From the first time James learned that just 8% of low-income students in this country graduate from college, he knew he did not just want to be a part of that 8%—but he wanted to make that percentage grow. In high school, he honed his skills writing essays and research papers, and giving strong interviews. Most importantly, he developed his personal reason for going to college— because his family looks up to him, and because he wants to show others that black excellence is possible. Now, his three younger siblings call him every day to ask him what he’s doing in college and tell him how they want to go to college like he does.