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Student Stories | Black History Month

Student Stories - Black History Month - 2 females 2 males - group photo outside

Our campus is filled with amazing students from a variety of backgrounds. During Black History Month, we wanted to particularly celebrate the unique and beautiful ways that our black students embody the Imago Dei and contribute to the heartbeat of campus.

To help our DBU community get to know just a few of these incredible students who have been so kind to share their heart with us, our hope is that you will read their stories and be inspired to get to know an even larger picture of the heartbeat of our DBU Family.

 

Hadassah Examond: Junior, Black Student Union president

3 pictures of a female student outside
I want my life to be purposeful; to have a positive impact on the lives of others. I hope people remember how I served them, and how I served others. My greatest strength is being very empathetic to the needs of others. My favorite way to use this strength is by listening, encouraging, and admonishing.
My past consists of a lof of hurtful and painful experiences from people I love who are near and dear to my heart. I've seen how those painful experiences have negatively affected me psychologically, sociologically, and even spiritually but I didn't let them define me. I realized there was work to do - for me and for others. I'm passionate about issues within the black community, and someday I want to open my own non-profit or ministry dedicated to helping men and women heal from trauma.
 
female student standing outside with greenery behind her in the background
My friends consider me to be the "cool aunt." I give tough love when needed and I am very straightforward but I want them all to succeed and do well in life.

Elliot Miles: Junior, Ford Village student worker, Student Government Association chaplain

2 pictures - male student with hat - group of students walking towards camera
Suicide is something I wish nobody would ever go through. I struggled with depression during my senior year of high school. I believed that my life was meaningless, boring, and that I had zero purpose. It was hard trusting people and giving my heart away. Seeking counseling was the best decision I made. Onice I realized my purpose and how much God and the people around me loved me, it changed everything.
In the future, I hope to share my story with the next generation and allow there to be meaning with my story. I want to elevate the people around me. Poetry makes me come alive. It helps me understand my emotions. It helps me comprehend the world around me and it helps me communicate effectively with others.
1 male student - 3 photos
I hope that people will remember me as a person who tried to mimic the character of Jesus, as a man who attempted to seek the chief good in myself and others, as a man who allowed his actions to speak louder than words, and as a person who was quick to listen and slow to speak.
In a fire, I'd grab my brown hat. My uncle gave it to me before he died. I wear this hat every day.

Josephine Allen: Junior, Baptist Student Ministry leader, Chi Theta Alpha Sorority member, Undergraduate Admissions student worker

1 female student - 3 photos
"It takes a village." I was raised in a very difficult environment. At a young age, my dearest grandmother took me in and raised me. Due to her age and my adolescence, many people came alongside my grandmother to meet my academic, emotional, mental, and spiritual needs. This "village" of people showed me Jesus' love for me. My heart desires to become that same light for others.
What makes me come alive? The possibility of assisting cognitive rehabilitation, teaching a seminar on improvements for psychological assessments, or simply helping others be the best versions of themselves. My goal is to become a neuropsychologist, to help others suffering from brain injuries and nervous system disorders, paired with therapy. I am passionate about advocating for children. Sometimes referred to as the "invisible population," children are not able to effectively speak out for themselves.
2 female students outside with greenery in the background
I wish more people knew that I genuinely want to be their friend! I want others to know that they are truly loved by God, that they matter most to Him, and that He has a purpose for each of their lives.
My advice to people would be: celebrate the little wins. Be teachable. Serve people through daily interactions.

Jake Bell: Sophomore, Black Student Union vice president, DBU Coffeehouse student worker

1 male student - 3 photos - walking, standing, and skateboarding outside
I believe my biggest strength is having the ability to start something out of nothing. One of my favorite things to do is to have a vision and call on people with particular strengths to help execute it.
One way I hope to impact those around me is through courage. I see a lack of godly confidence and willingness to initiate serving others in this generation, so I hope to fill my peers with more courage. I hope my time at DBU sparks courage for the classes to come.
2 photos - male student - group of students on stairs outside with greenery in the background
What gets me up everyday? The fact that there is work to be done in so many areas of this world: people who need service, people who need to feel loved, people who are hungry, and people who have yet to hear about Jesus.
My absolute favorite way to spend my free time is to laugh with people.

All photography by Selena Hope, DBU Alumna

2 photos - group of students outside on stairs
2 photos - group of students outside
Tags University News
Written by Dallas Baptist University
⇐ Helping Students See Who They Want to Be

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