FOSSI: Tell us a bit about yourself.
My name is Dewayne McKinnnon Jr., I'm from Washington, D.C. and I am attending Florida A&M University. I consider myself hardworking, responsible, reliable, and I seek to use my exceptional people skills to elevate and pave a successful future for myself and the people in my community. In my spare time, I enjoy playing basketball, traveling, designing clothes, giving back to the community, exploring new music, and learning more about different types of fashion and business. Emphasizing my core values of discipline, understanding, and initiative, I hope to educate individuals globally on what it truly means to be a man and lift the negative connotations placed on black men in society.
FOSSI: Why are you passionate about pursuing a degree in a STEM-related field?
Since I was younger, I have always been very technical and had a passion for putting things together. I
enjoy assembling and disassembling pieces together so that I can learn how each piece functions to contribute to the whole product. When initially deciding upon my career path, I knew I wanted to become an engineer, but I was highly indecisive on the specific type. In high school, I conducted research on different types of engineers, and I learned that being a mechanical engineer best suited my future goals and what I wanted to achieve: creating and designing the machines that manufacture products. I’m excited for the opportunity to learn more about marketing and creating my own devices and automation to use for the distribution of my apparel and accessories from my unique point of view.
FOSSI:Why is receiving the FOSSI scholarship important for you?
Receiving the FOSSI scholarship has been extremely important for me because it has allowed me to continue my education in the STEM field after high school and decreased my financial burden of having to pay for college. I come from a low-income single-parent home with no funds to pay for my college tuition. My mother still must pay admin fees and housing deposits before she hears back about any financial assistance and before I hear back from any scholarships, which puts her in an even deeper financial bind. Additionally, my mother has recently taken on a third job to make ends meet. She is working hard to find a solution to our dilemma which makes me want to work even harder to excel in college and become successful so that I can be financially secure.
FOSSI:Who is a role model that has influenced you?
My role model has inspired me to serve. My mother has always given back to people in need without any reason. One instance was in the summertime during middle school. She asked me in the morning if I wanted to go with her to give back to people in need, and I took a moment to think and said yes (although I really wanted to go back to sleep). After I finished getting dressed, she drove me to random parks in downtown D.C. where homeless people were in camps, and I helped her pass out food and clothing to these individuals. Initially, I was confused about why we were giving food and clothes to random strangers, but at that moment she taught me that I should always find time to give back and support those in need because it takes a village. That motivated me to find more ways to give back and provide for those in less fortunate circumstances.
FOSSI: Fast forward – where do you see yourself in ten years?
In ten years, I see myself becoming successful and finding new ways to add to my success. I do not know exactly what I will be doing in ten years, but I see myself learning other fields of engineering and discovering new machines and technologies used for clothing and products, such as a steam press, additive manufacturing printers, and other technologies like cricut makers and stitching machines. Upon the completion of my undergraduate STEM degree, I seek to use my knowledge of mechanical engineering to build newer models and machinery for my business so that I can continue to produce clothing for myself and other designers.
FOSSI: Share a few fun facts about yourself.
- I have the gift of artistry and carpentry.
- I can communicate well with others.
- I am very tech savvy.
- I can design clothing.
- I am an excellent cook.
- My favorite rapper is Lil Wayne.
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