BALTIMORE—Brother West Muhammad is almost a typical 14-year-old. He likes bike riding, skateboarding, movies and going to the arcade. This year, he said farewell to his friends headed to high school, as he enrolled at Coppin State University as a freshman.
“Being in college is definitely a wonderful experience,” he told The Final Call. “I think that it’s a lot of love at the campus. It can sometimes be a little hectic, like trying to get to certain appointments or things like that. However, as of now, I think it is a wonderful experience. I’m very happy to be a part of it.”
For now, Bro. West is a commuter. The campus is a short distance from his home. While many older freshmen are undecided about their major, Bro. West has made up his mind.
“This semester I’m taking courses required to major in cybersecurity. There’s one class that’s Cybersecurity 101, and along with that it’s the basic English 101. I have an African American History class, Math 131, and Freshman Seminar.”
Math 131 is the college algebra for mathematics and science majors, taught by Christopher Fallon. The class focuses on collections of real numbers, linear equations and inequalities, including absolute values, exponential expressions, and square roots.
Most college freshmen have four years of high school math to prepare for this work. Bro. West is unphased by the enormity of the class challenges. He sits in the front row, taking notes and asking questions.
“West is very diligent, 100 percent attentive, and never on his phone,” Professor Fallon told The Final Call. “I love having him in the class. He’s a great student and my first 14-year-old.”
Bro. West has been a star student since he started school at the age of three, according to his mother, Sister Tya Muhammad. He was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland.
She was a single mom doing her best and she noticed her son excelled academically. She learned early that she needed to advocate for him to be in the right grade according to his skills and not his age.
“I was always faced with the challenge from educators that would say, well what about his maturity,” she told The Final Call. “Every summer, I would get the next grade curriculum for the school year and we would do it over the summer.
I wanted it so that whatever West was introduced to in school, it would not be the first time he saw the information. Every school year, he was already ahead of the game.
It didn’t matter if we went on vacation, or to Saviours’ Day,” she said, referring to the annual Nation of Islam convention. “Wherever we went, he kept a little workbook with him in one hand and a Ninja Turtle (action figure) in the other.”
Bro. West finished his high school requirements in August and was accepted into Coppin days later with a Fanny Jackson Coppin scholarship. This academic scholarship for students can be renewed for four years.
It covers the full cost of education, including tuition, housing, and meals. It also provides up to $1,000 per year for textbooks. Coppin State is a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) that is part of the University of Maryland system.
According to the school’s website, Coppin State was established in 1900, then known as Coppin State Teachers College. It bears the name of Fanny Jackson Coppin.
An accomplished educator, school administrator, African missionary, and activist. She was freed from slavery at the age of 14 when her aunt purchased her. Fanny Jackson Coppin devoted her life to education and inspired future generations to follow her path.
Bro. West is headed for mid-term and final examinations. He uses the library tutoring center for help with math problems and other classes. He is also involved in campus clubs. What does he like most about being in college?
“I would say the camaraderie from the fellow students that are there,” Bro. West said. “I think that it’s been great just being around so many studious Black people, young Black brothers and sisters that are getting their education. I would also say it’s been great having a lot of them show support towards me.”
He’s also quite popular already.
“A lot of them will come up to me and ask, ‘are you the 14-year-old?’ or ‘How old are you?’ They might want to get a handshake, a picture or hug. It’s nice to be recognized. Those experiences won’t last forever so I try not to let them go to my head. But for now, it’s great having that support.”
