Jakayla Freeman
Being part of Choosing to Excel impacted me profoundly! I continue to apply the skills and fundamentals I learned during my time in the program to how I lead teams today, invest in others through my work, and maintain focus on keeping the end in mind in all that I do. I'm grateful for the self-love and confidence that C2E instilled in me, which has helped me flourish into the young woman and leader I am today. Beyond personal growth, the relationships I formed have been invaluable. These people have become bridesmaids in my wedding, best friends, and family to me. The starfish story, one of my favorite lessons of being in Choosing to Excel, remains an integral part of my purpose—reminding me that even if I can impact just one person, that impact is more than enough. I am forever grateful for the people and experiences this program has brought into my life. I now reside in Atlanta, GA with my loving husband, where I have the privilege of working for Insight Global as a Culture Advisory Services Manager, helping companies with custom solutions to better take care of their employees to produce sustainable business results.
JoVoni Johnson-McCray
The name Choosing to Excel encompasses exactly what joining the leadership team meant to me. I’m grateful to be a part of an organization that not only supported my values through formative years, but also taught me the importance of leading with service. It showed me that life is not only about personal ambition, but also about the impact you can have on those around you. Whether it was the countless conversations about our dreams or the unwavering support we found in one another, the bond our team formed through C2E is something I’ll carry with me for life. It wasn’t just a program—it was a family, an experience that shaped who I am and gave me a community I’ll forever be grateful for.The lesson from Choosing to Excel I repeat to myself most often is to “Keep the End in Mind.” It reminds me, especially in the most crucial moments that every decision, big or small, matters and is a reflection of the man I’m choosing to become. As for myself now, I have accepted a finance role with American Express in New York City. However I am currently living in Houston, TX while completing my Master of Business Administration (MBA) at the Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University.
Kiaunna Johnson
Choosing to Excel played such a significant role in my adolescent stage of life. This organization instilled healthy life skills in me that I have been able to utilize in every season I have endured. Being on the leadership team and having the opportunity to grow personally and pour into others' lives was something I will never forget. During my time on the team, I was taught attributes such as respect, kindness, accountability, and integrity. I always enjoyed being able to have a second family that was supportive during accomplishments and compassionate during life's trials. The bond that this group formed became such a special part of my life, and it still holds true today. Through C2E I became a member of G.E.M.S., standing for Girls Eagerly Maintaining HIGH Standards. This program allowed me and other young women to gather together and learn principles that encouraged us to recognize our worth and expose us to various networking events for career development. Presently, I am a medical speech-language pathologist working with elders and adults. I provide services to patients who have difficulties with speech, language, cognition, voice, and swallowing to improve their quality of life. This population includes diagnoses such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's, and Stroke victims. It’s a joy to impact these individuals' lives every day and contribute to such an amazing field.
Taylor Maze
I had no clue, when I entered the campgrounds of my first summer impact camp, that Choosing 2 Excel, these principles and these people would have such an impact on my life. This organization has given me my best friends, personal and professional development, and support. The experiences I have had here are fond ones that I carry with me. Through my involvement with Choosing to Excel, I was able to strengthen my character and hone my artistic abilities. I held many positions within the program and each position empowered me to be an advocate for myself and for others. I’ve taken that with me on my journey as a gymnastics coach, mother, and wife. There is nothing I care more about than the wellbeing of the person next to me. As dance instructor for several years, I poured my heart and personality into every dance routine I taught my campers, focusing on being active and having fun. Each student had importance to me, and I made sure that once they entered my dance room they knew that. I gave my all to them, finding new teaching techniques to pique the interest of students who didn’t typically enjoy dance, and keeping up with the trends that my kids would enjoy. I worked to make their camp experience enjoyable, but them trusting and dancing alongside me, warmed my heart in a way they will never understand. One thing I’ve learned is that you have to go above and beyond in the work that you provide people. I’ve seen this in the way the Leadership Team pulls a skit or presentation day together. I’ve witnessed it in the way camp counselors come together to make the summer impact camp happen. I’ve seen it in the way Mrs. Moton loves on every child she encounters and the work she does behind closed doors. I’ve done it in the way I taught dance, led the Leadership Team, and raise my own kids. I maintain my commitment to my family, my job, and more, because of the commitment this organization maintained with me. This organization helped to create this loud, tenacious, rhythmic, creative woman that I am. Currently, I am pursuing a Master of Arts in Journalism at The University of North Texas. I am a mom to two beautiful baby girls and a wife to my husband, Julian.
Kennedi Carruth
Choosing to Excel impacted me early on through the Summer Impact program and Leadership Team. Not only has the program shown me how to work in a team setting, but also how to properly plan events, effectively lead those around me, and what compassion looks like on a day to day basis. Growing these skills early in adolescence has given me an advantage others may not have been exposed to. I am most grateful for the values of C2E that have helped further grow my own. “Keeping the end in mind” has been an ongoing reminder and motivator to always think ahead and seek opportunities that are the best for myself. C2E has also given me a strong group of like-minded individuals that will forever be bonded by our work & experience through Choosing to Excel. What once was a leadership team, is now a supportive family for years to come. The starfish story is a story I carry with me each day. Knowing if I can impact just one life, then I am making a difference. Many times we go through life forgetting how important our efforts are, but the starfish story has always reminded me it is not taken for granted. Today I am the Administrative Team Lead for Pediatrics Plus. Managing their preschool, therapy services, and applied behavior analysis program for children 6 weeks to 18 years of age. Each day I wake up fighting for our own starfish and giving them the tools to conquer their world.
Hadiyah Cummings
Who could have imagined that beginning my journey with Excel programs as a summer camper, participating in GEMS and EYE Club, and ultimately joining the Leadership Team would prepare me for this phase of my life? I graduated from Howard University and Yale, and I am currently practicing law. For this and many more reasons, I am beyond grateful for my Choosing to Excel family! We were ALWAYS challenged to “Keep the End In Mind’’
Tayler Shultz
Choosing to Excel has not just impacted my life but also taught me the power of my voice. Through their mentorship and guidance, I gained self-esteem, emotional intelligence, and a clear vision for a brighter future full of love and high standards.Through the leadership team, I built stronger connections within my community and found the importance of a smile and a village standing strong in faith and hope. I will never forget “Keep the End in Mind” and the lesson that making a difference for one person can create a multitude of waves geared to creating positive change that lasts for generations.While earning a minor in Legal studies and Bachelor's degrees in Criminal Justice and Political Science from the University of Arkansas, I actively participated in numerous organizations and held numerous leadership positions in which I can create opportunities for networking and volunteering. I continued my education and enrolled in the University of Arkansas's Dual Degree Program, earning my Juris Doctor and M.A. in Political Science, specializing in International Affairs and Comparative Politics. I am currently an associate attorney with the Big Rock Legacy Law Group focusing on the key values instilled from C2E. Community Service and mentorship continues to be my number one passion and safe space. I am forever grateful for the life lessons I learned from C2E and look forward to day I can enroll my daughter into their Summer camp!