EmpowHerScholarship Ceremony 2025 Program

EMPOWHER LEADERS ACADEMY SCHOLARSHIP CEREMONY

CLASS OF 2025 SATURDAY, JUNE 7, 2025 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM PDT

ANIMO COMPTON CHARTER SCHOOL 13305 SAN PEDRO ST, LOS ANGELES, CA 90061

SPONSORED BY

PROGRAM Welcome DAWN L. BROWN President/CEO | EmpowHer Institute

Keynote Speaker LATRICIA J. WARD Founder | LJW HR Consulting Group Scholarship Award Presentation Presented By: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory City National Bank GLORIA DOMINQUEZ V.P. Branch Manager III | City National Bank Alumni Address CHARLEE WASHINGTON EmpowHer Alumni | Prairie View A&M University Class Gift ANGELA LOPEZ

UCLA Community High School Youth Advisory Board Treasurer Closing Remarks DAWN L. BROWN Reception to Follow

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

LATRICIA J. WARD LJW HR Consulting Group

Latricia Ward’s journey is a testament to resilience, faith, and the power of mentorship. Born in Detroit and raised by her grandmother in Tennessee, she developed a strong work ethic and deep sense of purpose. After her grandmother’s passing, Latricia leaned on her extended network—including her father, bonus mom, and foster family—when she returned to Michigan. She later earned her degree from Michigan State University, where transformative relationships opened doors to new opportunities in Southern California.

There, Latricia reignited her passion for music and built a successful Human Resources career in the entertainment industry. Under the guidance of mentor Beverly Metoyer, a Warner Bros. executive, Latricia gained invaluable insight, which she now passes on through mentorship and consulting. She currently supports C-suite executives in diverse sectors and volunteers with organizations like EmpowHer, My Friend’s House, and Good City Mentors— uplifting those who feel unseen and proving the lasting impact of compassion and belief.

CONGRATULATIONS!

MIREYA ESQUIVEL CITY NATIONAL BANK SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT Cal State Northridge Major: Criminology COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES: UC Merced

CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY: Cal State LA Cal State Long Beach

CONGRATULATIONS!

MAKEALA BROWN LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL LABORATORY SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT Spelman College Major: Political Science COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES: Syracuse University Spelman College Howard University Tuskegee University Hampton University FAMU

CONGRATULATIONS!

SINAI NIXON LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL LABORATORY SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT American College of Healthcare and Technology Major: Biology

CONGRATULATIONS!

MICHELLE GRIJALVA LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL LABORATORY SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT Santa Monica City College Major: Biology CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY: Bakersfield Freseno Los Angeles

CONGRATULATIONS!

NASHLEY TALBERT LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL LABORATORY SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT LA Trade Tech Major: Psychology COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES: Paul Quinn College WGU Santa Monica Community College

CONGRATULATIONS!

MELANIE CASTILLEJOS LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL LABORATORY SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT East LA City Call Major: Biology

CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY: Dominguez Hills

CONGRATULATIONS!

BRIANA LAND LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL LABORATORY SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT California State University Northridge Major: Physiology COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES: Southern University AMU Louisiana

CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY: Bakersfield Long Beach

THANK YOU!

To our Donors and Supporters who make our educational programs and scholarship fund possible.

Our mission is to empower girls and young women in marginalized communities by helping them gain the skills necessary through education, training and mentorship to become confident, college and career ready.

Our vision. We envision a world where every girl is provided the opportunities and resources she uniquely needs to: embrace the power of her voice; make informed decision about her body and future; break generational cycles of poverty; contribute to the creation of an equitable society.

Email: info@empowher.org www.empowher.org Facebook: @empowherorg IG: @empowherorgla Linkedin: @empowherinstitute

GRADUATE No matter which road you choose, No matter how long it may seem, Let your heart be your guide along the way, If you want to fulfill your dreams.

No matter the detours, the road blocks or dark nights, Continue your heart’s desire.

Life up your torch, and don’t be afraid, To set the world on fire.

You are the light of a new day, Shine for all to see.

Carry your knowledge from this day forward, Blaze a train for history.

No one will ever be quite like you, Remember this important truth.

We all have a purpose in this life, And it begins in our youth.

Who you are now, and who you will become, Is determined by your soul.

And with your dreams in your heart, to lead the way, You can conquer any goal.

CONGRATULATIONS! Niki Alling

Board of Directors DAWN L. BROWN PRESIDENT / CEO

Staff DAWN L. BROWN

CECILIA OWENS

KENDRA BURKS

ANGEL JAMES HORACEK

ADREE DE LUNA DR. DIJANNA FIGUEROA

Chair

Vice Chair

JOSLYN OSBORN

ABIGAIL GALVEZ-AGUIRRE

Treasurer Emeritus Board Chair

JESSICA GUILLAUME

CLAUDIA ALLEYNE, MD

STACI JANISSE

Secretary

KEYONNA KEITH

TONY BAYLIS

MADELINE QUINTEROS JAZMIN ROMERO ALEJANDRA VIDES-AUSTIN TRACY YASSINI

Director

CECE CHIKHALE Director

GLORIA DOMINQUEZ Director

MIREYA ESQUIVEL Director

EBONY E. MCCUE Director

SAMANTHA MORA Director

DIEDRA PORCHE’ Director