The Westfield High School’s first Black male valedictorian is headed to Harvard.
“I am so blessed and honored to have been selected from the most competitive applicant pool in Harvard’s 385 year history!” Da’Vion Tatum excitedly captioned an Instagram post.
The 18-year-old continued, “This year marked a record low 3% acceptance rate and I’m still in SHOCK! I’m so grateful and eager to embark on this incredible journey and to be able to attend the top school in the WORLD!#blessed #godsfavor #harvard2025 #collegesigningday #decisionday #nationaldecisionday.”
Da’Vion made history when he became his school’s first Black male valedictorian, securing millions of dollars in scholarships and 11 acceptances from various colleges and universities. The teen told Fox 26 Houston that he wants his story to inspire others.
“My story specifically can help other young Black men to know that just because society may say one thing about you, or there may be a stigma or stereotype that surrounds being a Black man, doesn’t necessarily mean you’re confined to that,” he told the popular news outlet.
In addition to Da’Vion’s academic success, the talented young man is also an author. Da’Vion authored an autobiography, which he started in 8th grade.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CP3canSFLd_/
“It was to show that regardless of what’s happening around me, I’m going to continue thriving in my own lane,” Da’Vion said about his book, “I’m going to continue pushing for equity, inclusivity, and justice.”
He continued, “I noticed that people didn’t see me in that light because I was a young Black man. They didn’t see me in the light of the next doctor, lawyer, engineer. The message I wanted to convey was that we are more than just a stereotype. We are more than just thugs. We are more than athletes.”
And, Da’Vion is proving just that as he embarks upon the next phase in his life in pursuit of a double major in biomedical engineering and government. Da’Vion has an ultimate goal of utilizing engineering, medicine, and law to further scientific innovation and social justice issues.
Da’Vion hopes to inspires others and we think that he truly already has and will unquestionably continue to do so.
Congratulations, Da’Vion! We cannot wait to see what is next for you.
