We asked some of the brightest folks from within the community to reflect back on their days in school and to share with us a story of when they learned a particularly important or impactful lesson. We’ve shared highlights below.

Geoff Walters

In school, I was your typical nerd. I studied all the time and went to about 3 parties before the age of 18. Getting good grades was something that became part of my identity. I remember doing one history exam at the age of 14 and being bitterly disappointed with myself because I only got 7/10 instead of the usual 9 or 10. When I got into Cambridge University, I thought I had “made it” and the rest of my life would be smooth sailing from there. Read more>>

Darciea Houston

During undergrad at Paul Quinn College, I was accepted into a program called DukeImmerse. This is where a cohort of Paul Quinn College students with various majors merged with students at Duke University studying at the Nicholas School of Environment. This was a very impactful opportunity. Collectively, DukeImmerse, researched and studied: ecological restoration, social injustice, environmental racism, community planning and outreach together over a semester. One of the assignments given to us by our professors was to survey the areas we spend most of our time within. Read more>>

Ashley Thomas

Picture it. Summer 2010, Houston, Texas on Rosewood Street. You guessed it; “Greystone at TSU.” This day was the beginning of one of the most valuable and most impactful lessons of my life. I was so psyched to be away from home and in a new environment, but I also was greener than I imagined. I had always excelled in my studies and had always been a part of prestigious organizations, but I struggled heavily in the socio-emotional part of my life. When I transferred to Texas Southern University, what I didn’t pick up right away was that I was in search of things that would fill a massive hole that only healing could fill. I spiraled out of control and at one point, I looked in the mirror and did not recognize the person looking back at me. Read more>>