Through July 4, The Post, in conjunction with the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream, is featuring US citizens explaining what the American dream means to them in 2026 — including Quiana Rowe, a group director with Walmart who oversees eight markets in New Orleans.
I grew up in a very small town called Winfield, Kansas. Country town. One high school, one middle school, everybody drove a pickup truck … My graduating class, there was seven of us that were African American. So not a ton of diversity, but an amazing place to grow up … I don’t think, honestly, that I noticed a difference in my skin tone until I moved out of Kansas.
I’m just one of thousands of people with the same type of story: I got out the trenches. I was able to move up. Someone saw something in me, and my hard work spoke for itself. I’ve always said that I might not be the smartest person to walk into the room, but you won’t outwork me.
It was a struggle at times when I was an assistant and five of my kids were little. But I was able to work for great leaders — leaders that would let me take my lunch at three o’clock so that I could go pick my kids up.
There were a lot of chicken nights, chicken and noodles, bologna sandwiches … I try to tell people this, ’cause sometimes as a parent you get so down on yourself, right? You feel like you’re not doing the best that you can do, or you’re not giving your kids everything you can give them. Your kids don’t care about that. They just want to know that they’re loved and that you are there for them.
If you would’ve told 26-year-old Quiana with five kids, one day you’re gonna own a home. One day you’re gonna own vehicles. One day you’re gonna be able to take your kids on vacation One day you’re not gonna have to worry about finances and you’re gonna be the person that’s giving back. So don’t give up. And when the door opens and you walk through it, don’t forget to pull somebody with you and make sure they pull somebody with them
The American Dream Video Project showcases real stories that illuminate pathways to opportunity. Featured at the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream (MCAAD), this series is part of the Center’s celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. MCAAD is Washington, DC’s newest cultural institution, offering interactive exhibits and stories about achieving the American Dream. For more information, visit mcaad.org.
