One Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) Leadership Institute scholar decided he wasn’t going to let a speech impediment silence his voice.
Semaj Barnett, a junior business administration major at Prairie View A&M University, said for many years he let that obstacle hold him back. It kept him from speaking out loud, raising his hand in class or even talking to people.
He recalled a conversation with his speech pathologist in high school. Barnett shared with her that he wasn’t sure if he’d ever make it to college or corporate America because of his speech impediment. The speech pathologist said that it could hinder him, that what he was saying could be true.
“I remember just taking that in and letting that sit for a minute,” he said. “And I sat on that, but I still applied to college. I applied to Prairie View and I was accepted.”
It was around that time Barnett had a revelation.
“I just remember one day having a wake up call and realizing I can do anything,” Barnett said. “I can’t let my impediment hold me back. It is something that I’ll have to deal with forever.”
Barnett started putting himself out there more and becoming more comfortable with who he is, letting his impediment work for him instead of defining him.
“I can’t be quiet forever. I can’t just sit in the back of the room forever. And I can’t be alone forever,” Barnett said.
By choosing to use his voice, he’s found a supportive audience.
“Every time I’ve shared my story, people have always told me that it’s very amazing, because everybody in life has their own obstacles or problems,” Barnett said. “This is just mine, but you cannot let that define who you are.”
If he’d let it define him, he would have missed out on so much growth and success.
“I would have not interned at Shell Oil Company and I would not have two Wells Fargo offers,” he said. “I would not even be here at the Leadership Institute.”
Barnett received two internship offers from the conference’s presenting sponsor, Wells Fargo, at Leadership Institute and chose to accept an offer from the commercial banking team.
Life is hard, he said, but you have to carry on and stay strong.
“Nobody can tell your story like you can and no one can do what you do,” Barnett said. “All of us are unique in our own way.”
Leadership Institute was his first TMCF event, but not his first encounter with TMCF.
“I was awarded some scholarships and TMCF has truly changed my life because I pay out-of-state tuition,” Barnett said. “It’s an arm and a leg, but TMCF has really covered all of my costs every year for college so far, which has been absolutely amazing.”
He said he would love to have a career in banking or consulting in the future. He’s also set on earning a graduate degree.
“I know for sure I would love to go back and get my MBA from a top program, preferably Howard (University),” he said.
Barnett added that he wants to give back when he’s able.
“I want to give back to my community and stay involved in the TMCF network,” he said. “They have changed my life and one day I can have my own scholarship to give back.”
