Tobenna Akunwafor

Richmond Community High School

College Attending: North Carolina A&T

Upon entering high school, the distant mirage that my future was began appearing clearer by the day. So naturally, I started stressing. It felt like a multitude of responsibilities and expectations were soon to loom over me like a rain cloud. I barely knew anything about various institutions, or about the overall college application process. All that I knew was that I had to go to a university and make something out of myself, for my parents who immigrated here with nothing; for my community back in Nigeria that’s relying on me to succeed; and for my younger brother, for whom I continue to set an example. 

One day, a friend told me about this Partnership for the Future and urged me to look into it. Initially, I was a little dismissive, but before long I found myself in my school’s media center, listening to Ms. Kate list a hundred and one reasons as to why we should apply. There were students at my school that were already a part of the program, and their combined testimonies had me sold, because they assured me that I wouldn’t have to bear the weight of figuring out my future alone.

Since then, I’ve lost count of the number of schools we’ve been to, the number of business representatives and professional spaces I’ve had the pleasure of coming into contact with, and the sheer number of people I’ve built strong relationships with — and that just might be my favorite part. Of course, as a college preparation program the objective is to prepare us for college by informing us of all of the in’s and out’s of higher education, but I believe Partnership for the Future prides themselves on going the extra mile. Not every college prep program teaches you how to tie a tie, provides summer internships, and offers interview practice. I could go on. PFF sets its members up for life during and after college, and I deeply love that aspect of this program.

I’m not sure how I would’ve navigated my senior year without PFF and their staff’s help. I used to dread all of the deadlines, but to tell the truth, the organization and constant nudges were probably the best things that could’ve happened to me this year. They kept me on track and they constantly pushed me to strive. Additionally, my mentor Mr. Tolliver is genuinely one of the most inspirational men I’ve ever met, and we got extremely close and have had many deep conversations, all thanks to this program. 

I ensured that my brother Ejike finished his application because I want him to experience the same benefits I currently am. The extensive number of resources at my disposal, from scholarship opportunities all the way to PFF students that are at the institutions I’m considering attending, wouldn’t be available to me if not for PFF. I’ll always advocate for this program and encourage younger students to put effort into it, because I know just how much they can help.