Matching letterman sweaters, matching red bottom Louboutin shoes, matching smiles, and matching cap and gowns. Not surprisingly, LaTanja and Juliauna, the graduating mother daughter duo, are the latest graduates from Clark Atlanta University (CAU), a historically black university (HBCU). LaTanja is graduating with a Master’s of Education in Educational Leadership. Her daughter Juliauna is graduating with a Bachelor’s of Psychology with top honors (of course). These two are very close. So close, LaTanja moved to Atlanta so that Juliauna didn’t have to go to CAU alone. When she got to Clark, LaTanja enrolled, too.
LaTanja is the second in her family to receive her Bachelor’s and the first to receive a Master’s degree. Juliauna was born with a heart defect. With this came the prognosis that her growth would be stunted, and she would not have a normal life. Look at them now. This graduating mother daughter duo are role models for their family especially since neither of LaTanja’s parents graduated from high school. Both women are leading the way in their family, with hopes of pursuing their Doctoral degrees.
While LaTanja attended on-campus classes, she participated in school events, joined a few organizations, and immersed herself in student life, as if she was one of the 20-year-olds. She loved it!
Next stop for Juliauna is attending Paul Mitchell Cosmetology school. Her makeup skills reminded me of my makeup artist, it was top-level work. Again, given the achieving nature of these two, it wasn’t surprising, Juliauna is multitalented.
LaTanja wants her family to be inspired by this historical moment to pursue their own dreams. The single mom wants to change the narrative about black families and their communities. She hopes to get more involved with advisory boards that focus on Black communities. It was an honor being asked to record this moment in a family portrait for the mother-daughter team. Seeing their pride just beam out of them is an inspiration. Congratulations, LaTanja and Juliauna! See you at the next dual graduation ceremony!
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