From Homeless to History Professor: Grambling State University Alum Edmond Davis Shares Life Lessons With the Next Generation
Edmond Davis via Aviate Through Knowledge, Inc.
This is part of our HBCU Career Stories column, where we highlight career journeys and wisdom from the HBCU community.
HBCU educator and alum, Edmond Davis was the visionary for America's First HBCU Black Wall Street Career Fest hosted by Arkansas Baptist College in 2022. Following the resounding success of the fest at Shorter College in 2023, Davis and his team are poised to replicate this triumph in 2024. The career fair model included a preparatory job search orientation, complete with interview attire and resume writing training that ultimately positioned hundreds of HBCU students to be employed by black-owned businesses, agencies, and enterprises.
Grambling State University alum, Edmond Davis recognized a unique opportunity to unite HBCUs across Arkansas for a comprehensive day-long experience, "Never had there been a conglomerate of HBCUs in one state inviting other HBCUs and students to converge for an entire day's experience where you have mostly, not all, Black business owners hiring HBCU students." He reflected on the legacies of Black Wall Streets across America, when Black citizens worked for themselves and employed one another during a time when discrimination limited opportunities.
Davis' work towards empowering students to walk in the legacy of Black Wall Street started from lessons he learned walking the cold Philadelphia streets when his family had to leave their home. Over 35 years ago, Davis' parents hit a rough patch, and their landlord was not gracious. Even when they slept at a train station and struggled with being unhoused, the family remained intact and became stronger.
“Emotions are valid, Davis explains, don’t avoid them, “But you don’t make decisions based on your emotions because that’s how you get killed faster and go to jail even faster.” ”
He missed so much school that he had to repeat the fourth grade. He remembers being embarrassed, but learned that telling his story was important. It allowed him to release frustration and fear of embarrassment and to get his ego out of the way so he could grow.
Emotions are valid, Davis explains, don't avoid them, "But you don't make decisions based on your emotions because that's how you get killed faster and go to jail even faster."
“The way Davis “Ran class, the culture of the classroom, the energy Davis had in the classroom and the way he taught students to seek information was inspiring.””
via Aviate Through Knowledge, Inc.
He has shared his life lessons with the young men he has mentored or taught at Arkansas Baptist College, one of four HBCUs in Arkansas. Dustin Danzie, a former student of Davis’s and Arkansas Baptist 2011 alum, shared that he became an educator and was awarded "new teacher of the year" as a result of being under Davis' tutelage. Danzie explained that the way Davis "Ran class, the culture of the classroom, the energy Davis had in the classroom and the way he taught students to seek information was inspiring."
Davis also served as faculty vice chair of the Faculty Senate, and Director of Career Services. As director, he ushered in the HBCU Black Wall Street Career Fest. He also previously served as the first active research director at the Derek Olivier Research Institute for the prevention of gun violence.
Through his Aviate Through Knowledge Inc. nonprofit, Davis created, RESPOND-I-BILITY, a community outreach program fostering cultural and social competencies to equip young minorities with the skills necessary to respond responsibly in encounters with law enforcement and peers.
Davis is transitioning to a career as a full-time speaker where he will travel to different cities and organizations to help equip young people with social and emotional intelligence mechanisms through his social and emotional IQ tour. Through his compelling story, Davis seeks to inspire and empower those facing adversity, urging them to maintain resilience and focus on their goals.
Davis shares his story with the hopes to inspire and empower others who may be in tough situations.
“In Davis’s own words, “Even though you’re in a temporary, uncomfortable position right now, still have that short term, midterm and long term goal in life. You’re going to get over this bump. It’s raining right now. It can’t rain forever.” Rain will cause the seeds you plant, or the steps you take toward your goals, to sprout. This rough phase, “can make you bitter or make you better. We’re going to shoot to make you better.””