Testimonies from graduates of The Elevated Places
“I am a part of The Elevated Places’ first graduating class of 2014. I’m also Elevated Places’ youngest graduate, graduating at the age of 15! After graduation I attended Houston Community College and Prairie View A & M University. I’m a nursing major currently applying to nursing schools for the clinicals stage of my Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Attending Elevated Places blessed me to acquire the mindset and level of thinking I don’t believe I would have if I attended another institution. The staff at the Elevated Places made me know and believe that I was destined for nothing but greatness. I truly believe that I wouldn’t be were I am today if it weren’t for EP.”– Sharnelle Drain
“Without any doubt, the Elevated Places has equipped me to the fullest with knowledge and practical experience to be able to go to a university and thrive there. As a result, I was and am able to pass my classes but I also have become a productive student on campus. I do volunteer work as well as research with some of the professors in the engineering and math department. The teachings that I received from the Elevated Places were like no other; they were and are quite superior to the schooling of my peers. There were times when I would think that what I learned at the Elevated Places would not serve me; however, that thought proved itself to be wrong in a short amount of time. Every single class that I had taken at the Elevated Places from English to algebra had completely taught me not only how to write papers and solve equations but also how to be a thinker. Classes at a university are often self-taught classes; the teacher is just there to answer questions. The Elevated Places taught me how to think for myself and do for myself without the need for any push from anyone. During study group sessions with my classmates, I often am the one teaching them for countless hours. I know that if you cannot teach the knowledge then you have not learned it. That it was what I learned from the Elevated Places. However, most importantly the Elevated Places taught me how to learn. I have never failed at learning a concept from a class like Microprocessors or Electronics because I was previously given tools to understand how to learn something new.”—Abdul Aziz Muhammad
“After I graduated from the Elevated Places, I elected to attend The Prairie View A&M University to study electrical engineering in Fall 2014. Over these last four years I have become a better person and student. Throughout these four years, I was extremely blessed to receive two summer internships in Atlanta, GA with General Electric Company which allowed me to understand more about engineering outside of the classroom. In addition to the internships I was able to travel abroad to Costa Rica with a group from the Elevated Places for a one month Spanish immersion experience. During this trip, we took Spanish classes daily and stayed with local families to help maximize our Spanish fluency. Due to this one month I was able to become fluent in Spanish after I returned back to the States and continued practicing what I learned there.”—Abdul Jabbar Muhammad
“I graduated from EP in 2016 and entered the University of Houston-Downtown. I currently major in communications with a minor in Spanish. I spend the majority of my time on my academics, arts, music, and writing continuing to build on all of the gifts that I discovered while participating in countless EP plays and creative events. I am continuing my Spanish education that I first began at EP as well through educational abroad programs to Spanish speaking countries. After college I plan to pursue a career in media including areas of television and film.”– Asaad Muhammad class of 2016
“I graduated from the Elevated Places in 2017 and I’ve taken most of my core curriculum classes at Houston Community Classes. I plan on transferring to the University of Houston to further expand my knowledge and will be majoring in biology. For the past few months I’ve been working with Action CDC and helping those in need due to Hurricane Harvey. I’m grateful to have been apart of the Ep family and it has benefited me in more ways than I can write. I am truly appreciative of my time at EP and the support that I had. I will truly cherish the experiences, lessons, and challenges I had with my extended family at EP!”—Davondria
“EP has helped me develop my voice in school by participating in school plays and allowing me to showcase my natural gift which is singing! This has prepared me for being an alto voice in the A Capella Choir of Wiley College. One of my greatest highlights of college is when our choir was blessed to sign on the soundtrack of the Award Winning Blockbuster film entitled, Nat Turner. The lead actor Nate Parker spent quality time filming is as we performed and we were even blessed with a trip to California for the premiere ! At EP I learned the basics and importance of vocal warmups, singing posture, and harmonizing with the next singer. Two years ago (and to this day) I became one of the two alto section leaders and I’m loving every minute of my musical journey!”—Auset Muhammad
“I am an aspring graduate of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, with goals to obtain a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture. I’ve been accepted and am now apart of the universities Golden Silk flag line. In the past year I’ve worked multiple jobs and now have a responsibility with A.C.T.I.O.N CDC, Hurricane Harvey’s relief center.”—Asha Muhammad, Class of 2017
“I’m a 2015 graduate of the Elevated Places. I will be entering into my junior year at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff where I will be a returning member of the 24 Karat Golden Silks in the M4 Band and an aspiring leader for the flagline. At the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff I aspire to get my Bachelors degree in chemistry and become a cosmetic chemist.”—Ma’at Rodgers-Muhammad
“The Elevated Places has taught me and showed me how to grow from a boy into a respectful young man. Although all of my teachers where females, they never tried to influence me or make into something that im not. Transitioning from public school into The Elevated Places was one of the best decisions my parents has made and Im truly grateful to be an alumni of one the greatest schools set up by The Most Hon. Elijah Muhammad. I’m currently Majoring in Aviation; I plan on going to HCC (Houston Community College) to complete my core Classes and later on Transfer to Texas Southern University to finish out flight school.”—Ahmad Muhammad
“I began my journey at The Elevated Places in 2015. Before enrolling in The Elevated Places, I had been in public schooling all of my life. The environment at The Elevated Places is something I think that every child should experience. Coming from public school where the teachers aren`t as dedicated and concerned about you learning and understanding the information, to a school where they cater the education and curriculum to a pace that is for you is something I am extremely grateful for. Being at The Elevated Places has taught me and instilled in me the lessons of expressing who I am regardless to whom or what. It has given me the confidence and knowledge to go out into the “world” and be in different environments with other students and excel in ways that I have never been able to do. I have also learned the life lesson of never giving up on anything that you believe in. The Elevated Places is a true example of that. Staying steadfast in what you believe in and never giving up is something that I am striving to live by in my everyday life. I am forever grateful for my mother for bringing me to The Elevated Places and the instructions that have molded me into the young woman I am today. I am currently at Prairie View A&M University in a Premedical Biology Program for the summer on a full scholarship. I will be continuing my education here in the fall also. I am thankful for The Elevated Places for preparing me for the curriculum and instilling in me the mindset that, “I am what GOD says I am, and I am not what the World says I am.””—Mahriam Muhammad
