Featured Member: Brandon Washington on HBCU CONNECT!

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Q&A With Brandon Washington

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Brandon Washington
Location: Atlanta, GA United States
Joined: Mar 27th, 2011

About (request update)

I grew up in the infamous housing projects, Cabrini Green, located on the South side of Chicago, Illinois. I was reared along with my little sister, by our mom, who was a teen-parent. My father was absent. At birth, my future did not look promising. As I grew older, this proved to be true. My mom, being a child herself, could not handle life's pressures; therefore, she turned to drugs and alcohol as a means of escape. Her personal choices produced negative effects in my life, and in the life of my sister. While living in Chicago, I found myself homeless six times before I was thirteen years old.
Being a homeless adolescent in Chicago afforded me an opportunity to experience life as most children should not. More importantly, my time on the cold streets of Chicago prepared me for life's challenges, and it instilled in me integrity, determination. And hope. I realized early in life, that a quality education was the only way I would be successful in life.
In January of 2004, while on the L one night, I read a newspaper article commemorating the life of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Two quotes pierced my heart: "A man who won't die for something is not fit to live," and "A man can't ride your back unless it's bent." [Believe that day I had another epiphany: I wanted to walk in Dr. King's shoes...to learn more about him. People say old habits die hard. This never was never truer for my mother. Again, we were homeless. Divine intervention caused us to move to Atlanta, Georgia.
Though I have found myself homeless more times than I care to count while living here, still I know that my life is on the upswing. I do not have a permanent residence, but I do have an attainable dream-to keep attending Morehouse College, majoring in Business Administration with a concentration in management with a double minor in Economics and Leadership. My vision is to own a group home that is not called a group home. Instead, it will be a luxurious place that males under the age of 21 can call home. No man is an island. I know that if 1 gives back to my community, I will show my appreciation to those who helped me along the way.
Everyone has a story, I know, but my story is different, because it has not ended. It is just beginning. Being homeless gave me common sense; being in high school, and maintaining a 3.4 GPA, and now finishing my first semester in college with a 3.4 without any resources to buy the basic necessities, gives me the confidence I need to step out on faith.
I have been blessed to have surrogate parents in my life. I have a mentor, Mr. Yancey, our assistant principal who has guided me as if I was his own son. He has been extremely instrumental in gathering resources for me, to ensure that I am self-sufficient and successful. I have countless teachers, administrators, and other adults who look out for me. They do not allow me to make excuses-just plans for my future.
I am not asking for a handout. I never have. I am asking for a hand up. My back is not bent. I have worked hard, and will continue to do so during my entire time at Morehouse College. I am determined to succeed, and so many have cultivated the seeds of hope within me.
I am asking you to trust me; to nurture me; to help me forge my own path. By doing this, you will help me to clear a path for others like me. My destiny is unfilled for now. Becoming an esteemed alumnus of Morehouse College will fulfill my destiny.
Thank you for your time and consideration.

Current Whereabouts:

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Life & Professional Aspirations:

To be on Wall Street, eventually owning my own Firm. So i can invest in group homes around the world

Education (request update)

Morehouse College class of 2014

Undergrad Major: Management