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Diamond Girl and Best Men Leadership Network

Our Network – Remember to use it!

Diamond Girl Leadership

• Hope Ajayi George Washington University*
• Kevwe Ajueyitsi North Carolina A & T
• Tori Dugger University of New Haven
• Yaa Yaa Hunt Pennsylvania State University
• Lauren Mauney Bryn Athyn College
• Mbachur Mbenga Trinity University
• Mikah Sullivan Penn State University (Fall 2016)

*Hope Ajayi has received a full scholarship from George Washington University. Her Diamond Girl Leadership award is a U. S. Savings Bond to be utilized within the GWU scholarship guidelines.

Best Men Leadership

• DeAngelo Anderson Montgomery Community College
• Jamal Childs North Carolina A & T
• Cameron Harris Howard University
• Christopher Holness Virginia Commonwealth University
• Gerard Contee Morehouse College (Fall 2016)
• Rodney Brown Lincoln University (Fall 2016)

Howard University
Lolita Brown, Antoine Griffin, Cameron Harris, Carolyn Howell, Jina Johnson, Danita Poole, Crystal Simpson, John Tally, Danielle Watson, Alicia Williams, Robin Williams, Rhondaline Wright, Saunice Yates

Spelman College
Adrienne Davis, Nia Harris, Sheri Howze (also graduated from Meharry Med-ical College), Kristin Mitchell, Raven Monroe, Louise Prince, Diana Stallworth, Kristina Swann

North Carolina A & T University
Kevwe Ajueyitsi, Dauryl Bell, Jamal Childs, Jareca Giles, Arnett Howerton, Joya Jackson, Shevaun Lassiter, Jamila Moore, Vinetta Singletary, Crystal Snowden

Temple University
Niki Charles, Amanda Everett, Jamila Lee, Hanae Lyons, Kyle Mimms, Oluwa-tobi Orekunrin, Shannon Parker, Maryan Prince, Crystal Scott

Hampton University
Iman Ashaka, Courtney E. Dobbins, Bianca Fagin, Nefetari Francis, Sydney Glass, Tiffany McWane, LaRon Watson

University of the District of Columbia
Derrenzo Hines, Chanel Johnson, Tiara Johnson, Tiffany Pittman, Amy Prigg, Terrance Richardson, Charise Robinson, Consuelo Wade

University of Maryland
Terrill Dogmo, Nefertena Francis, Lauren Grimes, Shenereah Lassiter, Sue Li, Megan Montgomery, Adrian Robinson

Virginia Commonwealth University –
Brittney Bartlett, Ebonee Brown, Rishona Grant, Christopher Holness, Sha-kira Jackson, Dionna Lewis, Shallese Taylor

Delaware State University
Bianca Board, Sherlita Boyd, Keira Collins, Bianca Green, Tiyonna Mathis, Jamie Tate

Trinity Washington University
Gerri Cherry, Lilliam Colter, Lauren Haileab, Mbachur Mbenga, Fairley Mc-Caskill, Denise Patterson, Shakira Thomas, Briana Wilson

University of Virginia
Keonna Carter, Angel Davis, Lisa Haleab, Markeytta Harrison, Eleanor Wang

Pennsylvania State University
Syreeta Anderson, Corey Ellis, YaaYaa Hunt, Lesley Long

Winston-Salem State University
Demetria Alexander, Taryn Cobb, Charles Garland, Ashley Hunt, Kiarra Watson

Morgan State University
Ivoree Jackson, Cherre Jefferson, Rachael Rice, Sarita Thomas, Sherita Wallace

Lincoln University
Raven Jenkins, Jawara Johnson, Tamika Outlaw, Dominique West

Virginia State University
Marc Edwards, Terrance Hobson, Kimberly Jackson, McKendria Letsinger, Clarice Manning

George Washington University
Hope Ajai, Christine Lam, Antoinette Nixon, Jamila Shrestha

University of Pittsburgh
DeAirmis Andrews, Kia Darby, Thiezue James, Wakerah Minder

St. Augustine’s College
Meredith Dixon, Justina Jackson, Aquila Ledbetter, Kamilah Wheeler

Eastern Kentucky University
Leslie Gibson, Ashley Napier, Estianna Spurlock, Amber Warren

University of Wisconsin – Clarence Robinson, Akilah Whitley, Erik Munoz, Alexandra Wells

Our college graduates are nationwide…

Alabama State University – Brittnee Mimms
Alice Lloyd College – Kayla Dezarn, Felicia Hubbard, Ashley Dawn Smith
Art Institute of Washington – Charlisa M. Lewis, Shayna Miles
Barnard College – Sheena Gordon
Benedict College – Whitney Braswell
Bennett College – Sheri Burkes, Corinthia Sartin, Tiffany Scurlock
Bethune Community College – Ritchie Earle
Bethune Cookman College – Chinua Mitchell
Bloomfield University – Barbara Compere
Boston University – Julian Mujihad
Bowie State University – Nashelle Wells
Brown University – Tierra Burrell
Bryn Athen College – Lauren Mauney
California State – Fullerton – Bonnie Doster
Central Piedmont Community College – Pelicia Davis
Central State University – Kenneth Tinsley
Cheyney University – Tyler Dodson-Fleming, Kelly Hart, Atiya Sharif
Claflin University – Delisia Belk
Clark University – Angel Prioleau, Mia Scott
Columbia College, Chicago – Christa Bennett
Coppin State University – Danna Cannon, Kiana Council
Cornell University – Tiffany Haliburton
Davis Elkins College – Shana Green
Dartmouth College – Christina Duncan-Evans
East California University – Brittney Lee
Elizabeth City University – Bethany Thombley
Elon College – Aicha Davis
Embry Riddle Aeronautic University – Brandon Jones
Emory University – Amber Drummond
Fayetteville State University – Asriel Janifer
Fisk University – Dana Donell
Florida A & M University – Danielle Brewer, Angela Terry
Florida State University – Jada Wells
Hofstra University – Maria Bennett Byrd
Johns Hopkins University – Marilyn Worthy
Johnson C. Smith University – Maria Horton, India Miles
Katherine Gibbs College – Khayiryyah Kornegay
Kean University – Kinnell Dixon
Lane College – Shanna Brown
Livingston College – Judith Forde
Lord Fairfax Community College – Janelle Plummer
Montclair State University – India Hughes
Montgomery Community College – DeAngelo Anderson, Vashti Jefferson, Martha Yancor
Morehouse – Vernon Gudger
New Jersey City University – Samanda Grimes
New Mexico State University – Lateisha Ashe
New York University – Fatoumatah Bah
Norfolk State University – Rhonda Pope, Candace Wyder
North Carolina Central University – Shatorie Jones, LaToya King, Jebbeh Massaquoi
North Carolina School of the Arts – Ebony Rodwell
Ohio Wesleyan College – Latasha Lewis
Pennsylvania University – Ryan Vinson
Prince George Community College – Devin Johnson
Randolph Macon College – Crystal Herrara
Rutgers University – Bianca Gray
St. Joseph’s University – Mbenga Ojong-Nui
San Diego State University – Anabell Uriostegui
Savannah State – Ada Carr
Seton Hall University – Danita Hinnant
Shaw University – Chanel Colbert, Teairra Taylor
Somerset Community College – Megan Hibbard, Lesley Petty, Ashley Sizemore
South Carolina State University – Yasmin Rice, Yurley Tinsley
Southeast School of Cosmetology – Bobbie Sizemore
Southwestern College – Daniela Aballero, Esmerelda Zarate
Stanford University – Mafope Aloe, Alexandra Carroll, Christina Carroll
Stoneybrook College – Micole Horton
Thomas Nelson Community College – Courtney Price
Towson University – Brittney Jenkins
University of Alabama – Kellie Ransom, Tracy Ransom
University of Arizona – Mayia Watson Davis
University of California – Manisha Vasudeva
University of California, Berkley – Vu Yen
University of Central Florida – Takara Clark
University of Kentucky – Camille Hooker
University of Nebraska – Ivana Jackson
University of New Haven – Tori Dugger
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill – Charnele Watson, Kristin Schramel
University of North Carolina, Greensboro – Devin Latrice Reynolds
University of Oklahoma – Maurice Chevalier. Elijah Morris
University of Pennsylvania – Tracy Curry
University of San Diego – Diana Rodriguez
University of South Carolina – Desiree Cheeks
Virginia Tech – Michelle Nowden
Virginia Union University – Nicole Rice
Wake Forest University Law School – Essence Oliver

Tips for Talking about Risk Behavior With Your Children

The following information is provided by the Best Friends Foundation over 30 years of experience working with adolescent girls with guidance provided in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health and ‘Ten Tips for Parents: To Help Their Children Avoid Pregnancy” published by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy.

1.   Be clear about your own sexual values and attitudes.

The programs of the Best Friends Foundation teach that the best decision is to avoid sex until marriage a long-term mutually exclusive relationship.

2.   Talk with your children early and often about sex- and be specific.

Kids have lots of questions about sex, and they often say that the source they’d most like to go to for answers is their parents. Start the conversation, and make sure that it is honest, open, and respectful. If you can’t think of how to start the discussion, consider using situations shown on television or in movies as conversation starters. Tell them candidly and confidently what you think and why you take these positions. Be sure to have a two-way conversation, not a one-way lecture. Ask them what they think and what they know so you can correct any misconceptions. Ask what, if anything, worries them. Age-appropriate conversations about relationships and intimacy should begin early in a child’s life and continue through adolescence. Resist the temptation to believe that there should only be one conversation. If you have regular talks, you won’t worry so much about making a mistake or saying something that is not quite right.

Research clearly shows that talking with your children about sex does not encourage them to become sexually active. The National Longitudinal Study on Adolescent Health found that teenagers who clearly perceive that their parents disapprove of them being sexually active, using contraception or getting pregnant are significantly less likely to have early intercourse. New studies point to the influence parents can have on their child’s sexual activity. Forty-five percent of teenagers said that parents were the ones who swayed their decisions about sex.

Here are the kinds of questions that children say they want to discuss:

• How do I know if I’m in love?
• Adolescents should know that there is a difference between love and sex. Love takes time to develop. Sex is never a test of love. A true boyfriend is a guy who is your friend, a person around who you are a better person, who wants the best for you, and who will respect your commitment not to have sex.
• How do I tell my boyfriend that I don’t want to have sex without losing him or hurting his feelings?

• Best Friends girls learn to tell boys early in a relationship that they have standards and do not engage in premarital sex, drugs, or alcohol. Girls learn refusal skills and how to say “no.” A boy who continues to pressure them for sex is not a real friend and is not worth keeping. Best Friends girls support one another’s decisions to wait to have sex. Best Friends provides better things to do, better ways to have fun as an adolescent free of the complications of sexual activity, so they can develop into healthy, accomplished young ladies. Tell your children what you think. Don’t be reluctant to say, for example:
• “I expect you to wait until the right time in your life to have sex.”
  “I think teenagers are too young to have sex, especially with all of today’s risks.”
  “One of the reasons I am concerned about teenage drinking is because it often leads to sex.”
  “You don’t have to have sex to keep a boyfriend. If sex is the price of a close relationship, find someone else.”

And remember, too, that your own behavior should match your words. The “do as I say, not as I do” approach is bound to fail with children and teenagers, who are careful and constant observers of the adults in their lives.

3.   Supervise and monitor your children.

Establish rules, curfews, and standards of expected behavior, preferably through an open process of family discussion and respectful communication. One of the most important pieces of advice in protecting children from early sexual activity is to never leave your child unsupervised. According to Child Trends, children in self-care may be at increased risk for accidents and injuries, for social and behavior problems, and for academic and school adjustment problems.

4.   Know your children’s friends and their families.

Friends have a strong influence on each other, so help your children and teenagers become friends with kids whose families share your values. A study from the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy found that friends were the second most influential group (31%) in their decision about whether or not to have sex. Conversely, research supports the widespread belief that peers play an important role in adolescents’ lives. Adolescents who believe their friends are having sex are more likely to have sex at an early age. It is easier to enforce a curfew that all of your child’s share rather than one that makes her different-but even if you views don’t match those of other parents, hold fast to your convictions. Welcome your children’s friends into your home and talk to them openly. The National Study on Adolescent Health found that when an adolescent has a circle of 50 or more friends with low-risk behavior, they are more likely to exhibit low-risk behavior. Teenagers with sexually active friends are more likely to have sex themselves, states Youth and Society. But, as Child Trends states, “It is not just peers’ behavior that matters; it is also teens’ perceptions of their behavior.”

5.   Discourage early, frequent and steady dating.

Group activities among young people are fine and often fun, but allowing teens to begin steady, one-on-one dating much before age 16 can lead to trouble. Let your child know about your strong feelings about this through childhood don’t wait! Best Friends girls and Best Men guys are encouraged to go places in groups and to select their friends carefully. They are cautioned to avoid people and situations that make them feel uncomfortable or where there is pressure to engage in sex or use drugs and alcohol. They should always have a plan to get home and have money with them to call parents or take a taxi home.

What Our Sons and Daughters Want from Us

Excerpts from A Parent’s Guide to the Prevention of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drug Use from the ” Community of Concern” As parents of adolescents, it can be difficult to know how to address drug and alcohol use. This survey was distributed to a representative group of students. These comments and answers are responses from 1041 students, our sons and daughters, the most important people to care for, listen to and protect. Here is the survey and the top five responses to each question.

What is the most important thing that people should know about alcohol and drugs?

1. They can hurt you and are bad for you.
2. They are dangerous and can kill you.
3. They negatively affect your future and mess up your life.
4. They are addictive.
5. Drugs and alcohol are not cool-don’t use them.

“They are windows to depression, loss of many things and even death…they control you.”

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What is your message to younger students about drugs/alcohol?

1. Don’t do them – Just say, “NO”.
2. Resist peer pressure-associate with people who don’t use them
3. Be careful.
4. Drugs and alcohol are not cool.
5. Don’t drink and don’t ride with people who drink and drive.

“Although it may seem that drinking is not harmful and is fun, its effects can damage the course of your life.”

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What do you want your parents to tell you about drugs/alcohol?

1. Consequences of drugs and alcohol are both punitive and physical
2. Don’t use drugs or alcohol.
3. Everything they know-what drugs and alcohol did to their friends.
4. Be careful. Be responsible.

“Let students know the dangers early in life so they don’t have to find out on their own.”

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What do you want your parents to do if they suspect you are using?

1. Talk to me-confront me-ask me.
2. Help me-get me to rehab.
3. Stop me-help me quit.
4. Punish me.
5. Search my room for drugs or alcohol-test me-find out the source of alcohol or drugs.

“I want them to get me help as soon as possible without regard to my feelings about it.”

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What do you want your friends to do if they think you have a problem?

1. Tell me-confront me-talk to me.
2. Get me help.
3. Call my parents, pastor or counselor.
4. Take the drugs or alcohol away – cut off the source.
5. Be considerate and support me.

“Help me cope… stop me.”

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What do you want the school to do if you get caught using drugs or alcohol?

1. Help me-get me to rehab
2. Punish me-progressive actions e.g. suspension, probation and rehabilitation
3. Suspend me.
4. Expel me.
5. Give me a second chance.

“Get me help…give me necessary punishments.”