Markasia Broadnax
For Markasia Broadnax, Los Angeles Valley College became the place where she began building a different future for her family. When Markasia first came to LAVC, she was a stay-at-home mother with big dreams but an unclear direction. She chose LAVC because it was close to her daughter’s school and connected to the Child Development Program, which offered support for her toddler son, Noah. Like many student parents, she needed childcare in order to pursue her academic goals. At the time, she was interested in real estate, investing, and owning a business, but she was still trying to understand what path was meant for her.
Her beginning was not easy. When Noah started school, he often got sick, and there were times Markasia had to bring him with her to in-person classes so she would not fall behind. Instead of feeling judged, she found understanding. Her professors supported her, and that support helped her keep going during a challenging season of motherhood, school, and uncertainty.
A turning point came when she met Professor Kendrick Kim. He helped Markasia discover her passion for real estate and encouraged her to take all the classes LAVC’s Business Department offered. “I’m extremely grateful to have met him,” she said, “and thankful he saw something in me that I didn’t yet see in myself.”
In spring 2026 Markasia will have graduated with an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration, a degree in real estate, property management certificate, and a real estate certificate from LAVC. She has already earned her real estate license and has closed a few transactions. She will be transferring to California State University, Northridge in the fall.