An Oklahoma boy has, once again, made academic history.
The family of 13-year-old Elijah Muhammad Jr. says he is now the youngest Black student to graduate college with computer science and cybersecurity degrees, according to People. The achievement was recognized earlier this month, when he crossed the 2023 commencement stage and accepted his Oklahoma City Community College diploma—adding to his growing list of accolades and honors.
“I have 10 IBM certifications through Course Zero,” Elijah KOCO News 5. “I have one Google IT certification. I have four diplomas from Oklahoma City Community College.”
Elijah also made history back in 2020, when he enrolled in OCCC and reportedly became Oklahoma’s youngest Black college student. While the feat made national headlines, Elijah admitted to KOCO that he didn’t initially grasp the significance of his higher ed journey.
“I didn’t really understand the full impact of it until my dad fully explained it and was like, ‘You’re really doing this, like, you’re the youngest to ever do it,’” the boy told the outlet, before highlighting his busy schedule. “I currently attend OSU and am working on my bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity and forensics. I also attend Langston with a 4.0 … As much accomplishments as I have, I still go swimming, go outside, play basketball, and still have fun and stuff.”
Elijah earned his degree just a week after his big sister, 15-year-old Shania Muhammad, graduated from Langston University as a Bachelor of Arts scholar.
“He is the smartest person I know,” Shania, a 4.0 student, told KOCO. “And regardless of if you’re older or not, it’s like I’ve never seen nothing like him.”
In addition to his scholastic endeavors, Elijah is also a three-time state champion wrestler and founder of his own apparel brand, Smart Boy Clothes.
“If you want to put your mind to making a 4.0, you can do it,” Elijah said during a recent speech, as reported by KOCO. “If you want to put your mind to winning a state championship, you can do it. You just gotta put in the work that it takes to accomplish that.”
