Tonya Kelly
FOUNDER/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR EMPOWER OUR YOUTH www.empowerouryouthfoundation.orgFOUNDATION WELCOME!
2 Celebrate Life and Diversity Anti bullying Fashion/Kids Art Show
I’d like to personally welcome each of you to the 2022 Empower Our Youth Celebrate Life and Diversity Fashion Show. It’s an exciting time for us as we continue to grow and adapt, remaining always adaptable, motivated and responsive, focusing on the youth of our community.The2022
Celebrate Life and Diversity Anti bullying Fashion/ Kids Art show will celebrate different cultural groups, regions and communities that our city can be proud to represent their identities.Theshow is a platform to enhance diversity and multiculturalism while bringing awareness to bullying prevention happening in our communities andTheglobally.showwill feature youth models displaying cultural wear from local and national designers from around the world and in our Ohio communities. The goal of the event is to educate people about different cultures as well as bullying prevention through fashion and arts. Cultural appreciation and exchange is focusing on defining who we are exactly, what we look like, and how we affect each other socially, physically and mentally. The main take away from the show is for guests to become accepting, appreciate and celebrate different cultures along with learning all about bullying prevention. We’re transforming the way we operate to continuously improve our ability to serve Columbus, Ohio’s youth. Our board members and partners have continued to meet the challenges of our field and to excel despite setbacks. We should all be very proud of where we are today and excited about where we are headed. Before I close, I’d like to thank each of your for attending our conference and bringing your excitement to our gathering. You are truly our greatest asset today and tomorrow, and we could not accomplish what we do without your support and leadership. Throughout this conference, I ask you to stay engaged, keep us proactive and help us shape the future of life and diversity. My personal respect and thanks goes out to all of you. ♥
Celebrate Life and Diversity Anti bullying Fashion/Kids Art Show 3 What’s INSIDE Table of Contents 2 Welcome 9 Empower Our YouthOur Story 15 Special SpeakersGuest 22 Event Organizers 4 Letter from The Mayor 10 Board Members 16 Board Member Bios 24 Empower Our Youth Shout Outs 5 Letter from Joyce Beatty 11 Board Member Bios 17 Our Entertainment 6 Resolution from the City 12 Empower Our Youth Media 18 Event Sponsors 7 Hometown Hero 13 Empower Our Youth - About Us 19 Fashion Show Designers 8 Thanks for Coming! 14 Special Guests 20 Empower Our Youth Art Walk PROUDLY DESIGNED BY DPIGRAPHICDESIGN.COM
8 Celebrate Life and Diversity Anti bullying Fashion/Kids Art Show Thank YOU! Thank you for coming! Become a Champion! EMPOWER OUR YOUTH FOUNDATION | www.EmpowerOurYouthFoundation.org
onya's children were bullied and the experiences changed her family. The organization was launched to build confidence, social emotional learning tools in kids by empowering them to “Stop Being Silent” against bullying by teaching bullying prevention and bringing awareness to all forms of bullying.
Our youth are suffering from the effects of bullying due to a lack of support for bullying prevention. Technology has created a new venue for bullying which results in aggressive behavior or harming oneself. We give the youth a VOICE Empower our Youth Foundation offers youth empowerment programs to students, families, and educators to learn about bullying prevention, giving our youth a voice. We provide a safe place to report personal bullying incidents to the authorities.
Celebrate Life and Diversity Anti bullying Fashion/Kids Art Show 9 Our Story T
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KELLY, M.Ed Founder/ Executive Director MEREDITH LAWSON ROWE Board Secretary ROBERT KELLY Board Treasurer AFRIEEICA WOODWARD Board President SAMANTHA CRUMES Board Member QUAN ABAZIE International Board Member BRADLEY FINNEARTY Webmaster ERICA HAMPTON Board Member Empower Our Youth Foundation is truly honored to work alongside Board members who truly support the mission of Community Service and Being a VOICE for youth against bullying!! Board Members
TONYA
TONYAKELLY, M.Ed Tonya Kelly, MEd, is the CEO/Founder of the 501c3 non profit organization called Empower our Youth Foundation. Tonya by career is a fourth grade teacher at Horizon Science Academy Elementary in Columbus, Ohio. The organization began in 2017 when her second daughter experienced being bullied till she had thoughts of suicide. With both of her daughters being bullied, she witnessed firsthand the negative impacts, the family emotions, and experiences that damage a child's self esteem and quality of life. Over the past three years, she has shared her testimony and served as an Anti Bullying advocate assisting families in reporting any forms of bullying to the appropriate authorities and mentoring students. Tonya has used her education and prevention awareness programs to become a voice and stand up for families by offering literacy education, mentorship, social emotional learning, empowerment to the communities in Columbus, OH, and throughout the United States. As community advocates, families and youth learn how to respect, believe, inspire themselves and others while celebrating life. Tonya is a community activist for bullying prevention resources and services with her Empower Our Youth Foundation organization that is working to bring attention to the problem of all forms of bullying happening in our schools and communities. Tonya is available for educational speaking engagements. ♥
Board Member Bios
Celebrate Life and Diversity Anti bullying Fashion/Kids Art Show 11
International Board Member Quan Abazie has worked successfully has an educator in Columbus, Ohio and in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. Quan is a published author of her first book titled You Have The Victory, Public Speaker, a United States Army decorated combat Veteran who served in the Gulf war in Kuwait and Iraq, and Executive International Board Member
cangrowchildrenhelpingever,ficeisBusinesswealth!behindcursesbreakbytheCAStatesAnnuitytainedCommunications.StrategicSheob-herLifeInsuranceandLicensefortheofPA,OH,GA,andtohelpfamiliesgetonroadtofinancialfreedomgivingthemthetoolstogenerationalfinancialsothattheycanleavealegacyoffinancialSheholdsanASinAdministrationandacertifiedMicrosoftOf-UserSpecialist.How-sheispassionateaboutparentsandtheirintheCityofEriebeyondwhattheireyesseeandwhattheirminds
♥ Quan Abazie, BS, MS, M.Ed
KELLY,TONYAM.Ed.
LawsonMEREDITH-Rowe Board Secretary Meredith Lawson Rowe represents Ward 4 on Reynoldsburg City Council in Ohio. Under her tenure, she has helped to establish a Juneteenth celebration and she and her colleagues passed an Anti discrimination policy for the city. She has always had a heart to serve and has been fortunate to serve around the state and the nation. She is a professional Executive Assistant and a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. A trailblazer, she made history in 2019 as one of three black women ever elected to Reynoldsburg City Council. ♥
CEO/FOUNDER
Afrieeica Blanks Woodard Board President Afrieeica Blanks Woodard was born and raised in Erie, PA. Her name means homeland, safe always. She is the oldest child of four children. She’s married to her fantastic husband of twenty four years, has one beautiful daughter, and three adorable Afrieeicagrandchildren.iscurrently a senior at Edinboro University of Edinboro, PA, working towards her BS in
can imagine! One of Afrieeica’s favorite scripture in the Holy Bible is Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. NIV ♥ Erica Hampton Board Member My name is Erica Hampton. Im 33 years old with two wonderful children, and I’m engaged to be married! I’ve been a board member for Empower Our Youth for a little over a year now and it has been amazing every step of the way! I’m working on creating my own brand for podcast, connecting women, public speaking, and a life coach as well! Im at the beginning but putting in the work to get there. I’m a content creator on Instagram and working on having a huge present everywhere! I’m passionate about what I do and what I want to do. I’m a advocate for women staying connected, mental health, the black community, and unlearning and relearning the system that’s oppresses a lot of us. I’m just a fun, loving, kind, supportive, passionate, and empathetic woman who is trying to recreate myself into a Queen and help others along the way!!
♥ NAPCS honors Tonya Kelly of HorizonAcademyScience Posted by: New Americans Magazine , May 23, 2022 Read the full story by visiting this https://thenewamericansmag.com/2022/05/23/napcslink: honors tonya kelly of horizon science academy/ 2022 Media
12 Celebrate Life and Diversity Anti bullying Fashion/Kids Art Show for Empowering Our Youth Foundation. Quan’s passion and ministry is uplifting the incredible minds of youth and young adults in the United States and the Continent of Africa. Herpassion extends with working with Empowering Our Youth Foundation to educate families about the traumatic effects from being bullied. Featured on Apropos Digital Magazine Walnut Ridge High School Alumni Spotlight Where Are They Now. Apex 1 Radio Guest with host Ernest Kanjo. HallCHILDHOOD#NOPROTECTIONNOTownMeetingPanelist. Keynote Speaker for the Miss Black Ohio Pageant I am grateful to walk in my purpose of being a mother to so many children that I did not birth from my womb
Quan A. Abazie BS, MS, M.Ed ♥ Samantha Crumes Board Member My name is Samantha Crumes. I have been in the teaching profession for twenty two years. I’ve taught as a collaborative Intervention Specialist at the elementary school level for eight years and as a self contained teacher for children with exceptionalities at the middle school level for seven years. I have taught grades 2, 3, 4 and 5 general education for seven years. I am a Highly Qualified Educator who believes helping children explore learning that will be memorable for life. I believe empowering students to be their best selves will prepare them for a competitive world.
Celebrate Life and Diversity Anti bullying Fashion/Kids Art Show 13 About Us
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Lourdes is a bilingual first generation Cuban American who was born and raised on the eastside of Columbus and is a product of the Columbus public school system. She resides with her husband, Ernesto, and daughters, Eva and Valentina in Eastmoor. ♥
Indigo Stanley, of Gahanna, is a student at The Ohio State University in undergraduate studies. Her passion is to become an educator in the city schools’ systems because she enjoys helping people. She is currently working on a project to help second grades to be able to become better readers. When growing up she used to think of ways to change the world. Now se envisions a way that will positively impact other black girls by encouraging them to step outside of their comfort zone by trying something new. Indigo has a passion to inspire others through her spoken word. She enjoys writing and coming up with new ways to bridge word and songs together to reach people’s hearts. In her past time, she enjoys arts volunteering at her churches food bank, DIYs and singing. She wants to use her pageant platform to help other young ladies throughout central Ohio to identify their strengths and build on that. ♥
C
MISS BLACK OHIO AMERICA
ouncilmember Barroso de Padilla was born and raised on the eastside of Columbus where her family still lives today. Her love for this community inspires her to raise my own daughters in the same neighborhood where she grew up. She is a mother, a wife and daughter of working class immigrants who came to America because they believed deeply in democracy and opportunity.
Celebrate Life and Diversity Anti bullying Fashion/Kids Art Show 15 Special Guest Speakers
The Reynoldsburg Tomato Festival has been a tradition in our city for over 51 years.
The idea of the first Tomato Festival surfaced in October of 1965 when the dedication plaque was placed in front of the municipal building recognizing Alexander Livingston for his contributions to the City and declaring Reynoldsburg the birthplace of the tomato. The first festival was held in August of 1966. It was called the “Heritage Holiday Festival and Tomato Show.” There was a tomato fight between the Republicans and Democrats, a dog show, children and adult art shows, a queen’s pageant, and a parade. The 2022 Tomato Festival was held August 4, 5 and 6, as we celebrated 56 years of tradition along with great food, live entertainment, and more! ♥
16 Celebrate Life and Diversity Anti bullying Fashion/Kids Art Show Special Guest Speakers
2022 Empower UP Models DeeJayTheWeeJayMontanyaLondonMonroeLilyJadeMilahBrooklynZionNakeysha Ky’Len BrysonArieAhmiaAiden D’adja Janae A’Nia Deziah KylePromiseEvelynBellaAleyaMuntaazLisa A’tricia ZechariahAaiyahRasnaMakenzyJahidDesiraeChadAsyatuAliahCharlotte Special thanks to our 2022 Empower UP Models. How many languages do you need to know to communicate with the rest of the world?
Celebrate Life and Diversity Anti bullying Fashion/Kids Art Show 17 Entertainment SPECIALTHANKS Celebrate Life and AntibullyingDiversity Fashion Show / Kids Arts Show
18 Celebrate Life and Diversity Anti bullying Fashion/Kids Art Show Event Sponsors
Celebrate Life and Diversity Anti bullying Fashion/Kids Art Show 19 Fashion Show Designers We give the youth a VOICE CELEBRITY DESIGNER Empower UP
20 Celebrate Life and Diversity Anti bullying Fashion/Kids Art Show Art Walk Golden Glory Caley Grant Ridgeview Jr. High School Calm Power Caley Grant Ridgeview Jr. High School Colors of Summer Ha’Myah Brooks Harvest Prep (RepresentationBluez Matters) Ha’Myah Brooks Harvest Prep Beauty Kamaria Columbus,WareOhio Untitled Kamaria Columbus,WareOhio Candy Cowgirl Coreia Springfield,WilliamsOhio Bratz Princess Coreia Springfield,WilliamsOhio Equal Eye Kennedy Columbus,JohnsonOhio Sunset Kennedy Columbus,JohnsonOhio Untitled Sicilia Mara Horizon Science ElementaryAcademy Around the World DeejayMichiganBurk PARTICIPANTS
Celebrate Life and Diversity Anti bullying Fashion/Kids Art Show 21 Art Walk We give the youth a VOICE Eyes of the Beholder 6 Tupaa Basic School Ghana West Africa Untitled Ato Hammond Horizon Science ElementaryAcademy Eyes of the Beholder 7 Tupaa Basic School Ghana West Africa Eyes of the Beholder 8 Tupaa Basic School Ghana - West Africa Eyes of the Beholder 9 Tupaa Basic School Ghana - West Africa Eyes of the Beholder 10 Tupaa Basic School Ghana - West Africa Inclusion Kyla Rensing Northwest Middle School Eyes of the Beholder Tupaa Basic School Ghana West Africa Eyes of the Beholder 2 Tupaa Basic School Ghana West Africa Eyes of the Beholder 3 Tupaa Basic School Ghana - West Africa Eyes of the Beholder 4 Tupaa Basic School Ghana - West Africa Eyes of the Beholder 5 Tupaa Basic School Ghana - West Africa Eyes of the Beholder 11 Tupaa Basic School Ghana West Africa Young Queen Janae Kelly Central State University Wonderboy Jamal Gahanna,OsmanOhio Wonderboy 2 Jamal Gahanna,OsmanOhio Vintage Waitress Sophia Gahanna,KhangaOhio
LOLITA’S Artistry
22 Celebrate Life and Diversity Anti bullying Fashion/Kids Art Show Event Organizers Community Vendors FashionJaMezCoordinatorAloha Art Show
AdministrativeKathleenCoordinatorQuigleyAssistantDanielleGraham
Celebrate Life and Diversity Anti bullying Fashion/Kids Art Show 23 Just Yourone!own. STAND UP AND BE A VOICE FOR OUR YOUTH AGAINST BULLYING!!!
24 Celebrate Life and Diversity Anti bullying Fashion/Kids Art Show Shout Outs I am 9 years old and I am in the 4th grade. I'm excited about the fashion show. This is my first time ever being in a fashion show. Thank you for coming out to supporting the Empower Our Youth Foundations Event. Hey my name is GUEYEZECHARIAH
Celebrate Life and Diversity Anti bullying Fashion/Kids Art Show 25 Shout Outs
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LET’S CELEBRATE LIFE and Diversity in our CITY!!!
1390 Dublin Rd, Columbus, OH 43215 | (614) 240 7410 | www.cmafohio.org
