The video presents a series of short, personal testimonials from six graduating students—Toni Moss, Sawsan Sulaiman, Zuleima Ambries, Marcela Mendoza‑Bautista, Nabritney Purvis, and Tracy Cameron—who each describe how the WINGS (Women Executives of Charlotte) program has shaped their educational journeys and future aspirations. Across diverse institutions (Central Piedmont Community College, Queens University of Charlotte, Johnson & Wales, Johnson C. Smith University, UNCC) and fields of study (hospitality management, interior architecture, finance, food & beverage entrepreneurship, social work, history), the speakers highlight key benefits: financial assistance that enabled them to afford tuition, mentorship and sisterhood that provided emotional and professional support, empowerment to become “bigger, better” women, and hope for future generations. Several note being first‑generation college graduates and express a desire to give back, pursue further education (law school, graduate certificates), or contribute to their families and communities. The overall narrative underscores WINGS as a catalyst for personal transformation, community uplift, and career readiness.
Chapters
My name is Toni Moss. I'm graduating from Central Piedmont Community College. My degree is in Hospitality Management. I'm getting my associate's degree. WINGS means a lot to me. It has given me the opportunity to really change my life, to better my financial situation. I'm looking forward to starting my career. I'm the first in my family to graduate with a college degree. And I'm just looking forward to being able to give back in the way that I was given.
My name is Sawsan Sulaiman. I am graduating from Queens University of Charlotte majoring in interior architecture and design. I am so grateful for WINGS because WINGS gave me the wings to fly in my education journey and helped me to come to this and stand up and talk about my education journey. And thank you so much for WINGS, and thank you for Women Executives of Charlotte for everything you did for me.
My name is Zuleima Ambries. I'm graduating from Queens University. I'm a finance major, and WINGS for me signifies a change in my life, in my family, and my communities. They've helped me propel myself They've helped me to continue school, finish school, and they've also helped me become a bigger, better woman. I've got very big goals of going to law school, and financially and morally supportive of those goals, I probably wouldn't have been able to do so without WINGS. So that's what WINGS means to me, a change of my entire life as well as my family's.
My name is Marcela Mendoza-Bautista. And I'm graduating from Johnson& Wales with a major in food and beverage entrepreneurship and a minor in sommelier. WIN means to me a lot because it's the possibility to go to school when we cannot afford that. The support that WIN gave us, it is amazing. Thank you so much.
My name is Nabritney Purvis. I'm graduating from Johnson C. Smith University with a bachelor's in social work. WINGS means to me sisterhood. I would say sisterhood because I was able to meet with different ladies from different races, nationalities, and ethnic groups. I've been able to gain support from women my age as well as wisdom from women older than myself.
Hi, my name is Tracy Cameron. I'm a graduate of UNCC Charlotte campus. I graduated in August of 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts in History. Currently working on my Elementary Education graduate certificate with an add-on as an administrator license for my master's. And what Wings means to me is hope. Hope that I can do something better for me, for my family, and I can give my kids guidance so they can have a better journey in life. Thank you.
