Antoine Johnson, a student at Alcorn State University, was chosen for the Honda x HBCU Mentoring Circle program’s cohort.
Johnson and other students in the Honda mentorship program participate in weekly Zoom meetings with Honda leaders.
“In those meetings,” said Johnson, “we are learning about time management, all of the resources that Honda has, and the many opportunities I can have going forth with Honda. We meet online every Thursday and go over presentations and various scenarios to learn how to maneuver through situations that the people who work at Honda are going through,” Johnson added. “It’s been a great experience so far; I was the only student selected from the South, so the opportunity to come from the small town of Clinton, Louisiana, and connect with students from all over the country has been amazing.”
The second annual Honda mentoring cohort includes 15 students representing 11 HBCUs nationwide. Antoine was selected from 360 applicants.
He is a computer networking and information systems major with a concentration in advanced technology. He plans to become the CEO of his own IT software company.
While at Alcorn, Antoine was elected as Mr. Freshman and a member of Brave Ambassadors, Men’s Coalition, NAACP, and Student Support Services TRIO Program.
Selected students network with Honda leaders, participate in dialogues on career readiness and discuss relevant topics. Topics include building successful habits, networking, skill development, exploring career paths, resume/interview prep, and diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
Dr. Wandra Arrington, director of the Myrlie Ever-Williams Honors Program and an advisor for the Honda All-Star team said, “It’s a wonderful opportunity for students to enhance their networking and leadership skills with Honda leaders. “It’s also a wonderful opportunity for Alcorn to spotlight Antione Johnson’s accomplishments.”
“This particular program with Honda prepares students for the transition from college to career,” she continued.
Johnson is equally excited for this opportunity to network.
“Interacting with the other students accepted into this Honda program via group chat each week and getting to know each other and tell each other about our HBCUs is so valuable,” said Johnson. “As is networking within my same major, especially with the juniors and seniors, and learning what we’ll be dealing with going forth in school.”
Johnson added, “A lot of people think because Alcorn is located in rural Mississippi that we are not up to the standard of other colleges, but Alcorn does open many doors, like this Honda mentorship. Coming from a small town to Alcorn was a big step for me in getting to know people and network. Attending Alcorn has been gratefully beneficial so far.”.
Antoine lives by one of his favorite scriptures, Romans 8:31: “If God be for us, who can be against us?”
