One Student’s Inspiration to Succeed
Anita Johnson
Anita Johnson was never directly enrolled in a First Generation College Bound program. Nevertheless, the organization changed her life. Here is what she emailed to FGCB founder Joseph Fisher in January 2012.
“I am pretty sure that you do not remember me. I lived in Laurel in Kimberly Gardens in 1991. I went to Oaklands Elementary School and I was in the 2nd grade at the time I met you. My mother is Regina Johnson, single mother of five and high school dropout. I remember when you would come to the recreation center in Kimberly Gardens to talk about college and have homework club. Although I still was in elementary school, I had older siblings that were preparing for college during that time. I remember you and my mother having many conversations about preparing for college.
Anyway, I just wanted to say thank you! I really believe that although you did not have a direct hand in helping me with college, your presence stuck with me and made an impact on my life. Because of organizations like First Generation College Bound Inc., I am now a first-generation college graduate of Howard University. During the spring of 2011, I graduated cum laude with a Bachelor’s of Art in Anthropology. I believe that it is now my duty to set high standards of educational excellence for my family and my community. I just wanted you to know that your organization is phenomenal, and I give you my utmost appreciation and sincere thanks.
This was a busy year for me! Completing college has transformed my entire life. During the summer of 2011 I did an internship with the Sutherland Asbill and Brennan law firm for a few months, and then went to New Mexico on an anthropology internship for three weeks with Dr. King to study the Buffalo Soldiers. Soon after I got back from New Mexico, I started a fall internship with The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF). Through the CBCF I was in the Emerging Leaders internship program and was placed in the office of Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge in the U.S. House of Representatives. My experiences with the CBCF were invaluable, lifelong experiences that will never be forgotten. I had the opportunity to draft policy legislation, attend briefings and hearings, meet countless congressional members; the president of Korea, Lee Myung-bak; First Lady Michelle Obama; and President Barack Obama!
Most recently I started my internship at the White House for the spring of 2012. I am in the Office of Presidential Correspondence. I am also enrolled in Kaplan’s LSAT test preparation course at night at Howard University. I started my internship on January 17, 2012 and I absolutely love it. I recognize and acknowledge that First Generation College Bound, Inc. has had a huge part in my ongoing success and for that I wish to say thank you!
Anita M. Johnson
White House Spring 2012 Volunteer Leadership Intern
The White House Office of Presidential Correspondence
