Inspiring young women to reach their highest potential was just one part of Noyah Nailah King’s mission on the campus of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. The senior criminal justice student hoped to create a legacy by being the founder of Queen in You, an organization dedicated to helping college women become successful, confident leaders.
After having the opportunity to be a part of the National Junior League of Cotillion, King, believed she could transition her knowledge of scholarship, leadership, and purpose into a club of her own. The idea of creating Queen in You sparked King’s interest during her junior year at NC A&T.
“I felt like I hadn’t been inspired in a long time, and so I jumped right into the project and cultivated it as I went along,” King said.
The name of the organization was inspired to develop young queens in college women and motivating the women to seek out the definition of a queen.
“To me, a queen is an independent woman who knows she cannot do everything by herself, a headstrong leader, and a woman who respects those that have come before her.”
In an effort to spread this ideology, Queen in You was formed. As an innovative web designer, King constructed the website and the mission statement of the organization. She established the official colors as lilac purple, gold, and white to promote royalty as a brand of Queen in You, and she used a sunflower to symbolize growth and positivity.
After interviewing students at NC A&T and establishing e-board positions, the club leaped into service projects and programs. Queen in You hosted a Queen’s Day carnival, and the organization helped orchestrate donations for a women’s shelter. The club now has chapters on the campuses of North Carolina State University, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, North Carolina Central University, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Hampton University, Winston Salem State University, and Bethune-Cookman University.
In addition to trying to give back to her community and living by her by her favorite Kevin Spacey quote, “If you’re lucky enough to do well, it’s your responsibility to send the elevator back down,” King also continues to reach and achieve her goals by propelling her career in communications, obtaining a graphic design and communications internship with the National Low Income Housing Coalition, and becoming a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.