OK, so I know I’m very obsessive with the FAMU posts today but here’s one reason why: My style as a brand new professor is directly related to the care and loved got from my own professors at @FAMU_1887. A love thread.

As freshmen, we were sometimes silly & foolish & made bad decisions. I mean, we were 18. But professors like my Global Business professor, Dr. Shabazz, saw through that. And when my boyfriend in Chicago died from cancer, he let me take my final early so I could go to the funeral.

I also learned that you can be strict, if that’s your teaching style, and still be caring. My auditing professor, Dr. Hill, did not play. She was amazing. But also, you better not walk up in there late or not go to her office hours. BUT, still, she found time to joke with us.

From the very first day I met her, Dr. Tiki Suarez-Brown saw something in me. She taught with compassion and grace. And even though we’ve since lost her to cancer, I will always remember her love and guidance, and her ability to make a mean carrot cake!

And then, there’s Dr. Shawnta Friday-Stroud, who later served as SBI’s dean and is now vice president for University Advancement and the executive director of the FAMU Foundation. I wanted to be her, I STILL want to be her, and 15 years later, I’m afraid to have careless typos.

And let’s get into doing grad school as a scared pregnant young girl. My biz law professor, Prof. Ravenell would pay me to type up his notes. Now, I know he didn’t really need anything typed up. He saw someone struggling and found a way to help me & in a way that gave me dignity.

When I went into labor, I missed my midterm in my marketing class with Dr. Charles Evans, who was also over the local NAACP chapter. I called him on his house phone to reschedule when his wife answered & I asked for Dr. Evans, she said “which one?” Also, rest in power to him.

I’ve got SO many stories from my time at @FAMU_1887. Even in my hardest classes, I knew my professors loved me. Like truly LOVED me. They were invested. They poured into me. That’s the kind of professor I aim to be every day. I won’t stop trying to be what they taught me to be.