“I Am History”

“I AM HISTORY”

The story of Ebony Watson’s mission to Cape Town, South Africa

You often hear the phrase “history in the making,” but what makes an individual historically inclined? God has predestined each and every one of us for his divine purpose; he’s given each of us gifts and visions to present to the world. In honor of Black History Month, JPowellBowTieLife online magazine presents the life and mission of a young black woman that is on the rise of greatness; Ebony Watson.

Who is E.W:

Ebony Watson is a 25 year-old young woman with a heart of gold, a highly anointed individual who boldly speaks her dreams and goals into existence. She is a wife to the love her life, Jahi Watson, who she adores with all her heart, an honors student, loving sister and amazing daughter; but she declares, that doesn’t make her who she is. “I am honestly a girl who used her obstacles and personal experiences as my motivation to become who I am today. I am a child of God. I truly believe I was created and went through all of the experiences to help someone else and serve others,” she says.

Born to Shine:

Ebony Watson was born in the sunny side month of June. She was raised in Roosevelt, Long Island, NY, in a single family home and was the only girl out of her four siblings. “I grew up in a single parent family home without my father, my mother did the best she could to raise my brothers and I. She always told me the sky is the limit and to never let my circumstances stop me from my dreams,” says Watson. During high school, Ebony had no desire to attend college, due to her personal childhood experiences; she was more focused on working than her education; which is now her core focus. She is presently a junior at Virginia Union University located in Richmond, VA, in which she is a double major, Criminal Justice and Social Work; maintaining a 3.7 grade point average. She is also a member of the Phi Alpha National Honor Society of Social Work, Alpha Phi Sigma Criminal Justice Honor Society, Virginia Union University Student Conduct Committee, and will be a first-generation college student. Talk about an overcomer and overachiever blended brilliantly in one; God is able.

Ebony is a true woman of God and acknowledges that God was, and has always been her source. She grew up in Antioch Baptist Church, Hempstead, NY where Bishop Phillip E. Elliott is the pastor. “That’s where I found myself, at church. I use to walk around with the world on my shoulders; you could even see it in my eyes, because I was hurting from all my childhood experiences that I had been through, that I had no control over. More and more I started to seek God, and get connected with positive energy and people that wanted to see me succeed, and believe that despite my circumstances I was going to be someone,” she announces.

Ebony’s childhood shaped her into the beautiful empowering woman she is today. “Ebony Watson is someone that is a role model for other young people who grew up in a single parent family home, who went through hurting, who was not as privileged as others,” she says. It was during high school that she came into fruition of her purpose, which was motivating young people. She developed a passion for speaking to the youth, and dreams to open up her own business which caters to assisting young women and men.

Girl on a Mission:

Ebony’s mission to study abroad at the University of Cape Town, South Africa was inspired from her International Studies program held at her college in 2013, featuring now alumni Calethia Christmas, who studied abroad in China. Ebony’s Spanish professor encouraged her decision by offering extra points to students who enrolled in the program. She followed up with Calethia to gain more knowledge of her experience in China. “I knew I wanted to study aboard, but I did not know exactly where. I wanted to stay in a small setting similar to my University, especially being in another country by myself,” says Ebony. Ebony did her research; she went to the international office at her school to explore the study abroad options and countries listed in the program. The program that stood out to her was the CIEE-Service-Learning Program located in Cape Town, South Africa.

“I knew the Service-Learning Program offered the smaller classroom settings and learning styles with a small group of students from other universities in the world. The Service-Learning Program also offered students the opportunity to become involved and work with local organizations in Africa related to my career goal, which focuses on the at risk youth population and young incarcerated females. The Service- Learning Program was the perfect fit to help me become an agent of social change,” she exclaims. Ebony’s decision was confirmed and she decided to study abroad at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. Ebony was now on her mission to pursue a goal that would launch her into history; she is the 2^nd student at Virginia Union University to study abroad.

Dream Goal:

The expense to study abroad at the University of Cape Town, which included her tuition, international airfare, Visa, course materials and more, was $25,000. In which Ebony successfully raised through scholarships, fundraisers (a Bake Sale held at her University and Pop-Up Thrift Shop held in her home state, New York) along with donations and supporters. She also organized a YouCaring.com site for contributions to support her dream. However, it wasn’t a smooth ride to reaching her goal. Between the opposing views of others and the life-threatening disease Ebola on the rise in West Africa, so much could have discouraged Watson, but with unwavering faith she stood steadfast and was able to achieve her goal and more. Through the grace of God and her genuine supporters, Ebony raised a total of $27,733, which is $2,733 more than her target goal; the favor of God.

Welcome to Cape Town:

On January 26, 2015, Ebony departed from Richmond, Virginia via British Airways Airlines to study abroad at her dream school, the University of Cape Town, South Africa. On January 27, 2015, 18 hours and one layover in London later, she arrived in the fruitful Cape Town, South Africa. “The atmosphere in Cape Town was very relaxing and easy,” says Watson. In Cape Town, the people were very friendly and welcomed the Study Abroad students.  “When meeting people for the first time they always took the time to learn to pronounce your name, in their culture remembering your name was very important.

The people were always willing to help me when I was unsure of how to get to places.”  Ebony began to adjust to her surroundings; she started shopping at the same grocery stores and eating at the same restaurants. “The workers would always ask me; How was I enjoying Cape Town? Is there anything they could do to make my transition smooth? and, How was my family back at home?,” she says. It was such a serene atmosphere, she recalls taking long walks and hikes with friends because it put her mind at ease, at times she would sit outside on her back deck and just view the beautiful mountains.

At The Old Biscuit Mill, Cape Town, South Africa enjoying a Piña colada

Culture Kid:

The South African culture in comparison to America is an advocate of time management. “Most of the people and organizations I interacted with took time in meetings and in classes. Sometimes I would have meetings that were scheduled at one time and didn’t start until later. I thought this meant a person was running late or something, it didn’t,” she says. Ebony observed that the people she interacted with were very focused on getting things done in a timely manner. She realized more that the culture in America was an advantage. “I learned that I am a very fortunate and privileged college student. In America, we are use to being able to do our assignments at any time of the day that is convenient for us.” Load Shedding (which means to reduce the load of something and minimize electricity supply) played a significant role in the Cape Town culture. “Aboard students were not use to it and I certainly was not prepared, however in this culture they adapt to it like a family. People shared candles and the library reminded students on the days and hours before to save their work. Students had positive attitudes at load shedding and made sure their assignments was completed and done no matter the circumstances,” she explains.

Visiting the Ned Doman High School in Athlone, Cape Town, South Africa

Woman of Worship:

Ebony’s love for the lord was glorified while in South Africa. She attended a church that was near the University of Cape Town campus called “His People.” She was invited by one of the resident directors; she fell in love with the church and began to attend regularly. “I loved worshiping with “His People” because it was a lot of young people. I love to fellowship with other young people who love God. Young people led worship regularly in this church, sometimes we worshiped without music for hours; it was so rich,” she says. In Africa modest dance was used to worship God.  Some of the worship and praise songs were similar to what Ebony was accustomed to, such as “We Worship You” by Israel Houghton.  Ebony describes the setting, once service was over, as a pleasant and inspirational one.  “After church every Sunday there was tea available for everyone, with chairs and tables for people to talk and hang out, sometimes people would stay and talk for hours.”

Passion and Purpose:

Aside from her academic studies, Ebony took part in the Young in Prison, South Africa internship that supported her exceptional 42-page Capstone Project titled “Empowering Young Girls through Life Skills Workshops, Journal Writing, and a Pen Pal Program,” YiPSA is a non-profit organization which prepares children and youth in conflict with the law in making the transition from incarceration back into society. As an intern, Ebony facilitated life skills workshops and worked with young female offenders ages 16-21, some of the workshops held include self-esteem, what is your vision?, and money management skills. Watson also lead group workshops on substance abuse, coping mechanisms of being a young parent while incarcerated, positive youth development and relationships. She counseled with young girls and boys, and was empathetic to their situation. She attempted to understand the root of their problems and then develop a plan for their rehabilitation. Ebony assisted them with getting services, benefits and provided them with resources they would need to function at their best.

While in the program Ebony connected with a 17-year-old-girl who was incarcerated for 15 years for murdering her mother with her ex-boyfriend. Ebony stated that clients are not required to explain why they are in prison, but the young girl felt lead to share her story. “She came to me and told me she had changed and given her life to Christ; before I knew why she was in prison. She had a personality that drew the other inmates to her; she was kind, and a pleasure to talk to. While people disagreed with my decision to work with Young in Prison, I didn’t. I believe true ministry is going places no one wants to go. It is going beyond the four walls of the church. I looked at this girl for who she was and not for what she did,” Ebony says. The 25-year-old, admits that she was transparent with the inmates and that she gave her testimony. She said one of the ways she connected with the girls was by meeting them where they are, and not judging them based on their circumstances.

The Inmates of Young in Prison drew “YiP” on Ebony’s face with African colored face paint

Memories are Born:

Ebony had many inspirational memories during her mission to Cape Town, South Africa, but there is one she values the most and describes so honorably. It involved her Youth in Prison internship: “It was the CIEE final awards ceremony. It was an amazing night. I was asked to share my experience of being in the Service-learning program during dinner to the other students who were studying aboard, but who were not in the Service-learning program. At first I said, ‘Yes’, because it was my favorite resident director Tanita who asked me to do it. Then I tried to go back and say, ‘No’, because of so many things and excuses, and one was fear! But, Tanita said my name was already on the program and I didn’t want to let her down. When I got to the awards ceremony all my friends was excited to see me, some people I had not seen since the first week of being in Africa, because they were not in the Service-learning program.

Everyone was enjoying Cape Town so much; sometimes it was hard to keep up with each other. When I got up to speak people were yelling, “You look beautiful!” clapping and cheering me on before I could even speak. As I started to speak fear was no longer even in me anymore. Ebony spoke about her Young in Prison experience which aims to transition young women and men from incarceration back into society, through teaching life skills workshops, using creativity, performing arts, sports and literacy. “Sharing my experience working with these young ladies, how much I learned from them and they taught me; was amazing! I spoke from my heart and by the response from the audience I could tell they could feel my genuine and sincere passion about working with these girls. I chose to work with this organization in Africa out of six other community involvement placements to choose from. It helped me grow and challenged me in areas I did not even know I was capable of.”

Mission Accomplished:

Since her mission to South Africa, Ebony Watson has grown spiritually and mentally. To study abroad in a country where you are unfamiliar with the people, culture and language takes courage and resilience. She plans to incorporate her Cape Town experience into her business. “I will be well-equipped to pursue my career dream to open my own business, which will focus on serving families and individuals from a variety of backgrounds and cultures who are at high risk of experiencing social and economic problems. I want to provide culturally competent counseling and other services to low income families to enable them to access the resources that they need to become self-sufficient. I will provide services for young teenage girls who are victims of sexual abuse and have low self-esteem. I will also work with young girls who are first time offenders to give them the skills that they need to prevent repeated offenses,” she says.

Ebony’s last day in Cape Town, South Africa, jumping for joy at Table Mountain, South Africa

I have a Dream:

 

Ebony’s future is just as bright as she is. She plans to launch her international motivational speaking engagements and begin working with the youth, while pursuing her MSW (Master of Social Work). She will also be working on her license in Social Work, which is a requirement for her to establish her own business that will focus on serving families and individuals from a variety of backgrounds and cultures who are at high risk of experiencing social and economic problems. Watson is also newly married and plans to expand her family within 5 years. “The rest you will see,” she says optimistically. “As I pray and follow God’s plan for my life, some things I have to let manifest in my spirit, and not be so quick to share; I have to prepare for them, and perfect my gift.”

 

“Nothing can stop a child of God with a vision and a dream”

–Jeremiah 29:11