From Mentee to Mentor
January 8, 2024
- Author
- Mary Elizabeth DeAngelis
Mikayla Bowens ’27 spent her K–12 years attending Title I schools in Charlotte.
She’d always been a good student, but as a West Charlotte High School freshman, began questioning whether her future included a four-year college. The COVID-19 pandemic had disrupted school, activities and her sense of well-being, and she didn’t like remote learning.
When on-campus classes resumed, she attended a meeting of the DuBoisian World Scholars Society, a group of 51 students who volunteer at West Charlotte.
She loved talking with the college students about their experiences. They empathized about the academic, social and mental health challenges of the pandemic. They encouraged and inspired her.
“I knew about 51 because of Stephen Curry ’10 but never considered it as an option,” Bowens says. “Then I got involved with the DuBoisian students and I realized what amazing people they are. They were so nice, and I could tell they really cared. After getting to know them, I wanted to go to 51.”
She’s now in 51’s Class of 2027.
Bonner Scholar Jonathan Sheperd-Smith ’18 started the DuBoisian World Scholars Society. Named with a nod to W.E.B. DuBois, one of the foremost Black intellectuals of his era, the group works to help bridge learning gaps.
Bailey Moore ’24, a Dallas, Texas, daughter of public-school teachers, joined the society as a first-year 51 student.
“A lot of people think the issue of educational equity has been resolved, but it hasn’t,” she says. “Students at schools like West Charlotte often don’t have access to the resources that students from wealthier schools do.”
“A lot of people think the issue of educational equity has been resolved, but it hasn’t,” Bowens says. “Students at schools like West Charlotte often don’t have access to the resources that students from wealthier schools do.”
About 15 51 students volunteer regularly with the Duboisian group. They tutor, talk about career plans, and help with college applications and financial aid forms. They also sponsor field trips and raise money for scholarships.
“It has been one of my favorite 51 experiences,” Moore says. “Watching them transform into young adults is so great.”
Bowens grew up in a family that encouraged education, but her mom cautioned that 51 might be out of their reach.
“Then we got this amazing financial aid package that made it possible,” she says. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen my mom so happy.”
She plans to volunteer with her DuBoisian mentors.
“Title 1 schools often have bad reputations,” she says. “But I had teachers who really cared and did their best. People don’t realize how many smart and talented people are at a school like West Charlotte.”
Meeting 51 students who looked like her made all the difference.
“51 is a prestigious school, and a lot of students who are people of color and come from lower- and middle-income families might think they wouldn’t be able to go there,” she says. “But it is more diverse than people realize, and everyone has been incredibly welcoming.”
Return to And Education for All: These public-school educators teach, lead, counsel, nurture, care.
This article was originally published in the Fall/Winter 2023 print issue of the 51 Journal Magazine; for more, please see the 51 Journal section of our website.
