SC State student leader champions national sickle cell advocacy
Tyvon Boston of Florence, South Carolina, highlights leadership, service and impact through his Red Cross HBCU ambassador role.
The 21-year-old has not only been developing the networking and leadership skills needed for the business he hopes to own, but he is also addressing the needs of those with sickle cell disease as an American Red Cross HBCU ambassador for SC State.
“I get to help with blood donations, and with that we have mandatory training over the summer for all ambassadors in Atlanta, which is really fun,” said Boston, a junior business management major from Florence, South Carolina.
Supporting the sickle cell initiative
The national program is part of the American Red Cross Sickle Cell Initiative, which aims to raise awareness of the inherited blood disorder impacting an estimated 100,000 Americans — the majority of whom are of African descent — and increase donations from Black blood donors.
As an ambassador for SC State, Boston, who has a family member with sickle cell disease, has worked to coordinate and promote blood drives on campus and helped inspire a new generation of Red Cross volunteers and leaders.
He is also helping to improve the health outcomes of diverse populations needing blood transfusions.
Finding community at SC State
Boston said he found a strong, supportive community at SC State, where his twin brother, Tayvian, also attends as a business management major. Several of his family members have also attended the university.
“I chose SC State for my collegiate career because, first, my family from my mom’s side went. My great-great-grandmom, my great-granddad, my aunt, her dad, etc., all went here. At first, I wasn’t going to go to an HBCU, but I was like, ‘You know what? Let’s give it a try,’” Boston said.
“I was like, ‘I kind of like it.’ First off, we’re HBCU football champs, but I really like the family here. We’re all one big family. Everybody basically is just one phone call away,” he said.
“I love the community here: faculty, staff and students. Everyone is just showing their Bulldog tenacity and their Bulldog pride for each other. I really love that,” Boston said.
Campus involvement and leadership
He displays his pride in the university by participating in several campus activities in addition to his service as an American Red Cross HBCU ambassador.
“I am also part of the Campus Activities Board, or CAB, where I currently serve as the special events committee chair. We basically plan every event there is on campus such as meltdowns, parties at Dukes Gymnasium, karaoke nights, comedy shows, game shows, etc.,” he said.
Boston likes to keep busy, something his extracurricular activities allow him to do.
“The CAB and American Red Cross keep me busy. I’m also on the committee for the Bulldog Choice Awards. I have a life outside of extracurriculars, but if they need me, I’m always there,” he said, noting that he develops valuable networking skills through his duties.
“The Bulldog Choice Awards is an awards show like the BET Awards. We have Man of the Year, Woman of the Year, Professor of the Year, etc. It’s just to get our students recognized on how hard they work for their business or how hard they’ve progressed in their academics or school life,” Boston said.
Preparing for the future
He is employed as a certified trainer at a Chick-fil-A in his hometown and will soon become a team leader. Boston said his education at SC State is preparing him to reach his entrepreneurial goals.
“My plans after graduation are to still work up under my boss at Chick-fil-A because I want to be a Chick-fil-A owner/operator. I have to work up under him for like a year, then apply through him to own a Chick-fil-A,” Boston said.
“I think SC State prepares me for that by learning marketing skills, management skills, how to connect with customers, how to actually build a team and lead my own store. Right now, I’m going through principles of management and marketing. My professors are top tier,” he said.
Boston encourages students to participate in campus activities and take advantage of university resources and leadership opportunities.
“I would say for everyone to get involved. We need your support, your network and your leadership,” Boston said.