January 18th, 2011 |

Since Jamilah Akilah Perkins was a little girl, she knew exactly where her life was headed, because she had a plan. The 21 year old senior at Tougaloo College admits that she is a perfectionist who, at a very young age, mapped out what she wanted to do in life. “I like to plan ahead,” she says. “I have a strong desire to succeed and I don't want to settle for less than what I know I'm capable of achieving.”

For Jamilah, that means you must have ambition and a plan. “Wishing on a star won't make it happen,” she insists.

The evidence of Jamilah's preparation for the kind of life she envisions for herself began long before she entered college. She was valedictorian of her graduating class at Greenwood High School in 2007. She has continued this academic trend for excellence throughout her undergraduate years at Tougaloo.

In the Perkins’ family, success is a tradition. Jamilah’s father, Willie Perkins Sr., is a prominent attorney in Greenwood and a Representative in the Mississippi legislature. Her mother, Mrs. Sheriel Perkins, is a character education instructor in the Leflore County School District and former mayor of Greenwood. Jamilah’s two sisters, Ashaki, who works at the Pentagon in Maryland and Takiyah, an attorney in Greenville, are great role models for her. Her brothers, Willie Jr, a middle school math instructor in Jackson, and younger brother Jamal, a sophomore math major at Tougaloo, round out the family tree of scholars. High achievement is in her genes.

Jamilah understands that when you have successful parents, the community expects the same from their kids. That doesn't bother her. She draws inspiration from it.

Younger brother Jamal feels the same way. “As the youngest in the family, I know my parents, siblings, and the community, have high expectations of me. I welcome it. I have some of the finest role models in the world,” says Jamal.

He says he is determined to avoid becoming a negative statistic that describes so many young black men his age. “When people tell me I can't do something, it fuels my motivation to prove them wrong". He says the election of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States added to his motivation to be successful.

Jamal believes parents have to push their sons because they can become easily distracted by girls, fast money and all the trappings associated with it. He says it helps when parents know their children's strengths and weak- nesses. “It is important to know your parents are supportive, even when you work hard and fall short of your goal.”

Without hesitation, both siblings attribute their success and positive attitudes in life to God and family. "It is as simple as that," says Jamilah. "Having a relationship with God makes all the difference. Also, the support system within my family is very strong and includes the extended family, as well." She also gives a lot of credit to her teachers.

Jamilah does not settle for anything. Yet, her humble attitude is another one of her attributes. "Character says a lot about you," she insists, "Being respectful means a great deal to people. I was raised to be that way. Etiquette and old-fashioned values are good to have. Yes ma'am and no ma'am never get old."

Jamilah is pursing degrees in English and Pre-Medicine. After she completes her senior year in 2011, her plan is to attend medical school at Vanderbilt, Emory, Meharry, or the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMC). She plans to become a dermatologist and a lawyer.

Tougaloo College is another Perkins family tradition. Jamilah says Tougaloo provides exactly what she wanted: a good quality education close to home. Both siblings describe Tougaloo as a family within a family. "Everyone is connected and I like the reputation for success that distinguishes Tougaloo graduates. I also like the teacher/student ration and the relationships that form as a result," Jamilah says.

She dreams big and does not believe in limitations based on where you're born or grow up. She is fully aware of how the Delta is often portrayed in the negative fashion. "I know the truth of how so many Delta students excel in spite of the odds against them." Jamilah has concluded that Delta children are no different from children in other parts of the state. "All kids need encouragement, opportunities, constructive feedback and especially strong, caring parents to put a little fear in them if necessary," she says, with a smile.

She believes it is important to know what you want for yourself in life and that people will help you, if you are willing to do the work it takes to get you to where you want to be.

For Jamilah Perkins, success is certain. Her formula is simple: start with the abilities God has given you. Have a plan. Write it down in detail. Then, get after it.

You go, girl!

Reprinted from DeltaNEXT! Magazine: A Guide to Completing School and More, published by the Bureau of Long Range Economic Development Planning at the Mississippi Institutes of Higher Learning (IHL).