Marcus Hunter II grew up in "poverty level" conditions. He lost his own father to gun violence and  a tree in North Minneapolis is dedicated to his father’s memory. Reared by a single mother, his family of six moved 15 times and he attended 16 schools by 9th Grade.  When Marcus began our college coaching program, we learned of the grave circumstances of his childhood. He often went without meals. There was no money for extras like books or sports. He was teased by his classmates for wearing his clothes inside out because he had no way to launder them. But none of that stopped Marcus. His ambition was greater than his circumstances. He would become a writer and share the “human stories”  intended to help heal his  community.  He learned about his High School (De La Salle) through his mentor, but he failed his first entrance exam, scoring in the 7th percentile. His support team acquired a tutor, and he worked diligently to build his skills. He was allowed to retake the exam, but he still failed, at the 47th  percentile. Yet, improvement was so  unprecedented, that De La Salle accepted him as a student. Now, Marcus is a top scholar, at De La Salle, and has been on the “A Honor Roll,” for the past two years. Wow - talk about initiative and drive!  After George Floyd's murder, Marcus was living his everyday life in North Minneapolis, and he began to see North through maturing eyes. He was inspired to write his first opinion piece for the Star Tribune, titled "Imagine You Are a Black Male Teen in North Minneapolis." Read the article here: <a href="https://www.startribune.com/imagine-you-are-a-black-male-teen-in-north-minneapolis/572719461/"><a href="https://www.startribune.com/imagine-you-are-a-black-male-teen-in-north-minneapolis/572719461/" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.startribune.com/imagine-you-are-a-black-male-teen-in-north-minneapolis/572719461/</a></a> The onset failed to bring the usual  reprieve from crime. Marcus continued to hear the  nightly, frightening siren screams and saw the death toll rise in North Minneapolis.


He looked around and saw ribbons, flowers, balloons and messages, tied to trees, to honor those who were lost to gun violence. He thought about his father’s tree and in that realization  he published his second opinion piece titled, "I Live In a Cemetery Called North Minneapolis." Read the article here:  <a href="https://www.startribune.com/i-live-in-a-cemetery-called-north-minneapolis/600029485/"><a href="https://www.startribune.com/i-live-in-a-cemetery-called-north-minneapolis/600029485/" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.startribune.com/i-live-in-a-cemetery-called-north-minneapolis/600029485/</a></a> His college-coaching team created this  “Go Fund Me” page as a way to raise awareness about his writing and  to create a college fund to compensate Marcus for his powerful writing.  He has already been accepted into various Universities. His top three choices are Howard University, the University of Arizona, or the University of Houston. Marcus will double-major in Business and Journalism this fall and plans to earn his MBA. He continues to give back to his community through his writing,  managing a youth gospel band, and mentoring his peers to pursue their dreams - despite the odds. Please donate to his College-Fund.  Thank you for your investment in Marcus and our community!  Sincerely, The College Fund for Marcus Coaching Team

Anonymous

caroline kim

Elise K Wall

Nancy Armand

Kimberly Blackwell

Arlene Isaacs-Lowe

Susan Chapman

Judson Church

Elena Brito Sifferlin

College Fund for Marcus

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