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Davian Clifton Jr. is hoping to help others with their mental health. A 2022 Nansemond River High School graduate, Clifton currently attends Virginia State University majoring in psychology while minoring in sociology. The choice of VSU for Clifton wasn’t just for its curriculum but also because it is one of many Historically Black Colleges and Universities. He noted that this choice was “very important” to him. 

“My father and sister are both HBCU alumni and I wanted to continue that legacy,” Clifton said. “Virginia State felt like a place I would be cared for because the faculty, especially within the Honors College, seemed really interested in not only my education but as my growth as a person.”

After graduation, Clifton hopes to further his education and attend graduate school to earn his doctorate in psychology. Likewise, his career goal is to become a therapist to help black LGBTQ+ teens with mental health. For Clifton, this goal is very important.

“Being black and queer myself, the experience can be very challenging and lonely,” he expressed. “I want to be someone they can relate to and give them a safe place to express themselves.”

Finally, on how he wants to make an impact in the world, Clifton hopes that his work in therapy can destigmatize the conversion of mental health within black families while helping black kids gain access to the mental health care they need. Likewise, he hopes to make an impact by simply being himself. 

“I hope to be the person I wanted to see when I was younger. Someone unapologetically black and queer, that’s 100% themself and successful. I hope through my work as a therapist I can be that person,” he expressed.