Senior
Shani Blevins, an ambitious double major in accounting and corporate
finance, has her sights clearly set on a corporate career. She is the
president of the greater San Francisco chapter of the National Association
of Black Accountants. But Blevins has much more than balance sheets on
her plate. She tutors peers in the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP),
is finance officer for the EOP student organization, conducts research
on breast cancer, and serves as a residential adviser in the Summer Bridge
program. Nevertheless, this community-minded 21-year-old still finds
time to hang with friends in her hometown of Richmond or at her favorite
restaurant, TGI Friday's on Jack London Square.
Why did you choose to attend SFSU?
Initially I was going to Howard University in Washington, D.C. But
right when 9/11 happened, my mom was like, "You know what? You
need to stay here in California near me." So I applied to SF
State and was accepted. I said I'll stay here for two years and then
go ahead and transfer.
But as the years progressed and I became more aware of the cultural
environment at SF State, I'm so happy that she made me stay because
I'm really, really relaxed. It's like a home to me now. I feel really
comfortable with people, all the things I'm involved in now that I
had no idea I'd be involved in.
What was your first job?
At the age of 15, I was working at McDonald's. ... It was really
close to my high school so all my friends would come to the drive-through
and make fun of me or come inside and snap pictures and things. There
were pictures of me in the yearbook.
What inspires you?
Since I came here I've been fortunate to take a few Black Studies classes.
The history of my ancestors really inspires and motivates me -- to
see where we've come as a people and take us to where we are going
and will be in the future.
What is the last movie you saw?
"Feast of All Saints." That is actually one of my favorite movies
right now, just because it depicts the story of a young man who is
biracial and is not aware of his African ancestry. He just believes
that his people were never slaves, and he's so blinded by that. When
he comes to realize it, his opinion of everything completely changes.
Name a guilty pleasure of yours.
Food and shopping -- those are my best friends.
Other hobbies?
I like reading. I actually love studying and doing homework. I enjoy
spending time with my younger siblings, as well as bike riding with
the family, going camping. We're very outdoorsy.
What person, dead or living, would you like most to meet?
My great-great-great grandmother on my father's side. I've heard
the stories of when she was a slave back in the day, long ago and
the
things she went through ... just all the struggles and trials and
tribulations and how life was for her as well as her family back
then. She would be someone I'd like to really meet and just sit and
talk with and better understand, from a family perspective.
What is your favorite quote?
"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."
-- Matt Itelson
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