Nekos Davis, Tuskegee University- c/o 2007, Psychology

Where are you from? Who introduced you to HBCUs?*

West Point, Ga. Family members attended and graduated from HBCU’s.

Why did you choose an HBCU over a pwi?*

Truthfully it’s all I’ve every known, not saying I’m against pwi; but I believe in what our schools have to offer more than pwi’s.

[How did you decide to become a student at Tuskegee University?]

My mom chose Tuskegee for me, my choice was Grambling State Uni. Her words were, “7.5-8 hours for school? when Tuskegee is down the road. That’s where our family went, and that’s where you’re going.” To this day, I don’t regret her decision at all.

What is the story of your "experience" at Your HBCU given its heralded status as a stellar and prestigious institution?*

My experience was solely based on finding out who I was as a person,and taught me first hand how to handle business. Tuskegee molded me into a hard working man.

"First time" experiences at your HBCU?*

Several first, came during my time at Tuskegee. First road trip, was to Louisiana. First love, Kermetria McMurry. First time I cheated on a test was in History, first beer, first “E”, first severe injury (seperated my AC Joint), and a few other things.

Who are the professors that have impacted your life in and out of the classroom? How did they do that?*

Dr. Carter one of my sociology professors invested the most within. She explained the black family infrastructure to me as a whole. Her teachings really instilled some core values within me, that I want to carry over into my family.

What sports do/did you play at your HBCU? What positions?

N/A

N/A

What sports and/or extra curricular activities did you do in High School? And why?

Football, wrestling, and I was a member of the Key Club. I played football and wrestled, to stay active and keep from going home everyday. It was boring. Key Club, just happened because I was a diverse person.

Best restaurants on/near campus? Best dishes?

The COOP! That was the main attraction, and it was one of the only places that stayed open 24 hours. It’s a small buffet place, we mostly ate there coming from a night out.

Other places, were KFC-Taco Bell (this place was horrible! And there was this BBQ trailer that would sell plates every Thursday.

College crush?

Kermetria McMurry, she’s from Jonesboro, La. Good ole’ country girl, she has strong HBCU roots in her family. Her mom graduated from Southern, and was department head at Grambling.

Who invited you to interview with us?

N/A

Ghost stories involving buildings or spots on campus?

Ghost stories? Nah, none of those. All our stories came from the football team.

What is your major? and Why did you choose it?

Psychology was my major, with a Sociology minor. Chose it because I wanted to become a relationship counselor, at the time. But God had greater plans and his road is which I chose to travel.

What to date has been your proudest moment @ Your HBCU?

Graduation day! The special thing about Tuskegee is this, commencement service is on Mother’s Day. There’s no other day I’d rather graduate on than that. Coming from a single parent home, that’s something I earned for my mama.

Where are the spots to go to if you wanted to cuddle with your boy or girlfriend?

Tuskgegee Lake, was the only off campus place. Other than that, we’d sneak into dorms or have our lady friend(s) sneak into our dorms, after 11 when the dorm director and RA’s would close the office.

What are the chants heard most often at the sporting events?

Our chants were very profane and vulgar, lol! I’ve heard several times that our student section was very rude, but I’m proud of my days in that student section. To the goodies…to other visiting teams, “bitch get yo’ shit and get up our house” repeated several times.

Another, “yo mama’s a man, yo mama’s a god-damn man …alright alright alright”. When the student section was full, and we’d yell out to other stuendets, “noooooo moreeee seattttsss …MOVEEEE BITCH!”. On a lighter note, we’d sing the first verse to Shai’s to “If I Ever Fall In Love Again”.

How are you positively active on campus? (e.g. clubs, SGA, etc.)

No clubs nor SGA involvment, but I was apart of a group of guys that played intramural football every Sunday on the practice field. People knew who I was from those games.

Where is the “yard” located?

The yard was in front of the cafe and patio. Great times there! One thing about Tuskegee’s yard, you had to step out looking nice all the time.

Rave Review fashion shows, Greek yard shows, and Friday’s music on the yard. Friday people skipped their one o’clock classes to stay on the yard.

What and where are the historical places on campus?

Carver museum, where all of George Washington-Carver’s belongings are. From paintings to rocks he collected. The Oaks, the house he called home, while in Tuskegee.

What to date has been your saddest moment at your HBCU?

Saddest moment, the Monday after graduation. I knew Sallie Mae was about to start calling me about setting up loan payments.

What situation in your life made you feel like you had arrived into woman/manhood?

Becoming a father changed my life. Being the father of a daughter and becoming responsible for a mouth to feed is a big responsibility. Changing the world that she has to live in, being a good male figure, showing her how to be a respectable citizen, and a good Christian is my sole responsibility.

How do you deal with racism when you encounter it?

At this point in my life, I ignore it because in today’s time it is a banner of ignorance.

What's your take on life (in the philosophical sense)?

I don’t want to be the person to change the world, I want to be the person that inspires others to change it.

How did you overcome your nervousness about going to college?

Wasn’t really nervous, I was overly excited to be away from home.

Are you a member of a fraternity?

I wanted to pledge but I didn’t, truthfully I didn’t know anything about Greek life. I showed interest, but I quickly learned it wasn’t for me.

If you could speak to those family members that have risen but that live forever through you, what words would you speak?

Thank you for the seeds, skills, and crafts that you’ve invested in our family down through the generations.

How did your HBCU prepare you for a diverse workplace?

Tuskegee helped me alot! I’m a high school collaborative teacher, working with behavioral kids. The schools that our department head had us doing student teaching that mirrored the schools and work environment that I’m currently working in.

What advice would you give high school students filling out college applications for the first time?

Apply to schools, that are known and highly respected in the field in which you choose to major. The business world, medical world, the medical world, and world of education are very competitive. The institution of higher learning on your diploma will carry your far, or cut you short, so choose wisely.

If you could only speak two sentences to the youth coming after you what would you say?

One, Pray for guidance everyday, it’s hard and acknowledge God in everything you do. Two, be the person you wish to see change the world.

How did your HBCU help you to transition into your careers workforce?

Helped out a lot, learning and studying under African American professors to working around other African American professionals from other HBCU’s. Easy transition, period. Thank God!