By Dr. Shemika Davis
I am the daughter of Gwendolyn Joyce Gay and Terry Joyner. I am the maternal granddaughter of Lucille Gay Blow and James Pridgen. I am the paternal granddaughter of Mary Turnage Joyner and Amos Newton. I am the great-granddaughter of Lillie Parker Gay and Robert Gay.
I was always destined for greatness because my bloodline and ancestors lit my path. My doctoral journey was difficult, but God ordered my steps, which was always his plan.
The chapter of this story began just five short years ago when I finally had enough and knew I had to make a career change to something I loved. The interesting thing about it all is that it was prophesied to me when I was 16 or 17 that I would be a teacher, and I laughed. I laughed and said no, I’m not, because they don’t make any money and I was so serious! I was determined to be rich and have the career of my dreams, although, at that age, I had no clue what that would be.
Now fast forwarding, dare I say, 23 years later, that prophecy has been fulfilled. I love my job; I love helping students every day and creating bonds with students of color so they know they can be successful, just like me! It is such a blessing to be at an HBCU [Shaw University] where I can encourage students to do what they need to do to finish their journeys and do what they need to do for their families.
I can admit that I am stubborn and tried to do things my way initially, but God. He showed me that teaching was and is my calling, and every time I step into the classroom, I am reminded of my why! I chose to get my doctorate so I could be highly respected in my field and be able to do a multitude of things to help my students.The road to get here was not easy. I started my degree in the Fall of 2019, and although things started fine, as we all know, COVID hit the spring of 2020. That was not even the icing on the cake for me because that same summer of 2020, our youngest child was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, so we had to learn how to get her disease under control. At that point, I decided to step back and take a break from my degree because, to be honest, I was scared. I knew the toll that taking care of a sick child was already taking on me, and I didn’t know if I could handle it.
Fast forwarding to the Summer of 2022, I re-entered my program with a plan, hoping to finish things. I was in a new cohort of students and had a new instructor who would guide me, so gear set in again. At that time, I was in the PhD program and felt strongly that I could get things done. However, my instructor blocked me at every turn. By the end of the semester, I was encouraged to change to the EdD program, which is slightly different, but I would be able to achieve the same goals I had, so I switched programs.
Once I entered the new pathway to my doctorate, I had to re-write everything from scratch, which I had done in several courses in one semester, to stay on track. Having a sick child and working for two colleges simultaneously made it challenging, but I did it. However, the one thing missing was a supportive instructor, as I wanted to research how to help students at the HBCU where I work. After much trouble, we finally agreed on a topic that would work, and I began studying and working to solidify everything. After a long journey and changing my instructor, who served as my chair, which was extremely helpful, I finally finished Fall of 2024.
The Davis family: Keveian, Dr. Shemika, Kennedy, Anthony, and Jamarion.
One regret I have is that I studied a lot and was unavailable to visit loved ones as I wanted to. I was exhausted all the time because I was working and in school, and I had to juggle my children’s extracurricular activities, which was not easy. I always had my laptop at basketball games, etc., and I didn’t feel fully present. Throughout the whole process, I lost many loved ones, but I know that they understand the task I have been given now. I am super grateful for this opportunity that God has given me. I know I won’t get that time back with the loved ones who have gone on, but I will work hard to make my family proud and help with the foundation of the legacy of the Gay family name! To God be the glory for this blessing and all that I know he has in store for the future!
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