Testimonials
Success Story
Tredijah Duncombe
4.0 GPA Freshman
Virginia Union University
Richmond, Virginia
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The past year for me has been a drastic change in my life. A year ago, I had no clue as to where I would’ve been, I lost hope I have given up after my grandmother passed but I knew she wouldn’t have been proud it took everything from me I was lost.
Later, I joined G.E.M.S an organisation under Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Eta Psi Omega Chapter, Nassau, The Bahamas which gave me another chance to look at life as a strong black motivated and independent young lady.
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Few months went by and there it was an opportunity for me to shine at The Historically Black Colleges and Universities College Fair hosted by the great Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Iota Epsilon Lambda Chapter and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Eta Psi Omega Chapter at the Hilton hotel. I felt so alive being surrounded by a panel of HBCU’s Presidents, but I almost walked away because I was afraid of rejection. I just held back from introducing myself and telling my testimony, But my GEMS sisters and the beautiful Ladies of AKA pushed me to give it a shot after gaining the courage, I went towards my future and there I was standing in a room of over 200 people having two HBCU’s Presidents fussing over me to be a part of their student body. I was shocked, speech less and filled with tears as to how great God showed up into that ballroom. Dr. Lucas have blessed me beyond measure. After all the test I've encountered became my testimony. It was hard being the first in my family to accomplish the things that I have because it felt like I always have to carry them on my back and remember how much is not only waiting for me to make them proud but also not forget where I came from.
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During these pass months, I've had to work even harder with no assistance from any individuals around me. I’ve completed my first semester here at the great Virginia Union University with a 4.0 GPA and being a part of Panthers VUU Women’s Track and Field Team. The thought of my parents working overtime to support me has been nothing short but motivation to succeed at this great HBCU.
Virginia Union University is not only an historical black university, it is a community of wise and black excellence pushing their own to be a difference and to simply be thankful for how far we’ve come as a black nation striving to a limitless future. I CAN NOT see myself at any other HBCU but the one I’m at. I AM A PROUD BAHAMIAN AND PANTHER.
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On Saturday, March 9, 2019, Dr. Hakim Lucas, President, Virginia Union University awarded Tredijah Duncombe was awarded a full ride scholarship to attend in Fall 2019 Virginia Union University, Richmond, Virginia. Tredijah Duncombe is now a 4.0 grade point average First Semester Freshman at VUU.
Richea Haygood 4.0 GPA
Freshman Harris-Stowe State University
St. Louis, Missouri
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My journey to Harris-Stowe has been great. It all started with the HBCU College Fair March 2019 at the Hilton Hotel. There were about 4 different
universities; the presidents were there and they spoke to hundreds of Bahamian students. The universities included Virginia Union University, Philander Smith University, Fisk University and Harris-Stowe State University. Each of the schools had offered scholarships to me; however, Harris-Stowe’s previous president Dr. Duane Warmack offered me a full scholarship on the spot after our conversation about my achievements in Accounting and my goal. I made such a lasting impression that I was invited to attend Senior’s Day in March 2019, which
was a first for an international student.
My mom and I travelled to St Louis, Missouri at expense of the University, where I stayed on campus. Everyone was warm and welcoming, especially the administrators where I realized they were able to call the majority of students by name. This made me feel very comfortable and excited to start my journey. I kept in contact with Dr. Warmack and he advised that he would be the
President at Claflin University. He offered me another scholarship with the same benefits as he wanted his “superstar” to follow him to South Carolina. Nonetheless, I made the decision to attend the illustrious Harris-Stowe State University and it was an amazing decision. I have met many great people along the way so far who are as goal driven as I am. My main goal is to be a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), eventually start my own business and give back to society. Last semester was an achievement and only a steppingstone towards my goal as I received a 4.0 grade point average. I am grateful to God for this opportunity and I want to make my parents and The Bahamas proud as I intend
to keep working hard and I know that I am trending in the right direction.
Kennia Brown
3.32 Freshman
Virginia Union University
Richmond, Virginia
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A year ago, my life has changed. It all happened because of my family and the people who had faith in me. My mom died when I was young; when she died my father, cousin took my little sister and I into her care and custody and raised us like her very own kids. She is like a grandmother and a mother to me. My grandmother and her kids raised my sister and I.
Then my father passed away in 2014. I may not have told anyone how I felt but I was hurting internally to know that I lost booth of my parents but I stayed strong for my sister.
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However, I did not let the pain stop me from working hard in school. There were times when I made mistakes but I learned from them. From when I was small, I would always tell myself that one day I am going to college.
My cousin, Ericka is one of my cousins who help me to push for what I want to pursue. She would always be on top of me with my school work; she believed in me so much that she made a way for me to take my SAT. Most days I thought about giving up but being around her and all the
inspirational things she said to me and when she scolded me when I did something not pleasing to her that was wrong made me pushed even harder. Because I knew she did not have to do what she did but It made me realized that someone believes that I can make It far I life. When my grandmother would scold me, I would say to myself why is she always making noise but everything she did was in my best interest.
Also, my Guidance Counselor Ms. Shaw at C. C. Sweeting Senior High School helped me in a big way as well. If she saw me around school, she would always come up to me and recommend different colleges to me. There was a time when I told that I did not want to apply because I did not know where I was going to get the funds for the application fees. Ms. Shaw told me to still apply she gave me weavers so that I would not have to stress about money. She told me about a Historical Black Colleges and Universities College Fair that was being held at the Hilton Hotel.
I was excited to go to the college fair. when the day came to go to the fair, I had no ride so I told my cousin that I was not going to go anymore she said that I should go because I may never know what might happen. That was God speaking to me at that time. I Have been praying to God for an opportunity and her heard my prayer. My cousin who was going to work I asked him if he could take me; he took me as far as he could and I took the “JITNEY” the rest of the way to the college fair. When I got there, I said to myself Lord I hope that I leave here with something.
I waited in line to have my opportunity; when I got my chance, I spoke with the president of Virginia Union University. he asked me If I came with anyone, I told him that I came by myself he asked me why. I told him why that my grandmother could not come with me because she was not doing well at the time. He then asked me why is it that I really want to attend college. I told him I want to be someone that my sister looks up to and say if I did it then she can do it too and my story.
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Now, I am a Freshman attending Virginia Union University, Richmond, Virginia on a Full Scholarship where I am now a second Semester Freshman with a Grade Point Average of 3.32.
The staff at Virginia Union University, treat me like a family member. If I need anything or to go anywhere, they would take me. My University experience is going good for me so far. The people here are nice to me
College is what you make.
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I would not have been here without God who is the head of my life, my family, my pastor who prayed for me and help me prayed, my Guidance Counselor and the other people in my life who believed in me.
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Richea Haygood
February 24, 2021
Biography
My name is Richea Haygood and presently, I am the Sophomore Class Treasurer majoring in Accounting with a 4.0 cumulative GPA. This semester I was recognized by the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs for “Provost Honors”. The Provost Honors is recognition bestowed upon students who have earned between a 3.5 and 4.0 semester grade point average without receiving a letter grade lower than a C. I am a hardworking, driven and a focused individual that believes in proper execution of tasks. In addition, I am also detail oriented which is important in the accounting field and can work with little to no supervision. I consider myself a leader, and my peers and professors agree. Attitude can take you around the world; therefore, I always try to approach every new task or person by being positive and pleasant. Being extremely passionate about learning; I take pride in my schoolwork because knowledge is power.
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I intend to be a Certified Public Accountant in the future because I love working with numbers and accounts has been my favorite subject since high school. This month I was awarded the opportunity to intern at Deloitte’s Chicago Office for the summer of 2021. This is only the start of a long list of success. Recently, I became a member of the Backpack to Briefcase Mentoring and Scholarship Program. The program is designed for building strong networks, navigating the career search process, surviving the New Hire Phase and many more. Backpack to Briefcase was created to “foster the college student’s transition from student to young professional”. I am grateful that I was selected to be a part of this phenomenal program. Lastly, I also had the pleasure of participating in the Partnering for Progress Sales Competition this week. The aim of the competition was to convince a company to transition from their old system to 3M. 3M is a fortune 500 company that focuses on applying science to improve life. I had the pleasure to serve as a Sales Consultant for the Separation Purification and Sciences Division for 3M. I had the opportunity to present to a few board members of 3M and a potential buyer. The experiences I gain from the abundance of college opportunities are unforgettable. I am trying to build lifelong networks and it is also a way for me to make a name for myself in this world. College has been good to me thus far and I am prepared for what is yet to come.