We were thrilled to have an alumni speaker at the Torre Invitational this year, her story of resilience and perseverance is an example to us all –
“Growing up without my mother or father came with many challenges. I moved from home to home, often feeling like I was in foster care—even though I was living with different family members. I was struggling to find stability and direction in my life and was viewed as a troubled teen. That instability made it hard to feel grounded, but I stayed focused and determined to create a better future for myself.
My turning point came when I joined the Boys Hope Girls Hope, now Hope Ignites Detroit Academy Program, in the summer of 2016 as a rising freshman. This program provided me year-round support and continued to uplift me with scholarships, resources, and encouragement throughout college and beyond. I got consistent support, scholarships, and a caring community that helped me build confidence, stay focused on my goals, and believe in my potential. Their guidance and resources played a crucial role in helping me overcome challenges and succeed academically and personally. I leaned on God, my family, my community, and mentors who encouraged me and believed in me. They gave me the strength and motivation to keep going, even when things felt overwhelming.
I graduated high school in the midst of Covid in 2020, I earned my Bachelor of Social Work from Rust College in 2024, and in May of this year, I walked for my Master of Social Work from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. I came home to Detroit to complete my final internship at Black Family Development where I am helping youth with legal, behavior, and mental health challenges.”
Today Naieemah is working as a social worker in her hometown of Detroit and hoping to complete her Doctorate in Social Work by 2028