Adult Educator / Multimedia Specialist / Web Developer
Coordinated Events
My current employment with the Tuskegee University Cooperative Extension Program has afforded me the opportunity to plan, coordinate, and implement some very relevant, educational programming and events to youth in the black belt area.
Events that I have coordinated focus on youth empowerment, public speaking, and STEM education. Below you can view some highlights from the events or programs that I have coordinated.
Please note: I plan and coordinate several events but these were selected to showcase.
“In learning you will teach, and in teaching you will learn.” ― Phil Collins
Additional Coordinated Events:
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Annual Youth Empowerment Summit
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Annual 4H George Washington Carver Society Induction & Luncheon Ceremony
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Annual 4H George Washington Carver Society Oratorical Competition
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Annual Young Leaders Professionalism Enrichment Training
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Girl POWER!
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CHOICE Program
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Public Speaking Relay Workshop
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Healthy Body Image Seminar
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Mock Interview Day (high school)
Youth ages 9 to 12 years old had the opportunity to design and rebuild their communities. The Summer Youth Science Camp was held July 28-31, 2015 at the Bullock County Extension Office Training Room. Tuesday through Thursday students attended camp from 9am-2pm each day learning about the difference between neighborhoods versus communities, basic essentials of teamwork, and use of mapping to engineer structures.
The students used paper tubes collected throughout the summer from various organizations, places of business, and volunteers in the area to build their ideal community. A total of three communities were built by six youth participants. The communities consisted of more stores such as Walmart, restaurants, hospitals, hotels, better schools, parks, doctor and dentist offices, fire station, police departments, rest stop areas, churches, parks, malls and so much more. On the final day of camp a program was held to showcase and share their hard work, camp experiences, and model display descriptions with their family, friends, and people in the community. Each participant received a certificate from the College of Agriculture, Environment and Nutrition Sciences/Cooperative Extension Tuskegee University.
On Thursday, April 23, 2015 ninth graders at Bullock County High School participated in celebrating the 125th anniversary of the 1890 Land-Grant Universities by completing a Wellness Walk.
The Wellness Walk was an activity associated with celebrating the 125th Anniversary of the passing of the Second Morrill Act which gave African Americans the opportunity to be included in the U.S. Land-Grant University Higher Education System without discrimination. This act allowed seventeen states to found land-grant universities which were commonly referred to as Negro Land-Grant Institutions. Tuskegee University along with all the 1890 universities hosted an 1890 Day on their respective campuses throughout the United States in celebration of this milestone. The focus for the day was wellness and Tuskegee University along with Bullock County High School and other county offices in West Alabama conducted an 1890s Wellness Run/Walk. The distance for the run/walk was approximately 1.89 miles through the campus of Tuskegee University and 1.5 miles in the Bullock County High School Gymnasium.
Seniors at Bullock County High School recently completed a five week training course administered by Tuskegee University Cooperative Extension Youth County Agent Jermelle Custer and special guest LaCretia Williams from the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. Ms. Custer and Ms. Williams worked extensively with corresponding teacher Ms. Monica Pontoo who teaches English at Bullock County High School. The main goal of this training was to introduce life concepts to the seniors of Bullock County High School who will soon embark on their own life journeys post-graduation this coming May 2015. Each concept introduced was designed to build upon the previous lesson taught and culminate with successful completion as well as foster a sense of confidence, responsibility, and how to utilize specific tools for their future successes.
Each year students from the nine black belt counties are invited to participate in a 4H Oratorical Competition on the campus of Tuskegee University. Students compete against each other in two divisions. The divisions are divided by grade level with division I consisting of 6th-8th graders and division II consisting of 9th-12th graders. The week prior to the competition participants are encouraged to attend the preparation workshop which aims to provide extensive information and techniques for speaking publicly. All contestants are recognized at the Annual George Washington Carver Society Induction Ceremony Luncheon. Cash prizes are awarded to the 1st and 2nd place winners of each division. The 1st place winner of each division presents his/or speech at the luncheon ceremony.
The George Washington Carver Society Oratorical Preparation was held on Saturday, January 10, 2015 at the Tuskegee University Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center from 9AM-1PM. An extensive, fun four hour workshop was administered to go over specific public speaking techniques and practices. The workshop delivered was the Public Speaking Relay series. This event also acts an Outreach and Extension Program for local Middle (6th, 7th, and 8th) and High School (9th through 12th) students in the areas of communication and community involvement. Students participated in interactive sessions that focused on listening, body language, speech writing, and impromptu speaking.
The Annual Youth Empowerment Sumit (YES) was held November 13, 2014 at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center on the campus of Tuskegee University. The theme for the annual summit was "Success? There's an App for That! 'APP'LY YOURSELF". Concurrent workshops were offered in Motivating the 21st Century Student (chaperons only), Excelling in Agriculture for the Future, Why Join 4H?, Preparing for the Future (seniors only), Dress for Success, and 'APP'LY STEM Education. Outstanding students were acknowledged during the Success Story Luncheon and contest winners were recognized at the YES Awards Banquet. Over 300 students and chaperons joined us for a day ful of experential learning opportunites.
Each year the Tuskegee University Cooperative Extension Program offers an extended conference to youth in the black belt area. In the year of 2013 I chaired the planning committee and successfully administered a well thought out, full day conference November 14, 2013. The theme for the annual summit was "Unleash Your Inner Potential ". Concurrent workshops were offered in Political/Social Awareness, Entreprenuership: A Business Mind, and In Style with a Healthy Lifestyle. Special guests from the Mikki High Bully No More Project performed, a display of photos & tweets were featured in the media takeout, both a luncheon and banquet cermeony included all registered participants, and recgonition/prizes were awarded to contest winners.
The Public Speaking Relay is 5 section "racetrack" for learning techniques to becoming a sufficient orator or public speaker. The five sections include: 1) Famous Speeches, 2) Learning How to Listen, 3) Speech Writing/Brainstormning, 4) Body Language: Posture, Hand Gestures, & Habits, and 5) Talk It OUT: Impromptu Speeches. The relay can be completed in 4 hours with two 15 minute breaks. Each section builds on the basic fundamentals of public speaking.