AmBria is a multi-faceted creative with the goal of creating a company promoting literacy programs in small towns and being a best-selling author. She is a two-time graduate of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism and a Master of Arts in English and African-American Literature. She is currently an English teacher for the non-profit organization, Navigate The Maze To Achievement, and recently served as Soigne’ + Swank Magazine’s Editorial Research Assistant.
AmBria, tell us about your background and why your chose to attend an HBCU.
My mother was the smartest adult I knew. She would wake me up a later then her, and I would watch her get dressed for work. She would pair her work suits with pretty pastel blouses, matching them with stunning heels. After school, I would sit in her office. Outwardly, I was “playing.” Inwardly, I was observing her, wanting to be just like her. Her officemates were Black with paper degrees behind their desk. They didn’t try to speak “proper,” they spoke a language equating to great respect for each other. Her officemates taught me power could be parallel with respect and honor. I could be smart, powerful, respectful, and successful. Just like them.
My mother also began my academic career at an all-black private school in the heart of our town. Most of the kids there were from working-class families, and they were the smartest kids I knew. Everyone was smart! So, I always associated intelligence with Black people. Making the decision to attend a Historically Black College & University was a no-brainer. I wanted to be on a playing field with the smartest players I could imagine and for me, Black people were those players and will always be.
Many of us may experience college life differently. What was your favorite or least favorite aspect of your HBCU experience?
My favorite HBCU experience of my undergraduate career was meeting my best friends. While my favorite graduate career experience was taking a Black Women Writers Through The Diaspora course.
It may not seem important to gain 4 friends over 4 years, but those 4 individuals have been sources of inspiration for me. Most of us started at the same time, so we kind of went through the same “college struggle.” We were broke, without cars taking the city bus, and rushing to meet 11:59 PM deadlines. It was the best time of my life. We laughed, cried, danced in the streets, and put our stamp on the college town of Greensboro, NC. To this day, we get together on our birthdays and make any city in the world our oyster.
The Black Women Writers Through The Diaspora course made me realize my Blackness transcends over waters. Being introduced to Edwidge Danticatt and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie changed my life. I read “Breath, Eyes, Memory” and “Dear Ijeawele, or A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions” during that course. Both books explained to me being a Black woman was more than what a man told me I should be. I was my person with my own story to write. And with that, my opportunities would be endless.
What does Black Excellence mean to you? And, would you send your child to an HBCU?
I would only want my child to attend an HBCU if it was truly significant to them. I want my child to care about where they spend 4 or however many years it takes for them to finish.
Black Excellence to me is simply living in the highest version of myself. There isn’t a need for accolades to demonstrate Black Excellence. We are excellent because we come from lineages of people whose mission was to seek a higher power. That higher power was where my ancestors knew destinies were made, promises were kept, and souls were replenished. Riches are important in this capitalistic society, but our joy takes precedence. I wish for every Black person (who wants it) to have an unexplainable amount of joy and Black Excellence is the epitome of that.
Lynnecia S. Eley is Founder & Managing Editor of Soigne’ + Swank Magazine. She is a career-driven entrepreneur, wife, and mother. Born and raised in Miami, Florida, she is an award-winning University Assistant Dean and Adjunct Professor committed to excellence, dedication, and caring for others. Known as the Confidence Doula, Lynnecia is a best-selling & award-winning author and coach, a founder of Two Queens Media and Eta Rho Sigma Sorority, Inc. You can learn more about Lynnecia and her platforms at www.shecaninspire.com.