Todd Valentine is our first scholarship recipient to graduate college – Clark Atlanta University. Mr. Valentine indicates, that “today when people ask me if I missed out on anything by not attending a mainstream/ well-funded university, I tell them “No” for one reason: the Black college experience is impossible to replicate in any activity or organization, thus making it a priceless credential. As an undergraduate, I attended Clark Atlanta University located in Atlanta, Georgia. A member in a consortium of universities called the Atlanta University Center (Morehouse, Spelman, Morris Brown, Inter Theological Center and Morehouse School of Medicine) often referred to as the mecca of black colleges and universities.

”I was one of three students, at the time, selected from Clark to participate in an intensive internship program at Georgia Pacific that will provide participants exposure to the areas of corporate legal issues, accounting procedures, and business management. I also became acquainted with local government by interning with Council member Derrick Boazman of District Twelve. Unlike most of the general public, which sees only the final version of an ordinance, I attended Atlanta City Council meetings to observe the government in action. Admittedly, my grades have not always been my greatest source of pride throughout college. Despite my strong academic record in high school, I believe that perhaps I took on too many outside activities, including a year with the men tennis team, involvement with the Marketing Club, Campus Activities Board, and board membership with the Young Entrepreneur's Business Club, to name a few. Often my schedule has been overwhelming because of my extracurricular involvements; however, the maturity and responsibility I have gained by meeting new people and encountering new situations and environments has shaped my character and intellect. I could not have chosen a better university to attend.”