Alexandria Washington, Florida A & M University- c/o 2020, Health Promotion
Name : Alexandria Washington
HBCU : Florida A & M University
Graduation Year : 2020
Major : Health Promotion
Email : ajwash22@gmail.com
Where are you from? Who introduced you to HBCUs?*
I grew up in Melbourne, Florida attending predominantly white public schools. In middle school one of my teachers took our class to visit her alma mater Bethune Cookman, but I never really thought much of the experience.
When I was in high school HBCUs were recruiting me to play softball and that’s when I seriously started to explore the value they have always brought to our society.
Why did you choose an HBCU over a pwi?*
I always wanted to be a college athlete and Florida A&M University gave me the best offer to fulfill that dream. Part of me was also yearning for an experience different from what I had.
What is the story of your "experience" at Your HBCU given its heralded status as a stellar and prestigious institution?*
Florida A&M University made me who I am today.
If I did not attend FAMU I would not have been named one of Tallahassee’s 25 Women You Need to Know, I would have never written for Forbes, I would have never been a TedX speaker, and I would have never been recognized by the White House as a White House HBCU Allstar.
You see the thing they never tell you about HBCUs is that they breed excellence. You don’t come out the same person you went in. HBCUs show you your potential and cheer you on 'til you reach your potential. FAMU did not allow me to be complacent. I was surrounded by people that wanted more and fought for everything they had. There is no way I could have achieved what I have if I was not in the environment of an HBCU.
"First time" experiences at your HBCU?*
Besides being around my family for family reunions this was really the first time I had been around so many people that looked like me. It honestly was a culture shock coming to FAMU, but I would do it again in a heartbeat.
Who are the professors that have impacted your life in and out of the classroom? How did they do that?*
All of the professors in the Institute of Public Health. Dr. Lopez, Dr. Harris, Dr. Close, Dr. Lee, Dr. Boston, honestly they all have played a nurturing role during my most difficult times. They helped me up during my lowest points and they encouraged me to aim higher when it came to achieving my dreams.
If you could only speak two sentences to the youth coming after you what would you say?
The key to success is not who you know. The key is who knows you and will vouch for your character.
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Florida A & M University
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Students: 9,614
- Athletics: Florida A&M University is a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and participates in NCAA Division I-AA. FAMU offers men's sports in baseball, basketball, football, golf, swimming, tennis and track and field. It offers women's sports in basketball, bowling, softball, swimming, wrestling, tennis, track and field and volleyball.
- Notable Alumni: Wilbert Bryant - Former Secretary of Education of Virginia** Raymond A. Brown - Attorney whose clients included Black Liberation Army member Assata Shakur, boxer Rubin "Hurricane" Carter and "Dr. X" physician Mario Jascalevich [2] Arthur R. Collins - 1982 - Founding partner of the Collins Johnson group, a strategy, policy and communications firm established in 2011** John W. Thompson - 1971 - Chairman and former President and CEO, Symantec Corporation; former VP IBM; part owner of the Golden State Warriors** Corrine Brown - 1969 - Current U.S. Congresswoman Andrew Gillum - Current Mayor of Tallahassee, Florida Alcee L. Hastings - Current U.S. Congressman Mia L. Jones - 1991 - Current member of the Florida House of Representatives Gwendolyn M. Miller - Chairwoman of the City Council in Tampa, Florida, District 1 David Scott - Current U.S. Representative from Georgia's 13th congressional district John W. Williams - Current Inspector General of the South Florida Water Management District Althea Gibson - Tennis player Daniel Sunjata - Actor, Broadway actor Gregory Anderson - Film producer (Tri-Destined Studios) Rob Hardy - Film producer (Rainforest Productions) T'Keyah Crystal Keymah - Actress Pam Oliver - Sports anchor William Packer - Film producer (Rainforest Productions) Angela Pitts - Contestant on Flavor of Love 3 and winner of I Love Money 2 Angela Robinson - Actress Anika Noni Rose - Tony Award-winning actress Peyton Alex Smith - Actor Common - attended - Music Artist K.Michelle - R&B singer Tyrese Gibson - attended - Singer, actor, author and producer stic.man - Member of hip-hop group Dead Prez M-1 - Member of hip-hop group Dead Prez Bernard Kinsey - Owner of one of the largest African-American art collections
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