From high school to the University of Dayton, Destiny Watson has uplifted and encouraged young people to find their place in the world.
Watson started You Matter 2, a nonprofit serving Chicago’s youth, as a high school student seeking to collect volunteer hours for a contest. Volunteering already was important to her, but the opportunity helped her create momentum to rally others to give back as well.
Her success was so great, she was recognized by the contest hosts and entrepreneur and basketball icon Magic Johnson, who was so inspired by her that he funded her college tuition.
Watson relished in her time as a University of Dayton student in human rights studies, from building community for Black students to helping enshrine National Pan-Hellenic Council monuments in Kennedy Union plaza. As an alumna, she is a voice for Black alumni and students, and has been involved with the historic We Soar campaign.
Watson stays true to her roots and her values, focused on using her skills and talents to improve the lives of countless young people. She is the only full-time employee of You Matter 2 and works with volunteers and alumni of the program to offer team building, life skills classes, art therapy and community events to help youth develop personally, academically and professionally.
In 2023, Watson took 25 Chicago high school students to six colleges and universities across five states to experience the campuses and encourage them to apply, including the University of Dayton; one will be attending UD in the fall.