All Roads Lead to Union: Incoming Student Demitrius Cato Demonstrates Resilience and Determination on His Path to Virginia Union University

July 21, 2025

RICHMOND, VA — When Demitrius Cato was growing up, he never imagined he would attend college. Born in the Bronx but raised in Harlem primarily by a single father and his grandmother. He experienced adversity from school to his home life and recalled the experience of growing up with a single parent and even experiencing racial transgressions at school.

“It was difficult dealing with people who don’t quite understand what your ancestors or you have gone through.”

Growing up was a struggle, and Cato was often unsure of his future. “I couldn’t tell myself I would make it to my 18th birthday because of the environment I was in.”   Cato became involved with the Madison Square Garden (MSG) Classroom program, which prepares New York City high school students for careers in the television industry. Cato became involved with the Garden of Dreams Foundation, which works alongside MSG Entertainment and MSG Sports to provide opportunities for students interested in sports media. He credits the program with teaching him skills such as networking and professional speaking. 

Cato received a $60,000 scholarship from The Garden of Dreams Foundation during a New York Knicks Home game in April and credited the opportunity as teaching him a lot, and he even met Jalen Brunson. The scholarship is awarded to 20 high school students annually. 

Before he entered high school, his grandmother was diagnosed with dementia, and he and his father took turns being her caretaker. She taught him a variety of lessons before passing away shortly ahead of his 16th birthday. Cato lost passion for many of his activities. “I stopped playing basketball, I stopped working out as much, I became a product of my environment,” Cato said. However, Cato was able to find light through his circumstances.ht me to live on my own more.” Cato began to take his studies more seriously and dedicated more time to after-school activities like MSG Garden. In April, during a live broadcast of the game, Cato received his scholarship.  

He graduated from Fannie Lou Hamer Freedom High School in the Bronx and is excited to join Virginia Union University's close-knit community. With numerous college prospects and going on numerous tours, Cato decided on Virginia Union University after visiting and attending a seminar for Admitted Students. He enjoyed the environment and is excited for the student and academic experience VUU will provide. “VUU is a campus that stood out to me; it’s a smaller school with a couple of people I already know.”  

Cato begins classes in August and already has goals he wants to accomplish once he arrives on campus. “At Virginia Union, I want to build a network for myself. I want people to know that I’m meant to be here. A lot of people throughout life, especially me, have doubted me, and I want to prove people wrong.” Cato plans to pursue a master’s degree after completing his undergraduate studies and dreams of being an educator one day.  

Cato is proud of how far he’s come and excited to see all he will accomplish and create during his time at Virginia Union University. “Half the things I’ve done, I never pictured myself doing; a $60,000 scholarship is something I never pictured myself having.”  

His grandmother had a few things that she wanted him to accomplish in life, and he is proud to have accomplished both.   

“My grandmother wanted me to graduate with a 4.0 and attend an HBCU.”