The 2012 St. Andrew’s graduate, now a senior at Morehouse College, founded Black Beyond Borders in May of 2015 along with Tyra Beaman, a collaborator at Spelman College. They began the organization in response to a study produced by the Institute of International Education that said that only 5.6% of college students studying abroad identified as African-American or Black.

For many people, studying abroad is a defining moment in their college experience. Whether there is a language barrier to overcome, or simply adapting to a different culture, those who study abroad often have their worldview changed by the experience. 

The aim of Black Beyond Borders is to develop a cultural exchange network that will unite students of African descent around the world. Its mission is to inspire and equip members of the black community with cross-cultural tools and networks to move beyond their borders with purpose. 

Egwuatu’s commitment to serving others and helping them expand their horizons was instilled in him at a young age. He attributes his dedication to service both to his mother as well as his experience as a student at St. Andrew’s. 

“When I was younger, my mother would take me with her to volunteer at a homeless shelter in D.C.,” Egwuatu said. “It was such a sobering experience walking past rows of cots and speaking with shelter residents. At the time, I couldn’t grasp the full magnitude of the situation.”

Entering St. Andrew’s as a 6th grader, Egwuatu believes that the school played a huge role in helping him develop into the person he’s become. “(St. Andrew’s) was chiefly responsible for my development as a leader,” Egwuatu said. “Service was engrained in me not to solely be an ‘extra curricular,’ but to be incorporated into my life as much as possible. I remember during my junior year, I was heavily involved in the Campus Kitchens program with Mr. (Chuck) James and Mrs. (Ginger) Cobb. Preparing meals on a weekly basis fulfilled a sense of service that couldn’t be found in the classroom.”

Beyond volunteering for Campus Kitchen, Egwuatu was a varsity tennis player and President of the Black Student Alliance during his time at St. Andrew’s. He credits his experiences with the Black Student Alliance and the mentoring of Spanish teacher Stacy Kincaid for his growth as a leader. 

“Ms. Kincaid and I quickly connected and she inspired me to advocate for diversity at St. Andrew’s and other independent schools,” Egwuatu said. “As one of the few black students in my class, she made it her mission that we build strong group ties amongst ourselves. Ultimately, her guidance, belief, and trust, and honesty propelled me to believe that I can conquer anything.”

“Delonte always shared his charismatic spark and deep curiosity about the world,” Kincaid said. “He thrived on connecting people and communities through his work with the affinity groups at St. Andrew’s and Operation Understanding DC. Beyond Black Borders is the perfect nexus of Delonte’s talents, and I beam with pride at his success.”

He is also thankful for the guidance of Chaplain Patricia Alexander. “She always had her office door open for me,” he says. “At the time I didn’t realize it, but I would pop in her office periodically just to chat. In particular, I remember one conversation that I shared that I wanted to enter politics in some capacity to ‘change the system from the inside out.’”

Alexander, for her part, remembers her conversations with Egwuatu, pointing out that he gave the Prayer for the Class at St. Andrew’s 2012 graduation, saying in part, “We ask that You bestow in each of us 68 graduates an adventurous and courageous spirit...”

“It doesn’t surprise me at all to know that Delonte started Black Beyond Borders,” Alexander said. “He and I spent a lot of time talking about his desire to make a difference in the world, and I remember very clearly our conversations as he was discerning whether or not to go to Morehouse. Black Beyond Borders seems like a natural outgrowth of his longstanding commitment to serving as a role model for young African-American students and helping them excel.”