2026 Meet OCC Grad: Ebony Boatman

Mom of Five Overcomes Fear to Help Others Create Change

“I first attended OCC right out of high school, but I struggled with anxiety and focus and eventually dropped out,” said Ebony, now 50. 

After raising five children and leaving a career in retail management due to a physical disability, she decided it was time to start over and invest in herself. 

“I wanted to be an example for my kids, to show them that you can do anything you set your mind to,” she said. 

When her oldest daughter planned to attend OCC after high school graduation, Ebony saw an opportunity.

“I thought, ‘Why not go back with her?’ I felt like I could accomplish what I wanted to do if I had someone doing it with me.” 

A delayed start

Her plans hit a setback when a decades-old academic record required her to appeal for financial aid eligibility. Once it was resolved and she was able to sign up the following semester, her daughter had left school. 

Ebony moved forward on her own.

Starting over wasn’t easy and, at times, she wondered if she could do this. 

“I remember breaking down in tears trying to use PowerPoint,” Ebony said. “In retail management, I didn’t do a lot of computer work and wasn’t very tech savvy. I hadn’t been in school for years. But I realized I wasn’t alone.”

“I met other students my age and learned that I wasn’t the only ‘old duck in the water.’”

Learning to “do it scared”

Looking back, Ebony wishes she had sought support during her first college experience. This time she approached things differently, finding resources, managing her anxiety and leaning on her faith.

“I should have given myself a better chance, seen a doctor and gotten the medication and support to help me through it,” she said. 

She also carried the weight of personal loss. And, came out stronger on the other side. 

“My children’s father was murdered in 2020, just before COVID hit,” she said. “I had to be strong for my kids and get everyone through it all. It was a dark time, and I reached out to others for grief support.” 

Through it all, she embraced a mindset of perseverance: to “do it scared,” an idea she learned from Scripture. 

“What helped me overcome these challenges was my faith, determination and the belief that God did not give us a spirit of fear,” she said. “I trusted that God had my back every step of the way and stayed committed to my classes, managed my anxiety with the right support, and balanced school and caring for my family. With a renewed sense of purpose, I focused fully on my education and earned all A’s every semester.”

Paying it forward

Ebony’s experiences inspired her to pursue a new vocation in mental health and social work. This summer, she’ll complete an internship with hands-on experience in the field, before continuing to Wayne State University for a Bachelor of Social Work degree.

Her long-term goal is to earn her Master of Social Work degree and become a licensed clinical social worker, working in crisis intervention and trauma support for children, teens and young adults. 

“I want to use my life experiences, resilience and faith to make a meaningful impact in the lives of young people who are facing some of the hardest moments of their lives,” Ebony said. “I’m excited to keep growing, learning and building a future where I can help others create change in their own lives.”