The video features personal testimonies from two Greater Steps Scholars—Binyam Sima, a 19‑year‑old computer science major at NC State University, and Diamani Bryant, a 21‑year‑old nursing major at UNC Charlotte—who credit the scholarship fund for enabling their college education despite financial hardship. Additional speakers (B, C, D, E) describe the program’s origins and mission: to give every child living in public or subsidized housing the expectation and opportunity of a college degree. Speaker E recounts a 1970s experience with the Housing Authority, noting the lack of support for talented youth and the need for a dedicated fund. The overarching message urges graduates to “help somebody else” once they are settled, emphasizing a cycle of giving back. The video serves as a promotional narrative highlighting the impact of Greater Steps Scholars on individual lives and the broader community.
Chapters
My name is Binyam Sima. I'm 19 years old. I go to NC State University and my major is computer science. Greater Steps Scholars has helped me by providing the financial means for me to pursue my dream of becoming a software engineer.
I'm 17 years old and I'm a freshman I did it! I can't believe, like, I'm there. Like, although, like, I still have to go through 4 more years of studying, I'm just glad I made it that far and that my efforts in high school and, like, just in life in general has gotten me to there. With a single mother and a brother, a younger brother, it was sort of hard. At one point, I did have to start working as a housekeeper with my grandma to help my mom with the bills.
You know, we believe in this program. For us, we know that being exposed to the collegiate experience is a life-changing trajectory for most of these kids.
Our mission is to provide every child living in our public and subsidized housing an opportunity and expectation of a college education.
You know, these kids are very talented, but they just didn't— before this fund, they just didn't have the opportunity. No money. Nobody who was willing to stick their neck out and help them. In 1970, I went to work for the Housing Authority as Director of Community Services, and our kids weren't doing well. I realized we needed to do something to make sure that these kids who wanted to go to college would have an opportunity to go. And that to me is a, is a big thing because when you get an education, I think you learn a lot about life and what's expected of you and what's important.
My name is Diamani Bryant. I am 21 years old and I attend the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and I am majoring in nursing. Greatest Up Scholars paid for my schooling and that means a lot to me because I wouldn't have been able to go to school without the funding that they have provided.
The only thing I ever asked of them is when you get your degree and get settled in life, Help somebody else.
I'm a first-generation college student, and for my family, this means success.
