ALL WAYS UP ALUMNI ASSOCIATION SPOTLIGHT OF THE MONTH: Bridget Pittman-Blackwell, AWU 2016

Each month the executive board spotlights a member of the AWU Alumni Association. This week’s spotlight goes to scholar, community leader, and future doctor, Bridget Pittman-Blackwell!

Check out our interview with Bridget!

Where are you from?

My name is Bridget Pittman-Blackwell and I am from Raleigh, North Carolina! Hey y’all 😁

What year did you attend an AWU SUMMIT? Did you attend a day summit or week-long summit? Do you remember the location?

I attended the 2016 AWU Summit! That year, the summit was held at UCLA and we stayed there for one week!

What organization and/or program introduced you to the AWU Foundation (or introduced you to the scholarship opportunity)?

Southeast Raleigh Assembly Inc (SERA) introduced me to the AWU Foundation.

How did you hear about the All Ways Up Foundation? What were your first thoughts upon hearing about your acceptance to the AWU Foundation scholarship program?

My first job ever was working with the City of Raleigh. My supervisor (shout out to Ms. Cathy Ector) worked with the City of Raleigh and SERA and directly shared the scholarship information with me. Had it not been for her, I would not have found out about AWU. It seemed too good to be true! The scholarship shared that students may receive college tuition, money for books and an all-expense paid trip to Los Angeles. For someone who had never left North Carolina, this was major!

Tell us one or two memories from your AWU experience? What did you enjoy most about the experience? Who have you met through AWU that inspires you the most?

One of my favorite memories I have from my AWU experience in 2016 was the AWU scholars and friends dinner. I met this amazingly sweet woman a few days prior at the dinner when the all the scholars were freely sharing our stories. She sat at my table and we clicked right away! When we reconnected at the end of the week at the final celebration, she shared that she brought me a gift and that she would be thinking of me when I flew back to North Carolina. The gift was a journal to keep my hopes and dreams written in. To this day, 5 years later, I still use that same journal as my personal prayer journal.

What college did you attend? What degree did you obtain?

I attended North Carolina Central University. I obtained a Bachelor of Science in Psychology in May 2020.

How did AWU help prepare for your collegiate journey?

AWU helped me prepare for my college journey in a few ways that I did not even know I would need. One of the phrases that was constantly emphasized was “Get comfortable being uncomfortable”. That phrase followed me well into my senior year. My communication and social skills were the areas that I needed to grow the most in. I really pushed myself junior year to truly step outside of my comfort zone and participate in college life that I had not previously done. That summer before the semester started, I made a list of everything I wanted to try on campus – from organizations to events to volunteering. I felt like a late bloomer because I was getting started on this journey so late, but my momentum kept my going for bigger and better. I kept in my head that the “uncomfortable” was teaching me valuable lessons. By the end of my collegiate career, I had joined and been active in various organizations, over 290+ community service hours, and graduated Magna Cum Laude.

What are you doing now? Job? Career? Nonprofit work?

I am now currently in NCCU’s Psychology MA program with a concentration in General Psychology. While I am pursuing this degree, I am working directly in our Psychology Department as a Graduate Assistant. I am also a Graduate Assistant for our Office of Spiritual Development & Dialogue, continuing work that I began in my undergraduate career helping students and facilitating events. Outside of NCCU, I have become a Board Member of WomenNC, a state-wide non-profit whose mission is to lead North Carolina’s young adults in the elimination of injustice against women and girls. Finally, I continue to gain career experience at RTI International working part-time as a Communication Associate Intern.

What are some of your ultimate career goals and aspirations? Dream?

My ultimate career goal is to obtain my PhD in Clinical Psychology. While this is my overall career goal, I have several smaller aspirations. I would love to study abroad! For two years, I was a double Psychology-Spanish major. I was not able to continue the Spanish major at my university, so I definitely want to find opportunities to refine this skill. The more people I can communicate with, the better! In addition, I want to pick back up playing piano. I was classically trained for 7 years and stopped due to school. Playing classical piano always brought me happiness and a much-needed break from my busy schedule.

How do you believe the All Ways Alumni Association can best serve alumni students?

Alumni students have different needs, especially now during the pandemic. I can only speak to my experience, but every year I have worked with AWU, we always spoke of a reunion! Whether it is me speaking with scholars, counselors or alumni, it is always such a feeling to be reconnected. AWU is growing more and more each year, so alumni have AWU family somewhere in the states. Once the pandemic is over, I would to see efforts to bring together alumni and relive this special experience.

If you could give the alumni association members and current AWU scholars a message of encouragement as we enter the second month of 2021, what message would that be?

The seeds you planted in 2020 have been growing! Your efforts, no matter how big or how small, did not go unnoticed and are not without success. Stillness does not mean there is nothing going on behind the scenes. This year is a new beginning and a new chance for growth. Keep moving forward and watch your seeds to reap the harvest. You will receive something amazing – you have to keep going to get there!