Who says brains & beauty can’t mix? Well, Dr. Misee Harris is the definition of this dynamic combination! The dentist turned model/actress is now working towards  becoming the first African American Bachelorette on ABC! Dr. Harris puts 100% into every endeavor that she has set out to do and welcomes the new opportunities that have come into her life. Hailing from Columbia, Tennessee, this  intelligent and beautiful woman not only is driven but also  has a strong passion for mentoring today’s youth.  Whether it be dentistry, styling, modeling , acting, or mentoring, she knows that the keys to success is determination and God. She goes by the motto… Pray hard and fear nothing!

Let’s get to know Dr. Misee Harris a little better…

You’re such an inspiration to achieve a variety of dreams! You’re an established dentist turned model/actress, what inspired you to step into these fields?

I became a dentist because my own pediatric dentists, Dr. James Hutton and Dr. Heather Owens, inspired me. After beginning my career I saw how I could change lives. By taking away pain or creating smiles that improved self-esteem, I found it very satisfying. Dental school was definitely NOT FUN! It was very stressful: in the lab, didactically and managing patients.  I love children so pediatric dentistry, though difficult was definitely the right career choice for me!

As a child, I always had a passion for fashion which has carried over into my adulthood. Thankfully, my mother supported and nurtured this passion by taking me on model calls monthly, bringing my sister along for support. I had no idea what I was doing, but I loved it! As I got older, I realized I really had an eye for mixing and matching clothes to create a unique fashion statement. Following through on this love I began modeling any chance I got. My mother even let me go to NYC one summer to really try and take my modeling career to the next level. However, I quickly found out that being 5’5” wasn’t going to get me anywhere close to the runway. Nevertheless, I continued modeling. I currently model for photographers who are building their portfolios, a few clothing boutiques such as Calypso Boutique in Lexington, KY, Pollen Pixie located in Nashville, TN and Sugar & Spikes Boutique in Dallas, Texas as well as J. LaRae Beautiful Cosmetics.

I call myself the “You send it, I wear it, I tweet about it girl”.  All fashion designers, store owners, product developers…..send it my way! MAC cosmetics, Cover Girl, did you hear me?

Being a young business woman can sometimes get to be a bit overwhelming, how do you regroup and motivate yourself when you’re feeling a little defeated?

I turn on the TV and watch either one of the Disney Channel’s many comedy shows or some of my favorite reality shows. I love to laugh and these shows give me a bit of a pick me up! I also try to detach myself by going to the mall, going out with friends or simply planning home interior projects. But my all time favorite thing to do when I am feeling down is to go to Goodwill and put together an awesome outfit for less than $10! (I go home and put it on my mannequin….yes, I have a mannequin!) And of course I pray and continually ask God for guidance.

Transitioning from a teen to an adult you learn tons of life lessons, what was your biggest challenge as a teen and how did you grow to overcome it?

My transition to adulthood was much like anyone else’s: confusing, stressful, and a little bumpy. The biggest challenge was transitioning from high school to college! I moved several times and to different states to go to college. I was both excited and terrified to be away from my mom (she is my best friend)! At first, as with many young adults I still acted like a teenager. I’m sure I annoyed the heck out of my roommates, Adrienne Neely and Shanna Layrock. But I quickly made friends, made numerous mistakes and most importantly: learned and grew from it all.

There’s so much pressure to have a boyfriend & be in a relationship in high school, how did you handle the pressure and stay focused on your dreams?

I, like many others, had a high school sweetheart! We dated off and on from the time we were in the 8th grade up until our first year of college. We had that “Love and Basketball” type of relationship. He was a top basketball player at my high school and of course, I was a cheerleader.  However, although I was in a relationship, I never lost focus of my true dreams and aspirations. You must remain focused on your dreams and never let anyone tell you, you can’t accomplish something. I have lived out my dream of becoming a model, dentist, motivator, and role-model. My next dream is to become ABC’s next Bachelorette, and who knows…that may just happen!

I am living out my dreams right at this very moment. I dreamed of having a loud VOICE that everyone would listen to and this opportunity has made this possible.

We all need inspiration throughout our lives, who do you look up to?

My mother, more than anyone has inspired me. She, a lady of Liberian and Lebanese descent, raised two very successful women as a single mother. She is the epitome of a “SUPER MOM”. This lady can knit, crochet, sew, make her own jelly, and is a classically trained singer. (I sure wish I had her cooking skills!) I remember being in the first grade and my mother making audio cassettes (back in the day when Walkman was the modern day iPod) of her reading books that we were assigned to read. She then sent the cassette tapes to my teacher and my teacher would give them to the children in my class who didn’t have parents that were able to spend time reading to them. It doesn’t get much better than that! Love you Mom, you are a true inspiration!

You’re an amazing woman on the rise, tell us about your future projects!

I will be joining a private practice in Tennessee with my childhood pediatric dentists, Drs. Hutton and Owens. I also plan to continue modeling, mentoring children, and become more involved in philanthropic projects. I hope to participate and support organizations that focus on empowering young women, autism awareness, and adoption. I have been so blessed to have all of my dreams come true so I hope to be able to help make other’s dreams come true as well! Being able to give is quite possibly the best gift to ever have.

We’re all about EMPOWERMENT at C.O.R.E Mag, what does empowerment mean to you?

To me, empowerment means having your voice heard, having your desires become reality, building the self-esteem of others, and DREAMING BIG!

Fun Faves!!- Food? Song? Artist? Celeb Crush?

Favorite food: Eggs! I can eat eggs all day long. No joke. Ask my mom!

Favorite Song: “By Your Side” –Sade

Favorite Artist: India Arie

Celeb Crush: NBA player, Kevin Durant

Check out more about Dr. Misee Harris!

Dr. Misee Harris

Twitter

Name: Olivia Scott

Age: 13

City: Nashville, Tennessee

Grade: 7th

What is your dream job and why?

I Want To Be A Trauma Surgeon, Because I Want To Save Lives.

Which hobbies do you enjoy?

Dancing, Hanging W. Friends, And Singing.

Who is your biggest crush?

Trey Songz

What’s your fave song to jam out to right now?

South Dallas Swag.

If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be?

Animal Cruelty.

What does empowerment mean to you?

Power.

What are your plans after high school?

To Go To College And Get My Degrees, Then Go To Medical College , Then Become A Trauma Surgeon.

How have you helped someone in your life lately?

I Help My Brother Daily.

Who is your role model and why?

Beyonce , because She Has Made A Lot With Her Life .

This week I wanted to take a moment and go back to our career series. This time, we’re going to delve into the field of engineering. Because this is the field I work in, I can tell you that there are A LOT of different types of engineers who work in all types of industries. One such industry is the defense industry. It is made up of government and commercial entities that research and develop materials used by the military. Today, I’d like to introduce you to Monica McKendrick. She is an engineer who works in the defense industry. Here’s my interview with Monica:

What is your profession? I am a Systems Engineer.
What exactly do system engineers do? System Engineers focus on the overall system and how it is designed and managed over the entire life cycle.  Systems Engineering integrates all the disciplines into a team effort that proceeds from concept to production to operation.  Systems Engineers work on the business and technical side of the projects, and ensures that a quality product is delivered that meets the customers’ needs.
What made you want to get into that field?  

I wanted to go into the field of Engineering because I had a passion for Math, Science and Technology as a child.  I loved learning how to create things and the inner workings of devices.  I always longed for understanding the “why” of everything.  Engineering often goes to that level of detail in everything and that is why I love the field.

Describe your typical day.

A very basic description of my job is that I manage the entire lifecycle of products used by the military for training. This means that I am involved with everything from creating and managing the requirements used to produce software and hardware to build these training systems to helping maintain the product once it is delivered to the customer. I work very closely with those in other Engineering fields (Software, Hardware, etc.) and my typical day varies depending on what phase the project is in. Most projects follow the waterfall method, which is a sequential design process in which progress is seen flowing downward (like a waterfall).  The waterfall method consists of the following phases:
1. Requirements Gathering – During this phase SEs are working a lot with the customer to ensure that everything is defined on what the system needs to do.  This is when the requirements are written for the product and what the rest of the phases will follow to create the product.
2. System Design – During this phase, SEs work to design how the product will work. During this phase we have to keep in mind the requirements that were written to ensure we are meeting them.
3. Implementation – This is where the product is created.  SEs often work with many other Engineering disciplines during this phase (Software, Hardware, Mechanical, etc.). Our job is to ensure that the products are being built to the requirements and specifications for the product.
4. Integration and Test – This is my favorite phase! Here SEs integrate the products together (if required) and test, test, and more test! Our goal is to test every aspect of the system to ensure that it is working as it should and all requirements are met.
5. Deployment – This is the phase where we provide the product to the customer.  This often includes more testing with the customer to ensure that the product was built to their requirements.
6. Maintenance – Not all products require maintenance, but if so, this is the phase where SEs still work to ensure that any maintenance that is done still meets the customers’ needs.

Do you believe an advanced degree is necessary in your field?

No, I don’t believe an advanced degree is necessary, but I would recommend it. Engineering is a huge field, so obtaining an advanced engineering degree will allow you to focus more on a particular field.

Do you have an advanced degree? If so, how do you think it has impacted your career and the path that it has taken?

Yes, I have two advanced degrees – a Masters in Computer Science and an MBA with a concentration in management. I believe that the technical degree has helped me to gain a deeper understanding of engineering concepts, and the MBA has opened my mind to business and how things work outside of engineering. I believe the MBA will be a key to my success as I strive to make progress in my career.

Where do you see yourself professionally in ten years?

In ten years, I see myself as an Engineering Program Manager (PM).

What will you have to do to achieve this goal?

To achieve this goal, I will have to gain a better understanding of other areas, outside of Engineering, and how they contribute to the success of the entire programs.  Those areas include Finance, Sourcing, Planning, etc. This is why I believe my MBA will be so useful in achieving this goal. If different from your current profession, why are you planning to make the switch to something new? Becoming a PM is not really stepping out of the Engineering field because most PM’s are Engineers.  It does entail taking on more responsibility, working more on the business side of the program and working more closely with the customers to ensure their needs are met.  PM’s not only focus on the Engineering aspect of a project, but on EVERYTHING about the project. Their goal is to ensure that a quality product is delivered, within budget, on time, and that all requirements are met.

What personality traits do you believe are good for an engineer to possess?

A person who is detail oriented, with good communication skills, and who works well on a team could possibly make a great engineer.
Do you have any advice for a young woman who aspires to work in your field? My advice would be to just study hard, learn as much as possible about all areas of Engineering, but to become an expert in the area you want to focus on.  Engineering is still a male dominated field.  Don’t let this deter you. Women make GREAT Engineers! 🙂

If you would like more information on the field of engineering, you can contact Monica at: monica.mckendrick@gmail.com
The first step in pursuing your chosen career is to obtain the proper education for that career. For those of you who are interested in engineering, here is a list of the top ten engineering schools according to US News:

Massachusetts Institute of Technology                   Cambridge, MA
Stanford University                                                          Stanford, CA
California Institute of Technology                             Pasadena, CA
University of California – Berkeley                            Berkeley, CA
Georgia Institute of Technology                                 Atlanta, GA
University of Illinois – Urbana-Champaign           Champaign, IL
University of Michigan – Ann Arbor                        Ann Arbor, MI
Carnegie Mellon University                                          Pittsburgh, PA
Cornell University                                                             Ithaca, NY
Princeton University                                                       Princeton, NJ
(Source: http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/engineering-doctorate)

-Tiffany Vicks

Be The Change You Want To See

I know you often hear, “You can make a difference. You have a voice. You can change the world”. I’m sure you have heard this in speeches, at school, on television. You have probably heard it so much, that you tune it out when it is being said to you. Parents, speakers, politicians, and clergy say these remarks to address bullying or violence. You don’t believe them. Nobody really expects you to make a difference. They expect you to keep texting, listening to gangsta rap, playing games, bullying and fighting. On one hand, politicians are saying you are the future and how bright it can be. On the other hand, they are putting together future programs for your incarceration instead of scholarships for your college education. Local politicians love to start off speeches with talk of empowerment and finish up with how we need housing and jobs for you upon your release from prison. Well guess what? You are going to college. You are going to start working on your community services that you must have when filling out college applications. Making a difference is not going to be just a phrase you have heard over and over again. So many of you have the desire to help. It’s the not knowing how or where to begin have you doing, well, nothing. I’m going to help you get started. No more excuses. For everyone that feels insignificant, like you don’t have anything to offer, nothing could be further from the truth. The world is so messed up that it needs all the help it can get.

When meeting with children my age, I also tell them to use their voice, you can make a difference, become empowered, change the world. Just like Ms Oprah Winfrey, I really believe that you can. People listen to a young person making a speech or pay special attention to a child taking action. I was recently at an event where the discussion was civil rights. Among the guests was a teenager that stood up and asked how he could make a difference regarding racism. Kerry Kennedy (daughter of assassinated attorney general Robert Kennedy) told him that whenever someone makes a sexist or racist joke and we do not laugh or comment, we are making a difference. I never considered that no action is sometimes a large reaction. Not participating in conversatons or discussions that stereotype or mock people is a great example of passive resistance. Passive resistance is refusing to comply. Recently, I saw a great video about a young boy named Ron McNair who used passive resistance to make a huge difference. When Ron was 9 years old, he went to the whites only library to check out some books. When the librarian threaten to call the cops he patiently waited for them to arrive. All he wanted was to check out some books.

Watch the short video to find out what happened.  Ron McNair grew up and became an astronaut. He did not place limitations on his life. He knew he was destined to make change. Unfortunately Mr McNair died in the space shuttle Challenger explosion in 1986. I was in awe when my mom told me she had met Mr McNair and was friends with his father. I want young people to be like Mr McNair and have no limitations when it comes to greatness.

Although I hear a lot of activists and speakers tell young people they can make a difference, they rarely tell them how to go about it. Young people are visual. You can’t just say, “change is possible”. You have to show them the vision. My blog this month is to guide you step by step in how to make a difference . Step one is to find out what you are interested in. Here is a list of issues to help you get started. Human rights, modern day slavery, animal rights, anti violence movement, environmental conditions including global warming, civil rights, homelessness and affordable housing, saving the post offices, mental health, bullying, voter suppression laws, prison reform, gay rights, religious freedom, clean water supply, feeding the hungry, urban gardening, obesity, cancer or health awareness, rap lyrics, teenage smoking, teen pregnancy, teenage drinking and education are all causes worth fighting for or bring awareness to. Education is so vast that it can be broken down into curriculum, lunch menu, supplies, lack of art and music, and school safety. Which cause captures your interest? Recognizing where you passion lies is the biggest leap into activism.

Step two is to find people or organizations that shares your passion and interest in your cause.
Information is just a google away. Don’t have a computer. Go to the library. Don’t find an excuse to stop you from doing what you want to do. Finding an excuse is giving in to your fear. There are organizations specializing in your cause that are ready to welcome you with open arms. When I think of civil rights reforms, National Action Network and NAACP comes to mind. If you know your civil rights history you know the NAACP has been in the forefront for racial equality for a long time. The great civil rights lawyer Thurgood Marshall was a NAACP attorney. It must feel good to be a part of a historical organization that is still in the fight for racial equality. It is also a shame that after hundreds of years we still have to fight for racial equality. I belong to a civil rights organization, Rev Sharpton’s National Action Network. The National Action Network has over 47 chapters across the United States. Although I’m no longer one of the youth directors, I’m still a very dedicated member of the organization. I have been attending Rev Al Sharpton’s NYC NAN chapter since birth. Rev Sharpton is a huge supporter of youth activism. He is so different with young people than with adults. He has patient with children. He tells young people they can make a difference and gives them the platform to do so. He gives you the room to grow, make mistakes, learn and keep on going. Not many national leaders would give a 12 year old a weekly spot on a national broadcast, but Rev Sharpton gave me that huge platform. For that I’m very grateful. Whenever I need a boost to my activist spirit, I go hear Rev Sharpton speak in person. He never fails in making me feel like my voice matters. Last year he aided me in telling the world that we needed to save our post offices. All the NAN members rallied behind me, went to APWU office in Washington, and marched in the 1st National Save Our Post Offices Day. The work we did to save the post offices received national attention and helped delay some scheduled closings. Rev Sharpton attends new member orientation and you can tell him in person what you want to do to make the world a better place. Go to nationalactionnetwork.net and find a chapter near you or click on their Youth Move link. I’m just giving you some suggestions. There are many organizations for many causes. Turn on your search engines.

Once you have found an organization that supports your cause, attend meetings to see if you are comfortable and that it is a good fit. If the first organization doesn’t feel right, don’t get discouraged. Keep searching until you find the right one. It is just like church. Some puts you to sleep, and others can make you do the holy dance. You know you have found the right organization when you can’t wait to get started and ideas are just exploding inside you. The right organization will ignite your passion for your cause to a new level. If you can’t find an organization, start your own group. Ask your guidance counselor or principal for help. Pass around a flier at school stating your cause and find out how many other students share your interest. Finding a place to hold meetings can be a pain and a deterrent. Don’t give into that. Ask the principal if you can meet after school. Ask your church for space for your meetings. Write to your local politician and explain you have a civics group that needs space for meetings. Adults supports young activists. They will help you. If you don’t have a cause consider helping a charity. St Jude is my favorite. I recently held a bake sale at school for St Jude. Now when I see St Jude commercials, I don’t feel as guilty knowing I’m doing what I can to help sick but very brave children. Charities like Operation Smile, Make A Wish, St Jude and so many others are grateful for any help they can get. Everybody is significant. A lot of organizations and charities are short staffed. They love when you volunteer your time. Volunteering could lead to an internship or a paid job after college.

Step three is to get busy. Here are some tips. Use social media to spread awareness about your cause. Friend and follow people on facebook and twitter that share your cause or interest. Attend discussions and panels where your cause is the topic. Research your cause and memorize key facts. Write letters to your politicians about your cause. Hold a rally or protest to let others know you are serious about your cause. Start a petition to initiate change and spread awareness. Some popular petition sites are change.org, thepetitionsite.com, and signon.org. I along with the organization, Fairgirls.org, used social media to petition Village Voice Media to stop it’s on line sex ads that leads to 70% of child trafficking. It was an effective tool in making people aware of what this company was involved in. After doing a public service announcement against child sex trafficking, I left my position at NAN as regional director of Youth Move to become a full time advocate against child sex trafficking and human slavery. If you decide you want to fight the 2nd largest crime in the world today, visit the websites of Fairgirls.org, Polaris Project or UNICEF.

Maybe you want to start small and be in familiar territory. Check out the businesses in your neighborhood. Find a business owner that gives back to the community and volunteer your time. One of my favorite people in the world is Dennis Mitchel. He is owner of Denny Moe’s barbershop in Harlem. He is always giving back to the community and create ways for his staff and customers to also contribute. It was at his shop that a man told me he would have made different choices had he heard me speak earlier in his life. I was 10 when Mr Mitchell let me use his shop to speak out on fatherlessness. Having mentors that support and encourage you is important. My mom is responsible for making me aware of social conditions. She always take me to town hall meetings, panels, discussions, screenings and conventions. Mom feels it is a parent’s responsibility to make their children socially conscious. The first time I encountered racism was from a cab driver. Although I was only around 9 years old, I testified against the driver. That made a difference. After a $600 fine and 3 points on his license the cab driver will think twice before passing over another person of color

Sometimes you can become so angry, disgusted, livid and just outraged about a condition or cause that it is important to calm down before you do something you will regret. On February 13, a documentary called Hood of Suspicion by great film maker and civil rights advocate, Mr Keith Beauchamp, aired on the Investigation Discovery channel. Mr Beauchamp makes a difference every week with his show, The Injustice Files. He brings light to unsolved murders that are racially motivated. When Mr Beauchamp was 10 years old he read about Emmett Till. Emmett was a 14 year old boy that was brutally murdered for whistling at a white woman. Reading about Emmett Till drove Mr Beauchamp into action. He read and researched everything about Emmett Till, did a documentary, and was credited for the FBI reopening the Till murder. Mr Beauchamp is also one of the nicest people I have ever met. Watching Mr Beauchamp’s Injustice Files is what made me want to be an investigative reporter. Straight up, Mr Keith is one of my heroes. Getting back to the point I was going to make. Mom and I watched Hood of Suspicion together. She was so mad by the time it was finished that she was foaming at the mouth. The fire started coming out of her ears like Veronica in the Archie comics. She puts fresh batteries in the bullhorns, threw on a dashiki, slapped on an Afro wig and presto, Angela Davis had appeared. She gets so animated and passionate about a cause that she skips strategic planning and wants to attack. One of the benefits of being in an organization is learning about strategic planning to address social conditions. Organizations can help you map a course of action. Being angry helps you get moving. Being smart helps you get your mission accomplished. Don’t let angry or passion take focus off what needs to be done. Sometimes that is a lot easier said than done. When I talk to survivors of sex trafficking or read about infants being sexually assaulted, I want to physically do a certain act to every single male that have hurt these children. I can’t, so I have to find another way to channel that angry energy. Sometimes that means talking to my therapist or going to practice karate. Going over the edge is not going to help my mission.

Don’t feel as if you have nothing to contribute to society. I hope I have given you enough tips to pick up a cause. If you can’t find an organization or still don’t know how to get started, please contact me. Maybe you would like to help me save our post offices. On April 6th, I will be having the 2nd National Save Our Post Offices Day. The United Postal Service is drastically shutting down post offices, processing centers and 1st class mail deliveries on Saturdays. On April 6th, gather a group of supporters and demand that cuts in postal services stop. I will help you make your town’s National Save Our Post Offices Day a success.

I’m asking you to help me make this a world a better place to live. Aspiring artist, Young Dapper, is so intent on making a difference he created a video for change called, We Make The World. We owe it to the next generation to make it better like the previous generation made it better for us. Let me know what you are doing to make that happen. You can contact me on Facebook and Twitter. See you in March.

Check  out Young Dapper- Remake the World

-Victoria Pannell

Youth Spokeswomen Jazmin & Maiyah with Congresswoman Donna Edwards for the 4th District of Maryland

Inspire, motivate & encourage are just a few ways The Matriarch Inc. empowers girls every single day!  The Matriarch  helps young ladies in the foster care system find peace in knowing they’re not alone in the various trials they face.  This influential organization  serves as a sisterhood for girls ranging from ages 10 to 18, as well as a resource for community outreach, education and advocacy.

Orginally created by Tiffanie McNeill, she launched this program to fill a void in her community &  to reclaim the young ladies of the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area. These amazing women are also committed to the community at-large, and plans to sponsor events, seminars and classes that bring awareness to important t issues and serve to improve the quality of life for families in the Washington, DC area.

Let’s get to know The Matriarch Inc. a little better…

(L to R) Aviane Livingston, Fundraising Director; Tiffanie McNeil, Founder & President; Danielle Dzidzienyo, Treasurer/Partnerships & Contracts Director; Tiana Beard, M.Ed., Education & Marketing Director

The Matriarch, Inc. is an awesome nonprofit that caters and motivates young ladies from a variety of backgrounds. What inspired you to launch this inspirational program?
The idea for The Matriarch started several years ago. It began to take shape when our Founder, Tiffanie McNeill began working with foster care children, as well as coaching a youth cheerleading squad in Washington, DC.  She saw an intense need through these venues, and through regular interactions with family and friends.  So many girls seemed to be following a dangerous and destructive path with no positive guidance.  Tiffanie wanted to impact this problem directly by working with girls on the issues of self-esteem, self-image, developing a positive vision, and nurturing a positive lifestyle that makes the best out of their gifts and talents.  Having seen the same issues in girls in foster care and girls in biological homes, she saw a way to not only impact girls’ lives, but to bridge a gap between girls who may feel a divide based upon their home status.  Tiffanie has such a strong passion for mentoring and counseling, she will be beginning her Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling this year.

What are some of the activities that The Matriarch, Inc. has done in the past and any future events?
The major program of The Matriarch is the B-Fly Society (BFS).  The BFS is a youth sorority for girls aged 10-18, that will assist the young ladies in developing the tools and strategies needed to become positive and productive young women who will, in turn, positively impact their communities through giving back what was given to them.  The BFS takes on a sorority format to facilitate developing the bonds of positive sisterhood, which is something that is sorely lacking in today’s society, with such media influences as The Real Housewives of ATL and other shows that portray women as catty, selfish and combative. With many of the Board members having experience in collegiate sororities, they bring a unique perspective and insight into the ups and downs of sisterhood and can give a total view of sorority life and forming lifelong bonds between women.  The Pieces of Me Induction Program is an 8-week course of sessions designed to give the girls a jumpstart to their new lives as sisters bonded in love and community.  At the end of the eight weeks, the girls will begin working to impact their communities and schools though attending and hosting events throughout the area.

As a part of the BFS experience, we will be hosting an annual B-Fly Society Launch Party & Anniversary Explosion.  This event will serve as the girls’ coming out show, where they will perform and present themselves to the community as a united force in sisterhood.  This event will occur every summer and will feature performances by each line of the BFS that has been inducted during the previous 12 months. There will be guest speakers and performers to make this event an annual favorite among the youth in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area!

The Matriarch, Inc. representing at the Maryland Resource Parent Association Conference.

If you had to give 3 pieces of advice to young ladies out there who are struggling to be comfortable in their skin – what would it be?

1. No matter your color, size, shape or family background, you are made in God’s image, and God doesn’t make any junk!
2. Everyone has a unique purpose in this world.  Each of us must find that purpose and live in it.
3. NEVER be afraid to ask for help with anything you’re struggling with.  If you don’t feel comfortable talking to a parent, reach out to another relative, a teacher, counselor or someone.  You are never alone, and there are people out here who genuinely want to help with whatever you need.

When working with young girls, both parties learn from each other.  What’s one thing you have learned from working with teenage girls?
Often times we criticize “women” for not knowing how to get along and to work together as a team.  Now that I am actively working with teens I realize that this cycle starts early and many of the women learned to be the way that they are when they were little girls.  They were never equipped with the tools to deal with their own personal issues instead they learned negative behavior and never outgrew it.

We tend to pull characteristics from others in our lives or from people we admire, who inspires you and why?
My late grandmother, Norris A. Brown inspired me to be the person I have become.  When I was a little girl I would go to my room and pretend to be her.  She could command an audience, had great speaking abilities, was known to be a powerful woman but was compassionate at all the right moments. As long as I continue to strive to be JUST like her I will be focused for the rest of my life!  I recall her ordering food for the homeless man that everyone else walked by and attending the prom with the boy that everyone teased.  These experiences have grounded me and made me pay attention to those that are often ignored.  I also love all that Oprah Winfrey stands for but I am thankful for the time I had with a person that I could actually bond with on a personal level.  My grandmother was the matriarch of my family and that’s where the name of the organization originated from.

We’re all about EMPOWERMENT at C.O.R.E. Mag, what does empowerment mean to you?
Empowerment means providing someone or a group with the necessary skills, tools and strategies to identify, execute and maintain their goals for their lives.  True empowerment occurs when mentees become self-sufficient and can then turn to empower those coming up after them.  Empowerment shouldn’t be a crutch, but a nudging in the right direction, with supports along the way.

Where do you see The Matriarch, Inc. in 5 years?
The Matriarch has taken off and surpassed all of the goals set for its first year so we are reaching for the stars.  In 5 years we plan to be a household name with a variety of programs to offer young ladies.  We are currently working on partnering with other organizations of like mind to provide a well rounded program for the young ladies.  The ultimate goal is to obtain our very own location where we can offer mentoring at various levels.

Fun Faves! Song? Food? Artist?
Food—The Matriarch Board loves to eat! And we’re not picky!  We recently hosted a brunch for volunteers which featured two kinds of quiche, chicken wingettes, biscuits, fruit salad, grits, bacon, homefries, and strawberry cake.  We are introducing the young ladies to new foods as well.  We are all about trying new things.

Song—The song we use in our website opening is Pieces of Me by Ledisi.  This song embodies the fact that we are each different in our own way and these differences make us special.  We also love the song Ma-Ki-Da-Da which was featured in the Color Purple Movie which means little sister.  The young ladies will learn a similar version of this song during the 8 week session.

Artist—We all like a variety of different music, so to list all of them would take a couple pages!  We support all positive music.  Many of the young ladies like Willow Smith, Alicia Keys, Beyonce, Cee-Lo.  If the artist has a catchy beat with a positive attitude we will listen to it!

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It’ s time for you to meet the fresh and talented writer, Cornelia Smith! Originally hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, Cornelia has overcome numerous trials and challenges in her life.  From living in urban poverty, to being raised in a single parent household, and being exposed to traumatic events such as watching her mother get shot and suffer a bullet wound, Cornelia’s strength & determination is beyond admirable. Prior to attending Carver High School, she became a member of the national honor society, Principal’s list and remained in the top ten percent of her class during high school. Upon high school graduation , Cornelia decided to attend Everest College to become a medical assistant. However, the hopes of pursuing a career in nursing changed once she began to realize her ambitions for writing novels. As a result, she chose to pursue a career in writing and in less than two years she has developed ways to express the art of writing.  Now Cornelia is on the rise of publishing her first Novel entitled “Forever Sistah’s”. She has persevered continuously and even won song writing contests, has a demo published, and is diligently working towards implementing a book club.

Let’s get to know Cornelia a little better…

What first motivated you to become a writer?
I always had these stories come to me in a dream and I knew I wanted to tell them but it wasn’t until I read “The Coldest Winter” that I wanted to be a writer. I thought to myself after reading the book in only two days, I can do this, I know I can. From that moment on I wanted to write great fictions that made you feign for more, like I was after reading my first fiction.

Your book “Forever Sistah’s” is about five sisters facing life struggles with no support, where did the concept of your book originate from?
The concept of my book originated from my sisters and me. I am the fifth child of eight, my mother has six girls and two boys and growing up for us wasn’t easy. So I took some of our bad experiences and added in some of the joys I would like for us to experience.

Why is it important to have a family support system?
Two beliefs are better than one so it’s important to have a support system period but to have your family to support you, the people who seen you grow, know you personally & believe in you. It gives one a whole new confident and cockiness about going hard on your dream.

Being a teen can be tough when you’re growing up, what was the most vital lesson as a teen you learned that carried into your adult life?
I learned one teen struggle can be another teen’s paradise. As a teen you think you are the only one who is facing life head on, that no one is going through what you are going through or that no one understands. But the reality is life is not over and nine times out of ten someone has gone through the same problem as you if not worst. There is always someone who problem is far worse than yours and even as an adult I look at life that way. You think you got it bad think about the homeless or the people who are fighting cancer.

We all need inspiration throughout our lives, who do you look up to?
Maya Angelou, I love the way she brings the best out of words.

We’re all about EMPOWERMENT at C.O.R.E Mag, what does empowerment mean to you?
Empowerment to me means motivation, courage, it’s the strength someone or something gives you to want to succeed in whatever your goals or desires maybe. It’s like Maya Angelou poem “Phenomenal Woman” it motivates me to be sexy, strong, all while being confident. Every time I read it I feel empowered, like I can do anything.

Fun Faves!!- Food? Song? Artist? Celeb Crush?

Hotwings, Rihanna-Diamonds & Jayz

Check out more Cornelia Smith here…

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A big part of becoming an adult is figuring out what type of career you want. In an effort to shed light on some of the options that are out there for you to consider, I plan to introduce you to different career fields by interviewing to someone who works in that industry. This week, I interviewed Eboni Long. Eboni is a professional who works in the field of social work. Here is my interview with Eboni:

What is your profession? I started my career as an Intensive In-Home Therapist, but now I am working to become a Marriage and Family Therapist.
What made you want to do it the in-home therapy? I actually didn’t know that this was what I wanted to do. Originally I wanted to be a lawyer, but I was nearing the end of my undergraduate studies when my mentor suggested the in-home therapist job because he thought I would be good at it. I didn’t even know what it was, but I pursued the lead he gave me and ended up with a position as an in-home therapist.

Describe a typical workday:

I would start my day with in-home sessions, 2-3 families per day. Then, I would go into the office to update my supervisor on the families with whom I was working. I would usually do a few hours of paper work. There would sometimes be a meeting with the entire team to discuss our most critical cases and exchange ideas on how to handle them. There would be times when I was required to go to court. If there was a child that was having problems in school, I would hold a session at the school to speak with their teachers. Since the point of this type of therapy is to get involved with all of the systems that affect the child, I was often required to be in lots of different places.
What is the goal of intensive in-home therapy?

The overarching goal is to basically help families live better. If a child was on a track to be placed outside the home, my job was to try to minimize the risk of them having to leave. If the child was already outside the home, I had to try to help them get integrated at their new home. This field started because there were kids who were placed in facilities that helped them to get better, but when they went home, all of that progress would be lost. They would go back to their old behaviors. The in-home therapy came about to try to change the environment that the child had to go back to so that they could be as successful at home as they were in the facility.
Do you believe that an advanced degree is necessary to work in this field?

I don’t believe that it is necessary, but I would recommend getting an advanced degree. If all you want to do is in-home therapy, you can do it with only a bachelor’s degree because you are working for someone who has additional credentials, and you will have to follow their treatment plans. If you choose to get a master’s degree, you can get different certifications that people with only a bachelor’s can’t get. The advantage of having the different certifications is that they will allow you to branch out and do other types of therapy. Having multiple certifications also makes you more marketable when looking for another job.
Where do you see yourself in ten years?

I see myself with my own marriage and family therapy practice and possibly teaching humanities related courses at the college level.
Why did you decide to change your focus from in-home therapy to marriage and family therapy? I want my primary focus to be rehabilitating the stressed relationships of couples having marital problems. I also want credentials so that I can practice under my ideas and treatment plans instead of someone else’s. When you don’t have your own credentials, you have to work under the plans that your supervisors and/or consultants think is best even if it is contrary to your thoughts. In addition, I want to have the same knowledge and skill sets that my supervisors/consultants have so that I can formulate what I believe the best course of action will be in each of my cases.
Do you have any advice for a young woman who aspires to work in the field of social work?

Yes. If this is what you want to do, you have to love it. You have to love working with people and wanting to help people because it requires a lot of you mentally, emotionally, and financially. It is mentally and emotionally draining to sit across from people who are screaming at each other or who are grieving a loss. It can be hard financially because of the additional schooling required. Also, you have to make sure you take care of yourself. If you don’t, you can’t give others the care that they need. It is imperative that you take care of yourself.
If you have more questions about the field of social work, you can contact Eboni at: ebonislong@gmail.com
The first step in pursuing your chosen career is to obtain the proper education for that career. For those of you who are interested in social work, here is a list of the top ten social work programs, according to US News, to get that advanced degree in social work that Eboni recommends:
1. University of Michigan–Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI
1. Washington University in St. Louis St. Louis, MO
3. University of Chicago Chicago, IL
3. University of Washington Seattle, WA
5. Columbia University New York, NY
5. University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC
7. University of California–Berkeley Berkeley, CA
7. University of Texas–Austin Austin, TX
9. Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OH
10. Boston College Chestnut Hill, MA
(Source: US News – http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-health-schools/social-work-rankings)

-Tiffany Vicks

Name: Tori Moore

Age: 12

City: Nashville

Grade: 7th

What is your dream job and why?
My dream job is to be a singer by myself or with my friends in a group.

Which hobbies do you enjoy?
I love singing, dancing, hanging out with my family and friends.

Who is your biggest crush?
My biggest crushes are Ray-Ray from Mindless Behavior and Nevertelling My Others.

What’s your fav song to jam out to right now?
My fav song is any song by Mindless Behavior

If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be?
I would change global warning because I love polar bears and we cause most of global warning.

What does empowerment mean to you?
Empowerment means to me beauty and being yourself and showing you have power of your

What are your plans after high school?
My plans after high school are to go to college and pursue my dreams.

How have you helped someone in your life lately?
I have helped my mommy lately because she hasn’t been herself lately but she is coming back. I love her too much to have her sad.
Who is your role model and why? My role model is my cousin Jasmine. She is my role model because she is married (like I want to be), a mom (my dream), fun, and crazy, loving, smart, beautiful and more like a sister I’ve always wanted. Gotta love her!

Name: Greta Thomas

Age: 12

City: Nashville

Grade: 7th

What is your dream job and why? My dream job is a psychiatrist because I want to help the people who struggle with mental illness.

Which hobbies do you enjoy?
I enjoy playing video games, writing, reading, texting and painting.

Who is your biggest celeb crush?
I don’t have one in school but I do think this YouTuber, Destery Moore is cute.

What’s your fav song to jam out to right now?
“Heavy Hangs the Albatross” by Alesana

If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be?
There would be no discrimination against anyone.

What does empowerment mean to you?
It means being able to step up and say what you believe is right and wrong and to be confident in yourself and others.

What are your plans after high school?
My plans after high school is to go straight to college and get a Doctoral Degree in Psychiatry.

How have you helped someone in your life lately? I have been there for friends and not just personal friends but friends over messages.

Who is your role model and why?
A YouTuber and site Model named Leda Monster Bunny because she has gone through a lot but is still strong and confident. Also, a lot of rumors have been spread about her but she remains emotionally content and doesn’t let things get to her.

Name: Katriana Harris

Age: 12

City: Nashville

Grade: 7th

What is your dream job and why?

I would like to be a neurosurgeon because I like to help people. I believe that I can accomplish this goal because I dream big so I can wok hard and be successful in life.

Which hobbies do you enjoy?

I enjoy listening to music, going on social media and cooking.

Who is your biggest celeb crush?

Chris Brown and Taylor Lautner

What’s your FAVE song to jam out to right now?

“Call Me Maybe” or “Cashin Out”

The way people see things in the world. I would want more people to have a positive outlook.

What does empowerment mean to you?

Being able to show who you really are is what empowerment means to me.

What are your plans after high school?

To attend Harvard University so I can become a neurosurgeon

How have you helped someone in your life lately?

I helped my friend who was going through boy trouble (flirting with other people) by telling her to not worry about it. If he likes you, he likes you and if he doesn’t oh well

Who is your role model and why?

My Grandmother, Norma Harris, is my role model because she reminds me of myself. She isn’t afraid to show her personality at any time. She is very honest with people which can be a lot but she means well