Rakim Amalu Jenkins, a native of Brooklyn and a Mellon Mays Fellow at City College, is pursuing a double major in sociology and Black studies. Seeing the hardships facing his community propelled him to seek education as a path to change his family and neighbors’ circumstances. His overarching objective is to obtain a Ph.D. in sociology with a specialization in urban sociology and the Afro-American predicament. He aspires to develop scholarships that break down the structure of poverty, improve the quality of life for Black people, and move the nation closer to achieving its founding principles. As president of the Black Student Union, Rakim has educated others on civil and human rights and the historical achievement of people of African descent. He has lectured in classes, led study groups and book discussions, hosted events, and participated in panel discussions and radio broadcasts. Rakim is a motivational speaker and during his free time he enjoys speaking to the youth on the importance of higher education.