ALUMNI CORNER

James Bridgeforth

I've told Dr. Little this many times but I'm going to take this opportunity to say it again: So much of who I am today is due to my participation in programs like AAMI when I was at Georgia College. I'm currently a P.h.D. student in Urban Education Policy at the University of Southern California, where my research focuses on institutional and organizational change for racial justice in K-12 schools. While I loved many parts of my experience at Georgia College, being one of the so few Black men on campus could be lonely and isolating at times. AAMI worked to change that by providing a space to build a stronger sense of community among the Black men at GC. Although we all were unique in our own ways and our discussions and debates were definitely lively, the opportunity to speak openly and honestly about our unique experiences and collectively work toward ensuring better experiences and outcomes for Black men at GC was invaluable. Those experiences in AAMI were critical to my personal and professional development, especially related to bringing change to organizations and institutions. Because of my experiences in AAMI and other organizations like it, regardless of where I go or where I've been, one of the things that I will always value is the incredible power of collective action and community.

Harold Davis

Reflecting on my life after graduation, I can truly say that I’ve been blessed in numerous aspects and I genuinely feel that AAMI played a crucial role in the development of my cognition and how I went about attaining my goals and chasing my dreams. Thinking back, I remember joining AAMI as a shy, young kid that was uncomfortable at times with my black skin as a minority in a predominantly white institution. I struggled at times with being confident under the spotlight, speaking up about controversial issues and making mature decisions. However, AAMI empowered me, gave me resources, and planted seeds of confidence in me that I could do anything and that I was just as good as everyone else regardless of what the statistics or odds said. AAMI showed me how to proceed with purpose and it allowed me to embody the basic principles of leadership and professionalism by putting me in a position where I could learn from successful people of color as well as be an example to others.

When thinking about my success post grad, those values really prepared me to flourish and gave me the confidence that I needed to take leaps of faith and be highly successful in the workplace. In one year’s time, I’ve attained a Med-Surg RN position at a magnet hospital. Through my work at the hospital, I’ve been an advocate for patients from all walks of life and have inspired many people to make life changing decisions. During the pandemic, I provided care on Covid units as well as gained experience working on oncology, renal, and cardiac floors. As far as business goes, I negotiated and bought my dream car, Camaro SS, a couple months after graduating and I also purchased a house this year. Currently I’m working on my getting Med-Surg certification and gaining more experience with critical care. That being said, I’m proud to have been in involved in the organization and appreciate of all the opportunities that it allotted me. I pray that the organization continues to grow and make an impact in the lives of others.

Terrell Davis

After graduating with a degree in Mass Communication in 2017, Terrell entered a career in marketing communications and economic development. Soon discovering an appreciation for community and economic development, he pursued a Master in Public Administration from Georgia College as well. While completing the M.P.A. program, Terrell joined the Georgia Department of Agriculture where he helped formalize and elevate the organization's economic development and marketing brand, Georgia Grown. While with the Department he developed an inclusive brand strategy designed to help the organization tell the stories of minority farmers and food business owners in the state of Georgia. Over the course of his program, Terrell leaned into the idea that “all politics is local.” Following the completion of the M.P.A. program, Terrell joined the Gwinnett County Government where he serves as a Senior Public Relations Specialist who helps curate messaging for nearly one million residents. For a young professional, Terrell has already taken on several roles. Because of the AAMI program, he learned that being intentional and taking calculated risk are necessary steps in life. Each day the AAMI brotherhood and mentorship serves as a reminder that life is always about maximizing your potential. Since launching his career, Terrell has been the only black man in many spaces, but the foundation developed through AAMI motivates him to stay focused. The program also helped him recognize the importance of celebrating and sharing spaces with women like his beautiful wife, Danielle who he met while attending Georgia College. Terrell and Danielle, live in Duluth, Georgia, with their dog, Harley.

Fidelis Folifac

My name is Fidelis Folifac, recent graduate (2020) of GC with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. I am also an Alum of the African American Male Initiative program at GC. AAMI was a life-changing force in my development since high school. The program helped me feed my passion for higher learning and a desire to serve the community. Dr. Emmanuel Little changed my life forever when he gave me Malcolm X’s autobiography. Through the book and conversations between he and I, my view of society and my critical thinking skills began to develop beyond what I had imagined they could be. AAMI was also very supportive of me throughout high school and college in a very holistic manner. They supported me in my academics, my extracurriculars and personal development. Since graduating, I landed a job at a company called Cargill where I now work as a Quality Control Chemist full time while pursuing my passion for music. The journey has been very fulfilling and knowing that there is more to come makes it all that much better. I owe a lot of credit to the support system I found in the community of Black men in AAMI that kept me going, many of whom I still have a close relationship with these days. I hope one day (post COVID) to be able to pay this forward to other young Black people so that they know that they have a guiding force and community in their corner, who will support and assist them in goals they have set for themselves and as a collective.

Kory McIntyre

Hello, I’m Kory McIntyre, a recent graduate of Georgia College & State University and the AAMI program. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and I am currently working at Georgia Military College as an admissions counselor. I work with students and alumni doing various things from recruiting, to registration, to school events and many other things. At AAMI, I met with different people with diverse perspectives from all over and became friends with many I would have never met. The leadership, networking, and different ways of thinking I’ve learned has helped me better understand and work with others. I don’t think I would be in the same place without having joined this organization.

Cory Robinson

Since I graduated, I have become a music teacher. I initially worked temporarily at Wal-Mart until I completed my certification. I worked in my home school system as an elementary music teacher at LCES. While there I taught music, chorus, and theatre. I took my kids to perform on TV three years in a row, grossed over $2,000 for our production of Madagascar, Jr.: A Musical Adventure, and sent students to All-State every year. Currently I work in APS at a low-income middle school teaching Music Appreciation and Popular Music Ensemble. I would say that MALE Connection helped me to be myself around other Black men and to have confidence in myself.