Kai Scates, Wiley College- c/o 2016, Mass Communications/Broadcast Journalism
Name : Kai Scates
HBCU : Wiley College
Graduation Year : 2016
Major : Mass Communications/Broadcast Journalism
Minor : N/A
Email : kaiscates@gmail.com
Where are you from? Who introduced you to HBCUs?*
Im from Lancaster, California. Growing up I only really knew about HBCUs from TVs and Movies. When I was in 8th grade I was on a mock trial and I decided I wanted to be a Lawyer and Spelman would be my school of choice. Especially after seeing ATL NuNu looked like her life was about to be straight!
But, the movie The Great Debaters came out and I knew Wiley College was the school I wanted to go to. When it came time to apply for colleges my Senior year. I was accepted to 15 schools 11 of them being HBCUS. And of course I picked the illustrious Wiley College.
Why did you choose an HBCU over a pwi?*
Growing up in Suburban Lancaster California I went to very diverse schools. But I wanted an ALL BLACK COLLEGE experience. I felt like I was missing something but couldn’t put my finger on it. It was like everyone else I knew, had a culture and things to be proud and celebrate, and in my teenage years I didn’t know how to be black and proud and celebrate my blackness.
I lived in an area where , whatever a black girl did that wasn’t “like white” was instantly considered ghetto or ratchet,. If A black girl wore braids she was “ratchet” if you wore certain clothes from black designers you were ratchet. Literally everyone wanted to be celebrated for being associated with like- whiteness and European beauty standards.
Those stereotypes burned me up inside and I knew my next educational experience had to be ground breaking with brothers and sisters who I could relate to and grow with in the RIGHT MINDSET.
What is the story of your "experience" at Your HBCU given its heralded status as a stellar and prestigious institution?*
My experience at my HBCU was nothing but amazing. I learned , I grew, I matured. I came to win, fight conquer and thrive. And I did just that. I literally came from nothing when I got to my HBCU. So the smallest thing like having a bed to lay my head on was a major blessing. My family couldn’t afford to fly me to school , so we drove our old busted suburban with my whole life in the backseat.
Wiley College is known by our Debate Team. Actor Denzel Washington created the film and also starred in the film. So a goal of mine was to be on that team. Literally within a week I was encouraged by my Wiley sister Ailey Pope to tryout for the team. I found my way to the coach's office and auditioned. By that evening I received the email I made the team. I was an Official great debater. I competed for a year and became a national champion in novice poetry.
The following year I did not compete in Debate, but I became a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc.
My next biggest accomplishment was becoming Miss National United Negro College Fund 2015-16 . With the help of my amazing institution I fundraised over 33-thousand dollars that went towards scholarships for the UNCF , I represented 37 other HBCUS As well and traveled on behalf of the UNCF for a full year. I appeared on BET for UNCF’s Evening of Stars and so many other great opportunities
"First time" experiences at your HBCU?*
Soul Food in the cafe!
Resident Center managers, Staff and Professors acting like my black mom !
HBCU Queens
Life on the yard
Home coming
My first love !! And first heart break!
Dealing with financial aid , helped me with dealing with real life finances and budgeting
Who are the professors that have impacted your life in and out of the classroom? How did they do that?*
Dr. Calloway who is now married so Dr. Dominique was my first Mass Comm Professor, she was a Wiley grad and HOWARD U grad. She was very inspiring and I still look up to her till this day.
Professor Hardy; my mass Communications Professor, the way he taught his lessons still stick with me today, we didn’t have a lot of multimedia equipment but Hardy always found away to make sure we got hands on experience. His style of teaching was always cool and laid back. At the same time his students knew to be on their "A" game.
Mrs. Thomas ; my English teacher, she’s such a caring person in class of course she did not play but even after she took her time to play with me, for me, she checked up on me , let me take selfies on her phone! She’s just a great woman and I admire her till this day.
And Ms. McCowan ; she was over the radio station KBWC 91.1 the mix and she made sure we got our experience, our network, our knowledge and I’m so grateful and thankful for her.
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Wiley College
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Students: 1,400
- Athletics: Wiley College is part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC). Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, soccer, and track & field. Women's sports include basketball, cross country, soccer, track & field, volleyball, and cheerleading.
- Notable Alumni: Lois Towles 1933 Internationally renowned concert pianist** James L. Farmer, Jr. 1938 U.S. civil rights leader** Daryl Joy Walters 2014 Politician**
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