[YU?] Magazine by Uniqua Quillins

[YU?] MAGAZINE

SPRING 2015

THE "WHY YOU?' INITIATIVE [YU?]

YOU MATTER. YOU ARE SOMEONE. YOU CAN HELP CHANGE THE WORLD. YOU ARE SPECIAL. YOU BELONG HERE. YOU ARE INTELLIGENT. YOU ARE GREAT. AWESOME YOU ARE. WE BELIEVE IN YOU. YOU ARE A SCHOLAR. YOU ARE VALUED. WE LIKE YOU. YOU ARE BRILLIANT. YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL. YOU FIT IN. WE SUPPORT YOU. WE WANT TO HELP YOU. WE WERE JUST LIKE YOU. INVEST IN YOURSELF. WE ARE PROUD OF YOU. CHALLENGE YOURSELF. THINK DIFFERENLTY. TRANSFORM YOURSELF. YOU CAN BE A PROFESSIONAL. DO LET ANYONE CRUSH YOUR DREAMS. DO NOT BELIEVE NEGATIVE PEOPLE. YOU MATTER. YOU ARE SOMEONE. YOU CAN HELP CHANGE THE WORLD. YOU ARE SPECIAL. YOU BELONG HERE. YOU ARE INTELLIGENT. YOU ARE GREAT. AWESOME YOU ARE. WE BELIEVE IN YOU. YOU ARE A SCHOLAR. YOU ARE VALUED. WE LIKE YOU. YOU ARE BRILLIANT. YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL. YOU FIT IN. WE SUPPORT YOU. WE WANT TO HELP YOU. WE WERE JUST LIKE YOU. INVEST IN YOURSELF. WE ARE PROUD OF YOU. CHALLENGE YOURSELF. THINK DIFFERENLTY. TRANSFORM YOURSELF. YOU CAN BE A PROFESSIONAL. DO LET ANYONE CRUSH YOUR DREAMS. DO NOT BELIEVE NEGATIVE PEOPLE. YOU MATTER. YOU ARE SOMEONE. YOU CAN HELP CHANGE THE WORLD. YOU ARE SPECIAL. YOU BELONG HERE. YOU ARE INTELLIGENT. YOU ARE GREAT. AWESOME YOU ARE. WE BELIEVE IN YOU. YOU ARE A SCHOLAR. YOU ARE VALUED. WE LIKE YOU. YOU ARE BRILLIANT. YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL. YOU FIT IN. WE SUPPORT YOU. WE WANT TO HELP YOU. WE WERE JUST LIKE YOU. INVEST IN YOURSELF. WE ARE PROUD OF YOU. CHALLENGE YOURSELF. THINK DIFFERENTLY. TRANSFORM YOURSELF. YOU CAN BE A PROFESSIONAL. DO LET ANYONE CRUSH YOUR DREAMS. DO NOT BELIEVE NEGATIVE PEOPLE. YOU MATTER. YOU ARE SOMEONE. YOU CAN HELP CHANGE THE WORLD. YOU ARE SPECIAL. YOU BELONG HERE. YOU ARE INTELLIGENT. YOU ARE GREAT. AWESOME YOU ARE. WE BELIEVE IN YOU. YOU ARE A SCHOLAR. YOU ARE VALUED. WE LIKE YOU. YOU ARE BRILLIANT. YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL. YOU FIT IN. WE SUPPORT YOU. WE WANT TO HELP YOU. WE WERE JUST LIKE YOU. INVEST IN YOURSELF. WE ARE PROUD OF YOU. CHALLENGE YOURSELF. THINK DIFFERENTLY. TRANSFORM YOURSELF. YOU CAN BE A PROFESSIONAL. DO LET ANYONE CRUSH YOUR DREAMS. DO NOT BELIEVE NEGATIVE PEOPLE.YOU MATTER. YOU ARE SOMEONE. YOU CAN HELP CHANGE THE WORLD. YOU ARE SPECIAL. YOU BELONG HERE. YOU ARE INTELLIGENT. YOU ARE GREAT. AWESOME YOU ARE. WE BELIEVE IN YOU. YOU ARE A SCHOLAR. YOU ARE VALUED. WE LIKE YOU. YOU ARE BRILLIANT. YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL. YOU FIT IN. WE SUPPORT YOU. WE WANT TO HELP YOU. WE WERE JUST LIKE YOU. INVEST IN YOURSELF. WE ARE PROUD OF YOU. CHALLENGE YOURSELF. THINK DIFFERENTLY. TRANSFORM YOURSELF. YOU CAN BE A PROFESSIONAL. DO LET ANYONE CRUSH YOUR DREAMS. DO NOT BELIEVE NEGATIVE PEOPLE. YOU MATTER. YOU ARE SOMEONE. YOU CAN HELP CHANGE THE WORLD. YOU ARE SPECIAL. YOU BELONG HERE. YOU ARE INTELLIGENT. YOU ARE GREAT. AWESOME YOU ARE. WE BELIEVE IN YOU. YOU ARE A SCHOLAR. YOU ARE VALUED. WE LIKE YOU. YOU ARE BRILLIANT. YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL. YOU FIT IN. WE SUPPORT YOU. WE WANT TO HELP YOU. WE WERE JUST LIKE YOU. INVEST IN YOURSELF. WE ARE PROUD OF YOU. CHALLENGE YOURSELF. THINK DIFFERENTLY. TRANSFORM YOURSELF. YOU CAN BE A PROFESSIONAL. DO LET ANYONE CRUSH YOUR DREAMS. DO NOT BELIEVE NEGATIVE PEOPLE. YOU MATTER. YOU ARE SOMEONE. YOU CAN HELP CHANGE THE WORLD. YOU ARE SPECIAL. YOU BELONG HERE. YOU ARE INTELLIGENT. YOU ARE GREAT. AWESOME YOU ARE. WE BELIEVE IN YOU. YOU ARE A SCHOLAR. YOU ARE VALUED. WE LIKE YOU. YOU ARE BRILLIANT. YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL. YOU FIT IN. WE SUPPORT YOU. WE WANT TO HELP YOU. WE WERE JUST LIKE YOU. INVEST IN YOURSELF. WE ARE PROUD OF YOU. CHALLENGE YOURSELF. THINK DIFFERENTLY. TRANSFORM YOURSELF. YOU CAN BE A PROFESSIONAL. DO LET ANYONE CRUSH YOUR DREAMS. DO NOT BELIEVE NEGATIVE PEOPLE. YOU MATTER. YOU ARE SOMEONE. YOU CAN HELP CHANGE THE WORLD. YOU ARE SPECIAL. YOU BELONG HERE. YOU ARE INTELLIGENT. YOU ARE GREAT. AWESOME YOU ARE. WE BELIEVE IN YOU. YOU ARE A SCHOLAR. YOU ARE VALUED. WE LIKE YOU. YOU ARE BRILLIANT. YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL. YOU FIT IN. WE SUPPORT YOU. WE WANT TO HELP YOU. WE WERE JUST LIKE YOU. INVEST IN YOURSELF. WE ARE PROUD OF YOU. CHALLENGE YOURSELF. THINK DIFFERENTLY. TRANSFORM YOURSELF. YOU CAN BE A PROFESSIONAL. DO LET ANYONE CRUSH YOUR DREAMS. DO NOT BELIEVE NEGATIVE PEOPLE YOU MATTER. YOU ARE SOMEONE. YOU CAN HELP CHANGE THE WORLD. YOU ARE SPECIAL. YOU BELONG HERE. YOU ARE INTELLIGENT. YOU ARE GREAT. AWESOME YOU ARE. WE BELIEVE IN YOU. YOU ARE A SCHOLAR. YOU ARE VALUED. WE LIKE YOU. YOU ARE BRILLIANT. YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL. YOU FIT IN. WE SUPPORT YOU. WE WANT TO HELP YOU. WE WERE JUST LIKE YOU. INVEST IN YOURSELF. WE ARE PROUD OF YOU. CHALLENGE YOURSELF. THINK DIFFERENTLY. TRANSFORM YOURSELF. YOU CAN BE A PROFESSIONAL. DO LET ANYONE CRUSH YOUR DREAMS. DO NOT BELIEVE NEGATIVE PEOPLE. YOU MATTER. YOU ARE SOMEONE. YOU CAN HELP CHANGE THE WORLD. YOU ARE SPECIAL. YOU BELONG HERE. YOU ARE INTELLIGENT. YOU ARE GREAT. AWESOME YOU ARE. WE BELIEVE IN YOU. YOU ARE A SCHOLAR. YOU ARE VALUED. WE LIKE YOU. YOU ARE BRILLIANT. YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL. YOU FIT IN. WE SUPPORT YOU. WE WANT TO HELP YOU. WE WERE JUST LIKE YOU. INVEST IN YOURSELF. WE ARE PROUD OF YOU. CHALLENGE YOURSELF. THINK DIFFERENTLY. TRANSFORM YOURSELF. YOU CAN BE A PROFESSIONAL. DO LET ANYONE CRUSH YOUR DREAMS. DO NOT BELIEVE NEGATIVE PEOPLE. YOU MATTER. YOU ARE SOMEONE. YOU CAN HELP CHANGE THE WORLD. YOU ARE SPECIAL. YOU BELONG HERE. YOU ARE INTELLIGENT. YOU ARE GREAT. AWESOME YOU ARE. WE BELIEVE IN YOU. YOU ARE A SCHOLAR. YOU ARE VALUED. WE LIKE YOU. YOU ARE BRILLIANT. YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL. YOU FIT IN. WE SUPPORT YOU. WE WANT TO HELP YOU. WE WERE JUST LIKE YOU. INVEST IN YOURSELF. WE ARE PROUD OF YOU. CHALLENGE YOURSELF. THINK DIFFERENTLY. TRANSFORM YOURSELF. YOU CAN BE A PROFESSIONAL. DO LET ANYONE CRUSH YOUR DREAMS. DO NOT BELIEVE

[YU?]

THE "WHY YOU?" INITIATIVE [YU?]

WWW.WHYYOU.ORG

Contents 16 20

[YU?] Mentor Involvement and Supportive Approach An interview with Ms. Rika Calvin, senior at University of WisconsinStevens Point

My Story and My [YU?] Mentor's Impact

An interview with Mr. Darren Mitchell Jr., sophomore at Miles College.

PHOTO BY Marie Beasley

6 8 11 2

[YU?]: The Founding and the Vision

Dr. Renaldo Blocker and Colleagues. The purpose for the [YU?] Organization.

[YU?] Mentee and Longitudinal Mentoring Team Ms. Marie Beasley, Director wants mentees to know [YU?] mentors will never turn their back on them.

Interview with Dr. Shannon Roberts

A [YU?] Strategy Team Member. Graduate of MIT and University of Wisconsin-Madsion.

We don't just encourage you, we have a plan to help make YOU successful.

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In This Issue

We highlight several [YU?] mentees and strategy team members to illustrate, in this inaugural issue, the effectiveness of the [YU?] organization. We have redefined what others conceptualize as "mentoring": re-engineering what it means to be a mentor & be mentored. We provide a longitudinal support system for our target population. That support system includes individualized mentoring, dedicated resources, and preparation for an array of opportunities and experiences; essential components to our Longitudinal Centralized Support System (LcSS) Model. We understand aiding individuals in their journey to success necessitates developing enduring relationships. These sustainable relationships lead to more diverse, professional and productive communities reflective of America at her best.

PHOTO BY Marie Beasley

Features: Mentees and Strategy

We implement a mixture of technological, futuristic Team Members and traditional mechanisms to create a structure and 12 22 strategy that will ensure our longevity in the lives of From a student Declared a each individual to maximize outcomes. entrepreneur to a Marketing & Research Professional. An interview with Mr. Kevin Burgess.

The Assistant Director and [YU?] Mentee

An interview with Mr. Donald Dantzler Jr., Ph.D. Student at University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Ph.D. Candidate: Parenting as a Graduate Student.

commitment to her dreams. An Interview with Ms. Hope Jackson

A New Direction: [YU?] MN Mentee, Mr. LeVenius Hodges Jr.

The Significance of the [YU?] Organization. Talking with Attorney Lorenzo Edwards Jr.

Ms. Sagashus Levingston interviewed.

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[YU?] MAGAZINE EDITOR IN CHIEF

Uniqua Quillins EDITORIAL

Associate Editor Antonio Daniels Assistant Editor Renaldo Blocker, Ph.D. ART AND DIGITAL

Photo/Graphics Editor Renaldo Blocker, Ph.D. ADMINISTRATION/STRATEGY TEAM Founder Renaldo Blocker, Ph.D. Director Marie Beasley Uniqua Quillins is currently a junior at Assistant Director Donald Dantzler Jr. North Carolina A&T State University. Research & Development Her major is Journalism and Mass Communication with a Director Antonio Daniels concentration in Mass Media Production. She is originally from Director of Admission Stephen Moore Beloit, Wisconsin and is a first-generation college student. Her Strategy Team Members Myeshia Price, Ph.D. [YU?] primary mentor is Mr. Donald Dantzler, who she Lorenzo Edwards Jr, Esq. affectionately calls her surrogate brother. Ms. Quillins comes Kime Abduli, Esq. from a family of four (father, mother and an older brother). Sam Linenweaver, Esq. Shannon Roberts, Ph.D. Currently, she serves as the president of North Carolina A&T’s student chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists Raynardo Williams and is an on-air personality for the campus radio station, WNAA Tasha Norris, Ph.D. 90.1FM. Ms. Quillins attended her first Online News Association Jeremiah Jackson Jr. (ONA) conference and was selected as one of the four Michael Ibe, M.D. HBCU Digital Media Fellows, sponsored by the Knight Sagashus Levington Foundation. Uniqua has interned at WTVO Sports in Rockford, Farouk Dako, M.D. Illinois, and she has had some experience working as a reporter Darrin Crawford, Esq. with the North Carolina A&T Register newspaper (Greensboro, John Kolade NC) and the North Carolina A&T TV Studio. Tiearra Harris

She is excited and appreciative of being the first editor for the inaugural [YU?] Magazine, and Ms. Quillins has played an instrumental role in the launch of such an impactful magazine. Uniqua is enthused about what the magazine offers. She likes the fact that the magazine can be a medium for helping [YU?] scholars, fellows and strategy team members who are distributed throughout the United States learn more about each other and what individuals in the organization are doing—the magazine will serve as inspiration and knowledge attainment for those interested in [YU?].

HOW TO REACH US

HEADQUARTER OFFICE PHONE NUMBER: 1-507-216-7618 WEBSITE: www.whyyou.org © 2014 by The "Why You?" Initiative [YU?] Magazine, All Rights Reserved Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. The "Why You?" Initiative [YU?] Magazine is a registered trademark of Publisher. Printed in the United States of America.

Upon graduating, Ms. Quillins plans to become an Associate News Producer or an Executive Producer, with the ultimate goals of becoming a News Director and Vice President in the Journalism field. ...................................................................................................................................................................................................

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[YU?]: THE FOUNDING AND VISION Dr. Renaldo Blocker and Colleagues

So that they can focus on being the best "self" ...

Q: Why did you feel the urge to start [YU?]? A: I thought it was important to illuminate a system that I wish I had as I went through my degree programs. While I did have the support, there wasn't any continuing linkage; therefore, I made a few unnecessary mistakes. I had to constantly search for support systems when I arrived at the different universities, I had to figure out how to navigate the different systems, I had to learn and understand the idea of networking and building relationships (sometimes it was too late). I wanted [YU?] to be that space where students and young professionals can also go to for assistance along the way. I want to link students and young professionals to resources at their specific institutions, so that they can focus on being the best "self" in the classroom without worrying about who will help them or support them. Q: What is your ultimate mission and/or goal for

[YU?]?

PHOTO BY DIMITRI CROWDER

By Uniqua Quillins

A: My ultimate mission/goal for [YU?] is for it to be the space that bridges the "real gap" for minorities in higher education. Many scholars talk about bridging the gap, but are afraid to take on the students who require "too much work" or who do not have the scores or the high GPAs. I want to be able to eliminate barriers such as money, personal, family and community issues that prevent young people from achieving. I want to continue to take the students that people overlook and turn them into the amazing scholars they are. I want to continue to help students who need a second chance. I ultimately want to make [YU?] into a bigger nationwide network without all the pomp and circumstance. I want to continue to get students and young professionals to encourage each other.

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Q: What type of impact do you hope the members of [YU?] have on the world? A: I actually know that members of [YU?] will impact the world in many ways, but what I truly want them to do is impact the spaces around them: by giving back to the community and investing meaningful time in others’ success. You have "arrived" once you're able to help someone else. Q: What's one thing you want the [YU?] members to know about this organization that they may not know? A: The organization was developed for you to not only benefit from, but to contribute to by mentoring others while you're being mentored. I love the old proverb which says that while you climb a mountain, you must not forget others along the way; you must look beyond yourself and lift while you climb. I want everyone to be helping others NOW, because you have the ability to do it.

PHOTO BY DIMITRI CROWDER

student’s GPA is well over a 3.0. Now, the student has pretty big dreams, including helping the American community at large. This success story demonstrates the power of support from a system perspective. It showed how the [YU?] Q: What were some of the early struggles you experienced LCSS Conceptual Model plays out. I was able to examine the student’s entire system without getting the organization noticed and lifted off the ground? judgment, understand and reason with the How did you overcome them? student's situation, help change the perspective A: Well, the organization actually started several years ago. of the student on the situation, infiltrate myself in The concept has always been there and I have always used the student’s daily environment using social media and text messaging, and allow the student the [YU?] model when dealing with all my mentees but unlimited or untamed access to me (i.e. call or because I was in graduate school, I never had the time to text me at anytime attitude), which allowed the actually formalize the organization, and it was not until 2011 that I was able to formalize the organization through the state student to build a relationship with me quickly and allowed me to influence the student's government in California. The original name that a good friend and colleague (Antonio Daniels) and I operated under psyche. This also allowed the student to feel back in 2000-2003 was the SMART Program. We, however, supported and valued. Now, the student (or should I say young professional) is super contemplated a few new names before being pleased with [YU?] in 2011. I like [YU?] because I wanted students and confident and is unstoppable. [YU?] is about the young professionals, especially those from underrepresented long haul, and I like to look and focus on the positives about students because that will allow backgrounds, to understand that they are of great worth, me to manage my patience and give the student intelligent and have much to offer to humanity and their the most "space" to help me create that expertise is NEEDED in this great country and world. successful individual. Q: What's your favorite success story of one of the Q: Anything else you want to add that I may not members in [YU?] and why? have covered? A: Wow, I actually have several. But I like to talk about the A: While [YU?] is growing organically, this student (will not mention name) who was at a community growth and effort has not been a solo endeavor. college with a low GPA, on academic probation, family There are many others who are contributing to issues and the student thought that there was no way to get the beauty of [YU?], and those people include out of the abyss. [YU?] aided the student in getting off both the mentees, directors, the strategy team academic probation, inspired hope, grew confidence and members, board of directors and donors. transferred the student to a 4-year school where the ....................................................................................................................................................................................................

The idea of having a mentor, to some, is only for a brief moment. However, having a [YU?] mentor is a life-long commitment. Marie Beasley, [YU?] Director and current PhD student, wants mentees to know [YU?] mentors will never turn their back on them. “If you leave me and you come back to me five years from now, I still have to give you that support that I did prior to. Longitudinal support means you don’t leave their side,” she comments. Mentoring is a passion of Beasley’s. She credits her success to having mentors of her own throughout her life and educational journey. One of her mentors is [YU?] founder, Dr. Renaldo Blocker. Beasley says he helped her come up with a system that would help her excel in her undergraduate academic years at San Francisco State University. “He sat down and helped map everything out for me,” she says.

PHOTO BY MARIE BEASLEY

Beasley’s mentoring style is similar. She assist mentees with developing a system that will work for them. However, before that, she makes sure her and her mentees have a conversation where they “keep it 100.” Beasley contends that being completely honest is how a mentor can engender an effective and useful system for a mentee. If mentees are not completely truthful about where they are, the system will not be as effective. “A lot of kids don’t understand that there’s something out there for them, no matter where they are in life,” she states. Aside from being a mentor long-term, [YU?] specializes in team mentoring. According to Beasley, this type of mentoring can be compared to the phrase “it takes a village to raise a child.” Team mentoring within [YU?] is when a [YU?] mentor is helping a mentee but may not have the specific background or job that the mentee wants to go in. In turn, the [YU?] mentor reaches out to another [YU?] mentor in order for that mentee to have someone he or she can talk to directly about the specific field he or she desires to go into.

[YU?] MENTEE AND LONGITUDINAL MENTORING TEAM

By Uniqua Quillins

Not many organizations would do what we do....

Beasley wants [YU?] mentees to know they should always stay connected and transparent with their mentor. “One thing we don’t do is judge our mentees,” Beasley added; “there’s nothing you can’t tell one of us where we won’t be by your side,” she says. According to Beasley, [YU?] is a special mentoring organization because mentors of [YU?] go above and beyond for all of their mentees to succeed. “Not many organizations would do what we do, which is use personal resources, and go above and beyond to see you walk across that stage to get to the next level,” she states. Beasley charges current mentees to take advantage of and use all of the resources [YU?] provides because the opportunity is once in a lifetime. She also urges mentees to share the knowledge gained from their [YU?] mentor. Marie states, “Definitely pay it forward and don’t take anything for granted.”

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strategies for enduring success

Experience and relationships that span the United States, Asia-PaciďŹ c, Latin America, Africa, and Europe, we design strategies tailored to meet our clientsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; needs, helping them understand the global political and economic landscape and build lasting international relationships for sustained success. WWW.LONGVIEWGLLC.COM 10

strategies in place at [YU?]! I believe Dr. Blocker and Marie Beasley deserve the credit for that.

By Uniqua Quillins

An Interview with Dr. Shannon Roberts.

Q: Tell me a little bit about yourself. Your background, where you received your undergraduate, masters and PhD, and one of your main goals in life. A: I was born in Jefferson City, Missouri and was reared in St. Louis, Missouri. I attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) for my undergraduate degree, which is in Mechanical Engineering, and I graduated in 2009. I received my Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in Industrial Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2011 and 2014, respectively. One of my main goals in life is to have a positive impact on students' lives such that they are inspired to pursue advanced degrees in STEM.

Q: How has your experience been working with [YU?]? What's the most rewarding aspect of working with [YU?] so far? A: My experience working with [YU?] has been extremely positive. One of the most rewarding things about working with [YU?] is seeing how students can be successful with just a little bit of encouragement. I had those tiny pushes of encouragement from my mentors when I was in school, and I know they can make a big difference. Q: What's the most challenging part of working with [YU?] and how do you get through it? A: The most challenging part of working with [YU?] is the distance that is between all of the strategy members. It would be so much easier to communicate and plan activities if we were in the same city! I think we do a good job of working through it, though; conference calls and video chats are very helpful. Q: What's something you would like to say to your [YU?] colleagues that you may not have a chance to say often? A: You all are amazing! THANK YOU for all of your hard work! Q: What's your special advice to the mentees of U?]? A: My one piece of advice for mentees is surround yourself with people who you want to be like. It's amazing how your circle of close friends and even associates influences your own success and happiness.

Q: How did you get started working with [YU?]? A: I started working with [YU?] after hearing about the organization from Dr. Blocker. We were graduate students at UW-Madison. Q: How long have you worked with [YU?]? A: I have worked with [YU?] for about a year, since April of 2014. Q: What types of strategies have you put in place to make [YU?] a better functioning organization? A: I definitely can't take credit for putting any

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Kevin Burgess: From a student entrepreneur to a Marketing & Research Professional.

evin Burgess reveals that he has been passionate about marketing research since he was a freshman at the University of WisconsinMadison.

Kevin’s route to his current career in marketing is intriguing. He graduated from the University of WisconsinMadison with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. While many would assert that Sociology and Marketing are two distinctly unrelated fields, a degree in Sociology has facilitated Mr. Burgess in understanding social behavior, and he has been able to apply his knowledge and various methods of social behavior investigation and critical analysis to marketing and product development. Although Mr. Burgess could have easily pursued a degree in Marketing, he enjoyed Sociology. His ability to enter the marketing arena was not an easy sell to those traditional thinkers, however. Kevin had to sale the marriage of Sociology and Marketing to his potential employers. What aided Kevin in his pursuit to obtain a position in Marketing was his development of his own clothing company, Fly Boy Carnival, during his freshman year. He didn’t realize that, along with perseverance, his company would play a significant part in bolstering his argument for why he’s a perfect fit in the marketing arena. As an undergraduate student-entrepreneur, Kevin was responsible for engendering innovative marketing tactics and measuring their effectiveness for his clothing company. With his ability to measure the success of his marketing strategies, he was able to use this aptitude as leverage to start his own pop-up shop in May 2012 at a local mall in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Kevin proudly acknowledges that his achievements as a student-entrepreneur are in part a result of receiving undergraduate training in the social sciences, allowing him to earn an entry-level position as a Marketing and Research Intern at DCI-Artform, one of the premier shopper marketing firms in the world. He received this position by being creative in the application and job search process and using social media (LinkedIn) to access individuals who could assist him getting into various companies for an interview. Kevin states that his ultimate goal within the next several years is to become a Director of Marketing Research by the age of 30. Burgess states that his [YU?] mentor, Dr. Renaldo Blocker, has been very supportive throughout his professional and academic career. He discloses that throughout his college career, Dr. Blocker increased his awareness of student support services such as tutoring and paper proofreading. He says, “Dr. Blocker's academic and professional achievements have also served as inspiration for me to pursue higher education.” He furthered states that “By having a mentor and connection with someone like Dr. Blocker, who has obtained a Ph.D., it provides me with confidence that I can go back to school to further advance my career as well.” Mr. Burgess plans to enroll in graduate school to earn his Masters of Business Administration (MBA). 12

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6 ....................................................................................................................................................................................................

THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR AND [YU?] MENTEE

Article by Antonio Daniels ....................................................................................................................................................................................................

onald Dantzler is a doctoral student in the Department of

Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis (ELPA) at the University of WisconsinMadison. Donald has a great commitment to authentic mentoring that involves longitudinal support as he is experiencing the benefits of such an approach to nurturing success. Mr. Dantzler is a [YU?] mentee. He and Dr. Blocker developed an immediate natural mentoring relationship in the Spring of 2010. Donald was introduced to Dr. Blocker (a graduate student at the time) by Attorney Jacqueline Smith (a law student at the time) because she believed Dr. Blocker could help get Donald into graduate school, preferably at University of Wisconsin-Madison, for some unknown reason. Dr. Blocker says that “Attorney Smith convinced me that Donald was an awesome student, polite and hard worker, and Donald has been all that and more.” Dr. Blocker furthers states that he still has the text messages from Attorney Smith reassuring him that Donald was an awesome individual and not a waste of time. He is truly grateful that Attorney Smith introduced and connected him to Donald; Donald is truly the epitome of the common saying “a diamond in the rough.”

Dr. Blocker discloses that when he reviews old emails and papers from Donald, he finds that Donald’s writing skills, tone, and professionalism have improved expeditiously and immensely. His confidence in his academic abilities and knowledge base are soaring. Donald is a guy who wants knowledge badly and works hard to ameliorate any perceived deficiencies and, if possible, will quickly rid himself of any distractors or dilemmas. What Dr. Blocker likes most about Donald is he digests advice properly, as a wise man does. Donald mentors several high school and undergraduates students. He also informally peer-mentors graduate students. Donald takes mentoring seriously and invests

is truly the epitome of the common saying "a diamond in the rough" much time in helping his mentees succeed, one assignment at a time. It has been five years since Dr. Blocker and Donald met, and according to Dr. Blocker, “Donald is more than astounding; he’s an enhanced version of me.” He is so impressive that Dr. Blocker thought it would be fitting to name him Assistant Director of the formalized [YU?] in 2012. Assistant Director, Mentee and Mentor, Mr. Donald Dantzler, divulges that each role plays an integral part in a system that builds character, integrity, honest, kindness, generosity, and moral courage, which are indispensable elements that help maintain what success looks like for any individual. He enjoys collaborating with others in [YU?], but especially loves the daily mentoring.

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MS. RIKA CALVIN

[YU?] Mentor involvement and supportive approach. Quality and genuine mentoring is one of the glaring features of the [YU?] longitudinal support system model, and Ms. Rika Calvin provided a testament to this element through a discussion about the supportive approach and involvement of her primary [YU?] mentor, Mr. Donald Dantzler, a doctoral student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Ms. Calvin is a graduating senior at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) majoring in Political Science and Philosophy with a minor in Sociology. Rika initially met her mentor, Mr. Dantzler, at the National Black Student Union Conference in 2013. She states that the level of involvement her mentor has had in her academic, professional and personal evolution has been tremendous. She appreciates the weekly check-up meetings (via phone or online medium) her mentor schedules to review her progress. Those weekly meetings keep her motivated, focused, intact and on track. She discloses that Mr. Dantzler always has answers to many of the questions that she has, and if he doesn’t have an answer, he will find the answer or connect her to people who can give her the answer or direction. She is appreciative of the fact that Mr. Dantzler is touchable, meaning that he allows her to contact him without any restrictions, although she does respect his time by contacting him during traditional acceptable periods. She marvels, however, at the fact that she feels that she can contact him at any time without feeling like she’s interrupting him. Mr. Dantzler’s level of involvement has helped Ms. Calvin set goals, short-term goals (which are usually weekly/monthly goals) and long-term goals. She says he WRITTEN BY Renaldo Blocker

always says, “Let’s go be great.” She states that having a mentor like Mr. Dantzler is truly beneficial; he pushes and stretches her beyond her limits. Ms. Rika Calvin loves what [YU?] has provided during her academic and professional progress. She appreciates the level of access the organization offers to other professionals and students. She likes the ability to be able to speak with professionals in the field about their experiences with a since of ease. Rika was able to seek advice on the law school preparation process by connecting with [YU?] Strategy Team lawyers. She also appreciates the accessibility of resources the organization supplies. Ms. Calvin agrees that being part of the [YU?] program has further demonstrated the importance of helping others. She has always been a person who enjoyed helping others in any way possible. Rika assisted students in the Boys & Girls Club Stein Scholars Program and the former Upward Bound Program. She currently helps mentor younger freshman and sophomore students on her campus. Ms. Calvin is indeed a budding scholar and community leader. After graduating in May 2015, she will be attending law school. Rika has prepared herself for law school in various ways. She has interned in Hackney Community Law Centre in the Borough of Hackney, London, England, and has interned at the State of Wisconsin Juvenile Public Defenders Office in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. Rika also interns at the City of Milwaukee City Attorney’s Office in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Ms. Calvin has received numerous awards and recognitions, including Academic Achievement Awards from the university of WisconsinStevens Point and University Leadership Awards.

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MS. SAGASHUS LEVINGSTON, a single mother and a Ph.D Student at University of Wisconsin-Madison. 18

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Ph.D. Candidate: Parenting as a Graduate Student.

Ms. Sagashus Levingston

Graduate school comes with great pressure. Long work hours, extensive research papers and a surplus of presentations are expected. However, imagine obtaining a degree with one child or more. Sagashus Levingston, [YU?] strategy team member, mentee and doctoral student at the University of Wisconsin – Madison, is living proof that obtaining higher education is possible—even with children. Levingston is the mother of six children. She has three daughters: Dianna, Yemi and Brooklyn who are 14, 12 and five years old and three sons: Chochoma, Ryland and Layden who are 11 years old, seven years old and eight months old.

and that a lifelong commitment to reading helps individuals see the world from a different and broader perspective. She really wants to make a lasting impact on her community, especially single mothers. “You don’t see many single moms in my position, so that means their voices are underrepresented here,” she states. Her research is called “Infamous Moms: Bad Moms Who Do Good Things.” In her research, she’s specifically focusing on mothers who are considered not respectable by society’s terms. The categories of mothers she looks at are teen mothers, mothers on drugs, mothers who were raped and mothers who encountered slavery or are mistresses to a master. Instead of insinuating the negatives, she focuses on the positives aspects of the mothers because according to her research, they are revolutionaries in their own right.

According to Levingston, being a single mother and doctoral student are not easy tasks, but she has found a way to keep a balance. “I don’t allow myself to be a single mom in my mindset,” she says. Instead, Levingston brings in the help and support of her UW-Madison community. Those who are Attending college or graduate school is her friends, or students she’s taught in the past not an easy task for single mothers, but become aunts and uncles to her children and Levingston encourages them to stay the help to rear them. One of the ways course. She says in order to be a Levingston thanks them for their support is by successful single mother in college, one using her income tax to pay them. “I also feed has to create his or her own support them and help them with their papers,” she system and have two sets of mentors: one says. who can guide and support your research or studies and one who can help you The pressures of graduate school can be become a good mother. She also says intense; however, three things keep have a vision statement, a mission Levingston motivated: “It’s for my children, statement and let no one impose his or her it’s for my community and it’s to be able to vision of life onto you. “No one else will take care of my family financially,” she says. see your vision or your dream like you do, Levingston’s passion for her research has so you’re going to have to create it,” she allowed her to set an example and a standard states. for her children when it comes to reading. She wants to instill in them the meaning of reading WRITTEN BY UNIQUA QUILLINS

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MY STORY AND MY [YU?] MENTOR'S IMPACT

Darren Mitchell, [YU?] mentee and scholar at Miles College, is a Criminal Justice major from Los Angeles, California. He shares his experience of how his [YU?] mentor, Dr. Renaldo Blocker, impacted his life. Q: How did you become involved in [YU?]? A: I met Dr. Blocker over Christmas break of December of 2012, and I was debating on what I wanted to do with my life and I was involved in some things I shouldn’t have been involved in so when I met him he gave me that spark of wanting to go to college. I met him at the right time because I had prayed about what God wanted me to do and I met him one Sunday. He was sitting with my mom and when I saw him, we clicked the first day we met. He started telling us about the organization and his goals and aspirations and I just wanted to be a part. I always wanted to become successful the right way. When I met him, we clicked. He came over for dinner and I haven’t looked back since. I’m here; he made sure that I got here. I’m traveling and networking and meeting new people, so I’m glad I made this choice. Q: What were some of the bad things you were associated with before? A: I’ve lived in urban Los Angeles, California all of my life. There were just numerous things I did that I’m not proud of, but I always had a good heart. I never really wanted to do anyone harm or anything like that. I just got caught up with the wrong people, the wrong group. At the end, I told myself I was going to stop doing the things I was doing and all of my friends that I was running with, they all are dead or in jail. Every child has that phase where he or she goes through something, and I was just one of the fortunate ones to get out of the hood and do something better with my life. Q: In what specific ways has Dr. Blocker opened your mind up to new things? A: He inspires me in myriad ways because I just admired who he was and that he was so down to earth. He calls me his brother and he lets me know I’ll always have an older brother. No one has really ever told me right from wrong, nobody ever took the chance to reach out to me and help me to be somebody better. He taught me about the things I can do, helped me figure out what I was interested in and he just told me about different schools and what they have to offer, different scholarships I can get, and basically helped me step out of my comfort zone. He just let me know that it wasn’t going to be easy, and I just took his advice and ran with it. I really already knew what I wanted to do, but he just gave me that spark in all aspects. Dr. Blocker helped me to get on a solid path to making my aspirations begin to materialize.

I feel like everybody needs [YU?] because we don't really have that support in the household... easy but it’s possible. There’s numerous people where I’m from who’ve never dreamed of going to college and most of them don’t have high school diplomas either. However, by me coming here, and then coming back with something to show that I did it that will make them believe too. Q: What’s one of your greatest accomplishments so far and how did you achieve it? A: I’m in two honor societies and I’m on the committee of my own Criminal Justice club, I’m in two honors curriculums, I’ve been to conferences in Tennessee, I’ve been to a conference in downtown Birmingham and I’m anticipating an internship for Florida State University’s law program in the summer, and I’m getting my personal statement together so I can add that to my resume.

Q: What advice would you give to your current peers in [YU?] and why? Also, why would you encourage others to get involved in [YU?]? A: It’s just a support system. They can accommodate all needs depending on what you want to do. I feel like everybody needs [YU?] because we don’t really have the Q: From your experience with Dr. Blocker, do you feel the charge to do support in the household, we don’t have the support within the same for someone else as he has done for you or have you already our peers, and I would tell everybody you can do whatever started paying it forward? you put your mind to. You can do anything; it’s possible— A: Yes, I always go home for Christmas break and summer break and when you just have to work hard. Hard work always pays off. I come home, I try to tell my younger siblings and people in my neighborhood that don’t have any father figures and don’t have any Q: Anything you want to add? guidance. I try to tell them that they can do what I’m doing. They can be A: I would like to inform everyone to put God first and different, they don’t have to be in that type of environment or live that everything else will come with that. type of lifestyle. I tell them to step out on faith and that it’s not going to be

Ms. Hope Jackson Declared a commitment to her dreams.

Ms. Hope Jackson graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Gender and Women’s Studies. Like every graduate, Ms. Jackson was extremely excited and upbeat about all the festivities surrounding graduation and all the potential opportunities she had upon graduation. However, after all the pomp and circumstance died, Ms. Jackson realized she truly wanted to become a medical doctor. Hope had always wanted to be a medical doctor and as a freshman. She was on track to become a doctor until she was discouraged from becoming a medical doctor, so he majored in Gender and Women’s Studies instead. That desire to become a medical doctor never left. Therefore, upon graduation, Hope became a part of the [YU?] organization and learned about other ways to follow her dream. She was introduced to post-baccalaureate pre-medical programs by her mentor, Dr. Blocker, who she affectionately calls her brother. This idea of becoming a medical doctor became more attainable for Hope. She became highly excited about becoming a medical doctor again and started applying to post-baccalaureate programs, advancing towards her aspiration of becoming a medical doctor. In Fall of 2015, Ms. Jackson will be attending a post-baccalaureate program to continue her dream of becoming an obstetrics and gynecology physician, one who specializes in medical and surgical care for women. Her Gender and Women’s Studies classes aided her discovering her zeal for women’s health, and opened her eyes to the many diverse issues women face. One of Ms. Jackson’s many goals is to develop a practice where minority women can come and dialogue with other women of color about their health issues. She discloses that she knows from personal experience that sometimes it is easier to open up to a doctor when he or she is from one’s own ethnic and cultural background. She states that “people feel like doctors who can relate to you understand your situation non-judgmentally.” She reveals that she would ensure that women of every race and sexual orientation would be able to feel welcome and accepted at her practice or place of employment. The quality of care would not be determined by a patient’s race, socioeconomic status, or any unconscious, automatic or unintentional biases.

Ms. Jackson states that she will continue to pursue her dream of becoming a medical doctor, even if it will take her a little longer than the traditional pathway. Hope divulges that she cannot think of any other career option she is so passionate about, and Ms. Jackson is appreciative of the support, encouragement and resources [YU?] has and will continue to extend on her journey to becoming a medical doctor. She says that [YU?] “allows her to be surrounded by people who genuinely and seriously care about her academic and professional process; something that she hasn’t seen in any other space.” She feels good to have people, other than parents, to care about her academic, professional and personal evolution. In preparation for medical school, Ms. Jackson has volunteered at several medical centers, including Meriter Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin. She also is a part of the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) and the African, Hispanic, Asian and NativeAmerican (AHANA) Pre-Health Society. Like most [YU?] scholars, Ms. Jackson believes in the concept of “lifting while you climb” and has helped volunteer for many programs to assist and mentor minority students and students with disabilities. 22

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WRITTEN BY ANTONIO DANIELS

HOPE JACKSON is determined to follow her dreams.

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his life had changed dramatically, and he felt like he was in control of his own distiny again

A NEW DIRECTION: [YU?] MN MENTEE, MR. LEVENIUS HODGES JR. In the Fall of 2013, after initially meeting Dr. Blocker while working at the Mayo Clinic Cafeteria, Mr. LeVenius Hodges became [YU?] first Minnesota mentee. Dr. Blocker approached Mr. Hodges assuming that he was a student and wanting to know his vision and plan for the future. LeVenius divulges that he was hesitant about sharing his â&#x20AC;&#x153;storyâ&#x20AC;? with Dr. Blocker, but later felt comfortable with unveiling his barriers toward professional and academic success. In short, LeVenius reveals that he was basically a college dropout and was dealing with both financial and personal issues that he had been allowing to dictate his future. Dr. Blocker helped him realize that those issues were minuscule and resolvable with a different perspective and a little direction. Dr. Blocker challenges his thought patterns and requires him to live up to certain expectations. Levenius says that he knows he just cannot say anything to Dr. Blocker without him questioning it, so he canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wiggle his way of out much as he have done with his parents and others. LeVenius appreciates the expectations Dr. Blocker has for him, and Mr. Hodges always states that he does not want to disappoint Dr. Blocker because [YU?] has invested so much in aiding him to reach his academic aspirations. LeVenius discloses that after officially becoming a [YU?] mentee, by July 2014, his life had changed dramatically, and he felt like he was in control of his own destiny again. LeVenius says that he feels rejuvenated and unstoppable. With the resources and network [YU?] provides, he has no doubt that he will continue his success. Mr. Hodges divulges that his journey the past several months has been a little bumpy, but things are becoming smoother and regular. Transitioning from a full-time worker to a full-time student and to a student who places education is a top priority, anyone can imagine the difficulty in adjusting within 8 months. Mr. LeVenius Hodges prefer not to dive into his financial and personal issues, but welcomes an opportunity to talk with others face-to-face about his challenges and how he overcame and is overcoming those issues. LeVenius is currently attending Normandale Community College in Bloomington, MN and will be transferring to a 4-year institution in the Fall of 2015. He has received acceptance into a few universities. His ultimate academic and professional career goal is to obtain a Ph.D. in Psychology and become a university professor or practicing psychologist. 25

[YU?] SIGNIFICANCE, a perspective from Attorney Lorenzo Edwards Jr.

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The Significance of the [YU?] Organization: Attorney Lorenzo Edwards Jr. The [YU?] organization is one that helps to provide mentors to individuals who are trying to be successful in every aspect of their lives. There are many other mentoring programs in the world, but [YU?] is unique in its approach and vision of providing for its members. Lorenzo Edwards, Jr., a University of Wisconsin–Madison alum, is one of the strategists for [YU?]. When looking at Edwards’ track record, there is no question why he was chosen for the position. From graduating with a Juris Doctorate in 2012 from UWMadison to opening his own law firm called “Moving Fathers Forward” to now working as a law clerk, Edwards is a strategist at heart. “[YU?] is significant because it’s addressing a need,” he states. According to Edwards, the significant need [YU?] addresses is support for the wide spectrum of mentees of the organization at various levels in their lives. Mentees range from young individuals in high school to those who have professional degrees. For the younger individuals, [YU?] supplies the standard, among many, that students must complete homework and it must be done by completing all of the steps of the homework and not taking the easy way out or a shortcut to getting an assignment done. “You complete all the steps in completing an assignment because all of those steps are essential to growing your mind and growing the process of learning,” Edwards comments. For professional mentees and perhaps someone in particular who is going to graduate school and is looking to transition between jobs, a [YU?] mentor can help that person keep in perspective how to put his or her best foot forward. “A [YU?] mentor can help that mentee accentuate the positive when selling himself or her and might be able to offer something specific like a job,” Edwards says. Edwards offers the most value to [YU?] by helping those in power to realize where [YU?] is, which is not a tangible space, but what Edwards calls a pivotal moment. “The most important and crucial thing is that mentors be at all pivotal moments in mentees’ lives because those moments are where decisions are made and then do actions that take them upward or downward,” he states. For all mentees of [YU?], Edwards encourages them to remember what others have done for them and pay it forward for those who come after them. For mentors, Edwards encourages them to always engage in self-improvement and selfevaluation, not only to better themselves as individuals but also to better themselves as mentors for their mentees. “If we can’t effectively transfer that information to our mentees, then what good are we? What good is our success to other people?” WRITTEN BY UNIQUA QUILLINS ....................................................................................................................................................................................................

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