RCC University Transfer graduate Kaden Thompson embarks on new journey

With just a few weeks before classes begin at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Kaden Thompson is busy preparing for what life will be like living on campus.

“I’m really excited,” Kaden said. “I’ve got my dorm stuff but I haven’t met my roommate yet… we have two weeks from today.”

Kaden is transferring to UNCW from Robeson Community College, where he graduated this past May with an associate of science degree. As a going away gift of sorts, his family celebrated the transition by taking a trip to St. Marten in the Caribbean.

“I just stepped off the plane,” Kaden said as he was being interviewed.

As Kaden gets ready for UNCW, it all could be considered embarking somewhat on a journey of a thousand miles, as he opens up a new chapter in his life, and for Kaden, that could possibly even mean a new book.

A self-published author, Kaden finds joy in writing stories in his free time, often inspired by his culture, history, or events in his life. At just the age of 19, he has already written three books.

“I wrote Henry in 2020,” Kaden said, a book he wrote on Henry Berry Lowery. “I wrote Graduation Chronicles last November, and in March, I wrote the Battle of Hayes Pond.”

As he wrote Henry, Kaden says that is where he discovered his passion for helping others and becoming an advocate. That’s why he plans on majoring in criminal justice at UNCW with hopes of one day becoming a lawyer. After completing UNCW, Kaden says he would like to attend law school at North Carolina Central University.

“Being from Robeson County, we have a high crime rate,” Kaden explained. “With that comes a need for representation, people need someone to defend them… even people who can’t afford a lawyer, I want to speak for those people and advocate for them.”

Through his writings, it becomes evident that Kaden is a storyteller who wants to keep the heritage of his people alive. As a Lumbee Indian, Kaden feels it’s his responsibility to tell the stories that his parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents passed down from generation to generation.

“I love my culture and I am very adamant about telling young people about this history of our people, and I try to get them as involved in the culture as much as possible,” Kaden said. “I’m writing a book on the Lumbee Recognition Act right now; I hope that it helps educate people about the need for federal recognition and why the Lumbee Tribe deserves federal recognition.”

Although it started out as a way to just have fun writing, Kaden’s hobby of writing has become a blessing financially. During the 2024 Lumbee Homecoming, Kaden sold over 200 books.

Kaden has also worked out a deal with Barnes & Noble in Fayetteville, in which subscribers can order his books and have them shipped directly to their house for free.

“I have done events with Barnes & Noble,” Kaden added. “I love going out and meeting people in the community… I recently met with the elders who were at the Battle of Hayes Pond, and speaking with them is always an honor.”

When asked if he ever thought about writing as a career, his response was “I haven’t considered a career in writing… I just like doing this… I picked it up during Covid as a way to help stimulate my mind… that’s how all of this started.”

When Covid hit, Kaden had just started high school.

“I just started my first semester of taking college classes at RCC when the world shut down,” Kaeden recalls. “It was scary trying to find a balance to stay self-motivated.”

Kaden credits his ability to stay focused during the pandemic to Robeson Community College.

“RCC provided ample tools and resources that allowed me to keep up with the work,” Kaden explained. “The instructors were willing to work with me and guide me… I did a lot of online classes and the teachers did an excellent job.”

“All the classes at Robeson Community College, it helped me to become a writer, helped me to find who I am and what I want to be,” Kaden stated. “I’m thankful for the experience.”

Shortly after graduation, Kaden was recognized by the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina for his writings as well as his academic excellence achieved at Robeson Community College, a distinct honor given to only a few.

As Kaden looks out toward the future, he sees the greatness that can be achieved, not just for himself but for others.

“I feel like all of this will impact me, there are not a lot of Lumbee writers or lawyers,” Kaden said. “I hope that through my experiences, I can become an influence upon those younger than me so that they can see that nothing is impossible.”

Photo above shows Kaden Ryan Thompson in the house that once belonged to Henry Berry Lowery, the focus of his first book, Henry. The house now sits upon the grounds of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina’s Cultural Center in Maxton.