Black Girl Magic Student Supplement by dlwarfield

Manifesto Never give up on your dreams! Never cut them loose!

Black Girl Magic.

And never forget those black girls who came before me and you.

Let me tell you something sis, you’ve got magic in your tips.

The ones who marched from cotton fields into fields of medicine, science, justice, Music, art, entertainment, and straight on into the damn White House.

From the tips of your hair, whichever texture you wear— To the tips of your toes,

Where to next?

Your curves sway with each pose.

Who knows.

It’s striking.

But wherever it be, that Black Girl Magic will follow.

It’s majestic.

It’s that black and beautiful, that beautiful and black.

It’s dope.

It’s living your best life, while the queens above smile back.

Never let it go.

It’s knowing that your black skin is not a symbol of shame,

It’s when you lay those edges so flat,

But rather a glorious symbol of our testimonies in raw strength. It’s knowing that the sisters who stand next to you are here with you to support.

That even your homeboys snap back. It’s simply being unapologetically fierce.

Because when black girls come together, there’s a spirit conjured; a powerful force.

When you own who you are, can’t nobody place you in the rear.

Now honey, that’s that Black Girl Magic!

It’s those moments when you’re thankful for the melanin that glows within you.

And nah, we don’t plan on keeping it short.

It’s those moments when you see your sisters glowing through every shade and every hue.

So relish in our dopeness! Bask in the awe!

It’s the fact that us black girls have Michelle Obama, for example, to actually look up to.

Black Girls are here to celebrate their Magic, once and for all.

It’s the fact that her Black Girl Magic is nestled within me and nestled within you. Because She who drips in melanin and honey is She who breaks glass ceilings and gets that money, is also She who holds magic at her tips, all because She knows that black girls ooze with pure awesomeness.

Yes boo! I am talking to you and you and you! I’m telling you to keep slaying on to that next move!

— Kaylee Jade Warfield

Table of Contents Pg 3. - Black Girl Magic Manifesto Pg. 5 - Introduction Pg. 8 - Business Magic Section Pg. 28 - Business Magic Student Activity Pg. 31 - Innovation Magic Section Pg. 54 - Innovation Magic Student Activity Pg. 56 - Education Magic Section Pg. 76 - Educational Magic Student Activity Pg. 78 - Style Magic Section Pg. 84 - Style Magic Student Activity Pg. 87 - Ford Program Honoree Spotlight Pg. 88 - Honoree Dorothy Height Pg. 92 - Asia Newson Pg. 96 - Jessica O. Matthews Pg. 100 - Political Magic Section Pg. 132 - Political Magic Student Activity Pg. 134 - Activist Magic Section Pg. 154 - Activist Magic Student Activity Pg. 156 - Entertainment Magic Section Pg. 180 - Entertainment Magic Student Activity

“Little Girls with Dreams Become Women with Vision” — Unknown

“Here’s to strong women! May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them.” — Unknown 6

The Ford Freedom Award program is celebrating its 20th year of honoring the accomplishments of people who have made positive, sustaining impact in the African American and other underserved communities. This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s honorees have thematically shown the power of Black Girl Magic. Black Girl Magic encompasses the tangible, subtle, and sometimes-elusive next level experiences, talent, and skill sets that create powerful results that seem magical because of its profound impact. The 2018 honorees exemplify these qualities and so much more! They move beyond possessing a skill to generously sharing it with all who can benefit from their knowledge, or product. They teach and provide practical know-how in addition to offering products, not just for profit, but also to improve the lives of others in some manner. In this supplement, you will have the opportunity to learn about each of the featured women and their elements of Black Girl Magic. You will learn of their societal impacts, a little about their families, education, and motivating factors. The supplement is divided into seven (7) sections; Business, Innovation, Education, Style, Politics, Activist, and Entertainment. In addition to learning that Black Girl Magic abounds in all areas of industry, you will have the opportunity to share your thoughts, insights, and creative genius in the activities that follow each section. Use this to inspire and encourage you to dream bigger, learn more, and push to towards the impactful goals that you know you can achieve! Additionally, each year Ford honors two recipients with its prestigious awards; a Ford Freedom Award Honor, given posthumously, and a Ford Freedom Award Scholar. This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s honorees are Dr. Dorothy Height and Jessica O. Matthews, respectively. Both women, and more details of their awards, are featured on the center pages of the supplement. The beauty of Black Girl Magic is that it is not limited solely to the African American community! This means regardless of age, ethnicity, religion, or other demographic designator, you can be sprinkled with Black Girl Magic. So take the opportunity to really read the articles and answer the questions. Learn and be inspired and motivated to develop the next impactful product, process, or solve the needed problems. Who knows, next year, you could be the Ford Freedom Award honoree!

BUSINESS | #BlackGirlMagic

Business

is defined in the dictionary as usually a commercial activity engaged in as a means of a livelihood. In these respects, we are speaking more to entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship is the process of designing launching and running a new business, which is often initially a small business.

How can you become an entrepreneur? Becoming an entrepreneur allows you the sweet independence of being your own

boss. Here are a few tips to start your own business: â&#x20AC;˘ Identify your passion. If you are passionate about whatever you are choosing for your business it will allow you to enjoy the experience and hopefully not lose interest in it. â&#x20AC;˘ Set goals and make a plan. Think about all the nuts and bolts need to turn your idea into a reality. Write down your goals for the business, including financial goals and set a time frame (3 to 6 months) to revisit, review and revamp action plans if needed. â&#x20AC;˘ Work on customer service and communication skills. Being an effective communicator and empathetic listener are essential building blocks for entrepreneurship. You want your customers to have an experience that makes them come back. 10

BUSINESS | #BlackGirlMagic_BusinessMagic_SubSectionIntro_Final

“I had to make my own living and my own opportunity. But I made it! Don’t sit down and wait for the opportunities to come. Get up amd make them.” - Madame CJ Walker

Melissa Harville-Lebron From the drivers to the pit crew to the team owners, racing organizations such as the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) have remained primarily comprised of white men. So you may ask what about minorities or women, where are they in this seemingly non-diverse sport? If I told you there was a person that checked off both of those boxes at once would you believe me? Well in 2014, Melissa Harville-Lebron broke the barriers down in NASCAR and became the first black woman to solely own a team officially licensed with NASCAR. Through her entertainment company, W.M. Stone Enterprises, she created “E2 Northeast Motorsports,” which is the proud home to four cars in the All-American Whelen Series Division 1 – a developmental racing team – and two trucks in the Camping World Truck Series.

Biography:

Melissa Harville-Lebron @dreamof68 • Born: 1971 • Hometown: Staten Island, NY • College: College of Staten Island • College Major: Political Science and Government • Graduate School: University of Phoenix • Graduate School Degree: Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services • Children: 7 • Previous Jobs: • W.M. Stone Enterprises CEO • New York City’s Department of Corrections Officer • Sony Music Company Intern • Business Role: NASCAR Team Owner

Black Girl Magic Elements • Passionate • Patient • Humble

Her Inspirations • DJ Red Alert • Jay Ellis • Harriet Tubman

Accomplishments

• First African-American female owner of a NASCAR Team

“I’m in it for the long haul.” SShe started her career as an Intern for Sony Music Company because of her passion for the music. Later, working as a former correctional officer for New York City’s Department of Corrections on Rikers Island, she was forced to retire early due to health complications from being a severe asthmatic. Still having a love for the music and entertainment industry, she then created W.M. Stone Enterprises. As a result of working with a musical artist she was developing, she received an invitation to attend a NASCAR EXPERIENCE at Charlotte Super Speedway and shared the opportunity with her family. In an interview with Black Enterprise Magazine she stated, “I got invited to a NASCAR experience and I brought my boys, Eric and Eniko, along thinking that it would discourage them from driving.” She had no idea that both she and her sons would be intrigued and inspired to personally begin to change the demographics of the sport. A woman truly dedicated to her family, she told Rolling Out, “My sons were in the background absorbing everything about the sport. It was the first time that I saw them apply themselves. I saw that gleam in their eyes that this was a passion for them. We must support our children’s dreams.” Her team, E2 Northeast Motorsports, is the first multicultural team to race competitively in NASCAR. The team is comprised of four black and Latino drivers, two of which being her sons, Eric and Eniko Lebron. This year, her team made their debut in the Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) on February 16, 2018. In this Daytona race, her driver, Scott Stenzel, finished in 15th place. Reacting to her driver’s performance, she reportedly exclaimed: “15th is EXCELLENT for a 1st run and no damage!” In a statement made after the race, Harville-Lebron shared, “This team truly exemplifies diversity that is sure to attract a younger multicultural fan base.” She went on to emphasize, “It’s important for our culture to push generational wealth to our children. It’s important to lead by example. I think it’s very important for people of our culture actually succeeding in business.” Melissa’s advice to young women in business is rooted in her values and her personal experience. She says to, “Pray for your desires. Challenge yourself. This is a time of power for women. Own your position in the world. Never get comfortable in your position. Learn as much about the industry that you are in, as you can. Create balance in your life. Pick your fights wisely. Always be professional … Be prepared for opportunity when it knocks.” Harville-LeBron has since invested hundreds of thousands of dollars to build her own team. She is a true advocate for more women of color to become leaders in business. As she stated to Blavity.com, “It is especially imperative that women of color take on leadership roles,” she said. “There are so very few who are in position. Our young women need to see strong leadership in business so that they have a blueprint. We often feel deficient in our lives, but truthfully we have always carried enormous responsibility. We were prepared by our childhoods, mostly. We are survivors by nature; we are thinkers and executors, under impossible circumstances.”

So what is next for this mover and shaker, she says, “To create a billion dollar team? Becoming the most influential woman in Motorsports. Open opportunities to other women, lectures of empowerment, give testimonials, pay my blessings forward at every opportunity and write a book. I want to use this platform I have to re-establish the brilliance of our culture as a woman. I have a personal goal that is small but it will symbolize to me, my success. Create an asthma awareness that focuses on the triggers. I don’t know what the future holds but I am ready for it, Let’s see!”

“Creating your own lane and not following the path of normalcy is what breeds legends.”

Sheri Crawley Self-esteem and self-worth have been issues that have long plagued the African-American community. Some leaders in the Black community have openly stated that these two issues are possible root causes to the problems Black America deals with on a daily basis, and more specifically black females. But one woman stepped up when duty called, her name, Sheri Crawley.

Biography:

Sheri Crawley @PrettyBrwnGirls • Born: October 22, 1972 • Hometown: Detroit, MI • College: Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University (FAMU) • College Major: Business Administration • Graduate School: Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University (FAMU) • Graduate School Degree: Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Marketing • Spouse: Corey Crawley • Kids: Laila and Aliya • Previous Jobs: • Self-Employed Marketing Executive • Business Role: Founder and CEO, The Pretty Brown Girl Foundation

Black Girl Magic Elements • Energetic • Purposeful • Inspiring

Her Inspirations

• Her Daughters, Laila and Aliya

Accomplishments

• Pretty Brown Girl Foundation • National Pretty Brown Girl Day • Acknowledgement from President Barack Obama

“Women should be taught to appreciate their skin from birth.” In 2010, Crawley and her family relocated to her hometown of Detroit, Michigan. The wife and mother of two began torecognize changes in her usually lively, energetic, and confident daughter Laila after starting Kindergarten at a predominantly white school. Her daughter began expressing to her that she wanted long, blonde hair like the rest of thegirls in her class. Around that time, she says, her husband started waking their daughters up every day with a powerful affirmation: “good morning pretty brown girls!” Those words resonated with Sheri, and made her get to work. It was at that moment she recalled one of the many studies that she had read over the years regarding skin bias. More specifically, the 1940s Doll Test by Dr. Kenneth and Mamie Clark, where young black children thought white dolls were prettier than darker skinned dolls; she knew then that she had to curtail her daughter’s perception of her brown skin. In an article published by Good Black News.com, she stated, “We can’t pretend skin tones don’t matter in our country. Girls on an everyday basis are dealing with issues in their classrooms and even in their relationships,” said Crawley. “We have so few representations of women in a positive light. We need to have a discussion now with our children.” After praying for guidance, she and her husband set out to create something that their daughter would be proud of. The result of their vision, a Pretty Brown Girl Doll, a doll that honored the appearance and heritage of a black woman. The Pretty Brown Girl Brand and Movement was founded in 2010 as a distinctive and inspiring self-esteem product line for girls which was meant to send a simple, yet powerful message of self-love to girls and women everywhere. Their mission: “To encourage self-acceptance by cultivating social, emotional and intellectual well-being.” She says, although they call it a movement, they know it’s a ministry; rather a “divine assignment to uplift girls of color…because our girls are broken.” Pretty Brown Girl stays engaged with the girls that it aims to serve by continuing to be responsive to community needs in the same way it began, by listening to the voice of the girls and young women in need. They have gone from selling products all over the country to creating 100+ Pretty Brown Girls’ K-12 after school programs using a specially designed 20-week curriculum for girls to go through in schools and churches across the country.

Today, the Pretty Brown Girl Movement is ranked by NBC News as one of the top seven organizations dedicated to empowering girls and has expanded to offer engaging programs, clubs and events for girls. Over the past seven years, they have helped thousands of girls across the country have increased self-esteem.

“Always believe in yourself and remember that you are a “Pretty Brown Girl” who can accomplish anything that is in your heart! “

Morgan Dubaun In an age where numerous outlets for black entertainment have seen sharp declines in viewership and revenue, that space has opened for a media outlet specifically for and about the Black millennial and the ever changing voice of today’s generation. With “The Culture” (i.e. Hip-Hop Culture) continuing to grow its global presence exponentially, the crossroads where content and technology meet provides a unique opportunity to shape a new narrative around what young African Americans consider cool, cutting edge, and aligned with their diverse lifestyles. So what fills the void for digital content in Black America? Enter BLAVITY!

Biography:

Her Inspirations

• Born: February 6, 1990 • Hometown: Los Angeles, CA • Siblings: 1 • High School: Rosati-Kain High School • College: Washington University in St. Louis • College Major: Political Science and Entrepreneurship • Previous Jobs: Intuit • Business Role: Founder and CEO, Blavity

Accomplishments

Morgan DeBaun @MorganDeBaun

Black Girl Magic Elements

• Oprah Winfrey

• EmpowerHer • AfroTech • Travel Noire • Forbes 30 Under 30 • The Root Top 100 Most Influential Black Americans • MVMT50 Top 10 innovators of the Year • Linkedin’s Next Wave • Silicon Valley Top Women in Tech • Profiled in Essence Magazine, Forbes and more

• Driven • Powerful • Self-starting

“I wanted to make sure I was spending my time in the world creating something that would make it a better place” Having an interest in entrepreneurship at a young age, Morgan always had her finger on the pulse of what people needed. She would sell snacks to her fellow classmates while attending a middle school that had no vending machines. This experience undoubtedly set her on a path to be her own boss. In the fall of 2014, Morgan DeBaun was working in highpaying Silicon Valley Tech job at Intuit. She decided to leave the job in part because she wanted to be more connected with “what was really going on, on the ground”. Additionally, she also felt that mainstream media did not represent her and other black millennials. Along with Aaron Samuels, they co-founded Blavity. While the website was created in 2014, the origins of her vision dates back to her days attending college at Washington University in St. Louis. While there, she would come to recognize the moment when the Black students would sit together at lunch and talk for hours on end. She began to call this gathering of people from various backgrounds as Black Gravity...Blavity. In an interview with CNN, DeBaun said, “Yes, I could have marched in the streets. But really my unique contribution and the contribution of our Blavity team was being able to be a platform and a space for people to get the word out about what was happening in their cities.” Blavity aims to feature the hottest topics of the day, whether it’s twitter’s reaction to a picture of Michelle Obama sporting natural hair or the latest wage gap statistics for black women. In discussing the site, she went on to say, “Blavity is supposed to be the vessel, but it’s up to our community to fill it with whatever they think is important. So if one week, Beyoncé releases Lemonade and like, we get a thousand articles, who am I to say Beyoncé is or isn’t important?” This Boss Chick has also received plenty of recognition for her achievements. In 2016 alone, she was named to Forbes 30 Under 30 list of ‘Young People Transforming the Future of Media’, The Root 100 list of the 100 Most Influential African Americans and MVMT50 Top 10 Innovators of the Year. Currently, Blavity is the largest media startup and lifestyle brand for black millennials. The Blavity network includes five websites including Blavity.com, 21ninety.com, Travelnoire.com, AfroTech.com, and Shadowandact.com. The company also produces two annual millennial influencer conferences: AfroTech and EmpowerHer. Morgan has been widely quoted as a millennials expert and media entrepreneur in top tier consumer and business publications like Forbes, Huffington Post, NPR, TechCrunch and many more. In addition to Blavity, Morgan consults with enterprises on how to reach low-income black and brown communities specifically focusing on financial literacy and empowerment.

DeBaun shared her thoughts about her biggest hurdles in getting Blavity off the ground. She said in an interview with Forbes, that her biggest hurdle was ‘herself, her own mentality.’ Morgan believes that Blavity is and will be an important platform for people to share their opinions and perspectives on current topics; “people being able to say what they need to say and having a place to say it that is going to take them seriously and amplify it is paramount to us as a country -particularly for minorities and people who are not a part of the mainstream dominant culture right now.”

“I feel like it’s important for us to have stories and messages and for us to see others who reflect our own values -- especially if we’re not in power.“

Nikki Chu Born and raised in Toronto, Ontario (Canada), the talented and inventive Nikki Chu was destined to be in the design industry since her childhood. In an interview with Vibe Magazine, she discussed her beginnings and said, “I have been a creative kid all my life. When you are a designer, I believe you know it from a young age. I used to cut up all my clothes and make them into dresses or tops and I would move my furniture around in my bedroom every week to have a new layout.” Realizing her love for the arts so young, she attended the International Academy of Design in Toronto. This hard working and powerful businesswoman has been a force to be reckoned with in the product design and interiors industry.

Biography:

Nikki Chu @lovenikkichu • Hometown: Toronto, Ontario • College: International Academy of Design • College Major: Designer • Previous Jobs: Tinsley Advertising • Business Role: Founder and CEO, Nikki Chu Home

Accomplishments

• Best Product Designer for the 25th Annual Arts Award • Best Home Textile for Villa Home Collections • Nikki Chu Home Collection • Top 10 Black Interior Decorators in the Nation

Black Girl Magic Elements • Confident • Creative • Dedicated

Her Inspirations • Martha Stewart

“Handle your business.” As a young woman, Nikki began to achieve accomplishment after accomplishment in a very short time. While working in Miami, FL as Creative Director for Tinsely Advertising, Chu’s innovative mind and distinctive style won her two gold national Addies Awards. With this success under her belt, she embarked on a new challenge and moved to one of the most competitive marketplaces in the world – Los Angeles. It was this life-changing move to L.A. that opened the doors to Television opportunities and avenues to show the world her Interior Design prowess. Having the chance to work with superstars such as Tyra Banks, Nick Cannon, Lisa Leslie and Gabrielle Union, her fame skyrocketed. Since then, the designer to the stars has built her own brand. She has a home line; consisting of fashion bedding, basic bedding, pillows, rugs, throws, paint, wall art, and decorative accents. She has also had her interiors photographed by Instyle & People magazine, and was even called upon to design Sasha and Malia Obama’s “model” White House after the President was elected. As if these accomplishments and opportunities were not enough, she has also had numerous television appearances on networks such as VH1, HGTV, Fine Living, Oxygen, Local New Stations, Lifetime, and E! Entertainment as their go-to expert for design. Another milestone in her career came when she became one of the co-stars of Oxygen’s reality series, ‘Girlfriend Confidential.’ Truly an inspiration to women everywhere, Chu has a passion for empowering women to embrace technology. She told ‘Clutch’ magazine, “I have been a businesswoman since the day I left college. I constantly travel with my laptop, magazines, paperwork and files.” With this in mind, she went on to discuss how her line creates a balance between fashion and function, saying, ‘I love technology and what is even more exciting is that it is ever changing, faster than fashion I believe. I decided to develop a line of laptop bags, and handbags to accommodate modern traveling businesswoman, who still appreciates fashion yet with function.” With a brand tagline of “handle your business”, Nikki Chu continues to put in the hard work to maintain the success she’s earned and expand her business. When asked what advice she gives to young women, she usually provides three key elements that have carried her thus far: Education, Dedication and Relationships. Chu states, “Education is the foundation of everything I do… I use some aspect of it at least everyday, with all my projects. I can honestly say without that degree, I would not be where I am today.” She says in regards to dedication, “People who become extremely successful usually have put at least 10 years of focus and dedication to the same goal. Whether its, day or night, weekend or weekday, it takes that commitment in order to see the huge payoff.” As it relates to relationships, she declares, “the most successful entrepreneurs have had doors opened because of a relationship with a businessperson they know, or having a positive attitude, and following up on contacts you meet. Sending thank you notes or small tokens of appreciation can get you further than a resume sometimes…maintaining relationships with business associates is a huge aspect to success. Remember someone always knows someone else who can help you.”

“When you love what you do, you are excited to do it every single day.”

BUSINESS MAGIC: Student Activity Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s see your business savvy. In this activity, you may work independently or in a group of no more than three students. You must become entrepreneurs and create your own business. The goal is to determine if it would be profitable within your classroom. Each student will be given a $500 investment to begin the business. If you are working in a group, your money would be multiplied by the number of students in your group; maximum investment of $1500. So here are the rules of engagement: 1. You must first identify your business. You may sell goods or services. Remember, your classmates are your key demographic to purchase the items being sold, so they must be interested in your product/service. 2. Create your business plan: a. Business Name b. Elevator Speech/Sales Pitch â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2 Minutes Max c. Sales Strategy - How will this product/service be sold? Door-to-Door, Pop-up Shop, Online, Word of Mouth, Cold Calling, combination, etc. d. Marketing Plan - How will you advertise? Print Ads, Internet Ads, Radio, Television, combination, etc. e. Cost vs. Profit - Identify the cost to buy all things needed to make your product/service. For example, if you would like to make personalized t-shirts, your overhead cost would consist of the cost to purchase wholesale t-shirts, screen-print them with a vendor, shipping costs, etc. Your profit would be the amount in overage, after subtracting your target sales price from the actual cost to manufacture one t-shirt. My profit for a $10 shirt that cost $7 to make would be $3 per shirt. 3. Work your business: a. Do your research for the product or service you plan to sell, including competitors and suppliers. b. Document vendors and all cost to create your product. Remember that your cost cannot exceed your investment value. c. Create a sales plan that details how many items you must sell to be profitable. On a date identified by your teacher, you or your team will present your Sales Pitch to the class. You can find additional information on sales pitch at https://www.superoffice.com/blog/sales-pitch/.

During your presentation, you will also present the following information: 1. Business Name 2. Business Members 3. Product or Service 4. Cost of Product or Service 5. Provide teacher with itemized costs for products/services and balance of funds a. For example, if you decide to have 50 t-shirts on hand for a pop-up shop, you will provide the cost to purchase 50 t-shirts (be specific in sizes and quantities purchased), the cost of participating in the pop-up shop, cost of advertising and marketing, etc. 6. Engage with peers to identify interest in your product and if peers are willing to make a purchase. Each student will have a $100 to purchase items sold by peers. 7. Finally, tally your profit to see how well you ROCKED your business.

INNOVATION | #BlackGirlMagic

INNOVATION is defined in the dictionary as to make changes in something established, especially by introducing new methods, ideas, or products. Basically, it is finding a solution to a problem that exists in a unique way or finding a way to accomplish something more effectively or just better than the established norm. It is closely linked to technology because that is what drives our corporate industries.Companies vie against each other to gain the most market share by having the coolest products; this drives consumer demand and profit. How can Innovation be relevant? Innovation has no bounds, it can be refining the simplest things or creating an easier

way to do a routine task. It is important because is drives us to continuously improve our processes and products. It is because of innovation that we have seen the PC and the cell phone evolve. Each year it is a race to see who can do it better, faster, or smarter. And the cool thing is there is no special education, age, race, or other demographic factor that drives it. Innovation is driven by creativity and drive to excel, and passion to deliver results. So continue to think outside of the box, find new ways to make life easier, to make things more effective. This can be in creating an easier way to learn a subject in school or at home doing chores. Or, your idea can be the next new product to change the world as we see it today.

INNOVATION | #BlackGirlMagic_InnovationTechMagic_SubSectionIntro_Final

“I don’t think of myself as a poor deprived ghetto girl who made good. I think of myself as somebody who, from an early age, knew I was responsible for myself, and I had to make good.” - Oprah Winfrey 33

Marley Dias Author, activist, public speaker and one of Forbes’ “30 under 30” this year, Marley Dias is a force to be reckoned with. After becoming frustrated with her required reading assignments, because all of her books consisted of white male characters and their dogs, Marley at the age of 10, set out to change the world for young girls like herself. She started researching books in which the main character was a black girl. Armed with the knowledge that there were so few books with black girls or girls of color, she decided to brainstorm some options.

Biography:

Marley Dias @iammarleydias • Born: January 3, 2005 • Hometown: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania • Previous Jobs: • Student • Editor for Elle.com • Innovation/Tech Role: • Founder #1000BlackGirlBooks • Author • Activist

Black Girl Magic Elements

Her Inspirations

• Angela Davis • Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm • Beyonce

Accomplishments

• Youngest person named to Forbes’ 30 under 30 List • Trumpet Trailblazer Award • Smithsonian Magazine American Ingenuity Award • Appearances on CBS This Morning and The Ellen DeGeneres Show • Accolades from Former First Lady Michelle Obama • Accolades from Ava Duvernay

• Vibrant • Humanitarian • Revolutionary

“Frustration is fuel that can lead to the development of an innovative & useful idea.” Marley states her identified options in an interview with Forbes; “I had a lot of choices about how I was going to address this problem. Option 1: focus on me, get myself more books; have my dad take me to Barnes and Noble and just be done, live my perfect life in suburban New Jersey. Option 2: find some authors, beg them to write more black girl books so I’d have some of my own, special editions, treat myself a bit, or, option 3: start a campaign that collect books with black girls as the main characters, donate them to communities, develop a resource guide to find those books, talk to educators and legislators about how to increase the pipeline of diverse books, and lastly, write my own book, so that I can see black girl books collected and I can see my story reflected in the books I have to read.” Of course, Marley went with option 3 and#1000BlackGirlBooks was born. #1000BlackGirlBooks is a book drive focusing specifically on books in which black girls are the main characters, not invisible, minor or background characters. She launched her campaign with a goal to collect 1,000 books to donate to black girls and exceeded this greatly; collecting over 9,000 books. Marley’s book drive went international when she donated books to her mother’s native country, Jamaica. Even after success with her book drive, Marley states that her greatest success was getting a book from her #1000BlackGirlsBook list added to her required reading list at school. When asked what her future vision is for #1000BlackGirlsBook, Marley states, “I want to create mirrors and windows for kids all over the world.” “When I say mirrors, I mean I want these stories to be reflected for the black girls who are reading them, so they can see themselves and identify themselves and learn about their history. When I say windows, I mean open up to people who are different, to understand and to see and grow from those things we don’t understand.” What Marley has done is remarkable and goes to show that you’re never too young to make an impact. As change makers of the world, Marley’s efforts should be an example to how we make our own powerful statements. By identifying the issue, brainstorming working ideas, and setting up clear goals, she was able to make her campaign successful. This is truly a testimony to BLACK GIRL MAGIC!

“I’m working to create a space where it feels easy to include and imagine black girls and make black girls like me the main characters of our lives.”

Simone Biles Simply put, the Greatest of All Times (G.O.A.T.) of the female gymnastic arena is Simone Biles. Simone is the first female U.S. gymnast to win four gold medals at a single Games, and also was the first gymnast to win three consecutive world all-around titles from 2013-2015. On top of all that greatness, she actually has a signature move, the “Biles”, which is a double layout with ½ turn out on floor exercises.

Biography:

Simone Biles @Simone_Biles • Born: March 14, 1997 • Hometown: Spring, Texas • Siblings: 4 • College: University of the People • College Major: Business • Previous Job: • Student • Innovation/Tech Role: • Artistic Gymnast • Author

Black Girl Magic Elements • Brave • Innovative • Mighty

Her Inspirations

Accomplishments

• Most decorated American gymnast • One of only two gymnasts ever to win individual all-around gold and team gold at the same Olympic games • ESPY Award for Best Female Athlete • Team USA Female Olympic Athlete of the Year • ESPNW Impact 25 • Women’s Sports Foundation Sportswoman of the Year • Sports Illustrated Fittest Female Athlete • Three-time World all-around champion • 14 World Medals (10 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze); most in US History • AT&T American Cup Champion • First woman to win four gold medals at a single World Championships

Her Mother, Nellie Biles

“I was built this way for a reason, so I’m going to use it.” The mere thought of having a gymnastic move bear your name is aweinspiring. When asked what was the process for her being the creator of ‘the Biles’, Simone responded, “On an international stage if you get something named after you, you have to be one of the first to do it, it has to be at a World or an Olympics Games and you have to land the skill that you are trying to do. So you have to submit it to Federal Institute of Gymnastics or whatever, you have to submit it before you do it so they know to give it a rating — however hard it is. And then if you do it, it gets named after you. So I was the first to successfully do it.” For this we crown her queen of innovation, as she took moves that were completed by multiple gymnasts before her and revamped and rocked them to her own tempo and style. Simone’s early childhood gave way to her strength and endurance to reach for the stars. Abandoned by her biological parents, who both suffered from drug addiction, she bounced between foster homes before being adopted by her maternal grandparents. Simone’s light has always shone bright. When asked how she defies those odds along with defying gravity on the mat, Simone says that both are “a mix of talent, hard work and grabbing the right opportunity when given the chance. When I was far too young to know it, others around me saw that I had a gift for gymnastics. Without their encouragement and support, I would have never been a gymnast.” Simone has encountered other challenges in life. At the public school she attended, she was often teased for her body image. Kids, especially boys, often taunted her because of her muscular body definition. Simone chalks that up to them being “jealous because they did not have the muscle definition I did.” Simone’s passion to make sure children in foster care know that they are cared for, loved, and wanted has fueled her to be an advocate on their behalf. “Knowing what it means to have the odds stacked against you, I believe it is my duty to provide assistance to those most in need. For this reason, I am launching a scholarship fund at University of People for foster kids and others… Our circumstances shouldn’t define us or keep us from our goals, especially if that goal is higher education. My hope is that I can help other foster care children realize that goal in the months and years ahead.”

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I always say my biggest competitor is myself because, whenever I step out there on the mat, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m competing against myself to prove that I can do this and that I am very well trained, prepared for it.â&#x20AC;&#x153;

Gabrielle Goodwin Enthusiastic, vibrant, and determined creator are only a few adjectives chosen to describe Gabrielle Goodwin. A five year old black girl; she just wanted to go home from school with the same number of hair bows her mother had sent her to school with earlier that morning. Gabrielle recalls her mother repeatedly rushing to the store to purchase more bows, only to pick her up by end of the day and ask “Where are your bows?” With her repeating that mantra every day during pick-up, Gabrielle wanted to know just why she was losing her new hair bows.

Biography:

Gabrielle Goodwin @GaBBYBows • Born: 2007 • Hometown: South Carolina • Previous Jobs: • Student • Innovation/Tech Role: • Creator and CEO of GaBBY Bows

Accomplishments

• Youngest ever South Carolina Young Entrepreneur of the Year Recipient • SCORE and Sam’s Club American Small Business Champion • SCORE Foundation Outstanding Diverse Business of the Year

Black Girl Magic Elements • Pioneer • Tenacious • Bubbly

Her Inspirations

Her Mother, Rozalynn Goodiwn

“Always have a good attitude!” That question fueled Gabrielle to start investigating the hair bows she had in her collection and what could be done to make them better. She started to take notice of what bows within her collection worked and which didn’t. After two years of creative thinking, collaboration, mockups, faith, and consistent help from her mother Rozalynn, GaBBY Bows, the DoubleFace Double-Snap Barrette, was born. Gabrielle exclaims “this is the answer to the age old question, “where are my bows?” Gabrielle is a straight A student and in between her studies she finds time to be hands on with her business. She handles inventory, serving as the lead saleswoman at trade shows, speaks to community groups and schools, personally writes thank you cards to customers who order online, and even helps with sales taxes. She also hosts GaBBY Play Dates to teach girls in children’s shelters about entrepreneurship. At a very young age, you see a black girl reaching back to pull another young girl up through mentorship. With all the hard work involved with being a full time student and CEO of her business, Gabrielle enjoys the perks of play dates and being able to travel. BLACK GIRL MAGIC does not have an admission age, it is within you at birth and exudes the moment that spark is ignited within you.

Eunique Jones-Gibson Eunique Jones Gibson, who describes herself as a “creative powerhouse for good,” has reintroduced Black History in a revolutionary way to this generation. Where schools have failed to properly introduce all the greatness of Blacks in history, Eunique cornered the market by using children to bring to life our all stars, giving it an exciting spin. Her Because of Them, We Can campaign, started out as “a Black History project with a mission to encourage young people to honor the legacy of our ancestors through their own individual pursuit of greatness” went viral immediately. She has continued her initial vision saying, “I thought it would last for the month of February, however, years later, we’re still creating and curating content that highlights the good within Black and Brown communities on a daily basis.”

Biography:

Eunique Jones-Gibson @EuniqueJG @Becauseofthem @dreamvillagehq • Hometown: Washington, D.C. • Siblings: 2 • College: Bowie State University • College Major: Communications and Broadcast Journalism • Spouse: Christopher Gibson • Children: Chase, Amari • Previous Jobs: • Online Advertising • Innovation/Tech Role: • Creator of Because of Them, We Can • Artist • Cultural Architect • Motivational Speaker

Black Girl Magic Elements • Vibrant • Humanitarian • Revolutionary

Her Inspirations

• Angela Davis • Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm • Beyonce

Accomplishments

“My Mantra: Do Great Work. Be a Good Person.” Her desire to one-day use her work with photography and digital marketing to build community through culturally conscious media didn’t begin with the Because of Them, We Can campaign. In February 2012, following the death of Trayvon Martin, Eunique created her first photo awareness campaign – I AM Trayvon Martin. The campaign spread through social media and online news outlets around the world and inspired others to use their voice to highlight social injustice and the need for change. Eunique was looking for an avenue to spark action through her pictures and creatively turned this noble gesture into an innovative masterpiece in the business sector. Her motivation was not geared around monetary gains, Eunique states “Kids need to be able to literally see themselves in someone else’s shoes. It may be hard for a kid to envision Martin Luther King Jr. as a young person or Rosa Parks as a young person. Literally putting kids in these icons shoes helps them see themselves as bigger than they are. They learn the icon’s message and life’s work in context.” When asked by Essence ‘”what does Black Girl Brilliance mean to you?” Eunique states “to me it means showing up, owning who you are and allowing others to experience your light. I am proud of who I am and the lineage of strong women that I am inextricably tied to. I try to remember that I carry their strength, brilliance and light with me wherever I go and in everything that I do.” Also, she doesn’t shy away from the topic of Black Girl Magic, following up her previous statement with “I think the great thing about people of color is we’re used to grinding, we’re used to hustling, we’re used to going above and beyond to make things happen. That’s necessary when it comes to trying to make your dreams a reality. It takes grit. It takes determination and it takes resilience. Move forward knowing that it’s bigger than you. And if you ever feel like your dream isn’t possible, remember someone dreamt about YOU!”

“Dream big but don’t disregard or undervalue the small steps you can take each day to make those dreams a reality.” 48

Asia Newson Asia Newson, now 14, entered into the world of entrepreneurship at the age of five. She traveled with her father selling her candles door to door and quickly identified that she wanted to be a business owner. Asia witnessed the demands of a fulltime job outside the home with her mother, stating “When I was a little girl my mom had to [get] up early, go to work and then come back late and prepare food. It was a cycle. We never really saw her because she was always at work helping someone else build their dream.” At such a young age, she rationalized that she would put the hard work and effort into her dreams.

Biography:

Asia Newson @superbizgirl • Born: • Hometown: Owosso, Michigan • Previous Jobs: • Student • Door-to-Door Sales • Innovation/Tech Role: • Founder Super Business Girl

Her Inspirations

• My Mom, LaTasha Thomas • My Father, Michael Newson • Dan Gilbert

Accomplishments

• Detroit’s youngest entrepreneur • Keynote speaker at TEDxDetroit • Grio’s Top 100 List

Black Girl Magic Elements • Impressive • Perceptive • Altruistic

“That’s exactly why I do what I do. I love that.” So how did this young lady fulfill her dream at such a young age? She followed the classic entrepreneur’s path. She had a mentor — her dad. She found a great business opportunity. And she kept going, thriving despite all the challenges that came her way. She calls herself “Super Business Girl,” and she is. But just like any other entrepreneur, Asia has faced challenges that required her to creatively rethink her pricing, her business model and her sales strategy. When conditions shifted, she shifted with them, turning challenge into opportunity. Her first challenge: growing up. She recalls at the age of five, it was easy selling candles because customers thought she was so cute. With age the “cuteness” of it all faded and sales dropped and businesses no longer wanted her selling in front of their stores. In true CEO fashion, Asia identified a temporary fix by applying for a business license. Her drive, creativeness and ingenuity caught the attention of Dan Gilbert, who had heard about a young lady with a solid sales pitch selling candles in front of his business. Dan wanted to meet the young lady with this tenacity and invited Asia to meet with him to mentor her and offer his services to develop her business. Asia’s biggest goals are not just for herself. She believes in helping other kids learn to be entrepreneurs. She wants to open a candle store in every US state. She also wants to have other kids work, and receive entrepreneurship training, at her stores. Her message to all people: “No matter what is going on in your life…no matter what other family responsibilities you have…no matter what your age, geography or gender, you can be a success. Just don’t give up.” Asia is currently mentoring other youths, with the assistance of Bamboo Direct, on the possibilities of ‘How to be a Youthprenuer’ through her workshop. She always provides this insight during that workshop, “As a child, some adults try not to take you seriously… You’re going to go through so many things, especially with being [an] entrepreneur. People think it’s easy, but it’s not. You’re going to go through so many things, but you have to never give up. You can’t give up because you’re a child. And you can’t be afraid to fail. That’s one thing that I’ve learned.”

“No matter what is going on in your life, no matter what other family responsibilities you have, no matter what your age, geography or gender, you can be a success. Just don’t give up.”

INNOVATION MAGIC: Student Activity Find the Black Girl Magic Elements and Spotlight Feature names in the Word Search below What Should the Student Do? Review the Business Magic Activity. Teacher Instruction: • Assist students with finding word • Talk to students about what the words mean to them • Ask students to discuss which feature from this section appeals most to them and why • Share with students which Spotlight Feature appeals to you in regards to their Innovation/Tech and why Find the Black Girl Magic Elements and Spotlight Feature names in the Word Search below. IMPRESSIVE PERCEPTIVE ALTRUISTIC ASIA PROGRESSIVE DELIBERATE STIMULATING EUNIQUE PIONEER TENACIOUS

BUBBLY GABRIELLE VIBRANT HUMANITARIAN REVOLUTIONARY MARLEY BRAVE INNOVATIVE MIGHTY SIMONE

EDUCATION | #BlackGirlMagic

EDUCATION is defined in the dictionary as the action or process to develop mentally, morally, or aesthetically especially

by instruction. Educators are those persons skilled in the practice or theory being taught. They are also advocates for ensuring all students receive equal levels of education.

How can you enhance your educational experience? The more you know about your specific learning style, you can

better equip your educators, parents, tutors and mentors to help you achieve excellence: • Identify if you are a visual or auditory learner. Do you remember facts by writing it down in your own handwriting, reading through book/material provided in class, taking audio notes in class or simply reading to yourself aloud? Once you identify your personal learning style, you can improve your study habits. • Identify your subject matter expertise. If your favorite subject is Math and grasping the concepts is easy for you, this may be a subject you can study for 30 minutes every other day. But for classes that are more difficult or take longer to grasp, you may want to allot 45 minutes daily to reviewing the material. This will aid you in staying current with the material and better prepare you to engage with an instructor, if additional assistance is needed. • Identify your study environment. Do you study best at the library or in a quiet space, at home in your room listening to music, or in a group with peers that have common learning skills? Once you identify a supportive study environment, combined with the previous steps you’ll be UNSTOPPABLE! 58

EDUCATION | #BlackGirlMagic

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have a powerful potential in our youth, and we must have the courage to change old ideas and practices so that we may direct their power toward good ends.â&#x20AC;? - Mary McLeod Bethune 59

Jeanette Epps At the young age of 9, Jeanette Epps knew that the sky was NOT the limit. Growing up as 1 of 7 siblings in Syracuse New York, she spent a lot of time inside the home but was always fascinated about how things worked. This sheltered upbringing sparked her imagination and triggered her desire to become an aerospace engineer. Jeanette would go on to obtain her undergraduate degree in physics from LeMoyne College. Two years later she earned her Masters of Science and a Doctorate in Philosophy in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Maryland.

Biography:

Jeanette Epps @Astro_Jeanette • Born: November 3, 1970 • Hometown: Syracuse, NY • Siblings: 6 • High School: Corcoran High School • Undergraduate College: Le Moyne College, Physics • Graduate School: University of Maryland, Master’s and Doctorate (PhD) in Aerospace Engineering • Previous Jobs: • Ford Motor Company • Technical Intelligence Officer with the Central Intelligence Agency

Black Girl Magic Elements

Her Inspirations • • • •

Mae Jemison Clay Anderson Greg Chamitoff Royce Renfrew

Accomplishments

• NASA GSRP Fellowship • Inducted into the University of Maryland, Department of Aerospace Engineering, Academy of Distinguished Alumni 2012 • JSC Director’s Innovation Group Achievement Award to Improving Efficiency on the ISS Team 2013 • Recipient of the Glenn L. Martin Medal from the A. James Clark School of Engineering, University of Maryland, 2014

• Calm • Resilient • Inquisitive

“Being an astronaut is one of those jobs where you’re guaranteed perspective in life. As we take off, I imagine I’ll be thinking about the newness of all the sounds and sights.” Jeanette was surrounded by a lot of supportive family and encouraging teachers who challenged her to press forward in her career endeavors. She recalls, “I would say that my teachers were my heroes.” I was very fortunate to have teachers who encouraged me to do whatever I desired.” Jeanette utilized her education at Ford Motor Company where she researched and aided in the creation of a patent utilized in vehicle safety devices and vibration reduction. She recalls, “The project that I was most proud of did not include my name on the patent.” This would be the first of many disappointments in her quests for success. With a lot of doubt and trepidation, she applied for and was accepted as an astronaut candidate and initially served as an aquanaut. This process requires astronaut candidates to live in an underground laboratory mean to recreate conditions of outer space. In 2017, it appeared that all of her hard work and preparation paid off as NASA announced that Jeanette Epps would be assigned as a flight engineer to the International Space Station for a 2018 expedition. She would be the first African American Female space station crewmember to live at the station for a period of time; and be the 15th African American to fly in space. However, another unforeseen career hurdle prevented her from making history. In January of 2018, NASA announced that Jeanette Epps would be replaced by another female flight engineer but would be considered for future missions. As devastating as this announcement was, it did not prevent her from pressing forward in her career. Jeanette recalls, “My biggest failures have occurred when I allowed others to influence my confidence. Once I completed graduate school, I learned much of the negativity was designed to keep me from finishing.”

Jeanette is currently working in the ISS Operations Branch working issues in support of space station crews. The most important message Jeanette can pass on to women of color ”is to not take on unnecessary battles. If someone has a problem with the color of their skin or gender, it is the problem of the person who has the issue, not theirs.”

“I had to do something different and gain a new perspective.”

Tiffany Aliche Imagine if a “Big Blue Bicycle” triggered the turning point in your life. That was the case for Tiffany Aliche also known as the “Budgetnista.” A descendent of Nigerian parents, Tiffany learned a valuable lesson about finances and money management at a young age. Growing up in New Jersey with her parents and sister, she recalls the moment the Budgetnista was born. She recalls how she asked her father for a new bicycle for her 11th birthday. Her father’s reply was “you have to help me pay some bills.” Tiffany’s father gave her the adult responsibility of balancing the budget for the household and informed her that anything remaining after all the bills were paid, could go towards the purchase of her bike. She remembers pondering the type of bicycle and decided upon an adult size bicycle that she could grow into.

Biography:

Tiffany Aliche @TheBudgetnista • Born: October 16, 1979 • Hometown: Westfield, NJ • Siblings: 4 • High School: Westfield High School • Undergraduate College: Montclair State University • Undergraduate Major: Business • Spouse: Jerrell Smith • Previous Job: • Teacher, Pre-School • Education Role: Financial Educator, CEO and Founder of The Budgetnista

Black Girl Magic Elements • Innovative • Enthusiastic • Kind-Hearted

Her Inspirations • Her Father

Accomplishments

• Bestselling author of the books, The One Week Budget and Live Richer Challenge

“ Live Richer: To create a positive and measurable lifestyle shift, through financial education” Tiffany was not always financially wealthy. In 2009, she was one of many Americans hit by the recession; and, after 10 years of teaching, found herself without a job. This spiraled into the loss of her home, savings, and long-term relationship. She recalls how she “could not afford the mortgage of the condo I bought when I was 25, so at the age of 29 I moved back home with my parents.” Tiffany struggled for 2 years to find employment while living on her sister’s couch but was unsuccessful. “There I was 31 years old, with no job, no money, no home and no direction. This was my rock bottom. I felt so helpless, scared, financially unstable and unsure of what to do next.” During this time of reflection and uncertainty, Tiffany decided to utilize her teaching skills and start her own business teaching women how to successfully manage their money. She transitioned herself into a personal financial educator and started teaching these skills at nonprofits organizations like United Way and the Boys and Girls club, as well as utilizing the power of social media to communicate her free services. This eventually paid off and in 2014, women across the country began to contact her for information and assistance. Tiffany created the “Live Richer Challenge” which helped almost “20,000 women save over 4 million dollars, pay off more than 500,000 worth of debt, and allowed many to open new savings accounts.” In 2008, Tiffany created the financial education firm called The Bugetnista that provides financial seminars, workshops, and training for a number of organizations. She went on to become a bestselling author of the books, the One Week Budget and Live Richer Challenge. Due to her hard work and perseverance, Tiffany is now an experienced international traveler who has visited over 16 countries and 13 states. A fun, financial education coach, her company, The Budgetnista, specializes in the delivery of financial literacy education worldwide today.

“I had to do something different and gain a new perspective.” 66

Leslie Fenwick Leslie Fenwick has devoted her career to improving educational opportunity for underserved students in elementary through graduate school levels. She is a 20 plus year educator and teacher, the Dean Emerita of the College of Education at Howard University, and a voice for diversity and equality for minorities in the education system. A native of Springfield Ohio, Leslie Fenwick has been hailed as “a fearless voice in education on behalf of communities of color.” Dr. Fenwick serves on the national advisory council for the George Lucas Education Foundation/Edutopia, which focuses on innovation in K-12 education.

Biography:

Leslie Fenwick @ltfenwick • Born: October, 1961 • Hometown: Springfield, Ohio • Undergraduate College: University of Virginia, Education • Graduate School: The Ohio State University, Doctorate (PhD) in Educational Policy and Leadership • Spouse: Dr. H. Patrick Swygert • Previous Jobs: • Former urban kindergarten-to-12th -grade teacher and administrator

Black Girl Magic Elements • Data-Driven • Persistent • Passionate

Accomplishments

• Co-founder of the Howard University-American Association of School Administrators Urban Superintendents Academy • Co-principal investigator for Ready to Teach, a program dedicated to increasing the number of teachers of color • 2011 recipient of the W.E.B. DuBois Award for Higher Education Leadership and is a member of the scholarly advisory committee for the Smithsonian National Museum of African- American History and Culture • Appointed to the National Academy of Sciences Committee • Author of: Jim Crow’s Pink Slip: Public Policy and the Near Decimation of Black Educational Leadership After Brown

“ Negative statistics become synonymous with negative human qualities, which is then attributed to the true nature of Black people. Rarely do these false statistics move us forward.” After some research at the National Center for Education Statistics, Leslie realized that minorities were not highly represented in inner-city schools and that around 90% of urban schools hired white teachers. She decided to voice her opinion on how city elected officials could balance and change the demographic in the profession. Based upon the statistics, blacks make up 7 percent of the teaching force, about 11 percent of the nation’s 92,000 principals, and about 3 percent of the nation’s 14,000 superintendents. Leslie has said there is a “need in this country to show kids diverse models of intellectual authority.” Leslie Fenwick uses data based analytics to show that minorities are unfairly shown in a negative light, and is working to reverse this misconception by providing facts that show the truth. An example of this is disputing the misconception that there are more black men in prison than out in the public sector. Fenwick states that there are “more black men in college than in prison. There are 1.4 Million black men in college and about 840,000 black men in prison.” Additionally, Leslie found that qualified minority educators were being replaced in the school system. Cities such as New Orleans saw a dramatic decline of about 60% in minority educators. Both Chicago and Cleveland also experienced a decline of about 39 and 33 percent respectively. Based upon those statistics, Leslie was destined to reverse this negative statistic.

Fenwick said “I believe that in order for our nation and the world to progress, leaders like you will be called upon to achieve two goals. The first, I believe is the eradication of racism by interrupting and recasting the research and social commentary about Blacks and other people’s color away from the litany of pathology. The second is to actualize the principles of our leadership by remaining anchored in becoming a virtuous person with moral strength.” Currently, Dr. Fenwick is a member of the Scholarly Advisory Council (SAC) for the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC).

“I urge you to peel back the layers of statistics that we hear each and every day about Black families and communities and take what you are hearing from me now and apply that to other communities that tend to be marginalized, and push against these perspectives that don’t stand up when you look at the numbers. Let’s move beyond the popular narrative to what is true.”

Nina Gilbert Dr. Nina Gilbert noticed a lack of educational options for under privileged children and decided to do something about it. Born in Georgia, she was raised by parents who were also teachers in the public school system. Nina decided to follow in their footsteps and taught in the Gwinnett County school system. Gilbert, a mother of three, was an active parent in her own children’s education and was worried that the large middle school in her neighborhood might not be the best option for her daughter. Dr. Gilbert also found that some parents shared the same concerns about low minority graduation rates, inconsistent disciplinary processes that seemed to target minorities, and a lack of structure and order within the middle and high schools in her area. The observed educational deficiencies in her children sparked the turning point in her career as an educator.

Biography:

Nina Gilbert @NinaLGilbert1 @IvyPrepExec • Siblings: 2 • Undergraduate College: University of West Georgia • Undergraduate Major: Psychology • Graduate School: Clark Atlanta University • Graduate Degree: Educational Leadership • Post Graduate School: University of Pennsylvania • Post Graduate Degree: Educational and Organizational Leadership • Spouse: James Gilbert, Sr. • Children: James Bernard II, Brandon, Brittany • Previous Jobs: Educator

• Education Role: Founder of Ivy Preparatory Academy, Learning on Location and EdCollab Atlanta, and Educational Consultant

Black Girl Magic Elements • Strategic • Pioneering • Kind-Hearted

Her Inspirations

• Her mother, Elizabeth Scott • Her father, Walter Scott, Sr.

Accomplishments

• Founded Ivy Preparatory Academy with several campus locations • Founded Learning on Location • Founded EdCollab Atlanta

“ A single idea can create a spark. Multiple ideas can ignite a movement.” PAfter almost a decade of teaching in the Gwinnett County school system, Dr. Gilbert resigned and decided to launch a nonprofit education advocacy group. While managing her nonprofit organization, she was constantly approached by friends to home school their children. “There were so many requests that I knew if I home-schooled every student I had a request for, I’d have my own school,” Gilbert said. She began to research opening a charter school and completed a fellowship in Leadership. Six years and two court battles later, Gilbert founded Ivy Preparatory Academy in Norcross Georgia. This would be Georgia’s first state public charter school for girls. Nina’s research found that separating genders is effective in maintaining an environment with fewer distractions than a co-ed school. “It helps to decrease the distractions that girls often face, allows them the opportunity to share and participate freely without that intimidation factor of having the opposite gender there or feeling they have to play down their intelligence or even play down there need to ask questions or be more inquisitive.” Ivy Prep has met and exceeded state goals in several areas for students on Georgia’s Criterion-Referenced Competency Test since the school first began taking the exam in 2009. The charter school thrived but not without its share of financial struggles and lack of state funding. The idea behind the school was to offer a free, rigorous, college-preparatory environment that was available to families who ordinarily wouldn’t have that option. Gilbert, who is working on her doctorate in educational leadership, defends her brand with results, strong standardized test scores, and long wait lists. In 2011, 94 percent of students met or exceeded in Math, 97 percent in Reading and 98 percent did so in English/Language Arts. Today, Ivy Prep has expanded to two locations and continues to provide high levels of performance. The schools now offer its completely free education to residents of Fulton, Gwinnett, and DeKalb Counties from Kindergarten to 8th Grade. Gilbert now spends her time advocating for educational reforms and strengthening the policies and practices that will increase college admission and attendance for historically underserved students, including serving as the Senior Advisor on Education Reform at Morehouse College and an adjunct professor at both Morehouse College and Mercer University. She also created an organization that supports a small network of single-gender charter schools.

“If someone had given me a glimpse of what the past four years would have looked like or what I would have had to endure, I probably wouldn’t have started on this journey,” said Gilbert. “I am so glad faith is blind.”

EDUCATIONAL MAGIC: Student Activity 1. WHY IS HIGHER EDUCATION IMPORTANT?

2. IS HAVING A COLLEGE EDUCATION THE ONLY WAY TO BE SUCCESSFUL?

3. WHAT OTHER TYPE OF EDUCATION CAN HELP YOU BE SUCCESSFUL? WHAT PROFESSIONS USE ALTERNATE METHODS OF EDUCATION?

4. DO YOU HAVE TO TEACH TO BE AN EDUCATOR?

5. WHICH FEATURED WOMAN DO YOU ADMIRE MOST?

STYLE | #BlackGirlMagic

STYLE

is defined in the dictionary as a manner of doing something; a distinctive appearance, typically determined by the principles according to which something is designed. Simply put, it is your personal way to visually depict an aspect of your personality. It is a form of expression that should be personal but that can be inspired by people, thoughts, environments, or events. How can Style be relevant? There are many ways to express oneself, many times we tend to conform or be subdued because of surroundings or circumstances. But your personal sense of self-pride and selfexpression does not have to be suppressed. Sometimes when there are no words or you need to buoy your confidence, a certain outfit, t-shirt, sunglasses, hat or shoes gives you the little magical “oomph” that you need to put pep in your step. · So be proud of who you are, what you wear, and how you wear it. Expensive labels are not important. When you put your spin on something, cost is irrelevant, its how you carry yourself and put together your wearable art that makes it special. · Do not allow anyone to say his or her style is better than yours. Love yourself and love how you express that. · Let style drive your creativity at home, school, and just while being you!

STYLE | #BlackGirlMagic

“I think I can inspire a lot of young women to be themselves and that is half the battle. Just be yourself, it’s the easiest thing to be. Black Girls, we just on another level.” - Rihanna 81

“Flexin’ In My Complexion”

Pretty Brown Girls “Girlpreneurs”

Kheris Rogers is not giving in to bullying!

Kayla and Keonna Davis founded KD Hair Care Supply. These are the youngest sisters to own a beauty supply store in their California neighborhood.

@KherisPoppin www.flexininmycomplexion.com

@KDHairCarellc http://www.kdhaircare.com

Instead, this 11-year-old beauty has turned the negativity she experienced at school into a message of self-love.

The 19 and 21-year-old sisters decided to open the store after being unable to find jobs. They pooled their savings and with the help of their parents purchased the store. “Talking to my mom, she was like: ‘Stop stressing about it and begging these people for a job and create your own business,’” Kayla said. “We talked about what we both like. We both like our hair and know that people spend a lot of time on their hair,” Keonna said. The girls hope to continue to grow their business and operate in multiple locations.

Kheris emblazoned shirts, hoodies, jackets and other outfits with her “Flexin In My Complexion” slogan, helping Black girls everywhere to realize that our skin tones are beautiful. Rogers debuted her fashion line at New York fashion week. This makes her the youngest designer to participate in the event!

“Empower A Girl, Empower The World!” @PrettyBrwnGirls “Founded in 2010 as a unique, empowering self-esteem product line for girls, the Pretty Brown Girl Brand and Movement sends a simple, yet powerful message of selflove to girls and women everywhere.”

Elements of Black Girl Magic

Trailblazer Self-Loving Independent Stylish Innovation has no color or age limits! Empowerment is always in style

“A Fashion Line for Black Girls”

“Natural Bath + Body for the Educated + Empowered Girl on the Move”

@amberashboutique

@ZandraBeauty https://zandrabeauty.com

Ashley Bellinger founded the Amber Ash fashion line. The idea for the company was created when her mom was searching for a ballerina t-shirt for her younger sister. Unable to find one, Ashley drew the ballerina and her mom printed it on the shirt. Now 18, Ashley continues to personally draw all the images of black girls performing routine activity and then prints them on tshirts, jeans, book bags, etc. Ashley’s goal is to further diversify her brand, creating products for other minority groups.

Zandra Azariah Cunningham has founded not one but TWO businesses, starting the first one close to her tenth birthday, Azariah’s Innocence. This first business focused on creating sensitive skin friendly lip balms and shea butters.. With the help and encouragement of family she grew her business, forming Zandra’s Beauty, which offers a full line of beauty products. Now, at 17, Zandra creates and sells deodorant, body and lip scrubs, lotions, a variety of soaps, and other products. She has recently won the Buffalo District Young Entrepreneur of the Year award!

STYLE MAGIC Student Activity 4. Complete the Cross Word Puzzle

1. What is your personal style?

ACROSS 1. What did Ashley design for her sister 4. Age of youngest person to host a fashion show at NY Fashion Week 6. Black Girl Magic Element that shows that you know your worth 7. Company that says “Empower a girl, Empower the world” 9. Who owns a beauty supply store?

2. What makes your style unique?

DOWN 2. Has no color or age limit 3. Who sells bath and beauty products 5. Flexin’ My ... 8. Bullying

3. Which Stylish Black Girl do you admire the most? Why?

FORD Program Award Honoree Spotlight

FORD Program Award Honoree Spotlight Dorothy Height The “Ford Freedom Award Honor is given posthumously to an individual who has dedicated his or her life to improving the African-American community and the world at large through their chosen field.” The 2018 Honoree is Dr. Dorothy Irene Height. Dr. Height is an American icon, affectionately called the “Godmother of the Civil Rights Movement” by President Obama. She tirelessly fought for the rights of women, African Americans, and other underserved communities. Her advocacy spans from her teenage years when she marched in Times Square shouting “stop the lynching”, to the early days of the civil rights movement in the 1960s, to fighting against drugs and illiteracy in the in the late 1990s. She has seen the struggles and the victories of the civil rights fight. She began her early career working for the YWCA and oversaw the integration of all its centers by the end of the 1940s. She helped organize the March on Washington, and stood in the White House to witness President Kennedy when he signed the Equal Pay Act. Dr. Height was a leader in her own right. She chaired the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, and served as President of the esteemed Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Age did not impact her zeal for equality and helping the less fortunate. She remained active in all the efforts for which she was passionate, even using her 90th birthday to raise funds for the NCNW. Dr. Dorothy Height continues to be an inspiration, even after her passing. Her legacy is a reminder to be active in our communities, and that age is irrelevant and that complacency is not an option.

“Greatness is not measured by what a man or woman accomplishes, but by the opposition he or she has overcome to reach his goals” – Dr. Height 88

“If the time is not ripe, we have to ripen the time.” – Dr. Height

Ford Freedom Award Past Recipients 2017: Talents that Unite! August Wilson and animator Floyd Norman 2016: Entrepreneurship Reginald F. Lewis and NBA Hall of Fame Dave Bing 2015: Technopreneurs Elijah McCoy and Laura Weidman-Powers 2014: The Power of Perseverance President Nelson Mandela and Myrlie Evers-Williams 2013: Quiet Heroes Mrs. Johnnie R. Carr and Congressman John Lewis 2012: Talent. Tenacity. Teamwork. The New York Rens and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 2011: Champions of Justice Judge Constance Baker Motley & Judge Damon J. Keith 2010: The Empire Builder & The Dream Maker John H. Johnson and Usher Raymond IV 2009: The Storyteller & The Story Breaker Ed Bradley and Robin Roberts

FORD Program Award Honoree Spotlight Asia Newson Asia Newson, now 14, entered into the world of entrepreneurship at the age of five. She traveled with her father selling her candles door to door and quickly identified that she wanted to be a business owner. Asia witnessed the demands of a fulltime job outside the home with her mother, stating “When I was a little girl my mom had to [get] up early, go to work and then come back late and prepare food. It was a cycle. We never really saw her because she was always at work helping someone else build their dream.” At such a young age, she rationalized that she would put the hard work and effort into her dreams. So how did this young lady fulfill her dream at such a young age? She followed the classic entrepreneur’s path. She had a mentor — her dad. She found a great business opportunity. And she kept going, thriving despite all the challenges that came her way. She calls herself “Super Business Girl,” and she is. But just like any other entrepreneur, Asia has faced challenges that required her to creatively rethink her pricing, her business model and her sales strategy. When conditions shifted, she shifted with them, turning challenge into opportunity. Her first challenge: growing up. She recalls at the age of five, it was easy selling candles because customers thought she was so cute. With age the “cuteness” of it all faded and sales dropped and businesses no longer wanted her selling in front of their stores. In true CEO fashion, Asia identified a temporary fix by applying for a business license. Her drive, creativeness and ingenuity caught the attention of Dan Gilbert, who had heard about a young lady with a solid sales pitch selling candles in front of his business. Dan wanted to meet the young lady with this tenacity and invited Asia to meet with him to mentor her and offer his services to develop her business. Asia’s biggest goals are not just for herself. She believes in helping other kids learn to be entrepreneurs. She wants to open a candle store in every US state. She also wants to have other kids work, and receive entrepreneurship training, at her stores. Her message to all people: “No matter what is going on in your life…no matter what other family responsibilities you have…no matter what your age, geography or gender, you can be a success. Just don’t give up.”

Asia is currently mentoring other youths, with the assistance of Bamboo Direct, on the possibilities of ‘How to be a Youthprenuer’ through her workshop. She always provides this insight during that workshop, “As a child, some adults try not to take you seriously… You’re going to go through so many things, especially with being [an] entrepreneur. People think it’s easy, but it’s not. You’re going to go through so many things, but you have to never give up. You can’t give up because you’re a child. And you can’t be afraid to fail. That’s one thing that I’ve learned.

Biography:

Asia Newson @superbizgirl

• Hometown: Owosso, Michigan • Previous Jobs: • Student • Door-to-Door Sales • Innovation/Tech Role: • Founder Super Business Girl

Black Girl Magic Elements • Impressive • Perceptive • Altruistic

Her Inspoirations

• My Mom, LaTasha Thomas • My Father, Michael Newson • Dan Gilbert

Accomplishments

• Detroit’s youngest entrepreneur • Keynote speaker at TEDxDetroit • Grio’s Top 100 List

“That’s exactly why I do what I do. I love that.” - Asia Newson 94

Ford Freedom Award Past Recipients 2008: The Freedom Sister & The Freedom Fighter Coretta Scott King and Dr. Dorothy I. Height 2007: The Medical Maverick & Miracle Worker Dr. Charles B. Purvis and Dr. Ben Carson 2006: The Groundbreaker & The Captivator Ossie Davis and Morgan Freeman 2005: The Songstress & The Stylist Ella Fitzgerald and Al Jarreau 2004: The Educator & The Innovator Dr. Benjamin E. Mays and Dr. William H. Cosby, Jr. 2003: The Aviator & The Explorer General Daniel “Chappie” James, Jr. and Dr. Mae C. Jemison 2002: The Barrier Breaker & The Record Maker Jackie Robinson and Reggie Jackson 2001: The Vanguard & The Visionary Langston Hughes and Sonia Sanchez 2000: The Pathfinder & The Prodigy Sammy Davis, Jr. and Gregory Hines 1999: The Streetfighter & The Statesman Mayor Coleman A. Young and Ambassador Andrew Young

“No matter what is going on in your life, no matter what other family responsibilities you have, no matter what your age, geography or gender, you can be a success. Just don’t give up.” - Asia Newson 95

FORD Program Award Honoree Spotlight Jessica O. Matthews The “Ford Freedom Award Scholar is chosen for furthering the Honoree’s achievements for a new generation.” The 2018 Honoree is Jessica O. Matthews. To describe Jessica Matthews as just an accomplished inventor would not do her justice. To be more accurate, she is a black woman, an American, a Nigerian, a Harvard University graduate, a Harvard Business School Graduate (yep…you read that correctly TWO Harvard degrees) and the CEO of her own company! Her list of awards and recognition is just as extensive; 2012 Toyota Mother of Invention award, Innovator of the Year by Black Enterprise in 2013, Forbes and Inc. Magazine’s 30 under 30 in 2014 and 2016, respectively, and selected twice by Fortune for recognition. Savvy, ambitious, and focused, Jessica says, “For me, it’s not just about what we do, but how we do it. We are trying to democratize technology access.” Unchartered Play is a tech company that Matthews founded that makes kinetic energy-harnessing products in order to provide creations for the good of our society. In 2008, at age 19, while still a student at Harvard University, she along with her friends invented the SOCCKET, a soccer ball that harnesses kinetic energy from playing. The energy can then be used for everyday purposes, which is particularly useful in countries where electricity is scarce. For every 30 minutes of playing with the SOCCKET ball, up to 3 hours of LED wattage is generated.

“Embrace discomfort. Innovation lies between a rock and a hard place” – Jessica O. Matthews 96

The idea came about shortly after Jessica attended her aunt’s wedding in Nigeria. During the celebration, the power went out, which is somewhat common in the area. Eventually, diesel generators were brought in to the wedding celebration and the party resumed, but Jessica was concerned at how unfazed everyone was about the toxic smells given off by the generators. It was this moment that spurred her to cement her legacy and provide help to those who needed it most. Being a black female inventor has not stopped her from continued success in the tech industry. In an interview with Black Enterprise magazine, Jessica discussed her experience. She stated, “In the tech industry, there’s already a bias that benefits men. A lot of firms expect to see men and it takes them a while to understand and believe what you are saying. Add in that you are a Black woman and no one knows where you are coming from and each conversation is an uphill battle. I have to have an extra shield to go into battle to beat all these stereotypes at once. The benefit is that when I do well, people do take notice because I am so different from others in the game.” The Uncharted Play CEO and Chairman of Board for Harlem Tech Fund (HTF) is not looking to slow down. Her company continues to innovate and help provide eco-friendly solutions to better the world around us with a suite of energy solutions called MORE (Motion-Based Off-Grid Renewable Energy). Some of the latest inventions that her company is responsible for are: The MORE Smart Speed Bump, The MORE Smart Road Panel, The MORE Smart Floor Panel, and The MORE Smart Sidewalk Panel.

“Things never work out the way you think they will. Hope for the best, expect the worst, and never forget who you are in the mix of it all.” – Jessica O. Matthews. 98

Ford Freedom Award Past Recipients 2008: The Freedom Sister & The Freedom Fighter Coretta Scott King and Dr. Dorothy I. Height 2007: The Medical Maverick & Miracle Worker Dr. Charles B. Purvis and Dr. Ben Carson 2006: The Groundbreaker & The Captivator Ossie Davis and Morgan Freeman 2005: The Songstress & The Stylist Ella Fitzgerald and Al Jarreau 2004: The Educator & The Innovator Dr. Benjamin E. Mays and Dr. William H. Cosby, Jr. 2003: The Aviator & The Explorer General Daniel â&#x20AC;&#x153;Chappieâ&#x20AC;? James, Jr. and Dr. Mae C. Jemison 2002: The Barrier Breaker & The Record Maker Jackie Robinson and Reggie Jackson 2001: The Vanguard & The Visionary Langston Hughes and Sonia Sanchez 2000: The Pathfinder & The Prodigy Sammy Davis, Jr. and Gregory Hines 1999: The Streetfighter & The Statesman Mayor Coleman A. Young and Ambassador Andrew Young

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BLACK WOMEN | Talk Politics Politics is defined as the activities associated with the governance of a country or other area, especially the debate or conflict among individuals or parties having or hoping to achieve power. It is also defined as a person’s opinions about the management of government. How do politics affect you? No matter where you live or who you are, your actions, opportunities, and basic rights are impacted

and influenced by politics. The government, our political institution, developed the laws you live by today. Politics determines some of the following: • The number of schools, hospitals, colleges, community centers, etc. that are in your area • The age you can begin work and the minimum wage you must receive • The age you can join the military and whether or not you are required to join the military • The type of home you can live in or build in your area • The rights you have to voice your opinion, use SnapChat or Twitter, or watch Netflix and listen to Spotify

“At present, our country needs women’s idealism and determination, perhaps more in politics than anywhere else.” – Shirley Chisholm

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Maxine Waters Congresswoman Maxine Waters is a political powerhouse. Auntie Maxine, as she is affectionately known to the millennial and younger generations, is a no-nonsense, tell it like it is, vibrant woman. Raised by a single mother, who worked tirelessly but still needed welfare to help care for her children, Maxine escaped becoming a statistic. Mrs. Waters doubted that she would ever be in the political arena, even though her classmates voted her “Most Likely to be the Speaker of the House of Representatives”. Her high level of political aptitude and courage to fight for what is right for minorities has propelled her to repeated successful bids for the California congressional seat. She has worked in the political arena for 37 years and is currently serving and representing her constituents in her 14th term for the 43rd Congressional District of California. Mrs. Waters’ political platform focuses on eliminating the wealth gap, minority owned businesses, diversity and inclusion in federal jobs and contracting, and diversity and inclusion in the private sector.

Biography:

Maxine Waters @RepMaxineWaters • Born: August 15, 1938 • Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri • Siblings: 12 • High School: Vashon High • College: California State University, Los Angeles • College Major: Sociology • Spouse: Sid Williams • Children: Karen and Edward • Previous Jobs: • Telephone Operator, • Head Start Assistant Teacher • Political Party: Democrat • Political Role: U.S. House of Representatives, Congresswoman

Black Girl Magic Elements • Outspoken • Advocate • Fearless

Her Inspoirations

• Her Mother, Velma Lee Carr Moore • Shirley Chisholm • Barbara Jordan • Fannie Lou Hamer • Harriet Tubman

Accomplishments

• Ranking Member of the House Committee on Financial Services • Past chair of the Congressional Black Caucus • Co-founder of Black Women’s Forum

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• Founded Project Build, working with young people in Los Angeles housing developments on job training and placement. • Spearheaded the development of the Minority AIDS Initiative • Authored the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, which provides grants to states, local governments and nonprofits to fight foreclosures, home abandonment and blight and to restore neighborhoods • Development of the Maxine Waters Employment Preparation Center, a multimillion-dollar campus providing education and employment opportunities to residents of the Watts area.

“I am a strong black woman, and I cannot be intimidated. I cannot be undermined.” The 43rd district is comprised of the people that Mrs. Waters tirelessly represents on Capitol Hill. It includes “a large part of South Central Los Angeles including the communities of Westchester, Playa Del Rey, and Watts and the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County comprised of Lennox, West Athens, West Carson, Harbor Gateway and El Camino Village. The 43rd District also includes the diverse cities of Gardena, Hawthorne, Inglewood, Lawndale, Lomita and Torrance.” Mrs. Waters’ impact is far reaching. She not only works for policy changes such as loan reform for small businesses but also helps African American business people by providing opportunities to grow their portfolios and stabilize their success. She is an example to stand out for what you believe is right and to find inspiration and drive in every situation, no matter how daunting. An example of this is when she announced “I have to attribute to this president, [President Trump], that he so offended me that he inspired me.” She advocates for women’s rights proclaiming “the day is over when men can badger and intimidate women, marginalize them, and keep them from speaking,” in response to Rep. Peter King (R-NY) who attempted to chastise her outspokenness. She is present in the music arena as well. She loves Hip-Hop music and says that Tupac is her favorite rapper. She explains, “There was a certain sensitivity about him, I got to know his mom. Tupac for me was very special. He was smart and I loved him.” Congresswoman Waters has defended the lyrics of MCs against those claiming it glorifies violence and gang activity by saying ““what you don’t want to hear, don’t listen to it. When you start to talk about limiting voices and opinions, I think that’s dangerous in a democracy.” She believes that music provides the African American community with new avenues for economic success. When Auntie Maxine famously announced, “I’m reclaiming my time” in 2017, she sparked fervor in the younger generations of African Americans that we do not have to settle for disrespect or someone treating you as if you deserve less. She reminded the community to be proud, be bold, and be firm in seeking improvement for self and community.

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you believe in something, you must be prepared to fight. To argue, To persuade, To introduce legislation again and again, and again.â&#x20AC;?

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Aliyah Sabree A dream of hers since the seventh grade, Aliyah Sabree is now the 36th District Court Judge in Detroit, Michigan. Gov. Rick Snyder appointed her to the position. Prior to this role, starting in 2010, Judge Sabree was Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Wayne County where her caseload included armed robbery, carjacking, assault, and homicide. Judge Sabree also served as City of Detroit Attorney to the Board of Police Commissioners and Liaison to City Council.

Biography:

Aliyah Sabree • Born: May 22, 1984 • Hometown: Detroit, Michigan • Siblings: 2 • High School: Renaissance High School • Undergraduate College: Youngstown State University • Undergraduate College Major: Biology with a minor in Chemistry • Graduate School: Michigan State University College of Law • Previous Jobs: • Associate General Counsel (Detroit Water and Sewerage Department) • Mayor’s Office, Liaison to City Council • Attorney to the Board of Police Commissioners • Political Party: Democrat • Political Role: District Court Judge

Black Girl Magic Elements • Confident • Proactive • Focused

Her Inspoirations

• Judge Thomas Jackson • Denise Page Hood • Daisy Elliott

Accomplishments

• Finance chair and treasurer of the Detroit Institute of Arts — Friends of African and African American Art, • Advisory board member for the Boll Family YMCA • Member of the Wolverine Bar Association

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“Be a strong, relentless woman, no matter what.” Sabree has a longstanding family history of involvement in Michigan politics. Her great-grandmother, Daisy Elliott, was a civil rights activist who co-authored the Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act. Sabree’s mother is an educator and her father is a lawyer, as well. As a child, Sabree was always concerned with standing up for herself and any perceived injustices faced, even when it came to doing chores. She would constantly say, “It’s not fair” when she observed an inequality. This led to family and friends advising that she pursue a career in law. In both undergraduate and graduate school Sabree dealt with the isolation of being one of very few African Americans in the classroom. She did not let this hinder her progress but used it as an impetus to continue towards her goal. When a school advisor naysaid her ambition to be a judge, Sabree was adamant about her goals and the classes that she needed to attend to achieve them. She did not allow anyone to steal her initiative and drive. Sabree played basketball in college. Though discouraged from participating in other activities by her coach, Sabree proved she could do it all and joined Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated. Judge Sabree did not let the doubts of her coach dissuade her, successfully managing basketball, academics, and sorority life, proving all who doubted her wrong.

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Self-proclaimed workaholic, Sabree is focused on ensuring that she can bring innovation to her role as Judge while ensuring that she is fair and equitable.

“If something isn’t right, it’s not right.”

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Keisha Lance Bottoms Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms is the 60th mayor of Atlanta, beginning her mayoral term in 2018. She is the first native-born mayor of the city since 1974. Upon her election, Mayor Bottoms remarked that “Only in Atlanta could a girl named Keisha, who attended Frederick Douglass High School on the west side, grow up to become the 60th mayor of the great city of Atlanta.” Previously serving as City Councilwoman, a position she held since 2010 in the District 11, she had already made a lasting impact in the city by leading efforts like balancing the city’s budget, growing the police force, and launching Invest in Southwest that seeks to improve the economies of underserved communities. A fifth generation Atlanta native, Mayor Bottoms was passionate about making Atlanta “a city that meets and enhances communities at their point of need.”

Biography:

Keisha Lance Bottoms @KeishaBottoms • Born: January 18, 1970 • Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia • Siblings: 8 • High School: Frederick Douglass High School • Undergraduate College: Florida A&M University • Graduate School: Georgia State University College of Law • Spouse: Derek Bottoms • Children: Langston, Lennox, Lance, Lincoln • Previous Jobs: • Attorney • Judge (Pro Hoc) in Fulton County State Court • Political Party: Democrat • Political Role: City Mayor

Black Girl Magic Elements • Tenacious • Resilient • Empathetic

Her Inspiration

• Her mother, Sylvia Robinson

Accomplishments

• Executive director of Atlanta Fulton County Recreation Authority • Vice-chair of the Public Safety Committee, chair of the Zoning Committee and vice-chair of the Transportation Committee. • Authoring legislation establishing Displacement Free Zones to keep longstanding residents in their homes. • Oversaw the $30 million sale of Turner Field, home of the Atlanta Braves

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• Spearheaded Invest in Southwest, a “360-degree urban planning initiative with the goal of expanding economic development within underserved communities.” The legislation created a task force that focused on creating economic growth in the areas of Greenbriar, Camp Creek Marketplace, Campbellton Road, and Cascade Road.

“At various stages of my life, I’d ask myself what I would do if I weren’t afraid to fail. This time, when I asked myself, the answer was clear. And after much soul-searching and prayer, this is the path I felt compelled to take.” Keisha Lance Bottoms’ did not come from a life without strife. Her father struggled with substance abuse and while he was incarcerated she spent weekends traveling to visit him in jail. Her mother struggled to makes ends meet as a single parent. She has also been impacted by gang violence, losing her nephew, an innocent bystander, to gang warfare. However, the love of her family and their support of each other through the tough times has bolstered her and sustained her. Mayor Bottoms’ says “the reason I could keep my head high, even on the toughest days, was because I knew I was doing what God placed on my heart to do.” Politics was not Mayor Bottoms’ career goal, however, she spoke of being unsatisfied and feeling that she was not fulfilling her purpose in her legal career. She continued to work within the legal arena, as both lawyer and judge, was active in church, and focused on being a mother, and wife. She knew that there was more that she could do for her city, drove her decision to run for mayor. Mayor Bottoms is proof that people can make a difference in the communities in which they live. She is passionate about Atlanta because of her family’s deep-rooted history in the city. Her efforts stem from growing up knowing that her family moved to Atlanta, many generations ago in search of a better future for their families. She aims to build upon that to improve and secure the city for future generations. While in her mayoral seat, Mayor Bottoms will focus on community safety, improving the transit system, creating employment opportunities, and creating and sustaining safe and affordable housing. Mrs. Bottoms will also focus on education, including creating a children’s saving account program to help offset the costs of collegiate education. Though she has only been in the role a short time, she has already made bold and powerful steps to improving the city. She put money to her promises, dedicating nine million dollars to affordable housing and instituting the Anti-Displacement Tax Fund that “will pay any property tax increases for qualifying homeowners in the city’s historic Westside communities.” Her team is diversified,

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as she states, “you will see the CEO of Delta sitting next to Killer Mike and the CEO of UPS sitting next to T.I.” This is because she says that to succeed as mayor it is important to be “able to speak the languages of all of communities, so that we’re heard and understood.” Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms is not afraid of the tough topics and the fight to improve the community that has been her home and the homes of the generations before and those to come. She is doing all this while continuing to love and care for her husband and children and be active in her church. For Mayor Bottoms, despite trying circumstances, “failure is not an option.”

“Black girl magic is something I have experienced throughout my life, and experienced daily during our campaign. I truly believe it was the energy and inspiration of generations of black girl magic that fueled our victory.”

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Michelle Obama Former First Lady Michelle Obama is an inspirational lighthouse and was dubbed “The Closer” for her persuasive speeches. She demonstrated the fact that being successful in both your family and professional life is very much possible. She has become a role model for women, an advocate for poverty awareness, education, nutrition, physical activity, and healthy eating, and is a fashion icon. She is a motivator, pushing young girls to put books before boys with one of her humorous quotes “You don’t want to be with a boy who is too stupid to appreciate a smart young lady. There is no boy who is cute enough or interesting enough to stop you from getting your education”.

Biography:

— Political Party: Democrat — Political Role: Former First Lady of the United States of America

• Born: January 17, 1964 • Hometown: Southside Chicago, Illinois • Siblings: 1 • High School: Whitney M. Young Magnet High School • Undergraduate College: Princeton University • Undergraduate College Major: Sociology with a minor in African American Studies • Graduate School: Harvard School of Law • Spouse: President Barack Obama • Children: Malia Ann and Natasha (Sasha) • Previous Jobs: — Associate Sidley & Austin — Assistant to the Mayor of Chicago — Executive Director for the Chicago Office of Public Allies — Associate Dean of Student Services at the University of Chicago — Vice President for Community and External Affairs at University of Chicago Hospitals

Black Girl Magic Elements

Michelle Obama @MichelleObama

• Fearless • Determined • Upright

Her Inspiration

• Her Mother, Marian Robinson • Her Father, Fraser Robinson

Accomplishments

• Launching of Let’s Move bringing together community leaders, educators, medical professionals, parents, and others in a nationwide effort to address the challenge of childhood obesity • Passed the School Lunch Program which provides free and reduced- price meals to more than 21 million low-income children but now requires districts to serve more fruit, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and low-fat dairy products • Launched MyPlate and MiPlato, an easy to understand icon to help 117

parents make healthier choices for their families • Launched Joining Forces, a nationwide initiative calling all Americans to rally around service members, veterans, and their families and support them through wellness, education, and employment opportunities • Launched Reach Higher Initiative, an effort to inspire young people across America to take charge of their future by completing their education past high school, whether at a professional training program, a community college, or a four-year college or university • Launched Let Girls Learn, a U.S. government-wide initiative to help girls around the world go to school and stay in school • Hosted a White House dinner to support mentoring programs for young girls, encouraging them to break the glass ceiling • Jerald Washington Memorial Founders’ Award • Memoir, Becoming

“Every girl, no matter where she lives, deserves the opportunity to develop the promise inside of her.” Michelle has willingly taken on some of the most controversial issues as the First Lady of the United States; single-handedly shaking things up in order to push the world forward to better things. As the first African-American First Lady, Michelle decided she would not learn about how past First Ladies found their place in the White House. Rather than compare herself to those before her, she chose to define the role in her own way, based on who she was as a person and the issues she wanted to help focus on in the United States. This mindset aligned with her father’s philosophy for their family. He did not believe in joining anything, he believed each person was their own person and should stand in their own individuality. The Former First Lady was blessed by those words, as they assisted her when dealing with the scrutiny and ugly remarks of the public in regards to her looks, her intellect, her wit, her funny, her presence, her everything. Many wondered what super-power she held to be so resilient during these times; Michelle sums it up in these words: “Our first job in life, as women, is to get to know ourselves … It takes taking the time of knowing whom you are to deal with the onslaught of negative messages you are bound to get. So, for me, I came into this with a pretty clear sense of myself …When I hear smack talk from the outside world, that’s easy to brush off, because I know who I am.” This philosophy is the basis of her now famous quote “When they go low, we go high.” Michelle has many words of wisdom to share with the next generation based on her experiences. These experiences include educators who told her she would not attain some of her goals, such as getting into Princeton. She’s learned to allow negativity to fuel her to keep her going. Delving in, she further explains why she hates the age-old question “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Michelle states, “That question assumes that one-day, you will “become” something, and then you stop growing as a person. I love the idea that I can continue to learn, grow, and change for the rest of my life.” Throughout her personal life and career she has allowed that ideal to flourish. President Barack Obama shared these sentiments in regards to Michelle, “You know, we all knew she was brilliant and cute and strong and a great mom, but I think the way in which she blended purpose and policy with fun so that she was able to reach beyond Washington … was masterful.” Those comments so eloquently give life to her belief that you can and will continue to grow. Our cherished Former First Lady parting words are, “I want our young people to know that they matter, that they belong. So don’t be afraid. You hear me, young people? Don’t be afraid. Be focused. Be determined. Be hopeful. Be empowered. Empower yourself with a good education. Then get out there and use that education to build a country worthy of your boundless promise. Lead by example with hope; never fear.”

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am an example of what is possible when girls from the very beginning of their lives are loved and nurtured by people around them.â&#x20AC;?

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Michelle Howard Retired Admiral Michelle Howard of the United States Navy is a trailblazer. She is the first African American woman to achieve two and three star rank, the first African American woman to command a ship in the U.S. Navy, and amazingly, the first woman to be a four star admiral. And, those are only a few of her known firsts. Howard grew up in a military home, and at the age of 12 decided that the military would be her career path. But, she soon discovered that opportunities for women in the U.S. military academies were nonexistent during the 1970s. In 1976, with the signing of the Military Procurement Bill that allowed women into the military academies, Howard became one of seven African American women to attend the U.S. Naval Academy in 1978. After graduating from the Naval Academy, she was well on her way to greatness.

Biography:

• Born: April 30, 1960 • Hometown: Riverside County, California • Siblings: 3 • High School: Gateway High School • College: U. S. Naval Academy • College Major: Mathematics • Graduate School: U. S. Army’s Command and General Staff College • Graduate School Degree: Masters in Military Arts and Sciences • Spouse: Wayne Cowles • Previous Jobs: • Ensign • Main Engines Officer • Chief Engineer • First Lieutenant • Executive Officer • Maritime Task Force Commander • Political Party: Unknown • Political Role: • United States Navy Admiral

Black Girl Magic Elements • Courageous • Strong • Trailblazer

Her Inspirations

• Her Father, Nick Howard • Her Mother, Phillipa Howard • Gene Kendall • Harriet Tubman • Frederick Douglass

Accomplishments

• First African American woman to command a ship in the U.S. Navy • First African American woman to achieve two and three star rank • First Admiral selected rom the U.S. Navy Academy • First woman U.S. Navy four-star Admiral

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• First woman Vice Chief of Naval Operations • First woman four-star Admiral to command operational forces • NAACP Chairman’s Award • USO Military Woman of the Year • WOC STEM Career Achievement Award

“You can’t be what you can’t see.” So what greatness lies within Admiral Howard? She was also the commander of the anti-piracy task force that rescued Captain Richard Phillips from Somali pirates. How did she accomplish such a large feat? DIVERSITY! Howard believes diverse teams generate better ideas. And today she is a highly sought after speaker on diversity, but that wasn’t always a role she relished. During a telephone conversation during which she was lamenting about extra work in regards to gender integration, her mother quickly took her to task with these stern words “Embrace the role you’re in or quit the Navy. You are where you are historically and until you quit, there’s not going to be anybody ahead of you”. From that Howard generated her own motto, “Being first means you have a responsibility to pay it forward.” Admiral Howard studied up on gender integration, diversity, and inclusion so that she could speak about those issues with authority from both a personal and historical standpoint. Taking the lead of being a trailblazer was sometimes uncomfortable for Howard. A lot of times she found herself as one of very few women and sometimes the only minority in a room. She has shared these thoughts, “Mentors don’t need to look just like you.” Instead of believing the age-old adage “You can’t be what you can’t see”; she opted to align her mentoring relationships with people who had the same purpose and motivations in life as her. Howard states “what is it you want to accomplish, what attributes are you trying to gain in yourself, what do you see as the paragon of success in your field or in character? Go find the person who has those attributes.” For her, that person was Rear Admiral Gene Kendall, who became the 12th African American in the history of the United States Navy to achieve the rank of Rear Admiral.

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Admiral Howard’s Black Girl Magic is the legacy she has left for the many minority women looking for someone that looks like them. She ends with these parting words, “Whatever goals we set for ourselves we know we can go higher--I’m obligated to help set that legacy.”

“An appreciation for the lessons of the past will help you better craft the future.”

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Angela Rye Lawyer, Political Analyst and Commentator Angela Rye is a generational staple in the political arena. With her sharp rebuttals, she has lovingly been tagged the “Clap-Back Queen” among Generation X and younger. In an age that prizes bluntness, Rye resonates with so many people because she is not only bold; she is factual. Her political savvy has transposed her to become a critical voice of conviction on many of the most pressing issues of our time. These include national politics, race in America, criminal and social justice, and other public policy issues. To put it bluntly, Ms. Rye is WOKE! To be woke means to be awake to the reality of social, political, and economic injustices and the work that has to be done, which quintessentially, is Rye’s platform.

Biography:

Angela Rye @angela_rye • Born: October 26, 1979 • Hometown: Seattle, Washington • Siblings: 1 • High School: Holy Names Academy • College: University of Washington • College Major: Law, Societies, and Justice • Law School: Seattle University • Previous Jobs: — Western Region Director of the National Black Law Students Association — Legal Extern for Maxine Waters — CBC Executive Director • Political Party: Democrat • Political Role: — Principal and CEO of IMPACT Strategies — CNN Political Commentator — NRP Political Analyst

Black Girl Magic Elements • Bold • Woke • Candid

Her Inspirations • Eddie Rye Jr. • Andrea Rye • Angela Davis • Maxine Waters

Accomplishments

• Senior Advisor to the Government Technology and Service Coalition • Board Member of the Congressional Black Caucus Institute, Congressional Black Caucus Political Action Committee, Seattle University School of Law Alumni and Women in Entertainment Coalition

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• Co-founder of IMPACT Strategies, an organization that seeks to encourage young professionals in three core areas: economic empowerment, civic engagement, and political involvement • 2015 Fortune’s 40 under 40 Women to Watch • 2013 The Memorial Foundation Drum Majors for Justice Leadership Award • 2013 Howard University CDA Progressive Young Leader Award • 2011 Seattle University BLSA Vanguard Leader of the Year Award • 2010 Black Girls Rock Award • 2010 NAACP Power 40 Award

“We need to put human decency over politics.” Rye’s love for politics stemmed from a legal extern position in Congresswoman Maxine Waters’ office. She recalls “seeing this woman marching in Manolos who was equal parts activist and politician helped me understand that activism and politics can and should be merged. They can co-exist peacefully.” At a young age, activist was a label Rye ran from because she grew up in a household with a father who was a community organizer and historian. Angela felt as though she and her father agreed on the end goal, but did not agree on the means. So, as a teen, she came to the conclusion that she would go out and become a lawyer and make change through economics. But, with the guidance of Mrs. Maxine Waters and witnessing the entrenched social, economic, and racial disparities suffered by people of color in America, Rye’s mindset shifted, and her desire to incite immediate change increased. Her new motto is “activism cannot be an option when you have people who are still oppressed.” When asked how she deals with the stigma of being labeled “angry” within the political sector, Rye responds with clever insight. “I feel like the best thing that I can do to liberate Black women and women of color is to be my unapologetic self. I feel like we have carried the burden of making people comfortable for too long, at the risk of our own comfort and physical and emotional health. And ain’t nobody got time for that. If being myself makes you uncomfortable, well, that’s just too bad.” She has even noticed that her candor has become a social stakeholder; young women have captioned pictures with “on my Angela Rye vibe.” So Rye summarizes her response with these words “You can call me out my name if you want to, but even if I made just one person motivated to make change happen, that’s good enough for me.” Angela Rye leaves words of wisdom that were shared with her for today’s youth, “Show Up!” Rye states “So much falls into place when you just show up. We let the fact that we don’t know all of the steps keep us from moving at all. But whether it’s getting involved in politics or finding a plan for your life, you have to start somewhere. Go and be present, go and listen. Show up, and then when you get there, show out and make change happen. You have everything you need inside of you to make a difference.” That is truly some Black Girl Magic!

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;I feel like the best thing that I can do to liberate Black women and women of color is to be my unapologetic self.â&#x20AC;?

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Condoleezza Rice Condoleezza Rice has been a step ahead of everyone else and their expectations of her since she was a little girl. Nurtured by her parents, both educators, she grew to be elegantly confident while honing her near genius levels of political acumen. But life was not easy for Rice. She grew up in the segregated south and faced overt racism. She experienced segregation and lost her childhood best friend in a hate-fueled church bombing when she was in kindergarten. She notes the moment that she turned the negativity of racism into a positive life lesson. Dr. Rice shares, with BeliefNet, the memory of shopping for a dress with her mom and when she needed to try it on was told by the saleswoman, “I’m sorry, ma’am, but you’ll have to use the storage room in the back of the store. These rooms are for whites only.” Angelena stared coolly at the clerk. “My daughter will change in one of your dressing rooms, or I will take my business, and your commission, elsewhere.” “It was a frozen moment in time in 1961 that Condoleezza would never forget. She realized that being black meant being mistrusted or receiving second-rate treatment. From her mother’s response to the store clerk and her patient determination, Condoleezza also learned she could stand her ground.”

Biography:

Condoleezza Rice @CondoleezzaRice • Born: November 14, 1954 • Hometown: Birmingham, AL • High School: St. Mary’s Academy, Denver, CO • Undergraduate College: University of Denver, Political Science • Graduate School: University of Notre Dame, Masters, University of Denver, Doctoral (PhD) Political Science • Previous Jobs: • State Department under the Carter administration • Provost, Stanford University • Soviet and Eastern Europe Affairs Advisor to President George H. W. Bush • Political Party: Republican • Political Role: 66th United States Secretary of State

Black Girl Magic Elements • Composed • Triumphant • Resilient

Her Inspirations

• Her Mother, Angelena Rice • Dr. Korbel • Thomas Jefferson • George Marshall • Dean Acheson • William Seward

Accomplishments

• First female African-American Secretary of State • First female National Security Advisor • Pioneered the policy of Transformational Diplomacy • Chaired the Millennium Challenge Corporation’s board of directors 129

“I firmly believe you should never spend your time being the former anything.” This determination would carry her throughout her high school and collegiate years. Initially torn between music and political science, she determined that political science was her career path. Rice first taught at the collegiate level, teaching at Stanford in the early 1980s prior to entering the world of Washington DC politics. During her first foray in the White House, Rice served as a staff member on the National Security Council in the late eighties. The role became overwhelming and Rice, returned to teaching in 1991. Upon her return to Stanford, she became the university’s first-ever female provost, and the first African American to hold the position. In 1999, at the behest of George W. Bush, she joined his team to lead foreign policy team as he prepared for his presidential campaign. When he became president, he appointed Rice as his National Security Advisor. Rice was the first woman to hold this position. Condoleezza’s political firsts did not end there. After working through the difficult political and foreign climate following the 9/11 attacks and dealing with the intense public scrutiny, “Rice sat before the official 9/11 Commission, in front of a barrage of television cameras, and held her ground. “There was nothing demonstrating or showing that something was coming in the United States, ” she asserted, according to the New York Times. This demonstrates her continuous ability to rise above turmoil, remain cool and composed, tell her truth and reach the next level of success. This new level of accomplishment was becoming the 66th Secretary of State, the 1st female African American in the role. After vacating her role as Secretary of State, Dr. Rice returned to teaching, her true love. “I miss my kids,” she said in an interview with Oprah Winfrey. “In a class of 20, there are always two or three for whom the lights go on. When that happens, I think I’ve done for them what Dr. Korbel [her Political Science and Russian History professor] did for me.” Condoleezza Rice epitomizes grace under fire, while continuously striving to give back, to learn and to enjoy life while doing it.

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“When I’m concerned about something, I figure out a plan of action, and then I give it to God. I just ask to be carried through it. God’s never failed me yet.”

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POLITICAL MAGIC Student Activity 1. Which political elements of Black Girl Magic do you have?

2. Which of the featured women have the most in common with you?

3. What rights are being discussed in government that directly impacts you now and in the future?

4. If you could create a new law to help black girls and women, what would it be?

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5. Match Spotlight Feature to Accomplishment

First woman U.S. Navy four-star Admiral

Angela Rye Maxine Waters Michelle Howard

First native-born mayor of the city since 1974 First Lady of US to hold two Ivy League degrees Worked in the political arena for 37 years

Aliyah Sabree Michelle Obama

Great-granddaughter of Michigan civil rights activist Daisy Elliott

Keisha Lance Bottoms 2015 Fortuneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 40 under 40 Women to Watch

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Activist is defined in the dictionary as a person who uses or supports strong actions (such as public protests) in support of or opposition

to one side of a controversial issue. Simply stated, it is a person who is not willing to let a situation go unnoticed. An individual who feels so passionately about a topic, they just can’t help doing something to learn more, to raise awareness among others, and to bring about change.

How can you become involved in activism? There are many ways to engage in your home, school and community to bring about awareness for change:

• Advocate for legislation by calling, writing, or tweeting your representatives. These are people expected to act on behalf of the will of their community, so it is important that the voices of the community are heard. • Educate others on your platform. This can include school assemblies, community or social media forums. • Demonstrate by organizing a march or participating in one. • Do a survey about the issue you want to address and share the results. This allows you to learn more about how others feel about an issue. • Raise money to contribute to community or national efforts to address injustice.

“I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am accepting the things I cannot accept.” – Angela Davis

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Beverly Bond Beverly Bond has lived life to the fullest. She has had impactful careers in music, entertainment, and social entrepreneurship. She has left a legacy in each area, most notably as a celebrated celebrity DJ, model, and social innovator. As a DJ, she performed on television shows including BET’s Rap City and 106 & Park, and MTV’s Total Request Live and Direct Effect.

Biography:

Her Inspirations

• Born: December 19, 1970 • Hometown: New York, NY • Spouse: Bazaar Royale • Previous Jobs: • Elite New Faces, Wilhelmina Model • Disc Jockey (DJ)

Accomplishments

Beverly Bond @BEVERLYBOND

Black Girl Magic Elements • Maverick • Free-Spirited • Eclectic

• Her Mother, Mary Burroughs

• Justo Mixed Tape Awards, Best Female DJ • NAACP Image Award for outstanding Variety Series or Special. • One of Ebony’s “Most Influential Blacks In America.” • ESSENCE magazine’s “40 Fierce and Fabulous Women Who are Changing the World”

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“Black women have stood up against so much, I think that we have had to survive, we’ve had to push through, we’ve had to lead, we’ve had to tap into this spiritual energy that we are really tuned into like no other.” PBond epitomized the phrase that she would create and emblazon on a T-Shirt; she was a Black Girl who rocked! In 2006, Bond expanded the t-shirt platform and evolved the BLACK GIRLS ROCK platform into an empowerment organization for youth. During this time, she also created the award show of the same name. These Black Girl Rocks! Awards to honor and celebrate the varied works of exceptional women of color. Four years later in 2010, Bond partnered with BET to publicly announce the BLACK GIRLS ROCK movement. Bond was hands-on in the planning and execution of the transition to television. As stated on the Black Girls Rock website, “Bond crafted a program that was groundbreaking in its approach to exhibiting the breadth and depth of talent celebrated by women in the African Diaspora.” Since then, each year Bond’s platform honors black women in activism, entertainment, business, education and other fields who are making a big impact. Bond did not end her advocacy there; she also created Black Girls Lead! and Girls Rock Tech! These are conferences and mentoring workshops geared towards teenagers. This is Bond’s way of leaving a lasting impact on future generations. She wants to ensure that young women are given the tools that they need to be successful as leaders. Bond’s efforts have not slowed and she continues to work to her goals to empower women and children. She said this is needed because “black women have stood up against so much, I think that we have had to survive,we’ve had to push through, we’ve had to lead, we’ve had to tap into this spiritual energy that we are really tuned into like no other.”

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“This message of sisterhood has always been a core, a pillar of what Black Girls Rock! stands for…”

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Michelle Alexander Michelle Alexander is a Civil Rights Lawyer, Advocate Legal Scholar and author of The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness is widely regarded as one of the most important books of the decade addressing the subject of racial injustice.

Biography:

Michelle Alexander @thenewjimcrow • Born: October 7, 1967 • Hometown: Stelle, IL • Siblings: 1 • Spouse: Carter Mitchell Stewart • Children: 3 • High School: Corcoran High School • Undergraduate College: Vanderbilt University, • Graduate School: Stanford University, Law • Previous Jobs: • Directed the Civil Rights Clinics at Stanford Law School • Director of the Racial Justice Project at the ACLU of Northern California • Litigator (Attorney) Law clerk for the United States Supreme Court and United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit

Black Girl Magic Elements • Focused • Brave • Forward-Thinking

Accomplishments

• Recipient of Soros Justice Fellowship of the Open Society Institute (2005) • New York Times Best Seller

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“If we are ever going to overcome this, we first have to be able to talk about it, describe it, to know what it is. Unlike the old Jim Crow, there are no signs alerting you today to the existence of racial bias” A bestselling author, Alexander has invigorated the conversations surrounding the unjust and disproportionate incarceration of African American men. She was inspired to write the novel based on her experiences as an attorney. She speaks of her own initial biases to “felons” and hearing their stories and their truths. She was forced to face this when working on a case against the Oakland Police Department. Her bias was that she failed to use the accounts given to her by a witness because of his prior conviction. Though he explained that he had been framed, she dismissed him based on his record, later finding out that the Police department had been convicted for the very crimes the witness had shared. It was then she realized her bias, saying “I realized that my crime wasn’t so much that I had refused to represent an innocent man, someone who had been telling me the truth, but that I had been blind to all those who were guilty and that their stories weren’t being told.” Alexander decided to stop being part of the problem. She made the decision to expose the truth and work to find a solution. She knew that this solution would not be easy and that there would be significant opposition as many in society chose to believe that racism had been minimized and was proven by the election of President Obama. In her book, Michelle Alexander outlines the laws and its biases that result in the incarceration of people of color at a significantly higher rate than that of white communities. When asked about the term she created racial caste, she explains, “I use the term racial caste because I wanted to emphasize that mass incarceration functions as a complex system of rules, laws, policies and practices that lock a group of people—defined in large part by race—into a permanent second-class status.” Michelle Alexander’s fight to educate about and right racial injustice does not end with the book. She continues to educate youth and explain the power of bias so that they do not become complacent and become part of the problem. She aims to ensure that racism and its effects are not underplayed because it is not as overt as it was even 50 years ago. She continues to be an advocate for equality and fighting for racial justice. She continues to write and lectures at universities, churches, and other organizations.

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;If we are only [teaching] civil rights education as part of our history, but not acknowledging the struggles that remain in our present and how they are connected to the past, then we are doing young people an incredible disservice. We are not equipping them well to meet the challenges of our time.â&#x20AC;?

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Amandia Stenberg This quote became a battle cry for black women and girls to be proud of our hair and natural beauty, while refusing to stand by and let another race appropriate our hairstyles and culture. It was a simple thing, but it spoke to the disenfranchisement that black women and children face with regards to popular beauty standards. It also propelled Amandla from actress to activist.

Biography:

Her Inspirations

• Born: October 23, 1998 • Hometown: Los Angeles, CA • Undergraduate College: New York University, Film • Previous Jobs: • Model • Singer/Recording Artist

Accomplishments

Amandla Stenberg @amandlastenberg

Black Girl Magic Elements • Free-Spirited • Eclectic • Vibrant

• Solange Knowles • Grimes (Alt-Pop Artist/Singer)

• 2012 Soros Justice Fellow • Wrote Pushout: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools • Wrote Black Stats: African Americans by the Numbers in the Twenty-First Century • Wrote Too Beautiful for Words (MWM Books, 2012)

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“Don’t Cash Crop My Cornrows.” It has been eight months since Amandla Stenberg, the actress who played a young Cataleya in Colombiana, took to YouTube to voice our frustrations around cultural appropriation. It has been more than 1,815,360 hits since the starlet who pierced our hearts, as the tiny tenacious Rue in The Hunger Games became our real life champion. Today she graces the cover of Teen Vogue. Let that sink in. Stenberg, who made it her business to educate the masses on behalf of every black girl whose lips and hips and butts were too big or not right (until seized by the dominant culture) is the cover star of an iconic brand that wrote and ratified the laws on fashion henceforth and forever more. Stenberg says, “I think that as a black girl you grow up internalizing all these messages that say you shouldn’t accept your hair or your skin tone or your natural features, or that you shouldn’t have a voice, or that you aren’t smart…” She says all of this in the impeccable transparent fashion that has become her trademark. As if that were not enough black girl magic for one issue, Stenberg’s interviewer is none other than fashion icon, “natural girl don’t care” role model, and overall baddie, Solange Knowles. Put all that energy together and viola! Or, as Solange describes it, “there is a secret language shared among black girls who are destined to climb mountains and cross rivers in a world that tells us to belong to the valleys that surround us. You learn it very young, and although it has no words, you hear it clearly. You sense it when you walk into rooms with your hair in full bloom, each coil glorious, your sway swift, and your stance proud. You feel it like a rhythm you can’t shake if you even dared to quiet the sounds around you.” That rhythm permeates their conversation as they allow us to eavesdrop on their journey toward self-love, acceptance, and carving out their own niche while inspiring us to do the same.

“I feel like the only way to fight that is to just be yourself on the most genuine level and to connect with other black girls who are awakening and realizing that they’ve been trying to conform.” 148

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Monique Morris Dr. Monique Morris “hella loves justice!” She is an accomplished author, businesswoman, and advocate for justice. She co-founded and is president of a non-profit organization called National Black Women’s Justice Institute (NBWJI) that is centered on minimizing racial and gender inequalities within the justice system. The organization is specifically focused on the plight of girls, women, and their families. The goal of NBWJI according to Morris’ is to “interrupt school-to-confinement pathways for girls, reduce the barriers to employment for formerly incarcerated women, and increase the capacity of organizations working to reduce sexual assault and domestic violence in African American communities.” In addition to running the NBWJI, Dr. Morris is an educator and consultant. She is an adjunct professor at Saint Mary’s College in California and works with federal, state, and county agencies to develop training curricula focused on the elimination of racial disparity.

Biography:

Monique W Morris @ MoniqueWMorris •Born: December 19, 1970 • Spouse: Married • Children: 2 • Undergraduate College: Columbia University in the City of New York, Political Science and African American Studies • Graduate School: • Fielding Graduate University, Doctorate (Ed.D), Educational Leadership and Change • Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning & Preservation, Masters, Urban Planning

• Previous Jobs: — Student teacher in the Summer Bridge Program — Vice President for Economic Programs, Advocacy and Research at the NAACP — Director of Research for the Thelton E. Henderson Center for Social Justice at the UC Berkeley Law School. — Core member of the OJJDP National Girls Initiative Expert Panel — Member of the California Board of State and Community Corrections’ Committee on Reducing Racial and Ethnic Disparity. — Member of the California Department of Education’s Juvenile Court Student Transition Workgroup 151

Black Girl Magic Elements • Driven • Non-Conformist • Maven

Her Inspirations

• Her Mother, Mary Burroughs

Accomplishments

“Centering the voices of black women and girls moves us toward a deeper understanding about their lived experiences, and forces us to confront the routine (and often ignored) victimization, exploitation and discrimination that occur in their lives— and how we canultimately develop a critical response to interrupt the oppression that they experience and internalize” Morris has also authored several best selling novels. The most recent is Pushout: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools, a book that details how the educational and justice systems fail to help black girls. It speaks of the obstacles that the girls face and how resilient black girls are in face of the injustices pushed on them. According to fellow author and activist Michelle Alexander, the book is “ a powerful indictment of the cultural beliefs, policies, and practices that criminalize and dehumanize Black girls in America, coupled with thoughtful analysis and critique of the justice work that must be done at the intersection of race and gender.” When asked why this book was so important to her, she explains that when writing it, she kept in mind that she wanted to ensure that she evaluated all aspects of the issue, seeking to expose bias as thoroughly as possible so that we can all begin working to rectify the issues. Morris summarized it by saying “Not only am I interested in the story of the “lion” so to speak, I am also interested in the story of the fly on the lion’s tail, the zebra who may be looking on, and the impact of the hunt on the greater environment in which other lions are being raised.”

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“Until the lions have their own historian, the story of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.” – African Proverb

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ACTIVIST MAGIC Student Activity 1. Which activist do you admire most?

2. How can you be an activist in school, church, sports, or in your community?

3. Develop your activist slogan (determine the issue you want to fight for and the slogan).

4. Why is your slogan important and how does it help girls in your age group?

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4. Activism can span many generations. What do Dorothy Height and Naomi Wadler have in common? What was each person fighting for during her era?

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Entertainer is defined in the dictionary as something affording pleasure, diversion, or amusement, especially a performance of some kind. But there is power in positive images of African American women in entertainment. What is the power? There is a perceived realism of the portrayal of African Americans on television. Findings have consistently shown that negative exposure to African American portrayals in the media significantly influences the evaluations of African Americans in general. These black women are combatting that perception by the following: • Changing the ideal of stereotypical roles played by black women by introducing nurturing, powerful, influential black female characters in television and film. • Creating their own shows to highlight the magic in black women and introduce their own narrative. • Writing and producing shows that realistically model black women in the world. Shows such as Black-ish, How to Get Away with Murder, and Queen Sugar all highlight black women in prestigious careers.

“I’m rooting for everybody black.” - Issa Rae

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Lupita Nyong’o Breathtaking model, theater, film, and television actress Lupita Nyong’o is known as one of the most beautiful black women in the world. She is an outstanding inspiration to many young girls and women in today’s society. With her grace, shameless personality, and poise, she is a true world-changing beauty.

Biography:

Lupita Nyong’o @Lupita_Nyongo Hometown: Mexico City, Mexico & Kenya • Siblings: 5 • High School: St Mary’s School, Nairobi • College: Hampshere College • College Major: Film & Theater • Graduate School: Yale School of Drama • Graduate Degree: Acting • Previous Jobs: • Production Assistant • Entertainment Role: • Actresses • Film Director • Film Producer • Film Writer

Black Girl Magic Elements • Empowering • Fearless • Stunning

Her Inspirations

• Her Mother Dorothy Ogada Buy • Her Father Peter Anyang Nyong’o • Oprah Winfrey • Whoopi Goldberg • Akosua Busia • Alek Wek

Accomplishments

• Academy Award for Best Actress in Supporting Role • BET Award for Best Actress • Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female • Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female • Glamour Award for Woman of the Year

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• Critics Choice Movie Award for Best Supporting Actress • Outstanding Broadway/Off- Broadway Debut Performance • Obie Award for Performance • NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture • Glamour Award for The Breakthrough • MTV Africa Music Award for Personality of the Year • New Hollywood Award • 2 British Academy Film Award Nomination • 1 Tony Award Nomination

“For every little child, no matter where you’re from, your dreams are valid.” Her ability to be transparent and honest about her own struggles sets her apart in Hollywood. Lupita hopes to inspire dark skinned girls through her new children’s book that is set to come out in 2019. This book will address the issue of colorism and the discrimination that those with darker skin often face. The goal is to send a positive message to all black girls, letting them know that they are amazing in their own skin. During Lupita’s early acting days, as a teen, she helped with directing films and being behind the scenes, but one day, one of the directors, Ralph Fiennes, told her ‘Hey you need to make acting a career if you really love it”. So she took the advice and started acting in small films and developing her career. During this time, Lupita was still finding herself and where she fit into the acting world. When asked how she found the strength to keep pushing forward during her journey, she said “our challenges in life have the equal chance of building us up or breaking us down, depending on how we absorb and interpret them.” She continued to say, “Yes what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger but I think the power of that statement lies in how much you are willing to believe it”. Lupita used this mindset to help guide her through the tough times. There were many roles where she knew she had little to no experience when compared to other actresses/actors. She steady pushed herself and believed that no matter where you are from, your dreams are valid. Being a young, Black female in Hollywood placed Lupita in demographic with relatively little opportunity. Being a part of this undervalued sector left Lupita with self-doubt and image issues about the color of her skin, worrying if she would ever be good enough. When asked how she overcame it, she remarked that she realized that ‘life goes on” and that regardless of what happens she should focus her energy on preparing and developing herself instead of worrying because she was simply wasting her time and energy. She went on to say her mother’s advise, “you can’t eat beauty. It doesn’t feed you.” Lupita said “these words plagued and bothered me; I didn’t really understand them until finally I realized that beauty was not a thing that I could acquire or consume, it was something that I just had to be. And what my mother meant when she said you could not eat beauty was that you could not rely on how you look to sustain you. What does sustain us, what is fundamentally beautiful is compassion for yourself and for those around you. That kind of beauty enflames the heart and enchants the soul”. To young women in the world, there will be times where you won’t know everything or will need help and that is okay; just remember you are you uniquely made and beautiful in your own skin. From the words of Lupita, “For me, my biggest accomplishment has been being able to wake every day, look myself in the mirror and still like myself, still know who I am, keep those who know me very well very close. I’m very proud of that”.

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“Being called gorgeous is not a bad thing, but at the same time I don’t want to thrive on people’s opinions of me”

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Jemele Hilll Jemele Hill has gone from a sports writer at a local newspaper to hosting one of ESPN’s prominent television shows, His & Hers. Hill has become well known for her unique blend of humor, analysis and the ability to openly tackle social issues. As a well-respected sportscaster, she has hosted a diverse range of shows and reported news for ESPN, one of the biggest sports networks. Jemele has made a name for herself by always being willing to speak whatever is on her mind, regardless of what people will think of her.

Biography:

Jemele Hill @jemelehill • Born: December 21, 1975 • Hometown: Detroit, Michigan • Siblings: None • High School: Mumford High School • College: Michigan State • College Major: Journalism • Previous Jobs: — Snack Counter at Neighborhood YMCA — Phone Book Delivery in College — General Assignment Sports Writer — Michigan State Beat Writer — General Sports Columnist

• Entertainment Role: — Sportscaster — ESPN Columnist/ Television Contributor

Black Girl Magic Elements • Indomitable • Out-spoken • Pioneer

Her Inspirations

• Her Mother Denise Dennard • Gary Smith

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Accomplishments

• North Carolina Press Association Award for Sports Feature Writing • First recipient of the Van McKenzie Cup at Poynter Sports Media Summit • Rising Star Alumni Award from Michigan State College of Communication, Arts & Sciences,

“When it comes to sports, women are big targets for abuse because the resentment is two-fold. Some resent us for our confidence and beliefs. But there also is an added resentment because we are supposedly infiltrating a space that has been decidedly male” PJemele was born and raised in Detroit by her mom, a single mother. She shares often that she had a rough childhood growing up, but despite the odds that were thrown her way she continued to perform well in school. This allowed her to do the things she loved; learning and writing about sports. During an interview, Jemele shared a small story about her childhood, saying “when you’re a kid, you don’t understand your parents are flawed people. You want them to be perfect, and when they aren’t, it’s hard to deal with. I was too young to understand the perils of addiction. All I knew was that my father wasn’t around”. She overcame this by attempting to mend the relationship with her father by using sports. As she got older, she realized that some things were out of her control, but that she could not let it stop her from forming her own career, something that she wanted out of life. When asked what advice would she give to anyone who wants to be a journalist, Jemele says, “Know which ones [Topics] are important to you, and say you know what, I’m going to go all in on this one. That’s how you’ll be more effective, you need to be focused on one thing to really make a difference.” She is inspiring journalists to use their platform for standing up for injustices against people of color. She is also pushing back against the idea that you have to completely separate yourself and your experiences from your work. Jemele is setting a phenomenal example for all women in society by showing that women have a voice and if we use it strategically we will be heard. There will be people who don’t agree with what you share, but you should never let that stop you from fighting for what you believe. During Jemele’s early days growing up, she used to write short stories about rich lawyers. It wasn’t until she began high school and joined a journalism team that she realized she wanted to be a sports writer. She used to read the Detroit sports section in the paper everyday. She says, “I never expected to be at ESPN. In fact, I never wanted to be a columnist at all; however, I’m extremely fortunate because not a lot of people get to do what they love.” She shared this to show that you won’t always know what you want to do when you’re older, but if you’re fortunate enough to have a passion for something then go after it. Always keep striving for what you love to do because you never know what the future holds.

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“I am a black woman first, before my job at ESPN.”

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Shonda Rhimes Top 10 Network series producer & writer Shonda Rhimes is the epitome of a powerful, prolific black woman with her own “ShondaLand” on TV. Shonda is breaking down every obstacle to become the best writer there is in the industry. She leaves us all wanting more with every episode of Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal and How to Get Away with Murder. The way she captures her audience and brings everyday struggles to life is BREATHTAKING! She is the new Shonda-Fierce in Hollywood for writing and producing. She strives to bring a different perspective to all women and men in today’s society because she always brings her full self and is never guarded with her shows. Shonda has recently published a book Year of Yes where she talks about taking risks and saying yes to all the things that scare her, so she can step outside of her comfort zone. The goal of the book was to show everyone that it is ok to be introverted but sometimes you have to live and step outside your safe boundaries to enjoy life.

Biography:

Shonda Rhimes @shondarhimes • Born: January 13, 1970 • Hometown: Chicago, Illinois • Siblings: 5 • High School: Marian Catholic High School • College: Dartmouth College • College Major: English Literature & Creative Writing • Graduate School: University of Southern California • Graduate School Degree: Fine Arts • Children: Harper, Emerson, Beckett • Previous Jobs: — USC School Intern — Screenplay Writer • Entertainment Role: — Producer — Writer

Black Girl Magic Elements • Resilient • Fearless • Ambitious

Her Inspirations

• Her mother, Vera Rhimes • Oprah Winfrey

Accomplishments

• DGA Diversity Award • 1st African American Woman to Create & Produce a Top 10 network series • Golden Gate Award • Gold Derby TV Award: Drama Episode of the Year • 5 NAACP Image Awards: Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series • Lifetime Achievement Award in Television

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• PGA Award: Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, Drama • Showmanship Award for Television • TV Guide Award for Fan Favorite • Women in Film Lucy Award • WIN Award: Outstanding Film/Show Written by a Woman • Laurel Award for TV Writing Achievement • WGA Award: New Series • Glamour Woman of the Year Award • TIME Magazine: 100 People who help shape the world

“If I don’t poke my h ead out of my sh el l and show people who I am, all anyone wil l ever th ink I am is my shell.” During Shonda’s early career she struggled with being herself because she thought she had to portray an image to make people like her. She never really had friends, so she would make up stories to try and get people to like her. She realized that she had to live for herself, so she says, “There is no list of rules. There is one rule. The rule is: there are no rules. Happiness comes from living as you need to, as you want to. As your inner voice tells you to. Happiness comes from being who you actually are instead of who you think you are supposed to be. Being traditional is not traditional anymore. It’s funny that we still think of it that way. Normalize your lives, people. You don’t want a baby? Don’t have one. I don’t want to get married? I won’t. You want to live alone? Enjoy it. You want to love someone? Love someone. Don’t apologize. Don’t explain. Don’t ever feel less than. When you feel the need to apologize or explain who you are, it means the voice in your head is telling you the wrong story. Wipe the slate clean. And rewrite it. No fairy tales. Be your own narrator. And go for a happy ending. One foot in front of the other. You will make it.” Through all of Shonda’s shows there are always different type of people who have similar stories and lives like some men and women in today’s society. When asked how she tells diverse stories, she says, “We’re going to show a diverse group of people” I wanted to see people on television who look like me, and I wanted to see people on television who look like my friends. And I didn’t relate to a lot of the women on television because they didn’t seem realistic. It was just about writing people I wanted to watch, and writing people who felt like the people I knew. That’s what we ended up doing. So it’s never about, “Well can we make a story about this kind of person? Mostly, it’s about the characters”. During the same interview when asked how does she balance being behind the scenes in the shadows where you aren’t really shown in the spotlight as much, she says “But for me, beauty is always sort of me, at my very best, working my hardest and enjoying myself in whatever it is I’m doing. That’s when I feel most beautiful. It has nothing to do with the way my hair looks or the way my lipstick is or any of that stuff. It’s just about how I feel about myself and I think I want that for my daughters because confidence is priceless.”

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“Dreams are lovely. But they are just dreams. Fleeting, ephemeral, pretty. But dreams do not come true just because you dream them. It’s hard work that makes things happen. It’s hard work that creates change.”

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Ava Duvernay The talented director, screenwriter, film marketer, and film distributor is the whole package regarding filmmaking and can carry the weight of the entire movie on her shoulders. It is hard to believe that a person who used to direct small budget documentaries, directed one of the most anticipated movies in 2018. But, Ava DuVernay has an ability and directorial mind to make it happen.

Biography:

Ava Duvernay @ava • Born: August 24, 1972 • Hometown: Long Beach, California • Siblings: 2 • High School: Saint Joseph High School • College: University of California, Los Angeles • College Major: English Literature & African American Studies • Previous Jobs: — Journalist for CBSNews — Public Relations/Junior Publicist at Fox Savoy Pictures • Entertainment Role: — Director — Screenwriter — Film Marketer — Film Distributor

Black Girl Magic Elements • Focused • Sedulous • Considerate

Her Inspirations • Oprah Winfrey • Shonda Rhimes • Nina Shaw • Colin Kapernick

Accomplishments

• Independent Spirit John Cassavetes Award • BAFTA Award for Best Documentary • NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Writer • Glamour Award for Film Maker • NAACP Image Award for Entertainer of the Year • Critics Choice Documentary Award Best Director (TV/Streaming) • PGA Visionary Vanguard Award

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• 1st African American Female Director to be nominated for Golden Globe Award •1st African American Female Director to have her film nominated for Academy Award for Best Picture •1st African American Female to direct a live-action film with a budget of $100 million

“When something bad is happening, it’s not happening to you; it’s happening for you” She is a true pioneer making a path for others to follow. When asked how she takes risks and pushes herself to be an amazing director, she says, “Ignore the glass ceiling, and do your work. If you’re focusing on the glass ceiling, focusing on what you don’t have, focusing on the limitations, then you will be limited. My way was to work, make my short... make my documentary... make my small films... use my own money... raise money myself... and stay shooting and focused on each project.” She shares this to demonstrate that when you have to find your way to get things done , just stay focused on things that you have control over and everything else will fall in place. There will be hard times but put your energy into your own needs instead of focusing on the negative things. Throughout Ava’s career she has always been inspired by African American women who have come before her and by people who are setting examples by creating opportunities for themselves. Observing what others did began to shape Ava’s view of how she should work; because sometimes you should make opportunities for yourself because they will not always fall in your lap. During an interview, when asked how Colin Kaepernick inspired her, she said “I think his actions have been inspiring to so many people. I see what he’s done as art. I believe that art is seeing the world that doesn’t exist.“ “Many people excel at creativity—making TV, movies, painting, writing books—but you can be an artist in your own life. Civil-rights activists are artists. Athletes are artists. People who imagine something that is not there are artists. Can you imagine something that is not there and endeavor to make it be there, to manifest your imagination? What’s in your heart? What’s in your mind? And make it so? That’s an artist’s spirit. So definitely his resistance, his protest, the manner in which he’s gone on living life in his interactions with the NFL have been extremely inspiring to me as an artist”. Growing up Ava was first interested in journalism, and then public relations. After working in both fields, she realized it was time for her to start making her own films from her experiences. Ava went in different fields before she found her exact passion. This goes to show that you may not get it right on the first try but if you keep working you will find what you truly love. From her short films and documentaries, Ava finally made her big break with the Oscar nominated movie Selma. From this accomplishment, Ava continued to thrive. producing her next big movie, A Wrinkle in Time. All of Ava’s experiences show that no matter where you are in life, what age you are, anything is possible if you keep working, taking risks, and making a path for yourself.

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“I think any black woman is a queen. It’s just, do you know it? Do you see it in yourself? Do you recognize it, do you abide by that, do you define yourself as that? Based on who we are and what we’ve been through and how we survive and where we stand, we are on kind of sacred ground. We stand on the backs of our ancestors.”

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Yara Shahidi Yara Shahidi is a politically conscious young lady. From her deep-rooted values to her need to encourage young people in today’s society, this young activist and actress is truly inspirational. She is an example to many young girls, showing them that no matter your age you can speak up and make a difference when you truly believe in something.

Biography:

Yara Shahidi @yarashahidi • Born: February 10, 2000 • Hometown: Minneapolis, Minnesota • Siblings: 2 • College: Harvard University • College Major: Sociology & African American Studies • Previous Jobs: — Actress • Entertainment Role: — Actress

Her Inspirations

• Michelle Obama • Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Accomplishments

• NAACP Image Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy • Modeling with New York’s Women Management Modeling Agency • Headlining a Black-ish spin-off Grown-ish • Founder of Eighteen X 18 • Founder of Yara’s Club • BET Award for YoungStar

Black Girl Magic Elements • Empowering • Wise • Conscientious

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“Everything happens for a reason,” and “you can change everything that you have control over.” Yara moves with grace, old school wisdom, and humble spirit on all her shows and interviews. She strives to leave a positive mark in the community as well as keeping Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream alive. Her desire to help bring positivity into society is what is needed to show that there is still a way for everyone to come together. Shahidi started her acting career when she was just six years old by doing advertisements and then making her way on shows and then movies. By gaining that experience at a young age, she was able to keep pushing herself to be better. When asked what she sees as her biggest accomplishment, she says “Shifting the perception of what is deemed possible within my generation of actors and entertainers as it pertains to social contribution.” This illustrates Yara’s desire and ability to show young people that there are many possibilities and avenues to go after if you just believe it. In the same interview when asked, what is your motto to keep going, she says “ Remain purpose driven and undefined. Always strive to have a purpose in life and stick to your goals because there is no limit on what you can achieve.” Being a biracial female in Hollywood is very hard, especially when you do not see as many actresses around your age, or who have the same ethnicity as you. Yara overcame this by staying balanced in her school work as well as staying woke on all social issues. During an interview when asked what will she take with her from high school, she says “Overall, what I really valued about my education is that I could tie it to what’s happening in my world and our current socio-political climate.” In this way Shahidi, demonstrates the importance of taking advantage of the education you are given. At point, you will need to use the education and knowledge that you have gained in order to address the issues in today’s society. Yara shares, “we don’t integrate, we recreate,” reminding us that you don’t have to assimilate into something that you don’t believe in; you can change the world and recreate it so that people acknowledge and see your point of view. She goes on to say “the world is big but if we work together to find the solutions to all the problems, we will fix the world step by step. Repeat the process because you have the power to take action.”

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;Confidence is the best thing a girl can wear, and I feel most confident when I am healthy and I treat my body right.â&#x20AC;?

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ENTERTAINMENT MAGIC Student Activity LIGHTS! CAMERA! ACTION! During an era where entertainment that reflect a positive image of

black women and girls is not the majority in mainstream media, we are looking for a few good writers. For this activity your group will actually pitch your concept of a new television show. Be creative when identifying the show you believe is missing from our current mainstream media. Your show may be one of the following genres: • Sitcom – An amusing TV series about fictional characters. (Black-ish and Grown-ish) • Documentary – A TV program that documents real life events. (Good Hair) • Cartoon – A program that features animated characters. (Doc McStuffins) • Kids/Children’s – A TV program produced for children. (Sesame Street) • Reality TV – A “fly on the wall” show or talent show, featuring real people. (Little Big Shots) • Game Show – A TV program featuring competitive games or quizzes. (Family Feud) • Music – A TV show featuring live or recorded music. (TR Live) • Lifestyle – A TV show featuring topics such as fashion, exercise, health and leisure pursuits. (Fixer Upper) Once your team has identified the type of show you would like to create; let the fun begin! You will need to complete the following for a class presentation to see which show gets “green lit.”

1. Come up with your “What If?”. 2. Develop the main characters. There should be between 2-5 main characters. 3. Create your title, the catchier the better. 4. Write a catchy logline. It typically tells the main agenda of the show and/or main character. 5. Write a 200-word synopsis. This is a brief but comprehensive overview of the show. Be sure to include: a. The setting b. The general plot of the series. c. The arc of most episodes (what is generally happening in every episode?) 6. Create a short but detailed character sheet. List each character with 1-2 sentence overview of who they are. 7. Give a 3-4-episode breakdown. This is a brief 1-2 paragraph outline of several episodes. You want to give someone a chance to see how the show will play out, what each episode will look like. 8. Put your treatment together. This is your presentation that should consist of: a. Title b. Logline c. Synopsis d. Characters e. Episode arcs 9. Once your presentation is complete, the teacher will identify a date for your team to present to your peers. Your presentation should not exceed 7-10 minutes. 180

“I’m rooting for everybody black.” - Issa Rae

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It’s striking, It’s majestic, It’s dope, Never let it go.

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FORD MOTOR COMPANY FUND

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