James Washington looked out at the crowd at the 2026 Flint Promise Graduation Ceremony with paternal pride. The graduates looking back at him were people he had come to know well, from their first semester all the way to this moment.
Among them were Flint Promise Scholars who Washington had mentored as their Success Coach.
"I'm extremely proud of every one of you, almost as a father is proud, because I've watched you grow," Washington said to the graduates. "No matter where you go, I'm expecting great things from all of you."
Flint Promise is a program that supports tuition-free access for post-secondary education to high school graduates who live and attend school in the city of Flint. Through Flint Promise, students can continue their education at a local college or university at low or no cost. With access to a Success Coach like Washington, students have someone to guide them through their college experience.
The Flint Promise Fund of the Community Foundation of Greater Flint was established in 2018 to support the program's growth.
Since last year's ceremony in 2025, the program has totaled 30 graduates: three from Kettering University, 14 from Mott Community College, 10 from the University of Michigan-Flint, and three from both UM-Flint and Mott.
The ceremony was held on May 12, 2026, at the Gloria Coles Flint Public Library and gathered families, partners, and community leaders.
Some of the graduates shared more about their goals, their experiences, and what the Flint Promise program means to them.
Alexis Speaight
University of Michigan-Flint, Communication Studies
Alexis Speaight's college journey wasn't a straight path, but her end goal was always the same. With dreams of becoming a pilot, Speaight graduated from Flint Southwestern Academy in 2019 and earned an associate degree from Mott Community College in 2022. She then transferred to Eastern Michigan University before taking a gap year in Flint.
"During that time, I struggled with depression and uncertainty about my future," Speaight said. "But when I decided to continue my education at UM-Flint, Flint Promise welcomed me back with open arms."
At UM-Flint, where she studied Communication, Speaight leaned into the coaching, campus resources, and encouragement Flint Promise offered.
"I found a support system that genuinely cared about student success," Speaight said. "It lifted a heavy burden off my shoulders and reminded me that my story was not over."
After graduation, Speaight will complete boot camp as a member of the National Guard, where she currently serves. Then, she’ll take the steps toward becoming a pilot.
"Your path may look different than you imagined, but your journey still has value and purpose," Speaight said. "My dream of becoming a pilot is still alive. I'm simply taking a different route to get there."
Zy'Asia Belin
Mott Community College, Culinary Arts
Zy'Asia Belin brought a clear sense of purpose to her college experience. A first-generation graduate, she pursued her passion for cooking — specifically Southern cuisine and homemade bread — through the Culinary Arts program at Mott Community College.
Belin credits the program’s financial support with making it possible for her to stay in school and see her education through. She plans to work in the hotel industry and is considering continuing her education with a master's degree.
"People should support this fund because it offers a lot of opportunities to people here in Flint," Belin said.
Warren Lehmkuhl
Mott Community College, HVAC
Warren Lehmkuhl was born and raised in Flint and graduated from Powers Catholic High School. Knowing he wanted to work with his hands rather than sit behind a desk, he enrolled in the HVAC program at Mott Community College.
“It was a very enjoyable program to go through and a nice college experience all around,” Lehmkuhl said. “The Flint Promise program made college affordable, and it reduced a lot of stress.”
Lehmkuhl is applying to HVAC jobs in the Flint area, where he plans to stay.
“There’s a general medieval tendency that I have that you’re supposed to love the land of your birth,” Lehmkuhl said. “This is where I’m from, and I do want to stay in Flint.”
Alyssa Brown
University of Michigan-Flint, Communication Studies
At the ceremony, Alyssa Brown had a cheering section of her uncle, boyfriend, and young son there to watch her walk across the stage as a Flint Promise graduate.
Brown started her journey at Mott Middle College before transferring to UM-Flint. After completing a year, she stepped away from college for four years before returning to finish her communications degree in 2024.
By the time she came back, Brown had aged out of Flint Promise's financial support, but the Promise program staff was still there for her during the process, Brown says.
"They still worked with me, helped me out, and communicated with me up until my graduation," Brown said.
Brown is currently job searching and looking toward the next chapter, wherever it takes her.
Shaniah Boxley
Mott Community College, Arts
Shaniah Boxley was selected to speak at the 2026 ceremony, where she shared her story with the room.
Boxley came to UM-Flint at 18, navigating recovery from a gunshot wound while beginning her college career. There, she connected with Washington, who became her Success Coach.
"Dr. Washington told me, 'Shaniah, you're gonna make it far, and I'm gonna be with you until the end,'" Boxley said. "Those words stayed with me."
Her first year, she made the Dean's List. When life brought new weight, Boxley and the Flint Promise team built an academic plan together — one that included a transfer back to Mott Community College to rebuild her GPA before returning to UM-Flint. Along the way, she earned an associate degree in art from Mott.
She plans to pursue a degree in psychology at UM-Flint with the goal of becoming a trauma therapist.
"I want to be the same type of support for others that my mentors were for me," Boxley said. "No matter how many times life knocked me down, I kept getting back up. And that's something nobody can take from me."
Learn more about Flint Promise here.
