Candace D. Williams

Legacy of the Workman’s Guild

In 2010, at 21 soon to be 22 years old, Braden D. Leaumont had succeeded in many things. Coming from humble beginnings, she worked hard to become independent. This perseverance was sown in part due to how her mother was ridiculed after the passing of her father. Upon graduating from high school in 2006, Braden made the decision to attend college while also supporting her mother. Since the university was a few hours away, moving out was practical and reduced the cost of food and utilities for her mother. Taking out student loans and gaining employment allowed Braden to support herself financially. Even managing to send her mother a tiny monthly allowance in her father’s absence. Since enrolling at the university, Braden had reached some of her short and long term goals. A first generation college student, who purchased her first car in cash, and was the first African-American editor of the campus newspaper. Who also successfully became homeless after, in her words, not lying to a customer to steal their home.