Articles
Starting Over, Moving Forward: How an HCC student turned hardship into hope
Mar 2, 2026
When Jeromecia Brantley left the Tampa, Florida area two years ago, she wasn’t just relocating, she was starting over. With three young children in tow, she came to Houston determined to rewrite her story and show her two sons and daughter that it’s never too late to build something better.
“My kids are my motivation,” said the 27-year-old Third Ward resident. “I needed life to change for me and for them.”
Brantley, who is now studying business management at Houston City College (HCC), is eight classes away from completing her Associate of Applied Science degree. She is a student parent who balances motherhood, work and full-time studies.
The Journey to Stability
Her journey to Houston was not easy. With limited family support and facing homelessness in her hometown, Brantley applied for housing in Texas. A connection through the Hope for Her program not only helped the young mother get therapy during a difficult time, but also encouraged her consider the move.
“All signs pointed to Texas,” Brantley recalled.
A few months later, a representative from the Houston Housing Authority contacted Brantley about an apartment opportunity. She packed a U-Haul with her car and children in tow and arrived in Houston with no job or money––only faith and determination. Shortly after, she discovered Family Scholar House, a program that provides housing and support for single mothers who want to go to school.
That’s when everything changed, and life began to turn around.
Brantley immediately enrolled at HCC and secured financial help to stabilize her situation, but she faced another challenge, and that was finding someone to watch her children while she took night classes at the Southeast Campus. It was there that she learned about the YMCA Children’s Academy, where now, all three children stay while she attends class.
“That support changed everything,” Brantley said. “From the president to childcare to student life to professors and to my work-study job, everyone is getting me prepared for the real world and making sure that I am not alone.”
When she’s not in class, Brantley is a work-study student for the division of Liberal Arts and Humanities and the Education Professions Center of Excellence. She provides clerical support, assists with syllabi audits and helps organize various documents that come from campus job fairs and other departments. The role, secured through the HCC CareerHub, has strengthened her professional skills while reinforcing her confidence.
Cooking up a Success Plan
Brantley’s long-term goals extend beyond the classroom. A passionate cook who began selling homemade dinners to make ends meet, she dreams of owning a restaurant by the time she’s 35. To achieve this dream, Brantley plans to continue her education––potentially transferring to the University of Houston’s global hospitality program or staying at HCC to pursue additional associate degrees.
“My heart is with cooking, and I want to be a chef,” she said. “But first, I want to learn how to run a business; then I will focus on the culinary aspect.”
For Brantley, education is not only a pathway to career success but a promise to her children.
“When you feel like you are alone, you can’t give up,” she shared. “Coming to HCC, it’s the support and engagement that I truly appreciate. This is the best decision I made for my life and for my kids.”
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