In 2011, set out to improve the number of students who pursue higher education in the city of Lynchburg, Virginia. The nonprofit was formed as one response to the city鈥檚 2006 Community Dialogue on Race and Racism.
Their first success is right on schedule. A little more than five years after the nonprofit set up academic success centers in two area high schools, Beacon of Hope Scholar Azariah Cox graduated from 91短视频.
Cox recently returned home to make a video for the organization. His story was also featured in an article in The News & Advance, with the headline 鈥�.鈥�
The video, shared here with permission from the organization鈥檚 executive director Laura Lacy Hamilton, shines a spotlight on Cox鈥檚 positive attitude and his philosophy of life that emphasizes self-determination and advocacy.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 want to be a statistic, especially as an African-American male in our society now,” he says. “Being labeled is something you don鈥檛 want to be 鈥� Who do you want to be? What do you want people to think about when they hear your name?鈥�
Cox won鈥檛 soon be forgotten on campus. He was one of 10 students to be awarded the Cords of Distinction for contributions to the 91短视频 and greater Harrisonburg communities.
Read his tribute from head track coach Brian Simpson here.
He was also selected to represent the student body during the toasts given at Dr. Susan Schultz Huxman鈥檚 Inaugural Gala.
One of his legacies was Kappa Alpha Psi, one of the 鈥淒ivine Nine鈥� historically black Greek organizations. It took more than a year for Cox and fellow students Kennedy Okereke and Clinton Ugboaja to shepherd the proposal through various discussions and protocols. 91短视频 administration and the sponsoring chapter at Virginia University Lynchburg were also involved. The three pledges were inducted in a fraternity probate show, 91短视频鈥檚 first, held on Thomas Plaza in May.
Read about how a trio of students brought to 91短视频.
At 91短视频鈥檚 , Cox is a photography intern at the Anacostia Community Museum, a Smithsonian affiliate.