Scholar Spotlight: Kiante Williams

After graduating from Walnut Hills High School, Kiante Williams knew what he wanted to do. He applied, and was accepted, to several colleges to get a degree in engineering. “But I just didn’t have the resources,” he said. “I ended up in jail because I tried to get the money illegally.”

Finding a Community of Support

Eventually, with jail behind him, a friend’s mother took Kiante under her wing. “She wanted me to go to college, but I had kind of given up on the idea. I thought I’d just do the best I could,” he recalled. “But when I had a son, she urged me to do more with my life and introduced me to people who she thought could help.” 

One of those people was Paige Hesson from Cincinnati Public School’s Adult Education Solutions.  Paige, in turn, encouraged Kiante to meet with David Hesson, Director of Programs at The Chatfield Edge.

“When I met David at Starbucks, I gave him the full rundown of everything that happened in my life up to that point. I had given up hope that I’d ever get to college,” said Kiante. “He heard my story and said The Chatfield Edge would do whatever they could to get me believing in myself again.” 

Pursuing Dreams Through Education

Today, with David’s encouragement and a scholarship from The Chatfield Edge, Kiante attends Cincinnati State full-time learning graphic design. He also works full-time, and cares for his five-year-old son the first half of every week. He ultimately plans to transfer to the University of Cincinnati to obtain a digital media degree and land his dream job of making commercials. 

“I love the creative part of advertising, thinking of unique ideas, and building the idea from images, the soundtrack, the set designs and writing scripts. I want to spend my life doing what I love which is being creative,” he said.

Kiante credits David with fueling his passion to get the degree he wants, saying “David is really caring and passionate about my education and helping me try to improve my life and my son’s life. He’s so happy that I’m happy, and he loves checking in on my son, too. His passion is infectious. I have a huge desire to prove him right by getting my digital media degree.”

Mentoring Support

As part of The Chatfield Edge’s services to its student scholars, Kiante was recently paired with a volunteer mentor who will walk with him as he completes his degree. “I think my mentor has good connections which will open some doors for me professionally,” Kiante said.

In the future Kiante hopes to do the same for someone else. “I want to take someone who is lost like I was and guide them to getting a degree.”

If you need support on your educational journey, reach out to us today on our website (chatfieldedge.org) or call us at 513-875-3344. We look forward to helping you reach your dreams through education.