Youth Encouraged to Strive for Success

04/14/2024

I said I was coming in 2017. I came! Established 3rd chapter of Youth Encouraged to Strive for Success (Just Say Y.E.S.S.) 501(c)3, hosted 21 events, all free to 219 kids, served in 4 nationally accredited organizations for children in foster care, juvenile justice, science teacher and community activist. So now in 2024 after 28 years of kids ministry I officially retire. California, Florida and Fort Worth Texas owes me nothing! Thanks to everyone who believed in me, supported me and entrusted their kids with me. I have so many individuals to say thank you to and it’s too many to name. These 2 have held me accountable and been with me the entire time. Dominique Brookins and Eboni Thompson. Y’all true ride or die ladies and I love you beyond words. I can’t leave without acknowledging ShuRhonda Mays and her son Daylon. Throughout these last 4 years of being neighbors you two have taken such good care of me especially when I’m sick and nonfunctional. Trips to the ER and any other thing I needed you were here for me. Shurhonda saved my life by insisting I go to the hospital when I didn’t think I was that sick. I coded, heard them call for a crash cart and lived to tell the story. Starting to get a little mushy so I’ll finish all this in person. When my sister was passing away I realized that it’s time to be around family who loves and want to make sure I’m good in my sickness and health. With all of this being said, my #1 nephew Ronnie is moving me close to his family in Arizona this week. I’m submitting to his love for me and taking the challenge to be closer to him so he can “take care of me”. Peace and Blessings to everyone I’ve met throughout my time in Texas. And YES/YESS I’m retired! For real this time! 😝1

08/11/2023

Antoinette Love, a senior student attending International High School of New Orleans, has been accepted into all 115 of the colleges that she applied to. Aside from that, she has also been awarded $3.7 million in scholarships!

06/23/2023

Tyler Gordon is a 12-year-old self taught artist that concentrates his work on Black culture and history. His works of art have paid tribute to the Central Park 5, Janet Jackson, Kevin Durant, Steve Harvey, Kevin Hart, and even the late Toni Morrison.

05/19/2023

05/08/2023

Young people who make us proud ✊🏾

04/28/2023

In 2015, when Mabou Loiseau from Queens, NYC was just 8-years old, she was already speaking 8 languages - English, Kreyol, Spanish, French, Russian, Arabic, Mandarin and American Sign Language. She was also learning Japanese.

04/25/2023

🎓🎉 Congrats to New Orleans senior Dennis Barnes who has set a NATIONAL RECORD with offers from 125 colleges totaling more than $9 million in scholarships - more than any other college bound senior in U.S. history. https://www.wwltv.com/article/news/local/orleans/new-orleans-senior-national-record-college-offers-scholarships/289-e05923cc-f7f0-48a4-984a-23b5989c7d5a

04/12/2023

"Taking flight at just 16 years old! Meet Caleb Smith, the youngest glider pilot in the country according to the FAA 🛩️✈️ "

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