Television host, actor and now author Terrence Jenkins returned to his alma mater, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Sept. 26, to share his experiences with students and promote his new book, “The Wealth of My Mother’s Wisdom.”

Known in the media world as “Terrence J,” the young media personality’s career catapulted when he beat out 5000 hopefuls for a spot on BET’s 106 & Park music video show. While hosting the show, Jenkins took his talents to the big screen by auditioning for and ultimately landing roles in top films “Think Like a Man (2012),” “Stomp the Yard 2 (2010)” and “Burlesque (2010).” He also has a role in the movie “Baggage Claim (2013),” currently playing in movie theatres across the nation.

Jenkins career took another leap in 2012 when he was offered a position to host the nightly entertainment show E! News co-starring next to Giuliana Rancic.

“The Wealth of My Mother’s Wisdom” is Jenkins’s first novel and an ode to his mother who raised him as a young single parent in North Carolina. Jenkins talked candidly with A&T students and media about his earlier life on welfare to traveling the world and inspiring others.

“My mother has always been a big inspiration for me,” he said. “She got pregnant with me when she was 17 years old and I’ve never met my biological father.”

Although the odds were stacked against Terrence J and his mother he is amazed that she was able to keep him off of the streets and that he was able to go to college even though she never did. The idea to write “The Wealth of My Mother’s Wisdom” was sparked by Terrence’s friend and industry counterpart Lala Vasquez.

His message was one of perseverance.

“I’m not any more talented than any (one) else,” he said. “What no (one) can beat me in is that no (one) is going to work harder than me. No (one) is going to wake up earlier than I am and no (one) is going to out hustle me,” he said.

Jenkins said he learned so much about his mother as he wrote the book.

“I never knew what my mom’s dreams were before she had me,” he said. “Going through that process truly inspired me.”

Jenkins reflected on his days on campus, before the glitz and glam of the nightly television shows, movie deals and book tours when he was just another student at A&T. He was heavily involved at the local radio station WNAA 90.1 FM and gave credit to the radio team for giving him his start.

Jenkins was no ordinary Aggie. He served as Student Government Association (SGA) president and an active member in the Mu Psi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. He earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication in 2004.

He also talked about his keeping his college friend and fraternity brothers close to him and evolving those relationships into a business. “We were never the coolest kids at school,” he shared. “It wasn’t about being cool it was about loyalty, it was about trust and it was about work ethic.”

During his visit, which was chronicled by popular entertainment blogger Necole Bitchie, Jenkins was the featured guest at a university pep rally and had the honor of calling the coin toss at the Aggies’ football game against Howard University.

When asked about what has been the most impactful moment in his career Jenkins humbly looked up and replied, “being here at A&T today.”

Jenkins’s celebrity friends Laz Alonso, rapper T.I., Kevin Hart and Trey Songz also lend their mother’s wisdom in the book. “The Wealth of My Mother’s Wisdom” is available on campus at Barnes & Noble, online and in major bookstores now.

“It’s not about being better,” he emphasized. “It’s about having the will to succeed and not giving up or stopping on your journey,” said Jenkins.

By: Courtney J. Jackson