Skyline College Women’s Mentoring and Leadership Academy (WMLA) celebrated all the hard work and achievements of the women in the academy at their end of semester celebration on May 9, 2017 with inspirational performances by poet, playwright, activist, recording artist and producer, jessica Care moore and Skyline College’s very own student and independent artist, Stephanie “Clowette” Johnson-Williams.
The celebration began with faculty coordinator of WMLA, professor Danielle Powell, welcoming the women in the academy and their family members, Skyline College administrators, and faculty and staff to the celebration. Then, Clowette blew everyone away with her amazing vocal arrangements, singing covers such as Cee Lo Green’s “Crazy”. Following Clowette’s opening and a video that highlighted the work of WMLA, four of the students in the academy, Kalia Chavez, Angele Kizler-Sawadogo, Olivia Yancey and Jane Arias had the opportunity to share about their personal journeys to Skyline College, the impact the academy has had on them, and their upcoming journey to study abroad in South Africa. After sharing, the women made a pitch to the crowd to support their fundraiser to help raise the remaining $8,500 needed for them and one of their fellow study abroad peers. Through individual and group fundraisers and scholarship awards, the women raised $24,415!
WMLA also had the honor to bring poet, playwright, activist, recording artist and producer jessica Care moore back to Skyline College as the keynote speaker for the End of Semester celebration. Ms. Moore inspired and empowered the women with her presence and poetry from her book, “God is Not American”.
President, Dr. Regina Stanback Stroud also shared a few words of encouragement and expressed how proud she was of the women in the academy and their accomplishments. She also surprised the women by donating to the study abroad fundraiser. To cap the evening off, Ms. Powell awarded 16 scholarships and 20 gift cards to the Skyline College bookstore to women who participated in 80% or more of the meetings this semester.
WMLA is immensely grateful for the support of Professor Danielle Powell, Dr. Regina Stanback Stroud, Dr. Angelica Garcia, Dean Mary Gutierrez, Dean Lasana Hotep, Dean Tammy Robinson, Andrea Vizenor, Zaid Ghori, Claudia Paz, Elizabeth Tablan, Brianna Clay, Kevin Chak, Roger Marcelo, and host of individuals who have supported and continue to support the women each and every semester! Thank you so much for all that you do for the women! We are more than grateful and honored to have the support system that we do at Skyline College.
Written by Jane Arias | Photos by Danielle Powell
