# @rutgersu on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/CaAd_IerpT8
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/180440-rutgersu-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/546800c122.jpg
- **Posted:** 2022-02-15T18:03:45.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Rutgers University (@RutgersU) — https://gondola.cc/RutgersU

## Caption

For #BlackHistoryMonth, we spent time asking members of the Rutgers community how they plan to make history. Meet Marselis Middleton, entrepreneur and philanthropist.

"I remember being in about 3rd grade when I had an assignment titled, 'What do you want to be when you grow up?' My classmates gave the usual answers, doctor, lawyer, police officer, etc. When it was my turn, I told everyone I wanted to be an entrepreneur. Everyone clapped and the next person stood up and went, but that is when I truly decided on my goal of entrepreneurship. My grandfather William J. Dowdy, founded his own business Razac Products Company in 1981. He is also responsible for the invention of the Wave Cap or Durag as some call it. He then passed his business on to his children, my mother, and uncles, and now I am next to continue my family legacy of entrepreneurship.

While being an entrepreneur is both in my lineage and passion, I feel my impact on the future will be much greater than accumulating wealth. I want to take my ultimate success and transition into philanthropy. Helping others, especially underserved communities, has also been a passion of mine for many years. In high school, I created my own community service project where I donated Build-A-Bears to domestic violence shelters during the holiday season. This ensured that each child would have a gift to open during one of the most difficult times in their lives. Becoming a philanthropist will allow me to continue to provide the much-needed work of serving Black communities that are so often overlooked and treated unfairly. I plan to pioneer future community service events and initiatives as I continue down my path of philanthropy and entrepreneurship. It is important as a young Black man that I think of ways to help better my community whether through resources, education, or donations.

I’m excited for what the future holds as I give my all day after day to make sure my impact is felt for generations to come. Like the great Muhammad Ali once said, 'Don’t count the days, make the days count.'"

Check back each week as we feature members of the Rutgers community throughout #BlackHistoryMonth.

#RUMakingHistory

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 786
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 29

## Credits

These are the roles credited on Gondola. Credits may be incomplete.
A brand, account owner, or featured person is not necessarily the creator.

| Name | Username | Profile | Role |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Rutgers University | @RutgersU | https://gondola.cc/RutgersU | University |
| Marques Ruiz | @digitallysober | https://gondola.cc/digitallysober | Photographer |
| Marques Ruiz | @digitallysober | https://gondola.cc/digitallysober | Social Media Manager |
| Marques Ruiz | @digitallysober | https://gondola.cc/digitallysober | Copywriter |
| Marques Ruiz | @digitallysober | https://gondola.cc/digitallysober | Photo Editor |

## Tags

rumakinghistory, blackhistorymonth

## Events

black history month | rutgers u 2022

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