Life is amazing!

I can't even describe how amazing everything is in my life right now. It is really a surreal experience that is hard to explain. All my dreams and wishes are coming true faster than I ever imagined.

I'm only 26 years old and I already have a master's degree, my own company, and live in the city of my dreams. Every day more and more amazing things are happening to me and I just have so many people to thank for putting me in this privileged position that I am currently in.

To have the privilege to be able to go back to my alma mater and speak about my experience leaves my speechless, and to be a keynote speaker at that speaks volumes.

Sometimes you work really hard and have to take a step back to see everything that you have accomplished. Since, I went to grad school I have not really had time to do that, even after I graduated. Now I feel like fame's homecoming is a chance for me to reflect.

Not only to reflect, but to educate, party, mentor and re-live the place that is so epic to me. I never realized how big a homecoming could be until now. It is really everything wrapped up in one.

I can't wait and I'm only 4 days out. (3 as I speak really.) I've accomplished so much and only have more in store. I'm so excited to be in this current moment!

Famu Keynote Speaker on Graudate school

I will have the honor of speaking at my alma mater about graduate school and the importance of it down the road. I sent this bio to the Dean and it made me reflect on my journey. Take a listen.

My name is Tommy Hawkins. I'm 26 years old and from Dallas, Texas. I recently graduate from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism with my masters in journalism in May 2014. I graduate from Florida A&M University in Fall 2012 with my bachelors in broadcast Journalism.

When I graduated from high school I started at community college because I didn't know what I wanted to do. After receiving an opportunity to go to FAMU, I began to develop my journalism skills by becoming a staff writer for the FAMUAN covering the Women's Basketball beat. As I continued to develop my writing I became interested in video. I then interned with TCC and FAMU Athletic departments working as multimedia intern. As I began to take advanced video course at FAMU my skills and confidence grew. During my last semester at FAMU, I took Advanced TV News and SPecialized TV News (although it was recommended not to.) along with 5 other classes, I was interning at TCC's television station 15 hours a week, and I had a part-time job as an apartment leasing agent where I accounted for %30 of the %85 percent of move ins.

One professor planted the idea of grad school in my brain about a year before I graduated and considering everyone in my family had a master's, and salaries were not looking promising after graduation, I decided to apply to 3 grad schools. I was ecstatic when I found out I got into Columbia and embarked on a 10 month journey of some of the most incredible journalists in the world.

I minored in science at FAMU and despite my expertise in sports, I decided to focus on science video. I took advanced video seminars with the top professors at the University and also completed 2 science courses where I had the opportunity to work with Marguerite Holloway, a renowned science journalists.

After graduating, another student and I started a video production company called Hawk IV Productions, LLC. We started the company on July 1st. So far we have grossed $6,000 dollars in sales during our 4 brief months. I am the CFO and CEO, which means I handle the financials as well as the generation of new revenue and all other business matters. Its challenging its tough and I love it. I'm happy to be where I am and wouldn't change my journey for anything. 

Back at it

Yes I took a little hiatus, but I'm back. You know I'm all about the money so business has been great.

Essentially, I graduated almost 5 months ago, but it feels like just yesterday. People are so caught up in what your job is and what your doing that they are not taking time to absorb such a high level of self-discovery. I really believe you leave grad school with more confidence you ever had in your life. Your surrounded by people of such high esteem that when you leave school with their stamp of approval it feels like a writ of passage.

I now know that what I'm doing is exactly what it should be. I want to make this post short because the lesson is. "There are always more steps and growth to be had in life, but remember your core character is what carries happiness into your life."

#thatisall

peace.....