The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021 ■ 27 on the Chancellor's African American Ad- visory Council, on the CHASS Dean's Ad- visory Board and with Wolfpack Women in Philanthropy. More than a decade ago, the couple es- tablished the need-based Dewayne and Ad- ama Washington Scholarship Endowment and the Washington Sankofa Room Fund. They have given to other areas that include the African American Cultural Center, Stu- dent Emergency Fund and Preserve the Pack. They long planned to do something big- ger — a family legacy to include their chil- dren: son DJ, who graduated last year from the University of Miami and works for JP Morgan in Miami; daughter Demi, a rising junior and basketball player at Vanderbilt University; and daughter Delaney, a rising high school senior at Ravenscroft School. "We understand that you become what you see," Dewayne said. "We always wanted them to see us doing positive things — giving back in whatever way we could and doing things to help others. I hope at some point they'll each be able to support something that has mattered to them." The events of 2020 converted the "some- day" of creating that family legacy into "today." As the Washingtons spent more time together at home in Wake Forest during the coronavirus pandemic and witnessed the protests that followed the killing of George Floyd by Minnesota police, they reflected, Adama said, on quotes like Mahatma Gan- dhi's that you must be the change you wish to see in the world. They talked about De- wayne's motto during his 2015-2017 tenure as the head football coach at Heritage High School: Why not us and why not now? "We had time to wrap our arms around our community even more and think about what we could do to help," he said. This Think and Do the Extraordinary Campaign gift was influenced by all they've learned about the university in re- cent years, from the many things going well to the areas that could benefit from enhanced funding. "We know students who choose to be- come social workers can be tremendous change agents," Adama said. "What better way to make a difference than to support individuals who will impact social and eco- nomic justice, equity and inclusion? The student population at NC State is still only about 6 percent African American. These students need support and mentors to make sure they have a sense of belonging and identity, and we'd love to see that number grow." The gift also has given Dewayne a chance to reflect on what he misses most about football: the camaraderie of the locker room, where a diverse group of players, coaches and staff come together and learn from one another. He was proud to show the NC State locker room that soon will bear his name to his children earlier this summer. "It's the gathering place, every day for practice and then before you go out to bat- tle and work toward a common goal," De- wayne said. "Being able to have my name there really appealed to me." Again: community. The Washingtons encourage others to engage with their own village at the uni- versity. Find a place that needs your time, talent, treasure or testimony, they said. "Jump in without hesitation," Adama said. "There is room for everyone at NC State." ■ Dewayne and Adama hope their continued gifts over the years help set the example for NC State students, especially African American ones. "These students need support and mentors to make sure they have a sense of belonging and identity," Adama said. PHOTO BY MARC HALL/NC STATE UNIVERSITY