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(BALTIMORE – REVISED – August 30, 2025) – Nobody ever told me that I wasn’t good enough. Not for school. School has always been my happy place. I’ve loved learning since the first grade, when Ms. Williams taught us our vowels. I even loved rainy days because many of the bad kids would stay home, and the classroom felt calmer.
In my household, school was the assignment. My parents ran a funeral home. Mom worked in clothing manufacturing and Pops wore a suit and tie daily. Many mornings I rode to school in the Fleetwood — people joke today that it was a limo. To me, it was just life. But oh, the memories.
Fifty-four years after first grade at Matthew A. Henson Elementary, then Lemmel, then Poly, and finally walking the stage as a proud Dunbar Poet — I’ve studied at Morehouse, Georgia State, Towson, CCB, Morgan, Johns Hopkins, and graduated with honors from Coppin. Later, I earned my Master’s at Morgan. Whew!
Now, I am proud to announce that Doni Glover 6.0 continues with my acceptance into one of the nation’s top Doctor of Business Administration programs at the University of Maryland, College Park. Professors nationwide have spoken highly of this program, and I am humbled to join its ranks.
Walking onto campus Monday, it all came together — the politics, the media, the freedom fighting. Standing in the Mitchell Building reminded me of Clarence Mitchell Jr., who opened doors in the 1950s that I now get to walk through. This isn’t about getting back; it’s about getting ahead. It’s providence.
I know God’s hand has been on me the whole time — mistakes gave me wisdom, overcoming bad habits built tenacity, and dark, lonely nights deepened my faith. For that, I am grateful.
This past weekend, at the Easterwood Watnaut Reunion, I felt that same gratitude as childhood friends and I reconnected. Life has a way of teaching us what really matters. We realized again that we are still family, bonded by community and survival.
To anyone thinking about going back to school: do it. Opportunities are out there. University of Maryland Global Campus has a program for people 60 and over. Morgan offers the Morgan Completes You (MCY) program — I proudly came out through MCY.
I’d like to thank Diane Bell-McKoy, and Morgan State University’s Dr. Helen Harrison, Dr. Carla Jackson, Dr. Nilajah Sims, Dr. Kevin Bradley, and the President of the National Treasure Dr. David Wilson. I’d also like to thank Dr. T. J. Bryan formerly of Coppin State’s McNair Program whom I promised I’d get my terminal degree in 1994 and my dear compadre, Zanes Cypress, for helping this older guy stay current — and, of course, my ancestors. (“Momma, I made it!”)
At 60, I am living proof that learning never stops. Doni Glover 6.0 isn’t just about me — it’s about showing our community that it’s never too late to grow, evolve, and lead.
