Nationwide — Brian Key, an African American man from Reading, Pennsylvania, is making history and and proving that it’s never too late to follow your dreams. After more than four decades of having dropped out of college, he has now graduated from Reading Area Community College (RACC) with a degree in Integrative Studies and a Certificate in Cyber Defense. Even more, he graduated Summa Cum Laude with a 4.0 GPA.
Brian was 18 years old when he first started college in 1979 at Westchester University in Westchester, Pennsylvania. He was enrolled for a few years but moved to North Carolina with plans to attend North Carolina A&T, a local HBCU. However, he says that “life happened,” and he never finished his college education.
He comments, “I decided to go back to college while in my 60s because after my retirement, I wanted to keep my brain active and also start a second career. In addition, I have always been inspired by my daughter who has two degrees, a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and a Master’s degree in Kinesiology. I chose Cybersecurity because I wanted to do something to enhance my mind, plus I’ve always wanted to be a hacker.”
While enrolled as a student, he also made history as one of the oldest African American students to be inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society.
His Newsletter
After graduating, Brian launched a free monthly newsletter to help others who are focusing on basic cybersecurity and networking skills. He says that the email-based publication is for “regular folks, essential in this nearly zero-privacy environment that we find ourselves in.”
His New Book
Brian has also authored a new book about Cybersecurity for young adults. The book is called The Adventures of Jumaane Fish, Volume One – Realest Verse by Bart Rivers (his pen name) about a fictional character named Jumaane who is a college freshman learning how to use his cybersecurity skills. The novel tells a coming-of-age story fused with an interactive, chapter-by-chapter playlist steeped in the timeless sounds of ’70s soul and R&B, immersing readers in an era when music spoke to struggle, love, and destiny.
Set against the backdrop of a post-2024 election America, the novel reflects how history has a way of repeating itself, especially for young Black men coming into their purpose. In the story, Jumaane finds himself at a crossroads: while navigating student life, he is also being recruited into ‘God School’, an ancient, mystical training ground for the chosen. But he’s not alone on this journey. The influence of Benjamin Banneker and Frederick Douglass emerges as central figures, guiding Jumaane in ways he never expected.
The book can be purchased on both Leap.co and BarnesandNoble.com
For press inquiries or media interviews, contact authorbartrivers@pm.me
Source: BlackNews.com
