Thank you, NIU

College included the best years of my life. Not because I had freedom, but because I grew into the woman I am today. Attending Northern Illinois University changed my life in many ways, and it still continues to help me evolve as a person. The influence came less from the actual school, but in fact from the connections I made while there. The Black community at NIU afforded me the opportunity to meet so many amazing people. These were the people who challenged me to give my all in any and every aspect. When I think about who I was during my freshman year of college vs my senior year, I know those are two different women. I came into college stuck in my own ways, shy, reserved, and willing to stay in my comfort zone. I left as a confident woman who could handle any obstacle thrown her way. 

There is so much power and influence in Black NIU that I am forever grateful. The people that I met at NIU are some of the dopest people I know. I wholeheartedly want to see each and every person I know do great in life. I don't follow them and keep up on social media to be nosy. I want to support their endeavors in any way or form that I can. I feel that when one wins, we all win. Black NIU gave me lifelong friends, sisterhood, business partners, and an experience I couldn’t get from anywhere else. My passion as an advocate for Black people came from college. All of the Black history that I was never taught in school I learned in college. Sick, right? In order for me to learn about my history I had to wait till I was in undergrad. That was because Black NIU learned, marched, rallied, and protested as one. Regardless of any of our differences, we always showed up, together! 

NIU gave me my voice. And for that I say, Thank you.