When it came to paying for college, Ra’Kiyah Williams was lucky. Her father, a veteran, had contributed to an education fund under a military program that comes with a 2-to-1 match from the federal government.
That largely covered Ra’Kiyah’s expenses at the University of Alabama, where she is a few short months away from completing a degree in public health.
But that didn’t mean Birmingham Promise had no role to play in the 2022 Ramsay graduate’s journey through college. The program helped fill in some important gaps on college expenses. More importantly, it provided a success coach who turned out to be a lifeline for Ra’Kiyah.
“It really helped me when I started working with J.J.,” Ra’Kiyah said, referring to Birmingham Promise success coach Jamesia Jackson.
As the first in her family to attend and finish college, Ra’Kiyah felt a lot of pressure to succeed. She appreciated the way her success coach checked on her and made sure she was on top of her studies. But perhaps even more importantly, her success coach leaned in on issues that went beyond academics: Things like connecting Ra’Kiyah to opportunities for community service. And helping her find resources such as food assistance. And making a connection to a therapist when Ra’Kiyah found herself struggling.
“It was really a lot of stuff going on personally, things that had nothing to do with school but were really creating a lot of stress for me,” Ra’Kiyah said. “I told J.J., ‘Look, I need help,’ and she connected me with the right resources. I got a great therapist who has helped me a lot. I’m doing great now; I’m not gonna lie.”
Whether college expenses are a top concern or a secondary concern, Ra’Kiyah encourages students to stay connected with their success coach. “It’s so good to have someone check in on you,” she said. “Not everyone has someone to do that.”
But she encourages students to go farther. “Get more engaged with Birmingham Promise,” she advises. “Go to meetings. Use their resources.”
As she approaches college graduation in May, Ra’Kiyah feels a mixture of apprehension and pride.
“My parents are so proud of me. My mom tells me every day,” she said. “But I’m also proud of myself. A degree means a lot to me.”
But, then, life awaits.
While in college, Ra’Kiyah worked as an intern with the Jefferson County Department of Health, and she feels that experience will put her in good stead in the job market. She also has built connections in organizations like the National Society of Black Women in Medicine; she serves as the UA chapter secretary. But embarking on a career is still daunting.
The good news? Birmingham Promise continues to be a resource for students as they make the transition from campus to workforce. “It feels good to know that I can still reach out,” she said.
