Update: Zykiria Carey is now a Health Information Specialist with Datavant through UAB Health System. Way to go!
Zykiria Carey graduated from Wenonah High School in 2020 and Alabama State University in 2025. Thanks to Birmingham Promise, she achieved her college goal without having to sacrifice her financial future.
“I graduated from college debt-free,” she said. “That was the ultimate goal.”
Zykiria is now in the job market in her chosen field, health information management. She hopes to work in one of the major health systems and is applying for jobs at all levels in hopes of getting a foot in the door.
“I want to come back and work in the city of Birmingham,” she said.
Pandemic challenges
Like other students in the first Birmingham City Schools class to benefit from Birmingham Promise, her transition to college was complicated by COVID-19. Students switched between virtual and in-person classes, and she missed out on some of the traditional college supports.
Still, she had the benefit of Birmingham Promise coaches, and that helped her navigate that difficult time. She got off to a great start, pulling all A’s in her first semester and setting herself up for success.
Throughout college, though, Zykiria needed to work to cover out-of-pocket costs for books, summer courses and personal expenses. Her employment – primarily retail jobs – meant that she had to give up some of the activities that also enrich college life and help students lay a different kind of groundwork for success.
“I gave up extracurricular things,” she said.
One of the things she gave up was the marching band, which was one of the activities that drew her to Alabama State to start with. While she’d played clarinet in the high school band and the Magic City Classic parade had sold her on an HBCU, she said she had to focus on her main goal — getting a college degree.
“It took me five years to complete, but that’s OK,” she said. “A lot of us from that first class are graduating this year.”
She is particularly grateful that the Birmingham Promise offered an extension that included partial assistance for those needing extra time to graduate. “It wasn’t as much, but it did help to get through the last year,” she said. “They didn’t have to do that, and I want to thank them for that.”
A stable financial future
As someone who had to manage finances carefully throughout college, Zykiria looks forward to a future that she hopes includes more economic stability than she’s had in the past.
“Being the richest person isn’t my goal, but I don’t want to go on always feeling like I’m behind, like I’m living check to check,” she said. “I want to be financially stable and happy. I’m grateful that Birmingham Promise helped to make that future possible for me.”
Zykiria’s advice to other students is simple: Stay ahead of the game. Fill out the FAFSA early to make sure assistance is available. Put off the parties, go to class, study and don’t wait to the last minute to do your assignments. And take advantage of resources available from your college or from Birmingham Promise.
“Always do advising,” she said. “Always communicate with the (Birmingham Promise) student success coach as they can guide you through college.”
