Black Lives Matter: Black Students Matter

Addressing Student Debt and Investing in the Future of Black Lives

Black Lives Matter means understanding our past and investing in our future. Yes — this is personal.

“We could sit around and wait, and hope that legislators do what they promised by providing loan relief, or we could step up and do it ourselves. And we’ve decided to do the latter,” Cicley Gay said.

7 years ago, I filed bankruptcy.

I had 55k of (non forgivable) student loans, which was nearly half of all of my debt. For years, I was pushed into corners of shame for this decision, despite it being what I thought best at the time to ensure I could provide for my 3 children.

Recently, negative people with ill intentions dug this up, embellished and shared it publicly in an attempt to weaken my legitimacy as a nonprofit leader, despite serving in that underpaid capacity selflessly and impeccably for 25 years.

What they didn’t realize is that I am in this position of leadership because of my past experiences, not in spite of them — experiences like so many of the people whose lives I’m working for. A wise friend reminded me that the best of us have learned from our past decisions, but we are not our past selves. So I’m turning the past mess into more than just a message.

Instead of being ashamed, I’m empowered. And now, I stand — proudly and authentically, owning my decisions and sharing my truth.

And I am using it all to help create opportunities until others no longer have to struggle along the margins like I once did.

One of the ways? BLM is now paying off student loan debt for those also fighting for their own American dream.

Application: https://blmfund.zendesk.com/hc/en-us