However, at one time, I was not sure when or even if I would be able to pursue my interest in History any further than high school. I come from a poor, single-parent home, where the possibility of attending college seemed pretty remote. But since both my twin brother and I had a strong desire to continue our education, we worked out a plan where one of us would go into the Armed Forces, while sending the other to college. Fortunately, we were able to get enough money, through loans and scholarships, to attend college at this same time. My brother decided to attend Elizabeth City State University in North Carolina where he is majoring in Mathematics, and I decided to attend Norfolk State University, majoring in History.

At Norfolk State University, I worked to expand my experience of becoming familiar with History beyond the classroom. As a result, I was fortuante enought to have the opportunity to conduct original research for the Race, Time, and Place Digit History Project. This opportunity gave me the chance to go out into the world and explore how actual historians conduct research and write scholarly works based on their research. My senior thesis topic is entitled Jeffrey Wilson and the Colored Notes: 1924-1929. This research project, along with the challenging course load of classes that is encompassed in an undergraduate History curriculum, has prepared me to move to the graduate level of scholarship and research.

To supplement and diversity my research and classroom experience, I have also participated in various activites as an undergraduate to make my experience at Norfolk State interdisplinary and complete. Some of these activites include being a member and holding leadership roles in various on and off campus organiztions and committees,'participating in the Agatha Christie murder mystery play "Mousetrap", in which I played the role of "Giles Ralston"with the university's theatre company (The NSU Players); and served as a peer mentor and tutor for the university.

After graduating from Norfolk State University with honors in History, I want to pursue a M.A. in History and Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration with focuses in philanthrophy among minorities and business and university governance.. After earning my doctorate in I would like to obtain a postdoctoral appointment at a major research university conducting research in the field education. Ultimately, I want to have a successful faculty career at a university where I could teach in the History and Education departments, conduct research in both disiplines and and mentor students, especially minorities, helping them pursue degrees and careers in the liberal arts.

Finally, I believe that I have the intelligence, perseverance, work ethic, research experience, and enthusiasm for History and all of my other ambitions in life that will enable me to succeed in any graduate program, and in my future professional life.