2018 The Year of Purpose

In the sports world every athlete has that defining and magical moment that ultimately cements their legacy as one of the greatest. And for me, 2018 was that special moment. I was able to capture some very remarkable moments that helped propel me to that next level in my professional journey. I call it the year of purpose. I was able to close my undergrad chapter by leaving a lasting legacy. 2018 I saw a lot of growth in myself and as we move forward into the new year, I want to reflect on such an incredible year and give thanks for all of the amazing accomplishments during my journey.

Opportunities

Before my arrival at North Carolina A&T, I never would've imagined some of the great opportunities that I would have the pleasure of experiencing. In 2018 my hard work payed off and allowed me the chance of attending some amazing programs. These included the Spotify Opening Act Conference & the Chancellor's speaker series with Jemele Hill. Having the ability to attend these events have helped continue to shape my development as a young professional and these are things that I will forever be grateful for.

Volunteering

I always felt a deep desire to help and inspire individuals in my local community, as I always had a unique passion for helping others. Being able to serve as the Vice President for my mentoring organization provide me the fulfillment to go above and beyond with my civic responsibility. It gave me the opportunity to help shape and mold so many young children who will one day go through some of the same obstacles that I have faced. You never know who you can inspire in this world and it is always a pleasure to give back.

Doing what I love

Pressure does two things; Burst pipes or makes diamonds. In 2018 I made my passions into diamonds. During my undergrad experience at North Carolina A&T I had the fortune of hosting the only student sports radio show on campus titled 3rd n' 30. I hosted the show with the help of my two friends. This allowed me with many opportunities to cover my schools athletics as a sideline reporter and play by play announcer for the NC A&T live stream. I went the extra mile every week to produce weekly video content recapping every game for the Aggies, all the way to their quest of capturing another Celebration Bowl title. This granted me the opportunity to get my first major media credential and gave me the chance to cover the game in Atlanta, Georgia for the 2018 Celebration Bowl as a member of the media.

Podcast

You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great. During the summer of 2017 I took the initiative to start my very own podcast series. I had the privilege of having some dope guest. During the 2018 fall semester, I decided to take some time off from my podcast and decided to reflect and rebrand. Since then I have been able to get better with every episode. This has garnished me with over 1,000 subscribers in 2018, allowed for the opportunity to build life long connections, and given me a unique platform to spread my messages as I publish all of my episodes on Apple and Spotify.

Next Chapter

Everyone loves the first movie, but can't wait until the sequel. As my chapter closes during my tenure at A&T, I will embark on my journey out west. I decided to accept a full time job offer with Wells Fargo and their Treasury Management Program in Phoenix, Arizona. All glory to the man upstairs for giving me the passion, drive, and courage for this opportunity. I can not wait for this unique chance to work with such an incredible company.

Graduation

After 4 1/2 years and 9 long semesters later, I finally did it all for Wendy. In 2018 I earned my Bachelors degree from a University I wouldn't trade away for anything. As my undergraduate experience closes, I will always be extremely grateful for the accomplishments, the relationships that I built, the moments that I captured, and the unconditional love & support through out my journey. A win for me is a win for the entire neighborhood. I'm thankful to be able to say that I was able to cross the finish line. Being able to share this accomplishment with my family, friends, and amazing support system is everything and more than I can ever ask for. For that I am forever grateful.

2018 was an experience that I will never forget, and 2019 will only get even more special!

Happy New Year from yours Truly!