Black Boy Joy Spotlight: Rodrick Bellamy

Self Proclaimed Mr. CofC. Your Kids Future Favorite Teacher. Young Black Powerhouse. These are all things that describe The College of Charleston's coolest kid on the block Rodrick Bellamy! Check out his words of wisdom and learn more about the man, the myth, the legend!

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself!

My name is Rodrick Bellamy and my hometown is Conway, SC. I am a rising senior at the College of Charleston majoring in Middle Grades Education with concentrations in math and social studies. Most people call me crazy when they find out I want to teach middle school, but that is a very critical part of our lives and the only place I can see myself teaching.

You can always catch me talking to somebody whether they are black, white, brown, blue, old, young, or celebrating their third 25th. Being social is where I am most happy and every experience is a learning experience. I can learn just as much`from a 5 year old as I can from a 50 year old.

2. What are you involved in on campus and how has that shaped your college experience?

Sheesh. On campus, I am involved in a lotttt of things. I am in the Teaching Fellows, Call Me Mister, and Teacher Leader Programs. I also serve(d) as a RA, Peer Academic Coach, Teaching Assistant ECDC (the campus preschool), Orientation Intern, Student Alumni Associates, Sustainability and Social Justice Intern, Student Ambassador with Save the Children Action Network, and also a SafeZone Ally. I also have an off-campus internship as a Research Assistant at MUSC.

Each of these experiences have shaped and molded me into the person I am today. I have gained an unbelievable amount of skills and knowledge that are otherwise unattainable. I have dealt with and helped others through situations that I never imagined a person going through. It has definitely been nothing less than a eye opening experience that has and still is preparing me for my professional journey.

3. Why do you believe it is important for black men to be in the education system?

It is extremely important for black men to go into the field of education as we can serve as role models to ALL students, but especially those of color. Looking back on your own education, did you ever have a black male teacher? Most people answer that question with a no, but some may have had a black male teacher in high school or late middle school. If you had the privilege, I am sure it left a mark on you somehow. We all go through life being told we can be and do whatever we want, but most of us can never actualize it until we see someone who looks like us doing it. That’s the reason I feel it’s important for not only black males, but all minority males, to be educators.

4.What would you want your legacy to be?

The impact that I want to leave on CofC is to simply show the minorities that the goal of this campus, just as any campus, is to grow and to become better. You, as a student, have the power, the knowledge, and pay the tuition that is needed for this campus to grow to greater heights. There will be times when it seems like this campus is against you, but you must push forward to make it better for the people who will come after you. We must do as our ancestors did and we cannot stand in the back and watch. We are the “progress” of the campus. We are the face of the campus. We too are CofC.

5. Any words of encouragement for the men of color on campus?

My words of encouragement for men of color on campus is that this campus is yours. There are so many wonderful opportunities that are out there waiting for you to find them. Notice, I said find. Nothing comes to those who wait. You have to put in the work and the effort to actually own this campus. And if there is something that you would like to see that isn’t there, create it. Be the change you wish to see.