The second to last event for Black History Month centered around students with the Inspired by the Dream event on Feb. 15.

There were eight student speakers the event hosted by the Black Student Association. Each of them described their unique home lives that drive them towards their dreams.

Perla Escatel led the event and described her gratitude to Project Success for their help with being a first-generation college student. Studying to be a health care information provider, she believes in the importance of hard work.

Trevor Finnan spoke second. His mother needs opioid drugs to cope with the intense pain caused by small fiber neuropathy.

“I have a dream that one day my mom and others like her can live happily, pain and opioid free, and that we can one day replace high risk pain killers and opioids with safer alternatives,” he said. He plans on becoming a neurologist to help find the cure.

Growing up on the south side of Chicago, Angel Kizer had to help raise her siblings and, from that, discovered she wanted to work in education with other children.

Three basketball players took turns speaking. President of Black Student Association Yulandist Brown said they spoke together because they’re a team.

Ricky Calvin also grew up in Chicago with his three siblings and, after his oldest brother was killed, he learned that you always need a good support system to help you through life.

Another native of Chicago, Troy Johnson, spoke of his mom who’s suffering from breast cancer. His mom didn’t tell him or his siblings at first, and Johnson remembered nights when his mom would cry and he didn’t know how to help her.

Jalen Latham was raised by a single mother in Pontiac who suffers from lupus. He calls her his inspiration as he studies business administration.

Christina Bass is a returning student at 24 who grew up in one of the roughest schools in Chicago.

Bass’s father was recently diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease and was only given one more week to live. She depends on her faith to help her through.

Colleen Fitzpatrick-Grabow is another returning student whose son with high-functioning autism encouraged her to go back to school.