Kemi Dauda
As a young, black student attending a majority white university, Kemi recalled times when she struggled to find her place during her higher education experience. But after having overcome adversity to get there – including creating an award-winning app through the NAF Lenovo Scholar Network that addressed the illiteracy rate in Detroit – Kemi never stopped believing in the power of hard work and ambition.
Looking back, she describes herself and her peers feeling as though higher education was not attainable – but it lit a fire within which has driven her onwards to become a passionate advocate for equalizing education.
Based on her experience in building apps, Kemi knows that technology has an important role to play in reaching more people. Determined to give back to her community, she launched her non-profit organization, Bringing Hope Back Home, last year. Through this work, Kemi helps young people broaden their own future outlook by providing the guidance and training many students need to prepare for their next steps in college and career.
