Kanett Haynes is a mom of four children – Xzavier, Charity, Harmony and Jimmy. She is also a proud and happy mom who is celebrating the remarkable achievement of all her kids graduating this year from different levels of education. From medical school to high school, her kids have shown hard work, perseverance and resilience in their academic journeys.
Kanett Haynes and her family moved from Florida to South Carolina in 2007, hoping to find better opportunities and a more comfortable life for themselves. They settled in Roebuck, a small town near Spartanburg, where they found jobs, a home and a supportive community. Haynes said that the move was a leap of faith that paid off for her family.
“The children got opportunities that they probably would not have gotten where we were living in Florida … different growth opportunities, different leadership opportunities,” Haynes said. “The blessings just fell on them.”
Her eldest son, Xzavier Killings, 29, is graduating from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston on May 20. He is an aspiring pediatrician who received an athletic scholarship to play football, basketball and track in college. He said that his mom instilled in him and his siblings the values of hard work and perseverance.
“It feels surreal,” Killings said. “I’m thankful for my mom, for instilling us the values of hard work, perseverance, and having the opportunity to enjoy with my siblings, to be in this grind, the adversity that we’ve faced, through a pandemic, through all the challenges, but still having the resiliency to continue has been really special for me and my family.”
Her daughter, Charity Killings, 25, is graduating from Winthrop University in Rock Hill on May 8 with a degree in social work. She plans to pursue a master’s degree in the same field and work with children and families. She said that her mom encouraged her to follow her passion and use her gifts to help others.
“My mom has always been supportive of whatever we wanted to do,” Charity said. “She always told us to do what makes us happy and what we’re good at. She never pushed us to do something we didn’t want to do or something we weren’t good at.”
Her other daughter, Harmony Killings, 22, is graduating from Spartanburg Community College on May 7 with an associate degree in business administration. She hopes to transfer to a four-year university and study accounting. She said that her mom taught her to be independent and confident.
“My mom has always been there for me, but she also let me make my own decisions and learn from my mistakes,” Harmony said. “She gave me the freedom to explore my interests and find my own path.”
Her youngest son, Jimmy Killings Jr., 18, is graduating from Dorman High School on June 4. He is interested in music production and engineering and wants to attend Full Sail University in Florida. He said that his mom inspired him to be creative and expressive.
“My mom has always supported my music and my dreams,” Jimmy said. “She always listens to my songs and gives me feedback. She also helps me with my equipment and software. She’s like my manager.”
Kanett Haynes said that she is grateful for all the achievements of her children and that she is looking forward to celebrating with them at their graduation ceremonies. She said that she hopes that her story will inspire other parents and families to pursue their goals and dreams.
“I just want people to know that anything is possible with God, faith and hard work,” Haynes said. “You don’t have to be rich or famous or have a lot of resources to succeed. You just have to believe in yourself and your children and support them along the way.”
Kanett, we at Rising Africa are super proud of you. Your success story is very encouraging, and we want to celebrate you today. You are truly a Rising African and an able role model for the new African. Rising Africa is a dynamic platform that highlights the remarkable achievements of Africans worldwide and provides up-to-date information on scholarships and sponsorships available to African youth. Our vision is to inspire and empower the next generation of African leaders by showcasing the diverse accomplishments and talents of Africans across different fields, including technology, business, arts and culture, and social activism.
Through our Success Stories portal, we celebrate Rising Africans of all ages and sectors who have risen above challenges and made impactful innovations. Our Wonder Kids section features young achievers aged 1-12, while the Super Teens category highlights those aged 13-19, and Young Achievers profiles those aged 20-30. We also have dedicated portals for Women in Africa and persons living with disabilities.
In addition to celebrating African achievement, our Opportunities portal connects African youth to the latest sponsorship, scholarship, awards, and other life-changing opportunities. By providing access to these opportunities, we aim to empower African youth to pursue their dreams and make a positive impact in their communities.
At Rising Africa, we believe in the limitless potential of Africans to create a prosperous future for the continent. Join us in celebrating African excellence and building a brighter future for Africa.
Resources
: Mom celebrates all 4 of her kids graduating this May – ABC News
: Mom celebrates all 4 of her kids graduating this May – Yahoo
