Free Voice

Where Are They Now?

BY AIYDA CELESTIN

A national victims advocate who witnessed the murder of his mother and brother at the tender age of ten, a pioneering young Latino politician still coping with the devastating loss of his friend due to gun violence and a 35 year old Emmy award winner born to Jamican immigrants.

These circumstance and triumphs may set William Kellibrew, Joshua Lopez and Cheryl Glanville apart, but one thing bounds them together; the foundation and education they received at UDC. "I have many influences at UDC they have a major impact on my life, they care about me and give me strength to push through," says Kellibrew who has taken a break from school to devote time to his family and The William Kellibrew Foundation (WKF). Honored by the White House as the 2011 champion of change for his work as president of the board of directors for the foundation, the 37-year-old peace advocate for survivors of molestation, homicide, and domestic violence works hard to map out his plan for its most recent projects. Expanding the foundation’s mission to support victims and survivors of crime, Kellibrew says he looks forward to working across country and throughout Washington, D.C.

These days he’s preparing for the foundation’s monthly symposium on national crime which highlights providing a safe space for dialogue with men and young boys, education, awareness, and solutions surrounding youth in D.C. Kellibrew shares his success with one of his influences at UDC Professor Barbara Harvey, who created the foundation in 2007.

While school serves as a major influence in shaping his accomplishments, his grandmother also plays a major role in his journey throughout his career and in life. Moving in with his grandmother in Southeast D.C. along with his sister motivated him to move mountains, he said. "My grandmother once told me, if you can get through the murders of your mother and brother, you can get through anything,"he says. “She worked for 38 years determined to provide for her children."

This feeling is familiar for Cheryl Glanville whose upbringing motivates her to reach for the stars. "We didn't have much growing up, [but] my parents always told me to strive for bigger and better. ".This not only influences her success but influenced her decision to enroll in UDC in 2005 graduating with a degree in Mass Media Television production 2009.

With the guidance of professor Olive Vassell, she was able to take her style to new heights. "Professor Vassell always pushed me as far stepping outside of the box." It was this initiative that earned Cheryl her Emmy award for best student project in the Chesapeake Bay area through her internship with NBC.

"I would have to say it takes heart to win an Emmy, this is something that puts pressure on me to make my projects just as good," says Glanville.

As she maintains under the pressure, she’s working on a more focused and long-term goal to become a certified technology specialist which she hopes to redefine her craft focusing more on her success than her fame."It was back to normal once I received the Emmy." Normal is a word not common to Joshua Lopez who grew up weaving his way through the busy life of the local political arena as a young activist. It wasn't until his time at the university that the 28-year-old gave a new name to advocacy.

Lopez first made his mark in the political arena in spring 2011 as the first candidate acquiring 3000 signatures for a position on the ballot. Born and raised in D.C. to Guatemalan parents, it was his upbringing that shaped his success. “Looking at my mother struggle to achieve the American dream is what motivates me to achieve,” says Lopez. Entering UDC in spring 2003 the 2009 alum exercised his voice and leadership skills while protesting against the tuition increase at the university. Now working in a private sector and sitting on the board of a local non-profit and international work he attributes UDC as a major influence in life. “I continue my relationships with my professors who mentored me and students including the current President of USGA," he says.

The Untold Story

BY Sean HOGGARD

Like any other human being, the University of the District of Columbia’s star basketball player Nigel Munson has had his ups and downs, on and off the court. However, he has not been deterred by distractions that could stand in his way of achieving his goals.

Inspired and mentored by his godfather Tom Langley who he met at the age of nine, Munson has kept a positive outlook on his future especially on the court. That outlook has seen the 25-year-old through some difficult times.

“Through all the changes the thing that has really kept me motivated is my love of basketball. I love the game and I love to play and compete. At the end of the day, if you are a good player there are a lot of paths you can take to get to where you want to be. I want to play professional basketball some day, and hopefully I will have the opportunity to do that. I also have to thank my coaches: Jeff Ruland, Terrell Stokes, and Tony Iati. They keep me motivated and push me and my teammates every day,” said Munson.

The Dematha graduate began his college years at Virginia Tech, a Division I school in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).  He liked playing at a well-known school. Munson said “D1 programs have a lot of exposure, great players and good competition.” Averaging 3 points and 1 assist per game while coming off the bench at Virginia Tech, he was a key unit to the team. One tragic day changed everything about the school for Munson. It was April 17, 2007 when a shooting took the innocent lives of 32 people. “I was on my way back to school when I received a call from coach saying "stay where you are" because of the shooting,” Munson said.

Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va,, is far from city life and Munson did not have any relatives to call on.  Realizing that he was homesick, he decided to transfer to be closer to his family here in Washington, D.C.  Preferring not to talk about his family, which includes one brother and two sisters, Munson instead focuses on his mentor. “Someone who has been a major influence on my life is my mentor, Langley. He has been a big supporter of mine, and I am blessed to have someone like him in my life,” Munson said, adding that he considers Langley to be like family.

After Virginia Tech, he quickly turned to George Washington University, but his former coach would not allow the transfer because he didn’t want his team to play against Munson. This move caused the young point guard to take two years off from college and competitive basketball.

Instead Munson took a job at UPS and the Department of Parks and Recreation. In 2009, he joined the University of the District of Columbia’s promising team. Now a star, Munson says he has great hopes and wants to help others on and off the court. He uses his leadership skills to make people, especially his teammates better, he said.

When he is not playing basketball, the Graphic Design major likes to listen to music, spend time in the gym, and draw. He understands the importance of balancing his student life with his athletic one. He knows the books come first; that everything revolves around your grades.

After UDC he plans to sit down with his coaches to figure out the best option for his career including whether it be entering the NBA Draft or playing overseas. In the next five years, he still sees himself having a career playing basketball. His advice to athletes like himself is “to never sell yourself short, if you love the game, keep the passion and play at the highest level possible.”

Excelling While In School

BY KAYDIAN JONES

There comes a time in every college student’s life where he or she has to make a successful transition from the classroom, to the workforce.

Antoine Wood a 20-year-old sophomore is mastering both a graphic communication major at the University of the District of Columbia, he is not your average working student. He is head photographer and founder of Antoine Wood Production (AWP). AWP offers photography packages; portrait, events and ceremonies and videography. With three other associates Wood maintains a balance between his studies and his company. 

The public warmly greeted Wood’s recent photo exhibition “Pieces of Me” held in the District. His first exhibition provided a learning experience for Wood, “I felt like I could have done better, but that’s just the driving force within me,” he said. Soft spoken and humbled by his achievements, he said “I look at success and failure a little different, I always feel like I’m never at the top but I can always progress and do better.”

As for the future Wood sees the company expanding and making a brand name for itself, also opening up opportunities for internship for college students in photography. “Just like how people see the apple and know it’s apple brand, that’s where I see AWP 10 years from now,” said Wood.

“A couple years ago I realized I could make money from photography, that’s definitely something you look for when starting a company,” said Wood.  From early as age six he picked up his first camera and received encouragement from family and friends but as the years past that’s all he received. “I was verbally supported but I wasn’t financially supported.” Shaking off this minor setback, Wood then picked up the hobby of drawing then writing poetry. After graduating from Duke Ellington School of the Arts, the year 2007 saw the birth of AWP first as a fan base then it blossomed into a company.

With numerous amount photo editing software and websites now available what sets AWP apart is the realism captured by the camera, which goes hand in hand with the company’s mission statement “Creating quality illustrations for the moment you cherish,” Wood said.

The company’s work can be viewed its their website http://www.antoinewood.com.