Boris Henderson
Garinger High School - 1997
Davidson College, B.S. - 2001
Wake Forest University - M.B.A. candidate

"CIS broadened my perspective and empowered me to take the path less traveled."

Boris Henderson admits that he had a difficult start in school. A shy little boy, he was raised by his mother in one of Charlotte's worst neighborhoods.  Lacking confidence and with few positive adult role models, Boris actually failed the first grade. But Boris says his life changed significantly when he entered Garinger High School and met Renee Anthony Leak, the CIS Site Coordinator there.

“I actually excelled in high school,” says Boris.  “Ms. Leak believed in me and made sure I got the assistance I needed in order to succeed. Through CIS,  I gained access to valuable resources and people who instilled discipline, desire, and dedication into my every thought.”

CIS also arranged a job shadowing experience for Boris at First Union National Bank (now Wachovia) during his senior year. He says the experience broadened his perspective and later had an impact on his career path.

     
While still a high school student at Garinger, Boris was asked to be a guest speaker at the CIS Board of Trustees meeting. In fact, he made quite an impression on a First Union (Wachovia) executive, who has become Boris' highly regarded friend and mentor. Upon graduating from Davidson College, Boris joined Wachovia Corporation and is currently a Risk Analyst in its Risk Management Division.