Markeia Brox-Chester believes that she’s achieved what she has in life so far because of “a few miracles”: Growing up in Oakland, she attended a private, all-Black elementary school. The teachers there taught her to reach beyond the stereotypes placed on her by the outside world. Her family supported her and sacrificed some, so she could attend the best college-prep high school in the area. After being happily accepted to the University of San Diego, she’s facing $100,000+ of student debt. She asked the school for more financial aid and surprisingly, the school actually doubled her scholarship.

They talked with Markeia about her experience of sharing her story and how she wants to pay the miracles forward.