Today we’d like to introduce you to Colin Royal.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I am a current junior attending Morehouse College. I currently maintain a 4.0 GPA, and I am the Managing Editor of Print for the campus newspaper: The Maroon Tiger. I also serve as a founder member and current treasurer of Morehouse’s chapter of NABJ, and I am the secretary for Morehouse’s chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
All of what I just wrote would have never been possible without one key decision: my decision to come to Morehouse. Initially, I did not plan on applying to Morehouse at all. I applied to UNC’s Honors College early action and got in; I also applied to Harvard early action and was wait-listed. I was planning on waiting to hear back from Harvard before I committed to going anywhere for school; however, one of my dad’s colleagues told him to let him speak to me.
This colleague, who has gone on to become one of my mentors, spoke to me for about an hour on the phone. he broke down to me why Morehouse would be the only school that would truly see me as not just a number but a person. He told me that no institution would pour into me as much as Morehouse would, and he also said that there was a scholarship waiting for me if I took a chance and applied.
That conversation not only pushed me to consider Morehouse, but it encouraged me to actually go. Weeks after I put in that formal application to Morehouse and received my acceptance letter, I heard back from Harvard. I had gotten in. Who knows if I had gotten that letter earlier if I’d still be here? I am so thankful that things turned out the way they did because I have been blessed with an experience that has been second to none.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My sophomore year was one of the hardest years of my life. During this period of time, I witnessed a close friend try to take his life, I lost a childhood friend to suicide, and I lost one of my grandmothers. All of this happened during the time I was trying to further my position within the campus paper and join Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
There were many long days and nights, which caused me to question myself. At times, I didn’t think I was strong enough to face life, let alone the extra emotional baggage that came along with it. By the grace of God, I made it through that year.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My goal is to tell people stories. My career aspiration is to become a travel and investigative journalist. I want to tour the world spending a year on each of the seven continents, and, upon the conclusion of my journey, compile a memoir of my travels filled with the vast experiences that I have had.
Currently, I have written a substantial amount of articles for my campus paper. I have articles published that cover various disciplines: politics, news, art and entertainment, sports, business, etc. I have also worked professionally as both a financial journalist intern, an arts/entertainment media intern, and a sports media intern. Each article that I have published, whether for the school or for actual publications, seeks to showcase the stories and impact that others have on the world.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
My dream is to become a global renaissance man. I want to be able to have a little bit of first-hand knowledge of all groups of people. I truly feel like the more you explore, learn, and communicate with other people the more you are able to learn and understand yourself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://maroontigermedia.com/
- Instagram: @roya1ty21
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colin-royal-493510226?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BgbkeoupfQYe2ZaTyhdBinQ%3D%3D
