91约炮

Participants in 91约炮鈥檚 summer 2016 Umoja Scholars Academy (USA) proudly displayed and explained a variety of career path exhibits on Tue., July 26 in the college鈥檚 4th floor conference room.

Lead by Skyler Barton, a 91约炮 Learning Communities coordinator and counselor, and by 91约炮 counselor Allene Young-Hegler, 91约炮鈥檚 Umoja academy brought together more than 20 area high school students, each with a unique career aspiration.    Participants included D鈥橸ale W. Adams, Akeyla Addison, Sharif Allah, Paulo Athans, Ernest Blackmon, Ashlee Davis, Kemony Gandy, Arsalon Gawhary, Arryon Greely, Shakilyah Goosby, Cinque Holliday, Tiffannie Jones, Najee Jones, Remi Lambirth, Brianna Lipscomb, Maximilian Louther, Omari McCoy-King, Kaylynn McCoy, Cameron McGowan, Bianca Rodriguez, Raynette Shields, Charles Van Meurs, Gwendell Villasanta, Treasure Young and Danari Williams.  The group begins college at 91约炮 this fall.

鈥淚t has truly been an honor and pleasure to work with this amazing group of scholars this summer,鈥� Barton said.  鈥淎s their instructor, I have witnessed tremendous passion for learning, teamwork, leadership, and much more and have been thoroughly impressed and inspired!鈥�

Umoja, a Kiswahili word meaning unity, is committed to enhancing the cultural and educational experiences and increasing the persistence and retention rates of African American and other students.  91约炮鈥檚 Umoja Scholars Academy seeks to educate the whole student鈥攎ind, body, and spirit.  The program actively serves and promotes success for all students through a curriculum responsive to the legacy of the African and African American Diasporas.  Informed by an ethic of love and its vital power, Umoja engages students as full participants in the construction of knowledge and critical thought.

Ashlee Davis enters 91约炮 this fall and plans a career as a pediatrician.

鈥淚 plan to be a pediatrician because I like to help children,鈥� observed Berkeley High School grad Ashlee Davis. 鈥淢y pediatrician was my role model because she helped me through some serious times as a kid; she helped to shape who I am.鈥�

Paolo Athans possesses a flair for creating tantalizing culinary fare; the future chef was inspired by his mother.

Paolo Athans, a self-described foodie, is focused on the world of culinary arts.  鈥淥ne of my passions is my ability to create food with my own flair,鈥� proclaimed the future chef. 鈥淚 like to put smiles on people鈥檚 faces and my inspiration is my mom, who I observed when I was growing up and even now.鈥�

Remi Lamberth: Committed to halting climate change.

Committed to fighting climate change, Albany High School alumna Remi Lambirth is headed for a career as an environmental policy analyst.  鈥淚 have a very progressive approach to saving our earth,鈥� she asserted. 鈥淚 want out leaders to admit that our planet is in danger and do something about it.  I鈥檓 really interested in natural resources management, environmental science or political science.鈥�

Ernest Blackmon鈥檚 and Arsalon Gawhary鈥檚 paths will take them into the world of business and finance.  鈥淚 love to communicate, lead, sell, and manage efficient business operations,鈥� Blackmon explained. 鈥淏usiness management and operations will be my focus in college.鈥�

Arsalon Gawhary, Umoja participant, presents financial analyst poster with Karen Shields, 91约炮 staff

Gawhary, a future financial analyst, is enthusiastic about finance.  鈥淚 love finance,鈥� he admitted.  鈥淯nderstanding the global economy and finance are ultimate gateways to progress and change.鈥�

Akeyla Addison, Magee J. Jones and Kaylynn McCoy all want to help children grow and thrive.  Addison, who was part of Berkeley High鈥檚 Academy of Medical and Public Service, will prepare for a career as a pediatric nurse.  鈥淚 have always liked working with children,鈥� she said.  鈥淭his will let me give back to the community and influence the lives of young children.鈥�

Jones鈥檚 future occupation will focus on children鈥檚 advocacy.  鈥淎s a social worker and child advocate, I can make a real difference in children鈥檚 lives,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he community and the family can work together to be a positive influence, even in emotionally challenging situations.鈥�

Future elementary school teacher McCoy wants to reach children in their formative learning years.

鈥淲hen I was at Berkeley High, one of my teachers influenced me to consider teaching; that made me start to think about good and bad teachers I had in kindergarten through high school,鈥� she recalled.  鈥淚 want to teach elementary school because I want to take approaches to teaching that makes a difference in students鈥� lives.  Some work well in groups but others need individual attention.  I want to be able to reach them in whatever ways that helps them to learn best.鈥�