have, and so it's very admirable for her to have chosen like that. But that's kind of who she's always been. It's just you know someone who really just looks at details and says you know what, I'm going to try to make a difference in this area and what do I need to do to do that.
Speaker 2:So I totally love that. That's one of the things that has truly stood out is her backstory and her why. And I was like that is amazing to be that young and that impactful and um intentional on what you want to do. Uh, and I am like I'm just sitting like, oh, I can't wait to see where she's going in the future.
Speaker 2:So that's why we totally follow them through school. We always check um, even when they don't know we're checking. We're like, hey, are they still in school? You know we we're not gonna pop up on them right now, but we gonna wait. Yes, we still room for you on the back end. They might get a random email like, hey, how's it going? We still follow you. But that's just, that's the part of us here. At a better Chance, that's what we do. But I truly, truly admire the fact that she is so intentional in what she wants to do.
Speaker 2:Now, mom, as you are preparing for her to go, I know parents are like, no, I don't want her to go, I'm not ready yet. What would you? What advice would you give a parent that you know we do this class from September all the way to the end of the school year with 7th through 12th graders. What would you tell them because they'll be in your shoes real soon. What advice would you give them as you prepare this whole entire year with ali to get her to go to the hampton university, as some say, the real hu?
Speaker 8:in university, as some say, the real HU. So I think what I would say is trust the process and, you know, just continue to educate yourself, ask questions, and there's no right answer for any specific family, but what I have, what I've experienced in this process, is being able to set goals and also praying over them and allowing God to order our steps in that process. So I think just this whole journey, for me specifically, is an answer to my prayers. Finding a place that she will really go to and thrive was something that I prayed for. And asking God specifically for certain things and watching as he revealed those to us in certain ways to make us know that this is the path that we needed to be on. So just stay prayerful, stay informed, stay ready, because a lot of times, if you stay ready when those opportunities come, then you can step into the blessing.
Speaker 2:Awesome. I love it. Now, as you see on the bottom of the screen, our audience and our viewers and our listening in various places, they know this is like the absolute same question. This question is the same that I've asked every parent, and the way that you all have showed up for your scholars is truly remarkable. So I'm just anxious to see how this answer will be.
Speaker 2:Looking on the bottom of the screen, scrolling is ways that you can support your favorite scholar who has been in this competition. Now, amazingly, we've had, you know, some heavy hitters. All of them are heavy hitters this year. I would not want to be a judge are heavy hitters this year. I would not want to be a judge, but there is a portion where you in the audience can actually participate. You can vote for your favorite scholar or your favorite student, or even if it is the school that you may have attended. The information to vote is scrolling across the bottom of the screen or in our newsletter. But right now we're going to ask our parent that is here right now why should we continue to support and vote for Ms Alicia?
Speaker 8:Oh gosh, I could go all day. Allie is just an amazing individual and I just thank God every day for giving her to our family. She is really focused on her goals, very dependable, she is a hard worker and she follows through. So I know that if you vote for her, that it won't be a vote that's wasted. She will always follow through. She just has that mark of dependability where her word is her bond, and that's what I've always liked about her. She always figures out a way to make sure that she's following through on the plans that she has. That doesn't mean that she doesn't pivot when she needs to, but also being flexible in a way to know okay, this is the end goal, maybe plan A wasn't working, but plan B will get us there. But just you know she's focused and she's going to be that doctor one day. I can definitely tell you that. So vote for her today. Thank you so much.
Speaker 2:Awesome, awesome and I love it. Yes, she is going to be that doctor. She's also probably going to be like a game changer in the field because of things and goals that she has expressed throughout this entire competition. So, thank you for allowing her to participate and also, um, thank you, ali, for coming out of your shell a little bit and trusting the process yourself, and I definitely wish you much success as you prepare to go to the Hampton University and some say, the real HU, I don't have a dog in the fight.
Speaker 8:So see, I'm born because I have now I have family members who went to both, so you, know it is what it is. But yeah, but yeah, thank you so much for giving us this platform and opportunity, you know, to be able to. You know, learn and grow, and you know, learn and grow and just give back.
Speaker 13:So yeah, thank you, Thank you very much and thank you for being willing to listen to my story and thank you for the opportunity just to participate in this competition. I've learned a lot from a lot of different people here.
Speaker 2:Awesome, awesome, and it has truly been a pleasure with you being here. So please vote for Alicia she is going to Hampton and also, if you are a Hampton alum or a student, headed to Hampton. I wish you much success and again, we will be back tomorrow, as we will probably be for the next couple of as we come to the conclusion of the Takesha A Davis Scholarship. I am your host, dr Monique Robinson, and it has been real Till next time.
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Speaker 1:Catch the Daily Gospel Network on Roku, Amazon, Fire, Apple TV, all mobile devices and the internet Tune in to a Better Chance for Youth television show with host Monique Robinson on the Daily Gospel Network, the television show dedicated to highlighting incredible students on their quest to change the world. Join us every week as we uplift the youth and help them on their journey to the bright future they deserve. Catch a Better Chance for Youth television show with host Monique Robinson on the Daily Gospel Network. Thanks for watching a Better Chance for Youth television show with your host, monique Robinson, the television show where we highlight incredible students in their quest to change the world. Join us each and every week as we uplift our youth and help them on their journey to the bright future they deserve. So until next time. God bless from your friends on a better chance for youth television show with your host monique robinson. You.
