Donate today!
Wait. How is this even a thing?
Good question. Hi. I’m Sinclair. A few weeks ago, I tweeted:
https://twitter.com/Sinclair_Ceasar/status/1010958917504000000
I also shared that on Instagram and Facebook. Eventually, my inbox was flooded.
Okay. Cool. But, like, why?
I grew up working poor, and struggled while I was a college student back in 2005. I worked several jobs, was a Resident Assistant (free housing, yasss), and still spent one summer living off of turkey sandwiches. It wasn’t all bad, but I hated worrying about money. Sometimes, I didn’t buy books or supplies I needed. Sometimes I didn’t participate in events that were over a certain price point. Sometimes, I was just upset. School was expensive, and it hasn’t gotten any easier.
Years later, I went to grad school, and struggled again. I know I’m not the only one.
So, because I love Oprah and Ellen and all the philanthropist of the world, I wanted to find a way to give back and to help others have an easier time in college. Money doesn’t solve all your problems, but we know that we learn better and retain more information when we don’t have to worry about where our next meal is coming from. In addition to paying for food, there are so many college students who have to face the question of “Do I buy books this semester or should I just go for it?”
No one should have to worry about that.
Then, there are students who are unable to have their degrees released or return back to school because of a fee that they owe. Maybe they had to leave school because of a family emergency, maybe it was health related, there are a myriad of reasons.
What’s clear is that scholarships and grants are hard to come by, but we can all pitch in to help out someone else. This isn’t a cure all, but it’s helpful.
Which students are part of the #CollegeWishList project and what exactly do they need?
So, after my inbox was flooded and after going back and forth with folks, we ended up with a solid list. In order to be a part of the project, each person needed to be 18+ years old, and couldn’t use the money to pay back loans. At the end of the day, we ended up with 20 college students from all over the country. I received stories and links to their Amazon Wish Lists containing their top five college supplies.
I also got to learn a little about who they are and what impact they hope to have on the world.
Their stories were touching, heartbreaking, and real. They all have different needs and situations. The grand total of all their Amazon Wish Lists was over $20,000.
What now?
Our goal is to raise $100,000 by August 1, 2018.
If we meet our goal, each student will receive $3,000 which will be sent to each person via PayPal. They’ll also have every item on their Amazon Wish List purchased and sent to them. Sweeeeet! The remaining funds will be used for future college wish list projects. The stretch goal is the create a non-profit if all this works out. How dope would that be?
I wanna help, but I don’t have a lot of cash. So, what do I do?
That’s cool. So often, issues seem so big and we feel like there’s nothing we can do. But, we can all help in some way. All you need is WiFi and a social media account.
Specifically, you can help us reach our goal by:
- Sharing this page on your social media profiles.
- Tag friends and family in the post.
- Donating $5. If you can, awesome. If not, that’s okay. You sharing this campaign is a SUPER BIG HELP!
Everyone who donates, will receive updates on the campaign as well as information about how the students used the funds for college. I can’t wait for that part.
Wow. Aight. So, who are these students?
I thought you’d never ask.
The Students

Ja’Naye White. Business with a concentration in Human Resources. Western Governors University. Lives in Houston, U.S.A. 28 years old. Pronouns: she/her.
Here are a few things I learned about this amazing student..
Favorite book?
The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl
Where do you hope your schooling and education will get you?
Unique learning experiences, a large network of people to work with, and hopefully something at the doctoral level.
How would a close friend describe you on a really good day?
Loyal, resourceful, and creative.

Benjamin Patton. Gerontology. Durham College. Lives in Bowmanville, Canada. 23 years old. Pronouns: he/him.
Here are a few things I learned about this amazing student..
Favorite book?
Scrubs on Skates
Where do you hope your schooling and education will get you?
I will be seeking out a position in the field of aging and long-term care.
How would a close friend describe you on a really good day?
A good friend would say that I am a sincere and compassionate person, as well as a hard working individual.

Rachel Banks. Journalism. Arizona State University. Lives in Phoenix, U.S.A. 23 years old. Pronouns: she/her.
Here are a few things I learned about this amazing student..
Favorite book?
Teacherman
Where do you hope your schooling and education will get you?
I want to take my foreign service officer test and eventually work as an ambassador.
How would a close friend describe you on a really good day?

Raghda Heikal. Engineering. Universite de Nantes. Lives in Salmiya, Kuwait. 28 years old. Pronouns: she/her.
Here are a few things I learned about this amazing student..
Favorite book?
Where do you hope your schooling and education will get you?
To become a renewable energy design engineer, or pursue my PhD research, & eventually work in R&D or become a lecturer.
How would a close friend describe you on a really good day?

Amanda Hoffman. Psychology. University at Albany, SUNY. Lives in Albany, U.S.A. 20 years old. Pronouns: she/her.
Here are a few things I learned about this amazing student..
Favorite book?
Where do you hope your schooling and education will get you?
I hope that schooling and education will give me the stepping stones needed to eventually have my own private practice. First, I have to get through years of internships and practicum and school will provide the base to do those things. Eventually my private practice will help LGBTQ+ teens to adults with mental illnesses.
How would a close friend describe you on a really good day?

Brandon Harrell. Musical Theater. New York University Tisch School of the Arts. Lives in New Haven, U.S.A. 18 years old. Pronouns: he/him.
Here are a few things I learned about this amazing student..
Favorite book?
Where do you hope your schooling and education will get you?
How would a close friend describe you on a really good day?

Chelise Williams. Psychology. Brigham Young University – Idaho. Lives in Parker, U.S.A. 18 years old. Pronouns: she/her.
Here are a few things I learned about this amazing student..
Favorite book?
How would a close friend describe you on a really good day?