The Young Women’s Leadership School of East Harlem Class of 2014 ● Spelman College Class of 2018 ● TYWLS Manager at SL Network
Education has made a tremendous difference in my life because it has provided opportunities for a better life. My family and village understood this and made it my priority from a young age. The child of an immigrant, my mother came to America to provide me with a good education. I have since made it my life’s mission to be an impactful part of the educational landscape in any way possible. From graduate programs to my current role, I want to show how education can take you to levels that one could never imagine.
I understood that without my education, the type of life and lifestyle I knew I deserved and could provide not only for myself but for my family would not be feasible.
I loved and appreciated my director of college counseling at The Young Women’s Leadership School (TYWLS) of East Harlem for all of the support, knowledge, and advice he offered me. Although at the time he may not have agreed with my decision to attend an HBCU for financial reasons, it was personally the best decision for me. He guided me in making my own decisions about what would be best for my educational journey. I chose Spelman College because the Spelman network is universal; whether it’s me wearing a Spelman hoodie on the train or on the plane the sisterhood is everywhere and they are willing to help me in ANY way they can or they know someone who can. TYWLS empowered me via my gender and at Spelman I learned how to navigate the world and difficult spaces as a black woman.
While at Spelman I did a teaching internship my Junior year where I was offered employment upon graduation. I taught for three years at an all-boys school in Brooklyn while I obtained my masters degree, before landing my dream job as the current TYWLS Manager at Student Leadership Network. I am currently in my fifth month in this role and I couldn’t be happier assisting my TYWLS sisters. My goal is for students to understand that not only is there no other school like TYWLS, but also that a lot of amazing opportunities will be available to them there.
As a TYWLS student, I enjoyed the Jumpstart to College volunteer program, visiting different partner companies, and meeting different professional women. As the TYWLS Manager, I am pushing myself to make sure these events and partners truly mirror the SL Network’s efforts to be more inclusive. I would like all of our programs to center student voice and experience. My experience as a TYWLS alumna allows me to use my own perspective and that of my close friends to create change that all of our teenage selves would have wanted to see. My dream as the TYWLS Manager is to see my work create positive changes that become a permanent part of TYWLS’ history and Student Leadership Network’s impact.