We had the good fortune of connecting with Da’Vion Tatum and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Da’Vion, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
An important factor of success, and the measure of true success, is the magnitude in which you’ve impacted others. Through my book, Thriving In My Own Lane, my YouTube, Iamdaviontatum, and my Peer Tutoring Organization (EPIC), I have been able to share my knowledge and experiences to help others and inspire them to reach for their dreams and accomplish their goals regardless of social stigma and systemic oppression!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a published author of the book Thriving In My Own Lane, I am my high school’s first Black male Valedictorian, I have an award named after me in SpringISD titled the Tatum Award for Young Authors, and after being accepted to 7 Ivy Leagues and Stanford, Rice, UCLA, and UC Berkeley, I have the privilege of attending Harvard in the fall. But it wasn’t easy. It was very stressful! It was time consuming and it cost me a lot of “fun” as I’ve had this type of drive since I was in first grade. Along the way I had people who doubted me, questioned my drive, and misunderstood my aspirations. On top of that, being a young Black man in America is a whole battle of its own when you constantly see people who look like you being killed at the hands of those sworn to protect and serve. But it all made my grind that much stronger and that much more impactful as I knew that my success was not just for me or for my own self gratification, but rather to inspire others and show them that they too can be successful! My book addresses the issues of racial injustice and how social stigma has led to the mistreatment of Black people. But more importantly, it inspires young Black adults to reside in their brilliance regardless of what society says and to know that there are no limits to their success even when others try and deem it so! Everything I have done and aspire to do revolves around helping others. I hope that my story is inspirational to others and helps to encourage someone else! We were put on this Earth to help other people, and I hope that my story and my message can do just that!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We would definitely have to hit up Rosalyn’s Hot Chicken Truck on our way to the Galleria! I still enjoy doing “kiddy stuff” so we’re going right there to Hurricane Harbor or to a skating rink to chill and have fun! I’m not an artist but I’d love to paint a fun picture at Art & Vibez Lounge but only after I pick up a Raw Ambition fit to make sure I look nice and clean! And I have to stop by KaysSweetTingz to pick me up something good and cool to eat or Buzzles Shaved Ice if I’m in a snow cone mood! That’s just to name a few, but there is so much stuff to do out here in Houston!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to shoutout the Coca-Cola Scholarship Foundation, the Ron Brown Scholars Program, and the David Keaton Program for making it possible for me to have financial stability as I journey through higher education at Harvard! I would like to shoutout Harvard University for accepting me and for being my home for the next four years and beyond!! And I saved the best for last, I dedicate this to my mom and would like to thank her for being my rock, my biggest supporter, for allowing me the freedom to chart my own path, and for encouraging me to write my book titled Thriving In My Own Lane!!!

Website: https://linktr.ee/Iamdtatum

Instagram: https://instagram.com/iamdaviontatum?utm_medium=copy_link

Twitter: https://twitter.com/iamdaviontatum?lang=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davion.tatum.37

Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCt1PWJ1WhgjbgsytAQlzOug

Other: Thriving In My Own Lane: https://www.amazon.com/Thriving-Own-Lane-DaVion-Tatum/dp/B089M44152/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=thriving+in+my+own+lane&qid=1594776464&sr=8-1 KHOU 11: https://www.khou.com/mobile/article/news/education/spring-isd-seniors-choose-harvard-acceptance-all-eight-ivy-league-colleges/285-85bc42c7-1f96-40ed-8642-fd5eec5e1c1d Fox26: https://www.fox26houston.com/news/spring-isd-senior-heading-to-harvard-and-making-history-at-westfield-high-school

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