I was so excited how much you guys loved our Guest Misfit! On with the role is our next Misfit, Tyrone Hankerson, who is sure to inspire us all out there.
Please give us some background information:
Name, age, where you’re from, where you stay (and what you study)
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Name: Tyrone Hankerson, Jr.
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Age: 21
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From: Atlanta, GA
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Major, Legal Communications/ Minor, Public
Relations
What’s the most rewarding experience about
attending an HBCU?
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My most rewarding experience from attending an
HBCU has been the Howard’s Homecoming. While this event is localized to my
specific institution, it serves as a constant reminder and representation of
the astuteness of black people. To see so many young and seasoned professionals
return to the place where they feel served as a critical point in the journey
to success means a great deal to me. It puts everything—my reason for being
here, my contribution, my sacrifices—into perspective.
What would you say are some popular
misconceptions about HBCUs or people who go to them?
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I believe the biggest misconception about HBCUs
is that they lack diversity. Having been outside of the HBCU family, I
understand many people’s rationale: HBCUs education primarily black students
and black people come from similar backgrounds. However, this way of thinking
is faulty. Black people relate due to our skin color and the societal issues
that come with it, but diversity is more about one’s life experiences (i.e.
educational attainments, economic positioning, access, etc). When we consider
diversity from this standpoint, there is a great deal of adversity among these
institutions.
How have you been able to maintain your academic
credibility and scholastic achievement over the years? Were you met with
challenges? How did you face them?
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My academic and scholastic achieve, in many
ways, was aided by the people I surrounded myself with. While I have not grown
to have a truly intimate particular circle of friends, I have been able to
cultivate one-on-one relationships with individuals that have the same goals,
values, and desires that I have, and these relationships are so healthy and
necessary. They allow for us to shine without the fear of being ridiculed.
How does one find a healthy balance in college
with classes, work and having a social life?
·
I think in order to obtain a healthy balance in
your life – specifically while in college – it is important to first have an
understanding or vision of what is it that you ultimately want. By having this
clear vision, you can better execute competing priorities in your life. By
doing this, and with maturity, you will also be able to best decide, what is
for you.
What advice would you give to others coming into
college about academics and performing well academically?
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Be strategic. When I was a freshman, I planned
out what classes I wanted to take and during what semester I wanted to take
them for my entire four years. I balanced the workload so that I would know when
semesters would be intense and when they would be more manageable. From doing
this, I was also able to better plan my extracurricular activities and best
manage my personal life, so I would recommend being strategic. Not saying that
it has to be done my way, but you we all should be making decisions with some
sort of understanding for why we are carrying out actions the way we are.
What made you choose the major you’re in? What
do you wish to do with that? What are your plans after college?
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I always knew that I wanted to attend law
school, but I didn’t want to study the traditional English or Political
Science. When I discovered the legal communications major, I was fascinated
with its unique way of teaching the law, while also providing valuable skills necessary
for enhancing the manner in which I understood human interactions.
How did you get interested in fashion?
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My interest in fashion is founded in the
community where I grew up. While in primary school, I was a sneaker fanatic.
Routinely, I purchased the latest pair of Jordans and Nikes. I grew to develop
an appreciation for the styles and manner in which people wore clothes. To me,
I could learn so much about a person from what they were wearing, and as I grew
older, my own style of dress evolved and matured.
How would you describe your fashion sense?
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I would say my fashion sense as versatile.
Do
you get style inspiration? Who, or where, or how?
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I get my inspiration from everything. I am
constantly inspired by shapes and patterns, the season, people, cultures, food,
cars. Everything adds an understanding of how there are so many pieces that
form together to make the world, and that’s what I like for my dress to say
about myself: that I am a man of the world.
What
are your essential Fall/Winter Staple pieces?
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This fall/winter, my staple piece is going to be
a camel coat with waist tie.
What
advice would you give to someone trying to develop their own personal style?
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Gain a better understanding of who you are and
what you want people to understand about the person you are when they see you.
This personal reflection will lead you to better developing your own style and
creating a consistent brand. For instance, I—generally—get dressed every day,
and despite having a million things to do, I still get dressed because I want
people to understand that I have things together (even when I don’t). I like my
clothes to be of good quality, minimalistic, and well put together, so that
people understand there is a complexity about me.
Tell
us about your tumblr site. What’s featured on there, how do you get inspiration
for your posts?
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My tumblr site (HowardMenswear.tumblr.com) is a
collection of looks throughout this past homecoming. The inspiration from my
post was gained from the tradition of being dressed well during homecoming
week. From there it will expand and include other howard students (both guys
and girls) that display personal styles that I admire.
What
makes you a misfit?
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I believe I’m a misfit because I’m never afraid
to try. I have found that by being adventurous, open, and a hard worker,
everything works itself out, and some people can’t understand that.
Anything else you’d like for us Misfits to
know?
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My motto for life: “If you stay ready, you never
have to get ready.”
-TBM<3
