‘SC State Became a Part of My Village’: Samantha Boyd Beats the Odds to Become a First Generation HBCU Student

NAME: Samantha Boyd

SCHOOL: South Carolina State University

HOMETOWN: Greenville, SC

HER EXPERIENCE AS A FIRST GENERATION HBCU STUDENT:
I grew up with parents who struggled with addiction, but they pushed my siblings and I to do better. My village consisted of impactful teachers, family and mentors. I oftentimes was singled out because my love for learning. When I was finally surrounded by young black men and women who shared that same thirst for knowledge and success, I became comfortable in my skin. My experience at South Carolina State validated the fact that there were thousands of people just like me who would be a first generation graduate. South Carolina State became a part of my village.

CLICK HERE to find out more about the Denny’s First Generation Scholarship and how you can help our students attend and stay in college.

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