Mentorship

On March 10th, 2010, I found myself engrossed in a game of NFL Madden with my roommate, Ty, on the campus of Shaw University when my mom's call interrupted our intense match. Reluctantly declining at first due to the $20 bet riding on the game (equivalent to $200 post-college), I soon realized it must be something important as she called back. The news she delivered shattered me - Dr. Stanley Richardson had tragically passed away in a car accident while traveling to Jerusalem with his mother. He had mistakenly pulled out in front of a semi-truck, and both he and his mother suffered fatal injuries. My heart broke upon hearing this devastating news; I knew Dr. Richardson was why I was even on a college campus at that moment, and I would forever be grateful for his mentorship.

Dr. Richardson served as the director of the Upward Bound program in my school district, which provided crucial support to participants in their college preparation journey. This program offered opportunities for us to excel academically before entering higher education, and Dr. Richardson played an instrumental role in its success. Most counselors within the program were Black individuals who instilled hope within all of us - a refreshing contrast to the pessimism often presented by some White counselors at my school.

During those formative years, there was no discussion about pursuing a college track despite sharing my aspirations with them; instead, vocational paths were consistently presented as alternatives. In hindsight, while vocational skills have their merits, it is clear that college was where I truly belonged. Unfortunately, during high school's early stages, I failed to take academics seriously - getting into trouble occasionally and neglecting my studies altogether resulted in poor grades throughout most of my upperclassman years.

However, Dr. Richardson saw the potential within me that transcended those academic struggles we faced together and regularly discussed college life: campus experiences, fraternities, and relationships. Coming from a family with a strong educational background, I was already familiar with much of this information. Yet, hearing it from him felt different - his belief in me despite not being family ignited a desire to make him proud. Determined to turn my academic trajectory around, I began studying diligently and changing my habits - finally taking classes seriously.

Soon after, an opportunity arose for me to participate in a summer trip to the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. This experience allowed me to immerse myself in college classrooms and walk the campus grounds alongside actual college students attending summer classes. It was an exhilarating and inspiring time that made the prospect of higher education feel tangible and real.

One day, Dr. Richardson called me into his office with news he had received from Dr. Cynthia Graham - a woman from my hometown who worked at Shaw University overseeing a program called Freshman Academy. Coincidentally, this was the same program my best friend Ty had mentioned attending earlier that month; he had been encouraging me to join as well. Without hesitation, Dr. Richardson offered to cover my entry fee into the program, and before I knew it, that summer marked the beginning of my journey at 118 East South Street in Raleigh - Shaw University.

Throughout each semester thereafter, before returning home for breaks or holidays, I made it a point to visit Dr. Richardson's office first thing upon arrival so he could see my grades firsthand. It felt like an obligation on my part - an opportunity for him to witness how his investment of time and resources had not been in vain. During those visits, I shared stories about being initiated into a fraternity and recounted various experiences from college life itself.

Above all else, during those encounters with Dr. Richardson, I expressed heartfelt gratitude towards him for believing in me when others may have doubted or dismissed me due to academic struggles. I wanted him to know that his unwavering support had profoundly impacted my life. To this day, I hold mentorship in the highest regard and strive to pour into other young men who, like me, may need guidance and encouragement. I aim to make their aspirations feel tangible and real - whatever those aspirations may be.

Thank you, Dr. Richardson.