Help KJ stay at Hampton University

Hello, my name is KJ and I am raising funds to assist with my college tuition at Hampton University.

Hampton University is a private institution that cost 48k annually. After all my scholarships and aid I am still 16k short. Being raised in a single-parent household I don’t have the same financial support as my peers and can no longer afford to stay at Hampton. My mother was the first in my family to go to college and she instilled the importance of education in me. I wouldn’t be where I am today without her love, support, and protection. Earning my degree wouldn’t just be for me but for my mom, my family, and for the other little black kids who need to see that we have a voice.

As a staff writer for my high school's newspaper, I learned how to be a voice for myself and others by utilizing writing as a tool to inform and empower my community. My family, experiences, and love for writing all inspired me to go to Hampton University. During the application process, I was searching for a school with a unique learning experience that celebrates my heritage. I was fortunate enough to be accepted to all of the five schools I applied to but unlike other universities, Hampton is a black ivy league school that sets the standard of academic excellence and is grounded in uplifting the black community. As the 5th ranked HBCU in the nation with one of the best journalism programs I knew Hampton was the school for me.

Within my first year, I made the dean’s list, was invited to join the honor society, and most importantly formed lifelong connections. I am currently a rising sophomore studying strategic communications under the School of Journalism. Strategic communications is a broader field that contains the principles of journalism, marketing, and media. With my bachelor’s degree, my goal is to gain creative freedom to cover stories of minorities. In doing so I aim to show proper representation, dismiss stereotypes, and amplify the many voices that are often ignored. Writing gave me a voice when I needed it most and with your donation(s) I can successfully use my gift to help others.