I’ll be honest, when I signed my letter of intent to play basketball at Clark Atlanta, I was a little nervous. We all have our dreams of playing at a big school and being on TV every week, but when I sat back and thought about it, I realized that kind of stuff is just for show. It’s not what really matters. And it’s not what’s going to make a difference in my life.
When I talked it over with my family, they reminded me that I was in control of my own destiny. Where I went to school wasn’t going to determine my future. I was. So, I took a leap of faith with Clark Atlanta, and I’m so proud that I did. I’m graduating with my undergrad degree and getting my master’s from there, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s been the perfect school for me, and I’m so glad I chose the path of loyalty.
Finding My Fit
As I started to achieve success on the court, I began to think about my NIL opportunities. But, to be honest, I didn’t think I’d be able to have any. I’m at a small school, an HBCU school, and I just didn’t think I’d have any companies interested in working with me.
But my mom thought differently. She took it upon herself to start reaching out to some companies, and slowly but surely, they started to respond. It made me realize that it doesn’t matter where you play. If you work hard and have a great story, people will pay attention.
I’ve worked with some amazing companies, including Body Armor, Rap Snacks, Beats by Dre, and Snapchat. I’m proud to say I was one of the first Clark Atlanta athletes to get NIL deals with real brands, and I hope I’ve inspired other athletes to share their stories and pursue their own NIL deals. It doesn’t matter where you play. I’m living proof of that.
My mom is the one who made this happen. She took a chance, and it paid off. I’m so grateful to have her in my corner and to have her support in everything I do. Not only has she helped me secure NIL deals, but she’s also been my biggest cheerleader and supporter throughout my entire athletic career. She believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself, and that’s something I’ll never forget.
Breaking Barriers
Ever since I started getting recognized for my NIL deals, I’ve been trying to push the narrative and break barriers for athletes at smaller schools. It’s not just about the money. It’s about building your own story and creating your own legacy. I want to spread the word that Clark Atlanta and other HBCU schools are not as bad as people make them out to be. They offer unique opportunities and a sense of community that you won’t find at larger schools.
I’m trying to build and expand my story to help those who are about to enter college or are still experiencing what I went through. It’s important for me to share my message because I know there are people out there who feel the same way I did. They think they won’t be able to achieve their dreams or goals because they’re not at a big school. But that’s not true.
Loyalty is the Right Path
My message to other athletes is that it doesn’t matter where you go to school. If you’re doing the right thing and setting the right example, companies and people will find you. You can get the same treatment and opportunities that I did at Clark Atlanta. Now, I hope to move on and start a professional basketball career to show than an HBCU student can be successful.
I’m grateful for the opportunities that Clark Atlanta has given me, and I hope to continue making a positive impact both on and off the court. I want to give back to my community and my school and talk to them about my journey and how NIL started for me. I hope to inspire the next generation of athletes to build their own stories and chase their dreams, no matter where they come from.
