Florida A&M University Computer Science Student Tishauna M. Wilson was named the “Next Black Female Mark Zuckerberg” by Black Enterprise and is a 2018 McDonald’s 365Black Award honoree.
McDonald’s 365Black Award honors individuals who make notable work within the African American community. At 20-years-old, Wilson happened to be the youngest of those honored while awarded $10,000 from the McDonalds HBCU Forward Scholarship. The scholarship was made possible by the Thurgood Marshall College Fund was awarded in New Orleans during the Essence Festival.
Receiving such accolades not only motivated Wilson but made her more inspired.
“It validated what I’m doing is on the road to success,” Wilson said. “I use it as motivation.”
The acclaimed “shiny model of sheer determination” was a high honors graduate as one of the top students in her class from Tampa Bay Technical High School.
While in high school, learning to code in HTML and repair computers gave her the initiative to do programming even though the she initially had the desire to major in music.
While journeying through college, Wilson has been acknowledged for her revisions made at FAMU within the computer science research program.
Within this program, artificial intelligence projects focused on issues in the digital sphere are researched. Detecting various types of fraud, developing a voice activated self-driving drone and basketball referee system are just a few projects Wilson is helping to research.
David Wint, computer information systems student believes that Wilson will inspire those in generations to come.
“Ever since I first started talking to Tishauna she seemed like a truly motivated individual,” Wint said. “I’m pretty sure as the world moves forward people are going to want to be the next Tishauna Wilson.”
The tech scholar has received praise and recognition from FAMU’s National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Essences Magazine, various news stations and at the 2018 FAMU Young Alumni Giving brunch.
Celebrities such as actress Ryan Destiny and former NFL running back Thomas Q. Jones have also congratulated Wilson.
Shalanda Ward, theatre performance student felt that Wilson’s accomplishments were remarkable.
“Wilsons drive and ambition shown at large is inspiring and commendable,” Ward said.
Being a McDonalds 365black Award honoree was a big accomplishment for the scholar but just a start toward her accolades.
As she progresses through her collegiate and technological advances, her ambition to do greater is at an all-time high. The mentor and tutor aspires to be a CEO of a Fortune 500 company after receiving a Ph.D., in computer science.
Wilson also plans to launch her own LLC, “AI-X7” which she said represent inventions for all with an aim to bring technology into various industries. This FAMU scholar is sure to continue to shine!
By Precious J. Tankard of the FAMUAN
