A Decade of Prayer Was Finally Answered...A Delta, A Que, and A 4.0

Weekend before last, I was sitting on the back row in Jackson, Tennessee, watching my mama, Ms. Thang Thang, get honored for the 50th anniversary of her graduation from Lane College.

Last weekend?

I was on the stage.

Giving my very first HBCU commencement address.

And ooooooweeeeee I’m still on Cloud 9?! I don’t even know where to begin.

The moment the President of Jarvis Christian University wrapped me in a tight hug and prayed in my ear before I even sat down, I knew we were about to witness something powerful.
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💫 Graduates were stopping mid-stage to thank me.
💫 Families were pulling me aside afterward to show me their notes.
💫 A pastor told me he was “stealing” my message for his Sunday sermon.
💫 And my sweet little god-niece Mazey? She watched the whole speech from her couch and was so fired up, she recited ALL SEVEN cheat codes from memory. 😭😭😭

And don't get me started with them calling me a "Distinguished Storyteller."

It was the biggest graduating class in the school’s history.

And there I was, standing in my purpose, giving the grads “7 Cheat Codes” called: “Zigzag Across the Finish Line.”

Because none of us got here on a straight path.

We fall. We crawl. We double back. But we still finish.

And it had a twist nobody saw coming at the end. People are still messaging me about it.

​Take a listen. It's about 20 minutes and tell me what you think.

🐘 DST. 💜 Ques. Joy & 4.0s

​Now let’s talk about what YOU helped make happen.

Our scholars are finishing the school year strong, and their May Updates were filled with good news that made me holler.

Here’s just a taste:
​📣 Two scholars joined Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Here's one.

📣 Another got accepted into Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

📣 We’ve got a scholar thrilled to be serving as event coordinator for her forensic science club.

📣 One scholar wrote: “I didn’t let something really bad that happened to me this month affect my character. I let go and let God.”

📣 One of our babies ended the form with the most casual mic drop ever:
“I got a 4.0.”

Just like that. Period. No notes. No emojis. I cracked up.

And then…

Last month, one of our scholars requested art supplies that one of you Miracle Makers, bought. And guess what…

Well, here are her words…”I passed my art midterm with a 98/100. I’m not the best artist but I gave it my all.”

MAFIA, IN THEIR WORDS
Here’s more of what a few students had to say for their May updates.

“It’s so amazing to be part of the MIDM family.”
“Y’all are such amazing support.”
“This year was stressful, but you made it easier. Thank you.”
“This Lego has pushed me so far with the help you guys provide.” (She meant “level,” but it was so cute we’re keeping it 😅)

And if you’re wondering whether what you give really matters?

Let this edition be your confirmation.

We’re watching these students step into leadership, ownership, purpose, and excellence -- not just because of what you gave, but because of the love it represented.

🛑 SUMMER SURVIVAL MODE
Listen, Mafia family… this summer’s Adopt A Scholar Week is gonna look a little different.

A lot of our scholars are facing housing instability. Some are couch surfing. Others don’t know where they’ll be staying week to week. And when you’re bouncing between places?

Amazon can’t find you.

That means for June through August, we’re adjusting how we show up.

🟡 If a scholar is still on campus or near their Care Package Mafioso (CPM), they’ll still have a full wishlist like usual.

🟡 If not? We’re switching to $25 Visa gift cards. That way, we can overnight the support they need—fast, flexible, and safe.

Our goal is $200 in gift cards per scholar each month. That’s 8 gift cards that help them cover groceries, hygiene, transportation… whatever survival looks like for the month.

If $25 isn’t doable for you right now? No worries.

Just give what you can and drop “#AdoptAScholar” in the memo line so we know how to apply it. We open the summer lists on the 14th of each month and close on the 21st.

We’ll be back to regular wishlists in September.

But this summer? We move with flexibility and faith.

Because we’re not just sending help.

We’re sending dignity.

We’re sending hope.

We’re sending a message loud and clear: You are not alone.

Some days are “push-through” days...

And some days are “tap out” days.

The key is knowing which one you’re in.

Because even the loudest extroverts (hi, it’s me 🙋🏽♀️) have moments where we need to power down. After weeks of “peopling,” travel, and pouring out from every corner of my spirit, I came home and felt it in my bones.

Tapped. Out.

And I’ve learned to stop treating rest like it’s optional.

So if today is a push-through kind of day, I’m cheering you on like a marching band.

But if it’s a tap-out day?

Tap out with no guilt. No shame. No apology.

That’s part of how we stay ready for the miracles still on the way.

​See you next week. Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE!