Morehouse Grad Takes North Texas Teens on HBCU Tour, Paying Forward a Life-Changing Gift

Ross Jordan, a 2019 Morehouse College graduate, is embarking on a mission to broaden access to higher education for North Texas teenagers, fueled by a transformative act of generosity he experienced firsthand. Jordan is leading a group of 27 students on a tour of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) this spring break, aiming to provide a glimpse into a world of opportunity, and belonging.

Jordan’s journey is deeply personal. Growing up in North Texas, he witnessed his mother work multiple jobs to support his and his sisters’ educational aspirations. His sisters attended the University of North Texas and Louisiana State University, respectively. The pursuit of a Morehouse education, however, presented a significant financial hurdle. “His acceptance meant a financial stretch for his family,” as he recalls, a stretch that nearly became insurmountable during his sophomore year.

Just weeks before the start of school, Jordan learned he needed an additional $10,000 – a sum his family simply didn’t have. “We didn’t have it. And there was no way I was gonna get it in a short period of time,” Jordan said. His mother, however, refused to let financial constraints derail his dream. A family friend living in Atlanta offered free room and board, but the logistical challenge of commuting to campus remained. Without a car of his own, Jordan’s mother made a profound sacrifice, giving him her own vehicle.

The commitment extended beyond the car itself. For six months, Jordan’s sister regularly commuted from her college classes in Denton to their family home in Duncanville, enabling their mother to manage essential tasks like grocery shopping and medical appointments. This shared sacrifice underscored the family’s unwavering dedication to Jordan’s education.

Jordan’s path to graduation took an unexpected turn in May 2019. During Morehouse College’s commencement ceremony, billionaire investor Robert F. Smith announced he would eliminate the student loan debt of the entire graduating class. The announcement, delivered during a lengthy speech that had the audience anticipating its conclusion, was met with disbelief and then jubilation. “And it took us a moment to say, wait, did he just say that?” Jordan remembered. “And then we just went crazy.” Smith’s gift erased between $40,000 and $50,000 of Jordan’s debt.

Smith’s generosity wasn’t merely a financial gift; it came with a challenge: to “pay it forward.” Jordan took this charge to heart. He continued his education, earning a master’s degree in curriculum and teaching from Columbia University in 2021 and a PhD in kinesiology with a specialization in disability studies from Ohio State University in 2025. He is now Dr. Ross Jordan.

Returning to North Texas, Jordan felt compelled to act on Smith’s challenge. He launched the Pay it Forward Project, an organization dedicated to empowering students by providing them with experiences that foster a sense of belonging in higher education. The project’s inaugural initiative is the “Born to Belong Tour,” a five-day visit to ten HBCUs for 27 high school students from across North Texas.

“I called it the ‘Born to Belong Tour,’ because when we go into these spaces, I want them to be themselves. Be your authentic self because you were born for this moment. You belong,” Jordan explained. He is currently fundraising to enhance the tour experience, hoping to provide even greater opportunities for the students.

Jordan’s story highlights the systemic barriers to higher education and the transformative power of financial assistance and mentorship. He was the first male in his family to attend college, navigating the process without a pre-existing blueprint. The Pay it Forward Project aims to create that blueprint for future generations, fostering a cycle of support and opportunity. “That’s how this thing will keep going. If we give it to them, they’ll give it to the next, and it’ll be amazing when we look back,” he said.

The Pay it Forward Project is accepting donations to support the Born to Belong Tour through Zeffy.