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Building Black Teen Leaders
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Who do teenagers look up to as role models? It’s often entertainers or sports stars. But a college professor who reaches out to youth as a volunteer says there are better role models—much closer to home. Kim Riemland reports. |
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SCRIPT:
(Locator: Jackson, Mississippi)When teens come here, they get straight talk.
Kashelia Harrion, DIVAAS Coordinator: “I understand that there was a bit of an altercation. Anybody does that again, you’re going to have to deal with me. Do I make myself clear?”
Kashelia Harrion helps guide teenaged African-American girls through the complexities of growing up.”
Kashelia Harrion: “The whole hip hop, flash, pop culture that is out there now, I think it is like a cancer in our community.”
The college English teacher started DIVAAS — “Developing and Inspiring Virtue in the African-American Sisterhood” — at Anderson United Methodist Church in Jackson, Mississippi.
Maya Kyles, DIVAAS Member: “She’s very tough on us, but we know that she cares about us.”
Weekly DIVAAS meetings deal with issues such as HIV/AIDS and teen pregnancy…
Teen in discussion group: “She had a baby. She had her baby when she was in middle school.”
…or helping students prepare for school achievement tests.
Kashelia asks the group: “How many of you definitely plan on coming back next year?”
(Participating in the cancer walk) “Walk, walk, walk.”
DIVAAS also leave the classroom for community events like this cancer walk.
Tulante Pickens, DIVAAS Member: “They have changed who I am as a person. Like, before I
was in DIVAAS, I had a very bad attitude, was like not very open with people. When I got in DIVAAS, the attitude started fading away.”
And they sponsor a talent show which raises money for college scholarships.
DIVAAS is in its third year and has 30 members. Most of them are at-risk students recruited from middle schools.
Maya Kyles: “I have a big problem sometimes expressing myself to my parents, because I may think they might not want to listen to what I have to say.”
Kashelia Harrion: “The parents are doing their jobs at home. It just takes a village. And the DIVAAS ministry, we’re part of that village.”
Harrion says role models shouldn’t have to be distant superstars. They can be those closest to home.
Christy McGowan, DIVAAS Member: “Being in DIVAAS has helped me out. I’m prepared for whatever comes my way.”
TAG:
Future plans include expanding the DIVAAS program to include a chapter for young men. For more information on the DIVVAS program, contact Kashelia Harrion through Anderson United Methodist Church in Jackson at 601-982-3997.
Also, see: Ministry provides healthy role models for at-risk teens
Posted: July 8, 2009