their freshman year without saying much to each other, decided to study together for finals. This
study group lead to a friendship that matured as they matriculated through college. Neither one of
them knew that when they crossed Tougaloo’s historic gates that they, too, would become a part of
“history in the making,” using their degrees in Sociology, Philosophy, and Biology to impact the
South in epic proportions.
Kym Luckett, a native of Mississippi, developed a profound interest in the arts while in elementary
school. Her interests in music, literature, drama, and poetry was honed during the years she lived
in San Diego, California. There, she was able to experience cultures from around the world.
Because of that, she delved further into the arts and longed to share her exposure with others. At
the age of 16, Kym became pregnant but kept the determination to continue her education. Her
strong drive to prove to everyone that she would not fail and could make it on her own motivated
her to inspire other teens to continue their education. In 1997, she graduated from high school with
honors and earned a full scholarship to college. Before completing her first year, she had her
second child and once again, everyone believed she was destined to fail. Yet, once again, she proved
them wrong and graduated college cum laude and among “Who’s Who.” Having completed school,
she wanted to encourage single mothers to complete their education and to share her story in order
to help others build self-esteem and to promote abstinence.
Jacqueline Samuel is also native of Mississippi. Before entering college, she developed an interest
in the arts, such as classical and modern music, poetry, and other forms of creative writing. It was
during the last two years in high school that she chose the career field of medicine, which also aided
in the development of a joy in helping others. By the time she reached her junior year in college,
she had been selected among “Who’s Who,” nominated to attend the National Youth Forum on
Medicine, selected as a national English Merit Award winner, and received recognition of Scholastic
Achievement at Tougaloo College. During this same time, she spent her summers at Meharry
Medical College developing the skills necessary to care and nurture to the Black community.
Through her love of people, she also volunteered in the Emergency Room of a local hospital and
became one of the favorite visitors at Grace House: A Place of Living for People with HIV/AIDS.
As the friendship between Kym and Jacqueline developed, their passion for community service and
social activism became more apparent. Among taking on various leadership positions around
campus, they both became a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., an organization dedicated
to public service. Shortly afterwards, they both became representatives for Tougaloo College in a
Statewide Race Relations Summit, held at the historically prejudice University of Mississippi
College Campus (Ole Miss). Here, they found themselves amongst other college activists
brainstorming techniques for racial reconciliation and marching through the town square singing
Freedom Songs that was once sung by those who marched for freedom in the 60’s.
Through the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), they worked together on the Bailey Avenue
Anti-Violence Movement (B.A.A.M.), in which Kym served as co-coordinator. Bailey Avenue,
located in the heart of Jackson, Mississippi, is an area known for crime, drugs, poverty, and
homelessness. Here, these fearless individuals worked with the community to better themselves
and increase the positive opportunities for the youth.
Their involvements in B.A.A.M. lead them to the nonprofit organization, COHA (Community
Organizations for Health Awareness). Although COHA has 5 components, they found themselves
deeply rooted in the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program. When Kym was seated as the Program
Director of that division, Jacqueline was who she chose to work aside her as Assistant Director.
Through this organization, these two worked with hundreds of at-risk teens throughout the state of
Mississippi. Because Mississippi has one of the highest rates of teenage pregnancy, they felt it was
important to incorporate more than just physical prevention methods into the program. They armed
these youth with the tools necessary to build a positive self-image, make wise decisions about life,
and understand where they fit, in this puzzle called life.
Even before Kym and Jackie met, circumstances had been molding them to make changes in
society. All their experiences, whether personal, educational, or community related, helped them to
clearly see the need for an organization that would cater to the ethnic population involving the
whole family and every aspect of their community. For over a year, they worked on the making of
such an organization, and on August 1, 2003, they gave birth to One Life, Incorporated.
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