Article Contributed on: 5/26/2009 12:38:19 AM
On Sunday, May 24, eighty young women, ages 12-18, participated in "Each One, Teach One," a girls' empowerment workshop. The clinic, sponsored by Athletics and Beyond, Red Shield Boxing, the University of Denver's Center for Multicultural Excellence, and Hard Nutrition, was designed to empower and challenge young women to take control of their own lives.
The day began with a keynote by Carnita Groves, two-term president of the Denver Chapter Association of Black Psychologists and a poetry reading by youth poet, Jay-Jay Davis stage name Reality. Participants then attended six workshops:
• I Can Trust Myself- Making the Right Choices- taught by Michelle Riggins, Kim Davis and Brenda Thomas
• I Can Strengthen Myself- Health, Fitness and Athletic Training, taught by Benita Martin, co-director of the Juvenile Diversion Program
• I Can Establish Myself- Banking on my Future- Tameeka Aviles, Director of Strategic Sales, TIAA-CREF
• I Can Express Myself- Expression, Connection and Transformation through poetry and spoken word, by Marie Verrett, Director of Operations and Chance Two Crow, Board of Directors, Art from Ashes, Inc., and youth poet, Reality.
• What Men Look For in A Woman- five things that most men look for in a woman: Efrem Martin, Middle School Teacher/entrepreneur
• Making the Wrong Choices-Tonya Rozencwajg, Substance Abuse, Physical and Mental Health Counselor
Participants also heard a dental hygiene presentation from Grace Turner, Clinical Care Coordinator at the Children's Hospital Dental Clinic and a personal beauty presentation from Monica Williams, Mary Kay consultant.
Jackie Stanton, Director of Special Services at Red Rocks Community College, ended the conference, urging these young women to follow the principles and theme of the workshop.
Feedback from participants was extremely positive. Northeast Academy 12 year old student, Amani said, "I was amazed by what I was learning" Fifteen-year-old Breanna Carter, a freshman at Bear Creek High School said, "I feel truly blessed."
Because of this positive feedback, an encore event will be held in December, 2009.
High school male student athletes from Athletics and Beyond helped with registration, set up, and clean up. Thanks also to, Wal-Mart, Starbucks (Green Valley Ranch), Einstein Bros,Taco Bell (I-225 and Parker Road), Chick-Fil-A, Mary Kay, Qwest Key Bank- Montbello, Martin Paralegal Services, Inc. T-shirts, gift bags hand sanitizers, hand cream, manicure sets, Mary Kay face cleansing products, lip gloss, dental hygiene package, journals, pens, Chick-Fil-A gift cards and certificates of participation were given to every participant of the clinic. Two young ladies were invited to sit in on the Channel 9 News in the morning session to talk about the workshop.
Athletics and Beyond, was founded in 2005 by brothers Narcy and Ali Jackson. The purpose of the organization is to give children from economically deprived families access to camps and clinics, which may not have previously been available because of financial and logistical reasons. Over the past five years, Athletics and Beyond has hosted a number of football and basketball camps, and has paired with several other organizations to provide inner city youth with opportunities ski, and attend gymnastics and basketball camps at the University of Denver.
For more information about future clinics and workshops visit us at www.athleticsandbeyond.com.