From Shreveport to Arlington — The Journey of Turning Challenges into Community Impact
Growing Up in Shreveport
I grew up in Shreveport, Louisiana, in a home where education was not a given. Neither of my parents graduated high school, and like many families in our community, we lived with limitations that sometimes made the future look small. College felt like something for other people, not necessarily for us. But inside me there was always a pull toward something more. I believed that if I could break through the ceiling that had held my family down, it might open doors not only for me but for others who would come after me.
Being the first in your family to graduate from college is not just about receiving a degree. It is about rewriting a family story. It is about showing that what once seemed out of reach can become reality through faith, hard work, and perseverance.
The Weight and Gift of Being First
First-generation graduates often carry both a heavy burden and a powerful gift. The burden is that there is no roadmap. You cannot call your parents and ask how they managed financial aid or what classes to take. You often work jobs while studying just to keep up with bills. You deal with imposter syndrome, wondering if you belong in spaces where few people look like you or share your background.
But the gift is that you become a trailblazer. You open doors for siblings, cousins, and even future generations who now see that college is possible. Your degree is more than a piece of paper; it is a key that unlocks new possibilities for an entire family line.
When I attended Louisiana Tech University, I carried both the burden and the gift. I joined Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, served as an NAACP officer, and made sure that my presence was more than just about academics. I wanted to stand as proof that someone from Shreveport could rise, lead, and give back.
Learning Resilience
Resilience is the ability to keep moving forward when life throws obstacles your way. For me, resilience was built long before I walked across a stage to get my degree. It was shaped by watching my family work hard with limited resources. It was formed when I faced setbacks in school or finances but refused to give up.
Resilience means seeing rejection as redirection. It means understanding that the road may not be easy, but the struggle is shaping you for leadership. Every late night studying, every job I worked to pay tuition, and every moment of doubt became part of the foundation I now stand on.
From Graduation to Leadership
Graduating as a first-generation student was only the beginning. The degree opened doors, but what mattered most was how I chose to use that opportunity. My path led me into finance, education, ministry, and community service. From serving in the Army National Guard to working with Prudential Insurance, to founding Koinonia Christian Church and later the Dr. RW Goines STEM Academy, every step has been about turning personal breakthroughs into community impact.
I did not want to be the kind of leader who climbs a ladder and then pulls it up behind him. I wanted to plant ladders all over so that others could climb too. That is the responsibility of first-generation graduates. We are not just recipients of education; we are stewards of opportunity.
Legacy in Arlington
When I look at Arlington, Texas, and the community I now serve, I see the fruit of resilience and legacy. The ministries, the academy, and the partnerships are not just programs. They are living reminders that someone who started in Shreveport with limited resources can build platforms that bless countless lives.
Being honored with a street named after me was not about my name on a sign. It was about showing young people that resilience creates legacy. When a child rides past Dr. Ronnie W. Goines Boulevard, I want them to know that if God could use me, He can use them too.
How First-Generation Graduates Can Lead Change
For others who are first in their family to graduate, I believe there are three main ways you can lead change:
- Lift As You Climb – Do not let your success end with you. Mentor, sponsor, and encourage others who are on the journey.
- Use Your Voice – Advocate for fairness and opportunity in your community. Share your story so others see what is possible.
- Build Platforms, Not Just Careers – Whether through business, ministry, or civic engagement, create systems and spaces that continue to serve others long after you are gone.
Faith as the Foundation
None of this would have been possible without faith. Faith gave me the courage to keep going when money was short. Faith gave me the vision to see beyond Shreveport into the wider world. Faith continues to drive me today as I serve and lead. Resilience without faith can make you strong, but resilience with faith makes you unstoppable.
The Future Is Now
Being a first-generation graduate is not only a personal victory; it is a responsibility to lead change. From Shreveport to Arlington, my journey has been about turning challenges into platforms that serve others. My hope is that every first-generation student who reads this will understand that their degree is bigger than them. It is a doorway to legacy.
If we embrace resilience, hold fast to faith, and use our opportunities to lift others, then our stories will not end with our graduation. They will ripple across families, cities, and generations. That is the power of being first. That is how first-generation graduates can lead real change.