81% of black college students graduate owing money on loans. >> good morning. today i will be performing a monologue. >> reporter: a win at a national acting competition could lower the amount he needs in loans. >> i am my own man. >> reporter: church member, carl fields, is in the competition of his life, too. against a sea of younger men and women, all vying for the same jobs. >> you cannot complete the application without indicating your date of birth. it gives the employer an opportunity to weed you out. >> reporter: after 25 successful years rising through the ranks at an insurance brokerage firm to become a vice president, this is one position he never imagined he'd be in. >> i'm going to print both of these out. that becomes part of my job application pile that i have. lord, i know that you have something special in store for me. >> reporter: he's confident that god has a plan for him, even if he doesn't quite see it yet. >> i'm just saying when, lord? when are you going to bring this