Nine students from Democracy Prep Middle School in Harlem completed the three-year leadership program conducted by the Pi Kappa Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. The students are Phyllis Fonkem, Masiel Guichardo, Khadidiatou Ba, Crystal Cowan, Lesle Maracallo, Geraly Reyes, Brandy Martin, Mariam Tounkara and Iman Faris.
These outstanding young ladies left their mark at the school with their own leadership symposium, held to expose girls in middle school to the impact technology and the media have on young girls of color. These girls were also involved in community activities that included writing “thank you” letters to our troops, preparing winter gift bags for the Harlem Veteran Center and walking in the Revlon Run/Walk for Women.
Dawna Michelle Fields, national program Manager for Colgate Palmolive, was the speaker for the graduation luncheon, with the topic “Bright Futures,” a spinoff from Colgate’s “Bright Smile-Bright Futures” campaign.
Emerging Young Leaders is the signature program of Alpha Kappa Alpha for middle school girls. It consists of leadership development, educational enrichment, civic engagement and character building. The program is designed to empower students to make smart choices with positive consequences.
Marlene Ward DePetris is the chapter president, Ianthe Murad is the chapter program chair and Ruth Cookie Jean is the chair of the Emerging Young Leaders program.