Hi, my name is Winston, and I’m urgently trying to raise $5,000 so I can stay enrolled in school this fall. Last week, I was hit with a $2,700 hold on my student account after one of my loans didn’t disburse properly. Because of this, I can’t register for classes or secure housing and without immediate support, I may not be able to return at all.

The full $5,000 will not only help cover the immediate balance but will also go toward my remaining student debt so I can continue my education without constantly being one unexpected setback away from losing it all.

Now, a little about me:

I’m a sophomore majoring in Economics, with a deep interest in law. I grew up in a single-parent household in Portage, Michigan. My mom raised me on her own and sacrificed everything to make sure I had a real shot at life. I owe everything I’ve accomplished so far to her strength and faith in me.

When I was just a baby, my mom and I were held at gunpoint during a home invasion. That moment—though I was too young to fully understand—left a mark that has shaped my life. Growing up in Kalamazoo, I witnessed firsthand the effects of systemic inequality: gun violence, under-resourced schools, and communities that are often ignored and underserved.

These experiences didn’t just impact me—they defined my purpose. I want to become a lawyer not just to represent individuals, but to fight for justice in the communities that shaped me. Economics helps me understand the systems that create inequality. Law gives me a path to challenge and dismantle them.

This GoFundMe is more than a request for help—it’s a lifeline to continue pursuing a purpose that’s bigger than me.

If you can give, know that you’re not just supporting my education—you’re investing in someone determined to make change. If you can’t donate right now, sharing this story would mean the world.

Thank you,

Winston