Aziyah Patterson is a High School Senior graduating this spring as part of the Class of 2020. While graduation looks a lot different than she expected with COVID-19, her dream remains the same: to be a successful entrepreneur and inspire other young girls of color. Acknowledging the obstacles facing women entrepreneurs, she said, “Growing up, I didn’t see a lot of females or people who looked like me running businesses and becoming successful entrepreneurs, but today we see that often and I would like to keep it going and show people it is possible.” 

Aziyah has a fierce vision: her plan is to major in business, while also starting her own business while in college. Aziyah shared that after she graduates college and begins her business, she will be emboldened to live her life to the fullest, naming a few hopes she has: “I hope my life will be easier. I hope that I’m happy with what I’m doing, and I hope that I will never have to worry about anything and live my life to the fullest. Other lives will be different because I will share my knowledge and help those around me.”

Aziyah has been part of Student U since sixth grade and will continue to be part of our community through her college journey. Reflecting on her time at Student U, she said, “Student U has made sure I’ve stayed on track with school and they’ve always made sure I knew that they were always there if I ever needed them.”

Here is Aziyah’s advice to the next generation as she embarks on her next chapter:

Whatever you want to do, do it. Whatever you want in life, you have to want it 100% and work hard at it. It doesn’t matter what others say about your goals because success isn’t about how your life looks to others, but how it feels to you. So if you’re happy with your goals and your success, it doesn’t matter what others think or feel. 

 Find out where Aziyah has chosen to go to college on Monday, June 1, at 10:00 am on Facebook Live @StudentUDurham.