### **How Henry's parents motivated him to cross the finish line**
Henry's parents, Mildred and Frank, motivated him not just to start the process of getting a doctorate's degree but seeing it all the way through. They also served as motivation when Henry faced adversity in the middle of the program.
"I was in class, and I get a call that my mom passed while I was doing a presentation," Henry said. "…They were getting older. My dad was dealing with Alzheimer's and dementia, but it took my mother first. They were together for around 63 years."
Henry was devastated by the news. He questioned if he even wanted to finish the program after both parents passed away within the same year.
"My mom always wanted me to finish stuff," Henry shared. "She always said, 'If you start something, you finish. If you play sports, you're going to be on this team. I don't care if you don't play again, but you're going to play till the season ends.' For me, it was just a reminder of that."
His family also reminded him that the Adam Henry they know doesn't quit on anything.
"You've never not done anything that you put your mind to," Henry said of what his children and wife told him. "So, it was conversations with my wife and my children, especially the young one. She said, 'You need to finish.' So that was helpful. I kept going with it."
Losing his parents led Henry to start a scholarship program in their names because of how much they valued education and encouraged him to shoot for the stars.
The Henry Foundation aims to transform the lives of children through education, mentorship and support. They do this through mentorship programs, tutoring and academic support, scholarships and financial assistance, life skills and leadership workshops, community engagement and events.
In addition to his family, Henry said Dr. Noran L. Moffett, a professor at Fayetteville State, played a vital role in chairing his dissertation, which was about leadership development as it relates to current and former NFL players and coaches.
"Dr. Noran L. Moffett was so important throughout the process of my dissertation," Henry shared. "If it was not for his guidance and belief in me, I would have not had a great dissertation."