From Che’ Jackson, the Founder and President

When I graduated from high school, I was in the top 10% of my class and only knew about two schools in Texas, Prairie View A&M University and the University of Houston-Downtown. I did not realize the various opportunities and scholarships I may have been eligible for due to the limited resources and advisement at my high school and in my community. I attended Prairie View A&M University as a first-generation college student. After my first year of college, I was sworn into the Texas Army National Guard to assist my parents with paying for school. Interestingly, we were notified about two scholarships I had won right before I was to leave for Basic Training. After completing Basic and AIT, I went back to Prairie View. During my sophomore year, I became pregnant and dropped out due to severe illness. After my son was born, my desire to go back and finish college grew each year as I struggled to make provisions as a single parent. After being away for five years, I went back to school with my son in tow. It was challenging and sometimes a struggle being a young mom in college because there were no resources provided for single parent families. I am so thankful for my friends that became my village and surrounded me with support to help me achieve my dream. I graduated from Prairie View A&M University with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and I have a Master’s degree in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance from Grand Canyon University.

I realized years later that my journey and testimony is not just for me, but for others as well. I understand how it feels to be the first in your family to attend college and the expectations that come along with it. I can relate to a young mom who wants better for their child, but do not know where to start or how it can be accomplished, but have the grit to make it happen. As an African-American woman working in corporate America who was either the only one or very few until I exited in 2018, I am passionate about planting seeds early and showing students how they can change the trajectory of their lives if they are interested in a technology profession.