Who Am I?

I am Jonnae Keels. A strong, hardworking, beautiful and an independent African American woman. I was not always this way, though. I have grown to be the way I am today. I am a Christian and Jesus Christ is my savior, but I do question some scripts in the Bible. I am the woman I am today because of my family and because of the choices I have made throughout life. I used to hate the person I was. Now I love her.

My mother and sister have been my biggest cheerleaders throughout my life. My mom has, and continues to, instilled life lessons to this day. She has taught to me to not make decisions based off my feelings. To fight for everything I have and work hard for it. Without my mom, I would probably be at a PWI because I would have had no knowledge about HBCUs. I would be ignorant without her because the public school system doesn't teach us about black history. Between my sister and mother, they have groomed me to become aware of my blackness and the social injustices that have been evident recently.

I am here at Winston-Salem State University because I was always taught college was the path I needed to take. My mother told me about college and Historically Black Colleges and Universities ever since I could remember. Me not going off to school or going to a Predominantly White Institution was out of the question. WSSU was the perfect choice for me because it was not far from home and I fell in love with the campus and faculty immediately. I chose mass communications for my major because I want to be an advocate for justice. I watch and listen to the media all the time and I hear how they portray minorities, especially black people. We are called thugs and dangerous when white people are seen as misunderstood. I want to be able to speak up for what is right on television and social media. That is why I am a mass communications major and that is where I am going in my life.

I cannot wait to make a difference and to actually have a voice. For a long time I was afraid to actually speak my mind because I was afraid of what others may think. I am excited for my future. I am excited about my personal growth. I am blessed to know exactly what I want to do with my life and have a great understand of who I am. Not many people can say that.

So this is me.

I am Jonnae.