(Inspired to Act!)
I would like to share about Ms. Tamira Dunn and her magnificent brain child, Dream Girl's Mentoring Program, an outreach to teen moms. But first I need to give some background.
You see, Ms Dunn is doing an awesome work. An advocate for youth in the city of Baltimore, while "Building the community one teen mom at a time", she truly struck a cord with me, as I once developed an outreach to teen girls in 2003 in response to all of the teen moms who surrounded me at the time.
Ladies for Signs and Wonders was a faith-based and grassroots self-image and confidence intervention for at-risk female youth, encouraging them to make positive choices particularly surrounding sex, and develop themselves spirit, mind and body. At that time I directed a team of 10 mentors and assistant coordinators in providing an enriching experience for each young lady. The program was implemented for 3 young ladies during the Spring of 2003 and 12 ladies during the Summer of 2003, but since I decided to begin professional school that Fall, all activities ended. Today, I can’t help but hear my dear late and great Pastor Arnita Antony advising me spiritually to continue with the good work back then. Unfortunately I didn't...and the professional school didn't work out either!!!
Ladies for Signs and Wonders was a faith-based and grassroots self-image and confidence intervention for at-risk female youth, encouraging them to make positive choices particularly surrounding sex, and develop themselves spirit, mind and body. At that time I directed a team of 10 mentors and assistant coordinators in providing an enriching experience for each young lady. The program was implemented for 3 young ladies during the Spring of 2003 and 12 ladies during the Summer of 2003, but since I decided to begin professional school that Fall, all activities ended. Today, I can’t help but hear my dear late and great Pastor Arnita Antony advising me spiritually to continue with the good work back then. Unfortunately I didn't...and the professional school didn't work out either!!!
(Listen to your Pastors, ya'll!)
So you may understand my excitement when I first met Ms. Dunn at The Haus of Silhouette "Fashions Speak" affair at Towson University on Saturday May 5th 2012. This event was meant to raise awareness about domestic violence. Ms. Dunn had a table right next to mine. I got her card and the rest is history, as she has willingly accepted my support as someone excited about her initiative.
Ms Dunn is the CEO and Founder of Dream Girls Mentoring Program Inc. Since August 2008, she has provided one-on-one mentoring, provided resources and education, encouraged career and academic development, and provided several services that impact the lives of teenage mothers. She has done this through several community activities and has partnered with city and state agencies.
Essentially, Ms. Dunn is extremely connected to the community. I truly grasped this fact when I presented "The Education Station" at The Dream Girl’s Mentoring Program Community Baby Shower. One-hundred pregnant and teen moms registered for this event! If you know me, you know that I had the time of my life educating all of those young women!!! She honestly left many health professionals throughout the city asking: “How did she do it?”
Oh, and then I found out that she is an active member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated. My first thought was "A bajo!" as one would say in the Yoruba language, meaning "No wonder!!!!". Yes, both active in her chapter and accounted for, it is clear that she does what she does not for her own accolades but for the greater good of the community; and at the end of the day, for the glory of God.
When I think of the Five Pearls of Zeta, I believe that she too is a pioneer, a very special Pearl who has begun initiatives that I believe are also predicated on the precepts of Scholarship, Service, Sisterly Love and Finer Womanhood.
In Scholarship, as she propels young women forward toward success; women who have been told that they can not be successful due to past decisions and current responsibilities as mothers. Ms. Dunn is already seeing the impact of her interventions as the teen moms she reaches graduate from high school. Currently a graduate student herself, she applies her academic experience to practice.
In Service, because that is all she does! Serving God through her community; serving many, many people on an individual basis, and collaborating with others through Zeta and several more partnerships.
In Sisterly Love; not just for her sisters in Zeta, but for other Greeks and beyond throughout the community. And of course, sisterly love toward all of the young women she encounters every day, giving them hope and introducing a brighter future.
In Finer Womanhood, because she reminds me of what womanhood is all about. Nurturing, caring, loving, giving, serving; this is the essence of all her work, and I believe, her ministry.
Therefore, welcomed and inspired by Ms. Dunn [and also inspired by, in my opinion, the loveliest AKA on earth, my cousin Miss Opeyemi Elizabeth Fadoju (visit her at Floss and All)], I have decided to become active in Zeta again, serving in Baltimore, MD, finally, after about 7 years since my induction in May 2006. I am inspired to act, not necessarily for current gain but for a greater future, I proceed enthusiastically.
So be inspired, friends, family and fans as you are Cordially Invited to ACT:
Who doesn't want to be a part of something good--and progressive?
So be inspired, friends, family and fans as you are Cordially Invited to ACT:
The Dream for Success School Supply Donation Drive
Begins THIS SATURDAY FROM 12:00-3:00 PM
Looking forward to seeing you there!
Look out for me!
The Grand Opening of The Dream Girls Mentoring Program New Offices
Where you can meet the staff and learn how you too can get involved.
Looking forward to seeing you there.
Look out for me!
A Quote from Ms Tamira Dunn:
A job well done, Ms. Dunn, and congratulations on a bright future of impact and exciting positive outcomes ahead!
-Sincerely,
Lyrics by tia
07/2013
My passion and vision to promote resources and implement programs for the youth of Baltimore City is what keeps me going.-June 25, 2013.
The CEO
A job well done, Ms. Dunn, and congratulations on a bright future of impact and exciting positive outcomes ahead!
-Sincerely,
Lyrics by tia
07/2013
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