Most Inspirational Stories of 2013
Take a look at stories of hope that made top news this year.
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Mother and Son Get Ph.D.s Together - Stories of the less fortunate being helped by successful online fundraising efforts and parents graduating from college with their children have all made top news this year. BET.com takes a look at some of the most inspirational stories this year. – Natelege Whaley (@NateIege) Dr. Vickie McBride and her son Dr. Maurice McBride of Georgia defied the odds to earn their Ph.D.s from Capella University on the same day in August. Dr. Vickie McBride had her son at 13 and continued her education. As a teen, Maurice McBride went through juvenile detention but turned his life around after picking up the Bible. (Photo: Capella University via Twitter)
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Father Graduates With Son From Morehouse - Dorian Joyner Sr. and his son Dorian Joyner Jr. both graduated from Morehouse College together this year. Joyner Sr. decided it was time to complete his degree three years ago when his son was a freshman. "We're Morehouse brothers," the two said proudly. (Photo: Courtesy of Morehouse College)
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The Game Gives Back $1 Million to Everyday People - Rapper Game gave an African teenager in Australia a $20 bill after learning of his hardship. He decided he would give away $1 million of his own money to those in need across the world — all by Christmas. The Robin Hood Project is the official name of his big-hearted effort. He’s also paid for funerals and hospital bills for people in need.
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Homeless Student Crowdfunds His Way to Howard - James Ward’s dreams came true when generous strangers donated more than $12,000 to the freshman at Howard University. After being accepted and covering 75 percent of the costs through grants and loans, his mentor launched a successful online fundraising effort that covered the rest of his expenses for his first semester. Ward has been homeless since he was 14 in California. (Photo: Courtesy of Homelesstohoward.tumblr.com)
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Georgia Family Donates Canceled Wedding's Reception to Homeless - Willie and Carol Fowler's only daughter canceled her wedding 40 days before she was set to get married in September. It was too late to cancel on the venue, food and entertainment, so instead of wasting their money, the family used the reception to feed 200 homeless people.(Photo: Courtesy of Hosea Feed the Hungry)
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Homeless Man Who Returned Diamond Ring Gets a New Home - Billy Ray Harris of Missouri returned a diamond ring to a woman who mistakenly dropped it in his change cup. The woman and her husband organized a fundraiser for Harris and collected more than $190,000. He now owns a car, put a down payment on a home and hopes to launch a house painting company. (Photo: Courtesy of KCTV)
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Boy Writes Book After Father Dies of Gun Violence - Keith Whitted Jr. of Chicago lost his father to gun violence when he was five. His grandmother encouraged him to channel his anger and hurt into writing, which his family turned into a book called Kevin's Heart. "I wanted to write the book so I can teach people not to kill nobody no more,” said Whitted to NBC News in October. (Photo: Courtesy of NBC News)
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Rapper Nas Raises More Than $60,000 for Homeless Family - Stanley Young, an unemployed construction worker, and his eight children received more than $60,000 from generous strangers who contributed to online fundraising efforts led by rapper Nas. The hip hop artist was emotionally moved by the single father and his family who were left homeless after a fire destroyed their home in Washington, D.C., in August. (Photo: ABC News 7)
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Jaylen Bledsoe Is a Teen Millionaire - Jaylen Bledsoe, of Hazelwood, Missouri, started Bledsoe Technologies when he was 13, specializing in web design and IT services. As of 2013, his company is worth $3.5 million and has grown from two to 150 employees. He does all this while remaining involved as the president of his school’s student council. (Photo: Courtesy of Jaylen Bledsoe)
