My First-Gen Story & College Struggle

I wasn’t supposed to be here… not in a classroom, not on a stage, and definitely not on national television.

I’m a first-generation college student who grew up without a blueprint. When people asked me, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” I never really had an answer. Not because I didn’t care… but because I didn’t know what was even possible.

I saw other communities thrive… with connections, confidence, and clear paths forward… while I was just trying to survive. I was doing my best to figure out life, but every step felt uncertain. I was labeled a high-risk student and carried the weight of expectations I didn’t know how to meet.

Eventually, I dropped out of college.

I felt lost… ashamed… invisible.

And to make it worse… I was deeply insecure about my own voice.
I stuttered.
I forgot my words.
I feared I had nothing valuable to say.

For someone who now speaks for a living… that fear almost silenced my future.

But I didn’t give up.

I rebuilt my confidence one choice at a time. I went back to school, earned my degree, and then my master’s. I pushed through the doubt, got the support I needed, and stepped fully into my purpose.

Now, I’m a professor at Florida International University… a 5x published author… Executive Producer of a Documentary… and Global Speaker. I’ve had the opportunity to travel and speak around the world… including Poland, Haiti, and Nigeria… teaching students about leadership, communication, public speaking, and the power of their voice.

When I speak to students…

I’m not reaching down.

I’m reaching across… to who I used to be.

And I’m reminding them… they can rise too.