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
Rattlers Gonna Rattle: Promys Smith's FAMU Adventure Begins
We explore the journey of P. Smith as she prepares to attend Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) with her mother, Nashika Thomas, by her side, highlighting their experience in the scholarship competition and the college preparation process.
• P. Smith's has climbed from position #44 to #6 in the Takisha A Davis Scholarship Program
• Nashika describes managing scholarship applications, essays, and deadlines while Promys balanced cheerleading commitments
• Promys chose FAMU after participating in college tours during her freshman year, drawn to the cultural connection and community
• Summer program attendance helped Promys adjust to campus life before official move-in
• Promys moves to campus this Tuesday, with mom adjusting to the four-and-a-half-hour distance and different time zones
• Voting for the scholarship competition continues until September 5th, with Promys actively campaigning for support
• Applications for the 2025-26 programs will open soon, including the Scholars on the Move program for 7th-12th graders & South Texas HBCU Alliance
To vote for Promise or other scholarship finalists, visit the website shown at the bottom of the screen. Voting ends Sept. 5th.
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 3:Welcome, welcome and welcome. I am super excited because we're still in round three of the Takesha A Davis Scholarship Program. Now this year we have had the most amazing scholars and right now we're in a phase where we're actually meeting their parents. And when I tell you, I have truly, truly enjoyed this phase Not that I didn't enjoy speaking to the scholars, but when you get to meet their parents and learn about them and the process, and then it's also a good thing or activity that they get to do with their child before they drop them off at school, because this week a lot of our scholars are actually moving on campus. So some of our interviews this week they it might be their first time seeing their parents is to move in. So it's kind of it's different, but I am extremely proud of everybody and I pray everyone have safe travels and they arrive on campus and, you know, embrace the experience, take plenty of pictures, because if you share them with us then we can also share them in the newsletter which, you know, I kind of like that because then I get to celebrate them. Anywho, let's get back to now.
Speaker 3:I have one announcement before we actually get started today. I have one announcement before we actually get started today, our application for the 25, 26 year for our various programs. Yes, all programs applications will be open soon. Now we do have two programs that are I know I got my finger a little bit this way two important programs that will be launching this year. We have one, of course, our 7th through 12th grade program, where we offer mentorships, scholarships, learn about HBCUs. That program will be open, which is Scholars on the Move. And then we also have something for alum this year, which I'm extremely excited because there is strength in numbers and, you know, if you live in the Bexar County or surrounding areas and you are HBCU supporter and or alum, we are going to launch a program, you know, so that we can get together, get out this virtual space and get some boots on the ground.
Speaker 3:No pun intended, I do have a fan, but it's not in here today. But so we can get, you know, knee deep in this advocacy, because our kids need to feel loved and they need the support, but they have to see the example from us. Now, that's it, after this commercial break, because we have to make sure people know where to go, because school has started and I'm challenging you. You got to put both fingers. I'm challenging you. Start early with preparation because you don't want to be at the last minute still trying to figure out if your scholar has been accepted into school. So after this break, I will bring on my wonderful guest for the day our first guest, and I don't know. You know our parents have been amazing, so let's be surprised when they arrive after this.
Speaker 4:Are you interested in attending an historically black college or university? 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 or 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 3:Welcome back. I told you after this break I was going to have a family. I don't know why, you know. Well, welcome today. Now, she's no stranger, but she got a guest that we don't know. But I am excited to get to meet you. So who do we have here today?
Speaker 5:Hello, my name is Permanent Smith and we have my mother, Nashika Thomas, and we have my mother.
Speaker 3:Nashika Thomas, and what school? I mean, I see it all over you, but I just you know I get a kick out of the excitement when you all introduce your school. So you know it's no secret Like I see it, but I want you to tell us what school will you be going to in a couple days.
Speaker 5:Can I get two claps and a strike? I will be attending the florida agricultural and mechanical university.
Speaker 3:Go rattlers go right there, let's see I'm, you know, I didn't I'm. I'm never like unsurprised when people attending the you didn't say the illustrious, like most people, but the Rattlers never disappoint when they come on here, never. So how, mom, are you ready for her to go to school?
Speaker 6:Kind of kind of sort of she attended summer. So I think it'll be a breeze for the fall for us okay, okay, you said a breeze.
Speaker 3:So do you feel like if she didn't attend the summer then you would probably be like, oh, my baby's leaving a little bit, a little bit, just a little bit, but I'm excited for okay now explain to me.
Speaker 3:I've asked every parent and it's so amazing when you all tell us from a parent's point of view because I'm about to have a whole batch of new parents, because we have our program where we work with 7th to 12th graders nationwide on this process and our 12th graders they get to work with me. So I'm kind of like, you know, hard on them. But from a parent's standpoint, um, how was it going through this process with her? All that?
Speaker 6:for her being a senior. Um, the process whoo that senior year is is one to remember, knowing that you got to stay on top of her with her grades, stay on top of her with her scholarship applications, staying on top of her with her scholarship essays. It was just a lot with trying to obtain outside resources for her to be able to be successful. My main thing was I was trying to stay up to date with the scholarships that was offered throughout her high school she attended, and trying to find scholarships that was also offered on the outside of the school. So trying to more. So make a spreadsheet to keep up with. Okay, this scholarship is due this day. These are the requirements for this scholarship Her being a cheerleader, a varsity cheerleader. Games on Friday night, you know, for football games, games with at least twice a week for basketball. So it was a lot to juggle. It was a lot to juggle. Cheer competition was just a lot to juggle. Um, cheer competition was just a lot to juggle.
Speaker 3:But hey, we made it through that's awesome, I mean, and yes, that is already a rigorous schedule. As a cheerleading, I can only imagine. I can only imagine now, um, when does Promise leave to go to school officially, where she's the whole?
Speaker 6:drop-off celebration. She's being dropped off this Tuesday. Tuesday morning, she's set to move into her dorm at 10 am Eastern time.
Speaker 3:So Tuesday, so y'all will be on different time zones too. Yes, we're on two different time zones. She will be on Eastern'all will be on different time zones too.
Speaker 6:Yes, we're on two different time zones. She will be on Eastern and I will be on Central.
Speaker 3:Oh Lord, are you ready, mom, I'm ready, I'm ready. I mean, they got Life 360 and all kinds of things they didn't have when I was younger.
Speaker 6:I did my part. It's up to her now.
Speaker 3:Now in terms of going to an HBCU and most parents answer this and I really love the variety of experiences that this year has brought how did going to an HBCU come about? Because I know you live in a different area.
Speaker 6:Yeah, so she basically attended a racially diverse high school and that's basically what brought her to deciding that she wanted to attend an HBCU. She started on college tours end of her freshman year so she went on a college tour with what was it? Ets. She went on a college tour with ETS, but it took them around to different colleges and MU was one of the colleges that she stopped by to see. So I think more so she was connected to their heritage down there and, considering the type of high school she came from, nothing against the high school. I think she wants to be around more of our own time to learn our history a little bit more in depth, and so I think that's what brought her to like seeing the close-knit community that Bamview offered their culture pride. And I mean I was glad that she attended the college tour because that's where she decided that that was going to be her new home. And she's attended several other HBCUs. She did the. She's attended several other HBCUs. She did the.
Speaker 6:She was a part of this organization down here called U9. They did a northern. They did a northern college tour one year, a southern college tour one year. So she attended the Southern College Tour. She had to come out. You know her senior year, it was just too many conflicts going on with her schedule. Nothing against the organization, it was perfect. I would recommend it. And so when she did the Southern College Tour, she attended, like Prairie View, all of those different schools. Right, yeah, she attended all those different schools, but she decided to make FAMU her new home.
Speaker 3:Oh, that's awesome and that's really important and I value that. You allowed her to make the choice. Not okay, I want you to go here. That's too far. You know some parents.
Speaker 6:They can get in the way of their scholar's success yeah, I know a lot of people was expecting that from me.
Speaker 3:No fire, I was like no, no, I have a question for promise. Now really is to the mom, but the young people's responses have truly gave me life throughout this competition.
Speaker 6:So promise, is mom invited to homecoming?
Speaker 5:oh yes, I love it. I love it. That's my birthday weekend. I told her when I saw that schedule I was like you have to come to homecoming any.
Speaker 3:I love it because some some you know, when you watch the replays, some of your peers was like no, she can't come. This is my first. I'm like girl, you better let your mama go to homecoming you don't want to the game. Yes, this is the game, definitely the game, the game, the step show, the concert. She can't go to none of that. He's like yeah, we'll talk about it. Did she go to the classic then? Like?
Speaker 6:the classic. That's not it. The classic that's on my birthday.
Speaker 3:Yeah, that's on her birthday this year, so y'all just gonna be living it up on both birthdays, okay, okay, well, that's fine, that's fair. Now I am extremely excited because I just love it when our young people are able to excel and go, you know, live out their dreams. Now, mom, you already answered this a little bit. How do you feel? I just wanted to, I just wanted you to reiterate your answer because I know that it's important. How do you feel from her coming from the type of high school that she graduated from, and going into FAMU will enhance her culturally?
Speaker 6:I feel good about it, her being able to learn and adjust to a different culture. That's number one. Nevertheless, she already adjusted to me already in the summer. So not too many issues. We got to work on the communication a little bit more, but I mean I'm excited. I know it's more network opportunities down there with the rural area that we come from, so I'm excited about the family as a whole With her already down there being introduced to the staff. They have been a great help even throughout the summer. Before they called her, they called me yes, I'm on that fur pool, yes, I am. So before they called her, they called me about this decision, that decision. So I think she set up to take on that challenge down there in a different state, with four and a half hours from our house home, and I think she's prepared. The main thing is to stay focused, stay focused, stay focused. Remember what we're going to accomplish down there.
Speaker 3:Awesome, awesome and I love that and I love that and honestly, I know that I mean cause I have both my parents that were. You know their rule while I was in school and even now I know, almost 50 years old, still the same rule is that I check in every day and I'm like mom, I can live anywhere I want, as long as I check in, which is valid. The older I have gotten, the more I realize, like, okay, I get it. They just they need that, but you know. So I think that this will be fine.
Speaker 3:I think that this is going to be a wonderful experience, but we got to take another commercial break and you know, you promised, you know the routine by now. I always give you all a question before we go on break, because when we come back, you know we got to answer this question. So the question I have for you now is before we go on break, I'm gonna hit this break after we come off commercial. The question I have is why should people continue to vote for promise? Don't answer it now, right after this.
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Speaker 3:Welcome back. Welcome back, see, I'm here and you know I think they they strike me a couple of times, but you know we're not going to say that. But, as you know, and you have been following this competition, you know some people have texted me like, where are you finding the kids? I'm like, I didn't find them. They found me.
Speaker 3:So, first off, thank you, mom for allowing her to participate in this program. All thank you, mom, for allowing her to participate in this program. Um, and then, secondly, I you know, kudos to every scholar that has made it this far. You know we initially started with 70 applicants and then we went down to top 66, top 40, I think, top 33, and now, you know, top 20. Where voting ends on the fifth, they have to at least come in top 10 to be like considered. But we are definitely looking at top five hands down.
Speaker 3:But you know, promise doesn't work their way. You know when they say started from the bottom, now we're here, you know. I know, I know young people language, don't let this fool you, no, I'm just playing. So, anywho, mom, I asked a question before break and you know why should we continue? You know, to vote for your scholar. I know why? Because she's amazing. You know, all of them are amazing, but it's just some of them that I just be like. I can't wait to see who they will be when they graduate. So tell us why.
Speaker 6:OK. So, like you just stated, she's amazing. Nevertheless, and at the end of the day, I mean she's been fighting hard for this spot. Like you briefly stated, we came from number 44. So she came to number 22, to number four. She's at number six right now, we coming back for the top baby, this ain't over. So that's why she's been fighting hard for these votes, reaching out to people hey, can you go vote for me? She's sharing the platform throughout social media. I'm sharing the platform. So you know, we know it ain't an easy thing to do, it ain't an easy test. So you know we find we find this through together. I mean it's not like we just sitting here maybe we'll win. We out here fighting for these hard, real hard. So, like you stated, started from the bottom, now we here, we at the top, so we fine.
Speaker 3:I absolutely love it. I mean, you know, see, now you see why I can't, can't like vote or can't touch votes or anything like that, because my goal is to just help motivate them through the whole process.
Speaker 3:But it's not over nice, definitely not over team. Yeah, we team. So promise like, oh my god, what's wrong with them? So if you look on the bottom of the screen, that is how you can actually vote for your favorite contestant, participant, finalist. But if you are in our newsletter, you will see all of their bios. I kind of keep them there because you got to see like we got young people doing amazing things, like you got to see like we got young people doing amazing things like the one here. You know, okay, I don't know what to do with y'all.
Speaker 3:Yes, we have to definitely motivate all of them, and they had me totally speechless this year. All of them, which is kind of hard to do because I like to talk, all of them, which is kind of hard to do because I like to talk. But so if you haven't voted, and even if you have before, please note that we do not make anything from this competition. Everything goes to our scholars and then we also, you know, look out for them throughout the school year. So, before we go, because you know we just have to, you know, have to hear it again, because it just I just love how our scholars are already proud of their school. So before we go, you know, tell us where you will be heading to in a couple of days. You can send me the pictures so I can put them in the newsletter. So where will you be?
Speaker 5:heading. My name is Promise Smith and I will be attending the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. Can I get two claps and a strike?
Speaker 6:Vote for Promise.
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Speaker 2: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.
