Nine years ago, at a high school basketball game, Chandra Gill claimed she was choked by a police officer; but, the cop said it was she who choked him. Whatever the story, Gill was convicted of aggravated assault, while she was studying for her masters. But she didn’t let the incident deter her from achieving her academic goals. She not only got her masters, Gill went on to earn her doctorate as well.

She’s since founded a program called “Blackademically Speaking,” where she speaks to minority children about overcoming challenges and obstacles.

“I’m there to say ‘you can do whatever you put your mind to, irrespective of what you’re going through, irrespective of what you’re born in.”

You can check out a video of Gill in action over at the Grio.