I am raising money for a brilliant, young woman who is a first-generation college student at Duke University. Her family immigrated to the United States because they heard America is a place that could make good on the boundless promise of their child. While she was an outstanding student throughout high school, she did not believe that college was a place for her, as there were those around her who signaled that a Brown girl like her was not college material. In the best tradition of anyone who's attained a level of success, she ignored the haters and centered herself in who she knew herself to be.

Not only did she excel in high school, she gained admission to one of the top colleges in the nation, Duke University. Yet Duke costs more than $85k annually. Her family does not have anywhere near that kind of money, and as she looks to register for the second semester of her junior year, she's $7000 short. Without this $7000, she would have to drop out of school. As a Duke alumnus myself, I know the power of a college degree and the opportunities a degree (especially one from a school like Duke) affords. It would be a travesty beyond measure if this young superstar-in-the-making had to drop out because of $7000. I ask you to join me so we can reach the $7000 goal and send this shining star on her way.