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Proud New Jersey mom rents billboard to congratulate daughter for earning doctorate

CAMDEN, N.J. — A proud New Jersey mom is sharing her daughter’s latest academic achievement in a big way.

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According to The Philadelphia Inquirer and WPVI-TV, Kendra Busbee, 52, of Camden, surprised her daughter, Kristine Smalls, by renting a billboard after the 30-year-old earned her doctorate in psychology last month. The huge sign along Route 130 includes a photo of the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine grad along with a Jay-Z reference, “Let Me Re-Introduce Myself ... Dr. Kristine S. Smalls,” and her nickname, “Dr. Smiles.”

“Look what good came out of Camden!” the last line reads.

Smalls first saw the billboard with family and friends at a gathering – organized by Busbee, of course – outside The Pub in Pennsauken Township. The shy scholar was stunned, the Inquirer reported.

Busbee, who also has a son in high school, “typically goes above and beyond” for her kids when they “have any type of accomplishment,” Smalls told the newspaper.

Busbee said she hopes the grand gesture, which cost $1,250, will spread positivity and encourage others in the area, according to the news outlets.

“Every other child that may ride by the billboard, who else will it touch, and who else will it inspire by seeing my daughter and her Black girl magic?” Busbee told the Inquirer.