Posts by Lakeshia Williams
Meet Kian Accad: 2025 PhRMA Scholar
We’re thrilled to announce Kian Accad as the 2025 recipient of the PhRMA Scholarship, a meaningful honor that supports high-achieving students from Minds Matter DC as they pursue their college dreams. Kian joined Minds Matter DC in 2022 as a determined high school sophomore. Now, three years later, she’s graduated and is heading to Trinity…
Read MoreThe #1 Skill That Sets College-Ready Students Apart
Why Self-Advocacy Is the Most Overlooked and Essential Skill for Postsecondary Success When we talk about college readiness with our students, we often focus on the visible metrics, rigorous coursework, standardized test prep, solid GPAs, and extracurricular involvement. But there’s one skill that doesn’t show up on transcripts or college applications, and yet it’s often…
Read More2025 MMDC Alumni Panel: Advice for College Success
At Minds Matter DC, we believe that one of the most valuable resources for students preparing for college is hearing directly from those who have walked the same path. Our 2025 MMDC Alumni Panel brought together former program participants to share their real-life college experiences, offering our current students a chance to ask questions, gain…
Read MoreMinds Matter DC Welcomes L’Toya Jones as Our New Executive Director
We are delighted to welcome L’Toya Jones to Minds Matter DC as our new Executive Director! L’Toya brings over a decade of experience and passion for educational equity to her new leadership role. She was most recently the Director of Programs at Minds Matter New York City (MMNYC), where she played a pivotal role in…
Read MoreOvercoming Challenges as a First-Generation College Student
Starting college is an important milestone for first-generation students, however, it’s like taking on an entire new world. You’re managing new academic demands, trying to understand the “unwritten rules” of college, and juggling expectations from family and friends, often without having some of the same support or guidance that other students might have. According to…
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