Howard University Student
Donation protected
I originally posted this gofundme two years ago. I did not reach my goal.
I did not give up.
There were only a few people that reposted my fundraiser, but I did not give up. I was sleeping on the street , but I did not give up. Now I am a proud sophomore back at Howard University.
I got back on my own, through self advocacy and God. But at this point I do not have much fight left to give . Ive been fighting just to finish for ten years. But without familial , administrative, financial support or housing; I have been a solider fighting uphill, and I am tired. I am begging for support to reach my goal to graduate from Howard University. Please if you can not donate please at least repost, thank you.
My story begins in 2014 after I lost my scholarship to Howard University. I lost my scholarship due to a psychotic breakdown I had while matriculating between my freshmen and Sophmore years. I received no support at all from the University or my community and became homeless soon after.
From 2014- to the present time I continuously battle homelessness and diagnosis depression in my new found home of Washington DC . Through prayer and the help of my single mentor and shelter the Friendship Place I was able to survive on the bare minimum.
However being in a survivalist mindset for so long I became disillusioned to what means to live not just survive. I’ve been in the Covenant House , Shasha Bruce and other organizations fighting to get back to my purpose daily . I am a scholar and a beautiful black man with a beautiful future.
Over the course of the past year I re-found my sense of self thru the senseless killings of my fellow black people. In the midst of a pandemic, I took to the streets I had already called home to stand for not just myself but all people who face oppression every day, that understand the struggle of surviving and not living .
In December 2020 , this fight came directly to me when I saw fellow protestors being attacked by Proud Boys. I am not a hero but I am a good person so it did not take a second thought to save others without a plan to save myself after . I was attacked shortly after helping and was publicly embrassased on 14TH street.
During my support of the protests I used my moped to make money to avoid turning to any type of crime. Unfortunately I was a victim of the exact crime I was trying to avoid when my moped and my only life line was stolen from me. Shortly after my emotional support animal Luna who many on the frontlines came to know and love was killed in horrific accident by acquaintance I was trying to help.
But instead of regressing I pushed ahead and continued to support my community. Also I buckled down got my business license , graduated from an entrepreneurship program, and fully enrolled for classes this Fall at the University of District of Columbia. As a proud Firebird the story of the Phoenix epitomes my journey thus far.
Fast forward two years and I accomplished my ten year goal of getting back into Howard University . Ten years.
After a decade of constant effort I am finally back at Howard as a proud sophomore Political Science major who’s moving over to the school of business.
The first time I posted this gofundme two years ago I did not reach my goal at all, and a lot of people I thought would support me , did not. And I did not give up I preserved. But I am at my breaking point yall and I can no longer put up this fight alone I am so close to giving up. I just need loving support. Even if you choice not to donate please spread the word. Ive been fighting for so long alone .
I now feel confident enough to ask for assistance from the same community I continue to support every day.
I am asking for $20,000 in total. This money will be use directly to first to pay my balance so I continue attending Howard University this spring as a sophomore. Second to buy a moped so that I can continue to work to support myself. Third help me buy my first laptop along with other school supplies computer so that I can be successful in my matriculation in college. Fourth funds will be used to help me secure permanent housing because I’ve come to realize with no home there is no peace and with no peace there is no progression. Lastly I want to invest directly into my business Pesca LLC, who’s sole mission is to battle food deserts ,in are strongest communities, through pescatarian cuisine .
I am a beautiful black man who had a very ugly experience post Howard , however I refuse to fail. Please help me reach the greatness my God blessed me with. Thank you for your time and consideration. Just know I will always keep the window open and the ladder down; an investment into me is one to the community at large. Thank you once again for reading and have a blessed day.
And even if you do not donate please spread the word, I need all the love and support I can get right now.
Organizer
Marquell Washington
Organizer
Washington D.C., DC