I attended P.S./M.S. 29 from Kindergarten through 8th grade and attended Fannie Lou Hamer Freedom High School from 9th to 12th grade. The South Bronx is riddled with gang and drug violence and I managed to play basketball to stay out of trouble. During my high school years, I joined the Corporate Workplace Program which prepared me for the professional world. Participants would meet at a corporate location (ex. HBO, Alliance Bernstein, etc.) weekly while being punctual and professionally dressed. In addition to the interviewing techniques and preparation from mock interviews, I learned dining etiquette and networking. This opportunity helped me secure a summer internship as well as showing me the sky is the limit for an African American Male growing up in the South Bronx. I grew up living in different housing projects. I wanted to go to college far away from all of the violence. I chose Buffalo State College. An eight-hour drive from where I’ve grown up.

I was accepted to Buffalo State College through their Educational Opportunity Program (EOP). EOP provides assistance through mentorship, academic programs, financial assistance, counseling/advising, and other campus support services to those who are first-generation college students, and/or from low-income and educationally disadvantaged backgrounds. During my seven-year tenure at Buffalo State College, I achieved academic excellence (3.0 or higher), and I was recognized by the EOP multiple times. The height of my academic excellence was during my freshman year where I achieved a 3.9 GPA. As a sophomore , I declared my major as Computer Information Systems. I always liked fixing computers and learning new programs, but I didn’t know if I wanted to code computers for the rest of my life. One day my friend told me about his major, Electrical Engineer Technology and how it could be financially life changing for him and his family. He came from a similar background as mine. During my junior year I changed my major to Electrical Engineering Technology. This new four-year program denied me the opportunity to graduate with my friends and peers, and it was very costly financially.

After seven long years in college and financial backup from the JJMSF, I proudly graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Electrical Engineering Technology. I have made my mom, dad and many others very proud as well. I am currently receiving inquiries of nterests from multiple companies. My future goal is to pass the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam which will allow me to eventually take the Principals and Practice of Engineering Examination. Passing these two exams will allow me to become a Professional Engineer. I plan to encourage and inspire youth from my South Bronx neighborhood and to support the work of the Juanita James Memorial Scholarship Foundation.