Mike Ewen/Tallahassee Democrat
Kelsey Davis was on the verge of dropping out of the S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University two years ago. Her grades were poor and she felt insecure, doubtful that she belonged at such a prestigious institution. In sorting out her situation, she met with the school’s dean, Lorraine Branham, a longtime journalist and, like her, a black woman.
Ms. Branham helped her gain a sense of self-worth and also helped carve a path for her that kept her in the program, Ms. Davis said. Now, at 22, she has already started her own company, CLLCTVE, which helps creative college students find careers, and is about to graduate.