Help Ramiyah Stay at Howard University

Hello Family,

My name is Ramiyah Davis, and I’m a rising junior at Howard University majoring in International Business. I’m from Detroit, Michigan, and I’m a proud first-generation college student. Attending Howard has been a blessing and a dream come true. I’ve grown so much here, academically and personally, but right now I’m facing a financial crisis that could put everything I’ve worked for at risk.

On June 4, I received an email from the university saying I owe a balance of $4,000. If I don’t pay this amount within 30 days, my account will be sent to collections. This would not only affect my mother’s credit, but I could also lose my housing and be removed from my classes.

Since my freshman year, I’ve been working nonstop to pay for school out of pocket. Balancing jobs, classes, and extracurriculars has never been easy, but I’ve stayed committed. I currently have a 3.4 GPA, and I’m working hard to graduate with a 4.0. Unfortunately, the job I had most recently ended badly, and I was never paid for the work I completed. Now I find myself in a difficult position with limited time to raise the funds.

My mother earns minimum wage and is doing her best to support me and my younger sister. But the truth is, I have no financial safety net. I’ve been fighting to stay at Howard every year. From last-minute account holds to unexpected charges and housing struggles, it has not been easy. Still, I remain committed because I believe in the mission of Howard and the power of Black excellence.

I’m actively involved on campus as the NAACP Economic Development Co-Chair and regularly participate in community service. I have worked too hard to let this stop me from reaching my goals.

Any amount you can give would mean the world to me. Even if you’re only able to share this with others, I would be so grateful. Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for your support.

With love,

Ramiyah