By Solomon McKenzie 21’ The phrase “Lift as you climb” originates from civil rights author and advocate for women’s suffrage, Mary Church Terrell. She was one of the first African Americans to receive a college degree and throughout her career as a teacher and author she also fought for social just within her community and…
Category Archives: Black / African American
From Provisional to Beyond! Graduate Assistantship
By: Taylor Holloway, ’19 My origin story is somewhat of a bumpy one. In high school, I would say that I was efficient but not someone that stood out of the crowd. I’ve always known I wanted to go to college, but I felt that I had limits in my ability. I wasn’t top…
Launchpad’s Summer Reading List
By Launchpad Staff YOU ARE A ROCK STAR! Not only are you poised to make it through an entire school year, but you did it flawlessly with social distancing, masks and altered learning environments. Though there’s no guarantee what the 2021-2022 academic year will hold, you can count on the Launchpad Mentorship Collective continuing to…
Battling the Invisible Opponent
By Kimberly Ohanuka, ’14 True life, I am a perfectionist. I tend to question whether I am doing something right or am even qualified for the task. I feel like a fraud. I feel like I am “all cap”, as some of you would say. That is imposter syndrome. It’s a psychological mind @*c#. I’m…
If You Stand Out, Be Bold in your Stance
By Eliza Chisholm, ’16 As a Black woman in corporate America, I have had endless encounters when I was the only one in the room (or one of a select few), as so many people of color experience too often. With this reality comes along tendencies to overperform, strive for perfectionism, and always having to…
Character is Key
By Samuel Bellamy Samuel Bellamy is an Associate Care Coordinator for Medicare and has been a mentor and youth development consultant increasing the capacity and impact for community and school-based mentoring programs working with young men of color for over a decade. He is the author of a children’s book called hidden gems, a team building resource…
Empowerment. Identity. Culture: 25 Books for Black History Month
Brown Girl by Daphne Glenn Brown Boy by Daphne Glenn Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude by Ross Gay Cry Like a Man: Fighting for Freedom from Emotional Incarceration by Jason Wilson Drop the Ball: Achieving More by Doing Less by Tiffany Dufu Halsey Street by Naima Coster Heavy: An American Memoir by Kiese Laymon How We…
Mentoring Matters
By Samuel Bellamy Samuel Bellamy is an Associate Care Coordinator for Medicare and has been a mentor and youth development consultant increasing the capacity and impact for community and school-based mentoring programs working with young men of color for over a decade. He is the author of a children’s book called hidden gems, a team…
Every Good and Perfect Gift
With the Holiday season in full-swing, what a great time to reflect on all we’re grateful for. Check out this week’s post and don’t forget to count your blessings. By Gary Jackson A nice suit, some good advice, and a comic book can go a long way. I was teaching full-time at Central New Mexico…
Down Memory Lane
In your time at the College of Charleston, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to make lasting memories. Check out this week’s post and be inspired. By Ebony Venson, ’18, ’20 As a student, you are often told that one of the most valuable experiences of your undergraduate career is having an internship. And I’m here…