Written by April Turner

On July 29, Project Ready RISE welcomed a group of bright, brilliant rising college freshmen to participate in its First Year Ready celebration event.

Held at the Urban League of Central Carolinas main location, First Year Ready gathered students, their parents, motivational speakers and partners from Charlotte area business and faith communities. Though First Year Ready was designed to be a celebration of the students’ academic accomplishments, the event also aimed to prepare them for the life lessons soon to come.

Robbie Varghese and Samantha Gonzalez from Fifth Third Bank, conducted workshops on common financial opportunities and concerns college students face. They talked with students about how to successfully handle their money, use credit responsibly and understand how interest works. Each student participated in the workshops and took advantage of the opportunity to ask Varghese and Gonzalez specific questions regarding the financial issues they will have to manage while in college.

Another session titled College Life: 101 featured a panel of motivational speakers Bryon Williams, Travis P. Jackson, Sir Lawrence and League Advocacy Manager, Shamar Farley. Each gave advice while sharing encouragements and cautions from their recent college experiences. The panel discussed the long-term benefits of extra-curricular activities and a healthy social life. They collectively confirmed the benefit of surrounding themselves with friends who respect their goals, as well as the importance of developing discipline to study and complete work required to do well in classes.

ULCC’s senior accountant, Miatta Thompson, led a lively session with the group of parents present about ways to prepare for financial concerns students and families could face during college years. Counselor and local faith leader, Brandi Roberts, also talked with parents about emotional support for their children and methods to prepare them to be healthy adults.

The whole group of students, parents, presenters, sponsors and ULCC staff celebrated, as one community, the accomplishments and promise of each young scholar venturing into higher education this Fall. Makeda Holley-Johnson, Director of Emerging Programs, and ULCC President, Teddy McDaniel III offered closing words of encouragement as they received college preparation packages filled with computer tablets, gift cards, towels and many other items necessary for college living.

After a day of nurturing, teaching and getting some of their material needs met, ULCC’s Dr. Fahnie Shaw  gave a one sentence closing charge, “I just need you to remember, what we do.”

And all students present joined her in affirming,

“All we do is win! Win! Win! No matter what!”