Members of the Tuck and Dartmouth community reflect on their goals, accomplishments, inspirations, and passions in honor of Black Legacy Month.
Hometown Detroit, Michigan
Tuck Activities Student Body Government, Career Chair; Tuck Talks, Consulting Club, Programming Executive of Women of Business, Finance Club, Consortium Fellow, Forté Foundation Fellow, Center of Business and Government Fellow, Dartmouth Real Estate Investment Fund
Summer Internship Danaher Corporation
Term Exchange London Business School
Post-Tuck CaReer Path Consulting
Big Dream Open a bed and breakfast in Italy where low-income individuals can visit to experience the country
Describe an ah-ha moment for you—a defining moment that changed the course of your life, career, or altered your way of thinking.
I have two defining moments that changed the course of my life—they are more special than any others because they weren’t just events, but true realizations of my identity. The first one was when I went to Italy at 18 to study abroad (my first real time out of the U.S.). I realized how small my worldview was and how truly limited I was in making my dreams.
The most recent one was when I came to Tuck for an interview and spoke to Felicia Swoope about my goals. She made me realize that in my quest to be a good daughter, friend, and sister, I was putting myself last. I was depleting myself and not making myself and my goals a priority. That moment made me seek to answer one question: what can I accomplish if I do things that I want to do, just for me? It has changed my dreams and perspective on life.
What keeps you busy? How do you like to spend your time outside of school and work?
I am a big traveler and what keeps me busy is usually learning different languages and dances. I have always felt that dance is a universal language. Each movement is unique and yet conveys the same emotions; it is a binding tie of humanity. You can usually find me listening to songs in many languages, dancing, or reading books in English, Japanese, or Italian.
What have you recently read, watched, or listened to that you enjoyed and would highly recommend to others?
If you have a chance, read The Rose Code by Kate Quinn. I really enjoyed it. I also loved Trevor Noah’s book Born a Crime. Another one I highly recommend is Our Nig-Novel by Harriet E. Wilson. It was the first book written by a black woman. Last year, I did a whole month of just reading books by black women and loved it.
HomeTown Malvern, Arkansas
Education University of Arkansas College of Medicine
Current role Partner, United Digestive, Atlanta
Who do you most admire and look up to? Who inspires you and why?
I most admire my father, Clent T. Holly, as he taught me the value of hard work, preparedness, and steadfastness. He was a wonderful father who provided a loving, nurturing, and jovial environment underscored by high expectations of myself and my siblings.
My wife and children inspire me to be a better husband and father within my family. This process of re-evaluation is foundational to my pursuit of excellence in every facet of my life. I firmly believe that building a healthy, successful personal life is essential to my ability to thrive and flourish in this complex world.
What’s something about you only a few people know?
Only a few of my closest friends and family know that I am a sports historian. I love the nature of sports and how it represents a microcosm of life.
What does diversity, equity, and inclusion mean for you today, and in your words, why is it so critical?
DEI means a healthy appreciation for dissenting opinions, an equal voice at the table, and an opportunity to showcase one’s talent. When you embrace diversity, you create a powerful oneness that transcends race, culture, ethnicity, religion, and geography. This is so critical to our global success as DEI is a “force multiplier.”
Hometown Davis, California
Dartmouth Activities Dartmouth Football, Undergraduate Research Assistant, Student Leadership Board, Magnuson Center for Entrepreneurship at Dartmouth, Tuck Bridge
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
I was recently appointed as the Undergraduate Research Assistant for Tuck Professor Gail Taylor. Our focus is on quantifying, analyzing, and implementing the solutions to bridge the gap for marginalized, first-generation professionals in corporate America. We have been collaborating with top professors, researchers, and professionals to uplift and bring to light the talent that is often overlooked based on names or skin color. Being able to work towards a more equitable future at this level is what I'm most proud of.
What keeps you busy? How do you like to spend your time outside of school and work?
Outside of school and research, I am a varsity athlete on Dartmouth's football team. Originally, I'm from California, so coming all the way out to Dartmouth was a daunting idea. All until I met my teammates and coaching staff. To be a part of the team gives me a family away from home on and off the field, and we all keep each other busy.
Describe an ah-ha moment for you—a defining moment that changed the course of your life or altered your way of thinking.
The biggest ah-ha moment for me came when I was in disbelief that I received a lower grade than expected in a class this past winter term. Shortly after, I was randomly scrolling through YouTube and found the audio of "The Strangest Secret" by Earl Nightengale—the character development radio voice of the 1950s. Many things on his broadcast moved me but one thing stuck with me. "Your world is a living expression of how you are using and have used your mind."
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