Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University is located in Tallahassee, FL on the highest of seven hills. Our beloved university is known for many wonderful things like our excellent academic programs, our marching band and of course for being a historically Black university. Something that people don't often hear about FAMU is the story behind so many successful individuals that FAMU has helped grow into who they are today. FAMU has helped create many women of power, the list goes on for miles actually. Here is a small portion of the amazing women that FAMU has helped blossom into vibrant flowers of inspiration.
1. Jacoria A.I. Borders
@faithandfocus_
#1887Reasons2GiveCampaign
"All things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose" - Romans 8:28
Degree: Bachelors of Science in Allied Health Sciences
Graduation Year: Summer 2015
Campus involvement: FAMU SGA Surgeon General, Programming Assistant in the Office of Student Activities, Executive Vice President of the Student National Alumni Association, Board Member of the Clubs and Organizations Review Board, Program Director for Get Fit FAMU, Chair for FAMU Relay for Life, Co-founder of #1887Reasons2GiveCampaign.
Jacoria says that if she could describe her FAMU experience in one word, it would be "incomparable". "The biggest lesson I learned at FAMU is that sometimes God’s rejection is his protection, and in that everything happens according to his WILL and on his TIME. Often we may not understand why things don’t always happen according to plan, but it’s OKAY! Every no doesn’t mean never, just not right now. Sometimes he’s preparing even bigger blessings than we could’ve ever imagined, and we get so stuck on what didn’t happen that we can’t see the bigger picture of what lies ahead. We have to trust in him with all of our heart and lean not on our own understanding because he has EVERYTHING under control. You couldn’t have told me while I was at FAMU that I would’ve ended up at Morehouse School of Medicine pursing a graduate degree in public health. Coming in I was in Nursing School, but what I am doing now makes me happier than being a nurse EVER could. To me health policy is as my program director says, “The work that keeps me up at night.”
Jacoria's passion is health policy and how it dictates the where, what, when, and how of health care delivery in the United States. "I am passionate about this because of the many inequities that marginalized populations in our country face, and I want to aid in the ending of healthcare disparities."
When asked what her advice to younger generations would be Jacoria says "#FAMUTAUGHTME the power of meaningful relationships. Nurture the relationships you make on the HILL! Don’t fall out with friends over pettiness, minor imperfections, or grape-vine talk. Keep the bigger picture in mind at all times, and know together we can do much more than we ever could apart. Relationships are your greatest assets for success, and when used effectively have immeasurable power. Also, take advantage of alumni that are accessible at your fingertips, by tapping into the knowledge and network of individuals that you are connected to by way of FAMULY gives you endless possibilities before you enter your professional career."
Ms. Borders plans of the future are to graduate with her master’s degree in the spring of 2017, secure a health policy fellowship, and enter medical school.
2. Martika Moss
"There is only one me on the planet. I am an endangered species."
Degrees: Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, Master of Science in Chemistry
Graduation Years: Spring 2013, Summer 2015
Campus involvement: Rattlers Association of Chemists (R.A.C ) , Caribbean Student Association (CSA), Student National Medical Association (SNMA) , Honors Student Association and Phi Sigma Theta.
Since graduating from Florida A&M University, Ms. Moss has become an Adjunct Professor in the Chemistry department at FAMU. She says that her overall experience at FAMU could be described as "opportunity". "I had such different opportunities to grow and learn here at FAMU. There's a plethora of knowledge to be gained not only in the classroom, but through networking and team building as well."
Martika says that her biggest lesson at FAMU was "It's not just what you know but it's also who you know. Making connections with teachers and mentors is a very important skill. Professors have access to a wealth of information possibly pertaining to your career path, as well as personal experience that can help you overcome obstacles you encounter. Even better, if your professor can not help you directly they may know someone who can."
She urges students not to be afraid of the bumps that may come further down the road. "Don't be afraid of stumbling. Sometimes the course you have planned for your life does not play out and that's okay. If you're serious about your goals you find alternative ways to make them happen. It's not if you fall, it's how you get back up."
The chemistry world at FAMU recently inducted its second group of pledges into Alpha Chi Sigma, a national Chemistry Fraternity. "We are working with FSU to get our chapter underway and are really excited about making our organization a permanent fixture on campus".
Martika says "I'm planning on applying for medical school this summer. If all goes well, I'll be entering in the Fall of 2017!"
3. Dominique L. James
@domothediva
https://thegraiarea.wordpress.com
"When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, 'I used everything you gave me.' "
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Public Relations
Graduation Year: Fall 2015
Campus involvement: Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity, Big Sister Little Sister, Peer Mentor, NAACP, FAMU Diamond Dancer
Since graduating from Florida A&M University, Ms. James has recently moved to Knoxville, Tennessee. She works in sales for MillerCoors, covering Knoxville and its surrounding areas. She says that her experience at FAMU overall could be described as "electrifying". "The importance of discernment is something FAMU definitely hit me over the head with. People tell you all the time that opportunities are just like choices- some can be overwhelmingly good while others are unbearably bad. It is important to have a clear direction for your decisions ultimately determine your character. FAMU taught me to pray for discernment in my choices, and in the event that I am already in a bad one, pray for the strength to decide to start over."
Dominque's passion is to inspire. "I aspire to inspire. Mentoring is one of my greatest tangibles that started as a hobby and turned into a lifestyle. Being able to see potential in others and cultivate that into something my kids have never even knew was inside of them is one of my greatest passions." If she could offer advice to younger generations it would be to "Run fearlessly away from your comfort zone. Only then will you be pushed to your fullest potential."
On the path to achieving her dreams Ms.James has been traveling and keeping up with her blog along the way. Her long term goal is to own and operate a non profit organization for inner city youth and be an established corporate event planner. "Oh and of course, to buy my mommy her dream house."
4. Vanity Duran
@wherecurlstalk
@vanitynosin
"The pursuit of easy things makes women weak"
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Broadcast Journalism
Graduation year: Fall 2015
Campus involvement: Founder of UNIDOS (Uniting Nations to Inspire Diverse Opportunities in Society), Lifetime Sister of the SpellBinding Psi Beta Chapter of Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority Inc., Voices Poetry Group
Since graduating from Florida A&M University, Ms.Duran now works in the FAMU Office of Enrollment Management. Vanity also has her own women's group called Where CURLS (Creative Uplifting Resilient Ladies) Talk. It’s a platform for women of all ages to empower one another, network/ build friendships, and a safe place to be free. I host events weekly.
She describes her FAMU experience as "growth!". "FAMU has taught me to not run away from my problems. As a Sophomore, I found it really hard to get used to my surroundings. Being Latina at an HBCU, I really felt like I didn’t fit in. So I wanted to transfer to FIU in Miami where it was more 'diverse'. However, it was clear to me that if I can’t make it in Tallahassee, I definitely couldn’t make it in Miami. So I stayed, got over whatever issues I had (because it was really all in my head) and made the best out of it. I used being Latina, and more, to my advantage and now I don’t want to leave Tallahassee".
Vanity's passion is self improvement. "Before I can go out and 'conquer the world', it’s always best to seek within myself. See how I can improve and what I can do next. I like to tell people to never change who they are, solely improve". If she could offer advice to younger generations it would be "If you don’t know what to do, ask how you can help".
A goal of her current profession is to help increase the enrollment of Latino students on FAMU's campus. "Eventually, I’ll go out into the community to enroll and manage Latino students. In order to succeed in that, I’m reestablishing UNIDOS and gathering Latino students and those interested in the culture to help the organization flourish".
Vanity's plan for the future includes "all things world peace."
One of the biggest issues that women face is that we do not have enough support from our own. I want to help Black women understand that we need to celebrate one another and be voice for our future. If we don't support each other how can we expect others too? This article is only part one of a series I intend on continuing. I will be highlighting all kind of women from FAMU, other universities and across the nation. Any woman trying to make a positive difference in this world deserves to have her voice be heard.
