Real Stories

Tanea’s personal journey has been marked by resilience. After her mother’s mental breakdown when she was six, she and her siblings were raised by family members. She later lived with an aunt in North Carolina before moving to Washington, DC, at sixteen, where she...

Alexis is a student at Fayetteville State University, and will complete her bachelor’s degree in sociology in May 2025. She works full-time while caring for four children. Alexis was raised by her loving grandmother, who took on caring for her and her twin brother who...

Cecilia is a junior at Meredith College and expects to graduate in 2025 with a bachelor’s degree in biology, and then continue on to dental school. She currently works part-time as a pediatric dental assistant, and is the mother of 3 boys, ages 6, 2 and 1.  Cecilia...

Giordanna is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in hospitality at North Carolina Central University. She works full-time and has one son.  In 2021, Giordanna  experienced a series of challenges that led to deep depression and weight loss. First, she was involved...

Shannon is enrolled at Wake Technical Community college majoring in Psychology, with an expected graduation in June 2024.    A Raleigh native, Shannon is the youngest of eight children and the first member of her family to attend college. As a single mother of three...

Tamara is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at North Carolina Central University, which she expects to receive in December of 2024. This is an important step in her journey to become a midwife. She is the mother of a 2 year old daughter.   Tamara...