Pictured above: Brandon Nwokeji leads a camper through a “human tunnel” of other counselors at Carolina Kickoff during the summer of 2019.

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As an out-of-state student from Memphis, Tennessee, Brandon Nwokeji was nervous about coming to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as a freshman. Only one other student from his graduating class would also be attending the school, whereas many in-state high schools have dozens of students attend the university each year.

 

“I don’t know anybody,” he remembered thinking to himself. “I’m not gonna meet anybody.”

 

However, thanks to Carolina Kickoff, Brandon found his home within the Carolina community before his classes even started.

 

Carolina Kickoff, or CK as its members call it, is the oldest committee of the Campus Y, UNC-Chapel Hill’s hub for social justice. Founded in 1943, CK aims to empower students to break down barriers, explore new concepts and make an impact during their time on campus.

 

The main way CK does this is by hosting a three-day camp for incoming first-year and transfer students. Each year, approximately 175 campers and 40 counselors move into their residence halls early then head to Camp New Hope, approximately 20 minutes from the UNC-Chapel Hill campus. Campers learn about ways to get involved on campus, participate in team- and self-building activities and discuss topics like mental health, vulnerability and diversity together.

 

The goal is for campers to leave at the end of this experience equipped with the tools they need to conquer the rest of college, while also providing them with a head start on bonding with their peers and forming friendships.

 

Now a current sophomore studying Advertising/Public Relations and Political Science, Brandon still remains involved with CK over a year after his time at camp. This past summer, he served as a counselor for camp and was selected to be one of the organization’s co-chairs for its Development Committee this school year.

 

Despite his current involvement with CK, Brandon was not always this passionate about the organization though. As a high school senior, he had seen posts on Facebook advertising the application for CK but did not feel much interest in applying. However, a conversation with a someone from Brandon’s high school changed that.

 

Jamal was a senior when Brandon was a freshman, and he also chose to attend UNC-CH after graduation. Before starting school though, Jamal participated in CK’s camp, and he encouraged Brandon to do the same.

 

“It was awesome,” Brandon said about his experience as a camper. “I had never been a part of something like that before.”

 

Coming from out of state to UNC-CH, Brandon felt as if did he not really know anyone at the school. In addition to that, though, he recalled that he also did not know much about himself either.

 

CK changed that for him. When asked about his experience at camp, Brandon said that he had never been part of something like it before.

 

“CK was great,” Brandon remembered. “It was just a ton of people coming together, doing crazy, fun, silly things and just trying to make you more comfortable with each other and more comfortable with coming to UNC.”

 

After his time at camp, Brandon felt ready to tackle college. Not only this, but he also started college with a built-in community thanks to the fellow campers and counselors he had just spent so much time bonding with.

 

Throughout his first year and continuing now, Brandon rarely walks to class or the dining hall without seeing someone he knows from CK. He mentioned that CK even has a special greeting between its members. Whenever two people from CK run into one another, they greet each other with “Hey, CK!”

 

“I just think it’s valuable having that community coming in to college and coming to UNC, especially as an out of state student,” Brandon remarked.

 

Now Brandon continues to give back to CK as a member of its executive team. The Development Committee that he co-chairs is responsible for the long-term health and success of the organization.

 

“I’m really in charge of making sure that CK stays CK and stays a part of UNC and stays a part of the college experience for so many people,” he said while describing his role.

 

In this position, Brandon is working on creating a mission statement and constitution for CK, two items that the club has never had before. This is something he has developed a strong passion for because it defines the very purpose and meaning of CK and what it does. Incorporating these into a mission statement and constitution makes these concepts official. He hopes to have this done by the end of this school year so it can be ready for the next camp.

 

Overall, Brandon’s favorite thing about CK is the people. At the beginning of college, he experienced issues with finding himself and who he was. These people helped him realize that and provided him with a strong community as well.

 

“Having such a space where I feel like I have a voice, where I feel like I have a community, where I can just be myself and not have to worry about anything else but being myself has been so great,” he said. “These people are always there for me when I need it, and they’re why I continue to give so much to CK today.”