FOSSI: Tell us a bit about yourself.
My name is Emmanuel, my friends call me Eman. I was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. One thing most people don’t notice about me is that I'm Nigerian! Both of my parents were born in Lagos, Nigeria. Before my 3 sisters and I were born, they traveled to America to give us a better chance at life.
The first thing people notice about me is my height. I'm 6’1" and I know to some people that isn’t very tall but to many, I'm a giant. You may be wondering if I play basketball and I'm sorry to say that I don't. Instead, I run Track and field, a sport that I truly enjoy. I've run cross country before and I can say a three mile race is nothing like my usual 400 meters.
On the topic of things that I enjoy, I've recently begun to fall in love with classical music and art. I wouldn't call myself Leonardo da Vinci, but I do enjoy drawing. I record and edit my work into videos that I later share on social media.I believe I am a cool and down-to-earth guy who is ready to experience what life has to offer.
FOSSI: Why is receiving the FOSSI scholarship important for you?
Being an African child, the expectations are set high. Yoruba culture stresses that the parents are the first teachers of their children, instructing them in the “proper" way of relating to their elders and people of the same age group. I was taught various values from my youth such as God, respect, and the importance of education. This has enabled me to have a good work ethic in school, and has helped me to embrace and value my education.
I will be pursuing my bachelor’s degree in Industrial & Systems Engineering from Morgan State University. This will assist me on my journey to becoming a product design/development engineer. Earning a college degree will mean so much to me and my community, that is why receiving the FOSSI scholarship is important to me. My community would be proud of me as it will demonstrate how hard work, culture, and faith in God have inspired excellence.
FOSSI: Who is a role model that has influenced your educational choices?
In my life, I have had several people come and go. Either leaving a positive or negative impact on me. Somehow, my former program manager for the Vivian Burey Marshall Academy, Ms. Arianna, has largely influenced my educational choices.
I joined the 4-year pilot program during my 8th-grade year of middle school. The program allowed me to participate in several competitions and hands-on activities that inspired me to further my knowledge in the fields of STEM. Activities such as the FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC), Junior Solar Sprint (JSS), and the Ten80 National STEM League. I was able to use what I learned in these programs to guide my choices concerning picking which high school I would attend, as well as the college and major I would pursue in the future.
FOSSI: Share a few fun facts about yourself
- I am Nigerian. My last name is “Durojaiye” which means “Stop and enjoy life.”
- I ran Track and Field/ Cross Country.
- I played the drums for my church.
- I spent a week during the summer of 2019 at JROTC leadership Bootcamp.
- I have raced RC cars at several National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) annual conferences.