MBK Scholar David Shinn Jr. ’29 Gains Community Following Family Tragedies
Major: Computer Science and Information Security
Mentor: Elton Beckett, Faculty Fellow, Adjunct Professor; Kenneth Martin, ACE Senior Academic Advisor
Programs: MBK Connect & MBK-ACE; Student Council (Freshman Representative)
Internships: My Brother’s & Sister’s Keeper Youth Council Participant, New York City Department of Youth & Community Development
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Career Aspiration: Computer Scientist
What was life like before John Jay?
I’ve lived a very sheltered life because of some traumatic experiences in my family. In 2016, I lost my older brother, A’Mani Miller, to gun violence. He was my first mentor. He taught me so much and always looked out for me. A’Mani was an aspiring musician, singer, and rapper—he’d even had a few concerts. At the time, he was 20 years old and working in construction with my father. The day he died, he had to make a run for supplies. For some reason, he was in a neighborhood where he wasn’t supposed to be and was surrounded by some really bad people in a gang. They shot him multiple times, stabbed him, and tortured him. I was nine years old when it happened. My parents didn’t want to tell me what took place because I was so young. All I knew was that my big brother was gone and I missed him. I actually found out what happened a year ago from my father and news articles about my brother’s murder.
Seven years after my brother’s death, my mother, Allison, was diagnosed with breast cancer. It metastasized to her brain, where multiple tumors formed. She passed away three years ago, but she never stopped fighting to get justice for A’Mani, and she never stopped loving and worrying about me. My father and I always believed that the stress and pain of her son’s passing caused some of her health issues. Fortunately, she died when she was at home with us. One minute she was alive, and then she fell asleep and was gone forever. These losses have really put a strain on my family. I think my dad has PTSD over my brother’s murder and my mother’s passing. I’m all he has now and he worries about me constantly.
Why John Jay?
One of the main reasons I wanted to come to John Jay was because of my goal to join the United States Air Force as a commissioned officer. You need a college degree to do that, and John Jay was the perfect college for me because it has a nationally recognized computer science department. I’ve always been a tech guy—playing video games and fixing computers. John Jay is directly tied to what I want to do. It has a cybercrime lab and a Center for Cybercrime Studies. After graduation, I’d like to work in the Air Force investigating computer crime. I’d like to help the Air Force stop cybercrime by becoming a Cyberspace Operations Officer.
What was your MBK Connect Summer Program experience like?
The most important thing that MBK Connect did for me was give me a network of people, a community of brothers, that I can talk to whenever I need them. When you’re first coming to a school and don’t know anyone, it can be really intimidating. Because of MBK Connect, I walked in the door already knowing 100 people who I considered brothers. We went through an incredible program together. We formed a community of men of color who want to get their education. We’re supporting each other in this shared goal. After we graduate, we’ll already have this strong alumni network. Years ago, I lost a very important Black mentor in my life, my brother A’Mani. No one could ever fill A’Mani’s shoes, but because of the MBK program, I gained many new brothers who I can learn from and grow with as a person.
How has MBK Connect already put you on the path to success?
I got an A- in the math course I took this summer through MBK Connect. The reason why I got that grade was because of my MBK brothers. We worked together and helped each other. I like math, but it’s not always my strongest subject. Through the MBK Connect program, I learned how to study with a group and ask for help with my work. That’s going to be a really useful skill with my major.
How has your MBK-ACE advisor helped guide you?
I’ve already had my first meeting with my MBK-ACE advisor, and he’s very easy to talk to. I feel like he understands where I’m coming from because he’s been in my position before. When I talked with Kenneth, he helped me with my classes in ways that were straightforward and easy for me to understand. For example, when I mentioned my current math class, he suggested a YouTube channel to supplement my class notes. Instead of asking me what my plan was, Kenneth asked me how I was doing, and he wanted to know how he could help me. He knows that I’m still adjusting to the environment and isn’t making me feel rushed or intimidated. Kenneth is already putting me on the path to success by focusing on my learning experience. He’s made me feel empowered and respected by showing me that this is my life and I’m the only one who can make these decisions about my academic journey.
Please finish this sentence: Because of John Jay and MBK…
I found the person that I really want to become. I’ve been exposed to a lot of challenging things in my life—the loss of both my brother and mother. MBK gave me brothers, a community, and a pathway to success.
