When Chantera Ross sets foot on stage to receive her degree at Virginia Peninsula Community College’s 2026 Commencement on May 14, she’ll mark more than graduation.
That moment at the Hampton Coliseum will mean promises fulfilled. Ross vowed to herself and her children she’d earn a college degree before her oldest daughter finished high school.
“I’m a firm believer in modeling,” she said. “If my children saw me do it, then they would be able to do it too. How could I ask something of them that I never achieved?”
The example she’s setting is already paying off. Her daughter is in the dual enrollment program at VPCC. Sharing the college experience in this way “means everything” to Ross.
“(Xe’Yana) is my oldest. Seeing that she has this commitment and is doing what she needs to do in school to not only graduate early but also go to college early and graduate high school with honors is really important for me,” she said.
After a 16-year gap since high school, Ross enrolled in college. She admits balancing her studies in VPCC’s Human Services program with other responsibilities is no small feat. The Kecoughtan High School graduate and partner are raising a large blended family of 10 children (ages 18 to 4).
How does she manage?
“There’s a lot of planning … a lot of calendars. I basically do a schedule every Sunday, going over my weekly schedule,” she explained. “And then I go over the daily schedule the night before to make sure everything is in play.”
A native of New York, Ross settled in Newport News to create stability for her family and stay close to her mother.
“My mom moved here when I was 14. As an adult, I’ve moved back and forth to New York, North Carolina and Virginia. Then I decided to stay here,” she explained, noting growing up in a blended family of 14 children instilled in her the value of strong family connections.
Ross believes furthering her education at VPCC enhanced her sense of self-worth and helped chart her career path.
“It gave me something for my children that I’ve accomplished outside of me showing up as their mother. It’s going to help my family in the long run,” she said, pointing out the door is open to more employment opportunities and better income with her Associate of Applied Science in Human Services in hand.
Her immediate plan after graduation is simply to rest.
“I’m taking a break. I did this for the whole two years nonstop. I took summer classes and my regular classes. I was a full-time student (the entire) time … five classes at a time,” said Ross.
However, the break won’t last long. She’s heading to Old Dominion University this fall to pursue a bachelor’s degree in human services. From there, she plans to seek a master’s in social work at Norfolk State University.
While Ross invests heavily in her family and her education, she’s also a zealous advocate for women’s health and wellness, especially maternal health. The certified full-spectrum doula and reproductive health educator provides services across Hampton Roads. She was taught doula skills in a hospital at age 14, assisting her sister during childbirth.
Today, said Ross, her work is inspired by not only that experience but the disparities she’s seen in maternal health, particularly among Black women.
“We’re not being heard,” she emphasized. “If you’re in a space where you’re not OK, then this birth, you’re experiencing it badly. So, I try to show up and advocate in the birthing space. For me as a Black woman, that’s where the fight begins.”
Her advocacy goes further. Ross founded Mama Mimosa, a community-based group offering wellness activities and connection in local parks as well as another support group she calls SiStar Circle. The latter meets at her home and focuses on self-care, healing and empowerment for women of color.
“It was post-COVID and the world was shifting back to being outside. I missed my friends and my community, so I created this space where we went to a local park,” she recalled.
“I asked the people I know who could teach or had a certain skill, like massage or meditation yoga, to come share with whoever showed up at our meeting. I provided mocktails, so that’s how I got the name of mimosa,” she added, explaining the mimosa plant is medicinal with several healing effects.
Although focused on what’s ahead, Ross is grateful for all the gains her VPCC experience afforded. She said faculty support was key in her journey, and she appreciates their attentiveness beyond academics.
“They showed up for me, pushing for me to continue no matter what I had going on in my personal life, and they noticed,” she stated. “I normally say, ‘Happy whatever day it is.’ Once, I was having a really bad week and I wasn’t saying that, and my professors were like, ‘Are you OK?’”
Her approaching graduation day isn’t the only cause for celebration. Ross recently accepted a position with a local family services organization. In the new role, she will provide parent coaching and supervised visits.
Meanwhile, she plans to continue her reproductive health efforts and community endeavors.
“It takes a village to raise a community, right? We’re not showing up for each other the way we used to, and I kind of want to bring that back. I grew up (with) a village. Being able to show up and support each other, especially in this economy and this time and be able to support each other, is really important to me.”
