Jason Earley currently attends UC Berkeley and is a member of the class of 2024. A 2020 graduate of De Anza High School, Jason plans to graduate from UC Berkeley with a degree in English.

Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself. Is there anything in particular that motivates you as you go through college and prepare yourself for a career?

A: Maybe it’s the world, maybe it’s my family and friends. Having this constant pressure of finishing one goal after another is something I push myself through. But it is that pressure that turns into wanting to give back to the help they provided and makes me step further. I want to see the communities and cultures I grew up in and be able to see the world as I have by helping them learn English or sharing stories that I have raving constantly in my mind.

Q: How has Richmond Promise played a role in your education?

A: Richmond Promise is one of the programs that I actively associate with and seek support from. Other than the scholarship that provides me some leeway in payments, having a community to fall back to and knowing that other people have come from the same place as me gives me some peace of mind that the direction I’m heading is not something I am doing alone.

Q: Why did you choose to be a Richmond Promise Summer Associate and what are you hoping to take from the experience?

A: I chose to be a Richmond Promise Summer Associate in order to support upcoming students in obtaining the support that I missed out on or decided not to take advantage of. This experience will improve my desire to support and ask for support since I’ve always decided to venture for education alone. Being able to ease the future for students is a rewarding feeling.

Q: What do you want to contribute to Richmond and/or the world?

A: Whether little or large, I’m hoping I’ll be able to contribute in helping communities grow through education and giving my knowledge and support to schools where students want to learn but don’t understand what comes next. If it’s in Richmond or the world my goal is to just see people smile from being able to say that they succeeded in their educational growth.

Q: Can you tell us about your current college experience?

A: Honestly, my college experience hasn’t been the smoothest. I wasn’t able to grow past my bad educational habits and failed to put myself out there and succeed all the way through. Even though I struggled academically, I still think of the positives of my experience fondly. Being able to meet new and amazing people and grow closer to those I’ve known has pushed me forward in being able to accept the support I should have looked for with all the programs that surround students like me. My personal battle with academics was unfortunately my fault, but college is more than just grades and I appreciate everyone I have come across and had the pleasure of knowing.

Q: What are you looking forward to after receiving your bachelor’s/transferring?

A: I’m looking to explore my capabilities even more past college with the people I love. Having the freedom and space to understand myself in what I want to do will hopefully help me in the numerous projects I’ve been wanting to do. I’m looking forward to finishing them and sharing them with everyone no matter the amount of time it takes.