The "dynamic duo," a mother and son exceeded everyone's expectations and got their doctorate degrees from Capella University on the same day. Despite all of the obstacles that they both faced while going to school, they overcame them and made history together. Their accomplishment earned them the key to the city, presented by Mayor Pauline Jenkins. During Black History Month, they want to inspire others to pursue their education regardless of their age. It’s never too late to go back to school!
Dr. Vickie McBride was born to a teenage single mother who couldn’t afford a 2nd child and she put Dr. Vicki in foster care. At just 8 months, Dr. Vickie was adopted by a successful couple. Her parents gave her the best lifer that she could have imagined. At the age of 13, Dr. Vickie became pregnant. Since she was still a child, she was not prepared to be a parent. Despite the ridicule and judgment she faced in small town Georgia, and the feelings of failure and shame she felt she brought on herself and her mother, she knew immediately that she would keep the child she was carrying who was Dr. Maurice. She was sent to a home for unwed mothers in another state and spent 6 months isolated from her immediate family and friends. While there, she gave birth to Dr. Maurice. Later, she decided to focus on education, and she and her son decided to get their doctorate together.
Dr. Maurice McBride dropped out of school to pursue a music career when he was a teenager. He eventually earned his GED, and after being incarcerated, he realized in jail that the success he experienced in the music industry with his Billboard charting single would not last forever, so he decided to go to college. Now, Dr. Maurice is a professor at Paine College in Augusta, Georgia. He is the co-author of the children's book, “Oliver Vance, Pull Up Your Pants”, and the creator of The Oliver Vance Project, a character education program that teaches children and teens positive individuality, goal setting, and decision-making. Most recently, Dr. McBride re-entered the music industry with the release of the song, "Whoa Now!" As a professor, no one expected Dr. McBride to write, produce, and perform another hit song. With over 100,000 views on YouTube, the fun, family-friendly line dancing song reflects Dr. McBride's motto: Just because you're educated doesn't mean you can't have fun.