12/09/2024
Back to where it all began...
I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to the City of Memphis Office of Youth Services Memphis Ambassadors Program and EF Tours for standing alongside us as we prepare the next generation of Global Ambassadors for Japan 2025. 12 exceptional students will be selected to embark on the transformative One Step Initiative, paving the way for them to complete a robotics and engineering program in the breathtaking landscapes of Tokyo, Japan.
Over the past decade, One Step has achieved remarkable milestones with limited resources, crossing over 1 million travel miles just this year across programs in Europe, South America, and West Africa. This achievement is not about accolades or recognition; it’s about the lives changed, the futures shaped, and just doing the work. As we look forward to our next adventure, I reflect on my own journey that began outside of Orange Mound, a place that was once my entire world but never my destination.
As a 24-year-old undergrad at the University of Memphis, I took a leap of faith, leaving everything I knew behind to study at グローバル × Global / Toyo University. I was a young "mane" without direction, without role models, and with little more than a Memphis cap, 2 dollars and a dream. In that foreign land, I was the oldest and only black student in my school—a defining moment that forced me to decode my identity.
Then came Ghana—a place I never thought I would visit, influenced by misconceptions that almost held me back. Surrounded by people who looked like me, thriving in every industry, I discovered the power of representation and the strength of community. It was then that I not only understood but accepted my purpose. My Big Hairy Audacious Goal has always been to send 250 underserved students overseas every year—a goal often deemed "too ambitious," but one that I’ve pursued with rhinoceros determination.
When I returned home to Memphis in 2014, I walked holes in the only good pair of shoes I owned, advocating for international education for minorities, driven by the belief that every student deserves the opportunity to broaden their horizons and discover their potential. Tomorrow marks 10 years since I proclaimed on the letterhead of the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra that we would become the “Largest study abroad provider in urban education.” Ten years, 50 countries across five continents, $500,000, and over 100 Global Ambassadors later, we're prepared for a different level of greatness.
This journey is not solely ours; it belongs to all of us. Your support makes a profound difference. Together, we can uplift the aspirations of underserved students, empower them to dream bigger, and inspire them to reach for the stars. Let’s continue this journey together, for the future is brighter when we stand united in support of one another. Thank you for believing in the power of transformative education and the hidden potential within every student.
I would be remiss if I failed to acknowledge the titans behind me who have uplifted us with their unwavering commitment. There are too many champions to list, but to name a few: Ricky Tucker, Tosha Downey, Nykesha Cole, Tony Jackson, Shelby County TN Alumnae Chapter - Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Meka Egwuekwe, Black Business Association, Community Foundation of Greater Memphis, DeSoto County MS Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Cysilie Hines-Growe, Dr. Rychetta Watkins, Chiquita Turner, A.j. Lamar Jr., Donald Ray Batiste Jr., Uncivilized Brushes, Memphis Kings Youth and last but exceptionally not least, each and every one of our . Stay tuned as selections take place from now thru January!
Blessings🙏🏿, and let's go get 250! 🚀
https://onestepinc.org/donate/
