Exceptional Young Lady wins $50k scholarship award from Drake, bags Masters degree at US university

Destiny James is an exceptional young lady who has overcome many challenges and achieved remarkable success in her academic journey. She is the recipient of a $50,000 scholarship award from Drake, the famous rapper and singer, who surprised her on the campus of the University of Miami in 2018. She was also featured in his music video for “God’s Plan”, which showcased his philanthropic acts in Miami. Now, she has graduated with a master’s degree in public health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, making her family and community proud.

Destiny’s Story of Grit and Determination

Destiny grew up in Denmark, South Carolina, a small town with limited opportunities and resources. She was raised by a single mother who worked hard and always stressed the importance of education to her. Destiny excelled in school, earning straight As and becoming the valedictorian of her high school class. She dreamed of attending college, but faced financial barriers and doubts about her future.

She applied for several scholarships and wrote essays about her life story, highlighting the hardships she faced and the goals she had. One of those essays caught the attention of Drake, who was looking for a deserving student to help pay for their tuition. He contacted the University of Miami, where Destiny was enrolled as a public health major, and arranged a surprise visit to present her with a $50,000 check.

Destiny was filming a video for potential donors as a scholarship recipient at the university when Drake showed up and handed her the check. She was shocked and overwhelmed by his generosity and kindness. She later wrote on Instagram: “Drake told me that he has read great things about me and appreciates how hard I’ve worked through so many trials and decided to give me $50K for my tuition. @champagnepapi THANK YOU SO MUCH!!’ You don’t understand what this means to me. I’m just a girl from Denmark, SC that wants to MAKE IT and be somebody and for you to see my hard work means the world. Thank you so much. God I thank you.”

Destiny’s Achievements and Future Plans

Destiny used the scholarship money to cover her tuition fees for her senior year at the University of Miami, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in public health in 2019. She also paid off some loans and treated her mother to a vacation. She then applied for a master’s program in public health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, one of the top schools in the field. She was accepted and received a full scholarship from the university.

She moved to North Carolina and pursued her master’s degree, focusing on health behavior and health education. She completed her coursework online due to the COVID-19 pandemic and worked as a graduate research assistant at the UNC Center for Health Equity Research. She also interned at the Minority Health Project, where she helped produce webinars and podcasts on health disparities and social justice issues.

She graduated with her master’s degree in May 2021, becoming the first person in her family to earn an advanced degree. She celebrated her accomplishment on social media, writing: “Mama, I mastered it. Daddy, I did it.” She also received congratulations from Drake, who commented on her post: “LETS GOOOOOOOOOOOOOO DES.” He also sent her flowers and a handwritten note that read: “Destiny – congrats on your masters!!! So happy for you!!!”

Destiny plans to continue her education and pursue a doctoral degree in public health. She hopes to become a professor and a researcher, as well as an advocate for health equity and social change. She also wants to inspire other young people from underprivileged backgrounds to pursue their dreams and overcome their challenges.