Go Get It D
r. Robin R. Simmons grew up in Warrensville Heights, Ohio and graduated from Warrensville Hts. High school. She attended an Historical Black College/University (HBCU) Alabama State University and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.S. in elementary education. She then attended Cambridge College in Boston Massachusetts and received her M.A. in School Administration. Lastly, she attended Argosy University in Sarasota Florida and received her Ed.S.(Education Specialist) in Curriculum K-12 and an Ed.D. (Education Doctorate) in Instructional Leadership. She currently lives in Bedford, Ohio and is a curriculum instruction specialist in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. She has one son, Quemonte Leonard who is an entrepreneur. However, her pride and joy is her 3 year old granddaughter, Aubrianna. She is also the executive director and founder of the non-profit, Raising Our Kids Inc. (ROK), president of Alabama State University Cleveland Alumni Chapter, and president of Metropolitan Cleveland Alliance of Black School Educators (Metro CABSE). In her spare time, which is rare, she loves spending time with her granddaughter, reading spiritual and self-help literature, enjoying listening to live music, and a good meal.
That picture keeps me grounded and humble. Everyday I encounter single parents and students who have a parent in prison. I don’t want to come from a place of judgment but a place of understanding but never give up attitude. If you fight through it, it does make you stronger. I’m an example.
Q: Now, how does a woman with so much on her plate keep it all together? A: It’s the God in me. I have a couple of songs, scriptures, and positive affirmations quotes on a daily basis that I have to pull from to keep me going and pushing through. I find myself frequently having to listen to “Go Get It” by Mary, Mary. The lyrics tell my whole story.
Q: What kept you from giving up? A: Through it all, I always had my faith. I wasn’t always operating in my faith but it was there. I was raised in a church. My grandfather was the pastor and my family is very spiritual. As I mature in Christ and the more life I live, it becomes more evident, “ I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Me”.
It’s like you’re looking through a telescope You see where you gon’ be Growing getting better You’re not the person they see
See everybody has a season And I believe this one’s yours ‘Cause you been working, waiting This what you been praying for
Q: Tell us about your beginnings? A: I grew up in a suburb of Cleveland but as an adult I’ve had my struggles. Being a single parent, son’s father in prison, and on welfare wasn’t what I expected for myself. In my office there’s a picture of my son and I in our cap and gown. I graduated from college and Que graduated from Kindergarten. It reminds me of the struggles, deferred dreams, and the glimpse of hope during that era of my life.
Q: Tell us about your nonprofit, Raising Our Kids INC A: We need to help kids at all costs BEFORE it costs all of us. Raising Our Kids (ROK) was started because it is detrimental to raise, rear and uplift, our kids through their positive B.E.S.T (Behavioral, Emotional, Social, Transformations). Most of our adult issues stem back to our childhood. As a young parent, I thought I was being the best mom but not knowing some of my issues were being passed down to my child. We usually don’t find out how we did as parents until our child becomes a young adult. However, there were signs some parents can look back on to reflect- suspensions, phone calls from the school, fighting, anger and others. ROK was established in 2011 and it has been a long road due to funding. We have held parent workshops and events. However, it is time for me to seek funding to have a full-time center to supContinued on Page 11
Can’t be mad at the things you been through ‘Cause they built your muscle Now you’re stronger than you’ve ever been They can’t stop your hustle Q: How have your past experiences prepared you?
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Your faith ain’t never small That’s what brought you this far See you got your dreams and you got your prayers and you got Your God He gon’ take you there
