Rites of Passage Newsletter

Meet the Staff

Urgent, Inc. 1000 NW 1st Ave. Miami, FL 33136 (O) 786.439.1544 (F) 866-811-7778

Vice President Saliha Nelson Northwestern University Graduate, BS

Shedia Nelson (C) 305.586.6694 www.urgentinc.org Email: Shedia@urgentinc.org

Programs Manager, Director, Playwright & Newsletter Editor

FEBRUARY 2012

Shedia Nelson Hawai`i Pacific University Graduate, BA

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Mentor Casta Guillaume University of Miami graduate, BA, MS pending

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Peer Educator Magalie Gabriel South Miami SHS Peer Educator Tanisha Fleming

Inside this issue: Upcoming Events 1-2 News stories

3

Snaps

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Advice Column Calendar

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Vizcaya Museum from Left to Right: Aaliyah Rankin, Bianca Novembre, Marguerite St. Julien, Samandie Douceur, Shakia Rankin, Modline Philsitin, Destiny Smith, Franceline Pierre-Louis, Brielle Gibson, Tanisha Fleming, Olinda Pierre, Magalie Gabriel, Jillian Hernandez, Kimberly Larosiliere, Naomi Fisher, Shedia Nelson, Kalea Walters, Carla Stitt

Photo Courtesy: Crystal Pear

UPCOMING EVENTS

What: Museum of Contemporary Art Women on the Rise When: Tuesday, February 14th

Time: 3-5pm Where: Booker T. Washington Senior high school Activity: Celebration of contemporary women artist with historical reference and visual art project incorporating conventional and unconventional media like photography and experimental multi-media collages. ART PROJECTS

Miami Dade County Bar Association: Horizons Committee Provides Fieldtrip

Kristi House: Project Gold

Presentation: Sex Trafficking & Commercial Sexual Exploitation When: Tuesday, February 7, 2012

When: Friday, February 3rd Where: Willkie D. Ferguson Federal Courthouse See fieldtrip form more details

Time: 3-5pm

Where: Booker T. Washington SHS IT Women Presentation: Internet Safety with FBI agent

Where: Edison high school

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A Reproductive Justice Initiative:

SHE KEPT HER BRA ON! - THE CAMPAIGN FOR GIRLS WELL-BEING A Youth-Led Project for Social Change to Prevent Teen Dating Violence Orlando— Four young ladies were selected to present a reproductive justice initiative: She Her Bra On!: the Campaign for Girls Wellbeing at the Youth Summit Now is the Time to Act!: Together We can Prevent Teen Dating Violence in Orlando on Saturday, Left to Right: Magalie Gabriel, Tanisha Fleming, Naomie February 11th.

Nanotte Saint Jean and Delva and Nanotte St. Jean Naomie Delva presentomie Delva and Nanotte St. Jean took the ed the status of the campaign in photo voice exhibition on tour at the youth advocating for policy adoption of teen dating violence with an over- summit where they provided mini presentaview of the campaign as well. Both tions of the exhibition on display. They peer educators Magalie Gabriel and networked with organizations from other organizations from differing counties and Tanisha Fleming along with Nacities in Florida who share in this collective

APRIL MARCH

Presentation: When: Saturday, Mar. 3rd MDC Bar Association Horizons Committee What: Resume Workshop

Business Etiquette and mock interviews Museum of Contemporary Art Women on the Rise Art Project

Where: University of Miami

When: Wednesday, March 30

Time: 3-5pm Where: Edison Eduplex SHS

Career Tour

MAY When: Saturday, May 12th “She Kept Her Bra On, Too!: Girls Stories of Empowerment,

work around teen dating violence awareness and advocacy.

The young ladies developed a letter to Miami Dade School Board to address the adoption of the policy on dating violence and abuse.

Tanisha Fleming and Magalie Gabriel presented to Miami Dade County School Board Wednesday, February 15th.

This initiative is a youth-led project for social change that is geared to build awareness, educate their peers and advocate for policy changes that will help prevent Teen Dating Violence.

Self Discovery and Acceptance” NEW Play Sequel production When: Saturday, May 26th GRADUATION CEREMONY BANQUET

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1

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Fieldtrip Review at Vizcaya Museum with featured artist Naomi Fisher

Coral Gables—Eighteen

Left to Right: Modline Philistin, Destiny Smith, Marguerite St. Julien, Kimberly Larosiliere, Bianca Novembre, Kervelene Saintvil, Aaliyah Rankin, Shedia Nelson and Naomi Fisher

young ladies attended the fieldtrip to Vizcaya Museum coordinated by Muse- Left to Right: Olinda Pierre, Magalie Gabriel, Tanisha Fleming, Franceline and walking through the garden.

It inspired me to take pictures.” um of Contemporary Art: Pierre-Louis, Brielle Gibson and Samandie Douceur Kervelene Saintvil “liked the vidWomen on the Rise prowhose work was exhibited througheo. It was very artistic. I loved how gram for a tour of the museum and out Vizcaya. She shared that her we got a chance to express our emocreated art in the picturesque Rework on display was inspired by the naissance garden lead by artist Na- history of Vizcaya and that time peri- tions on our plates. I wouldn’t have omi Fisher on Saturday, January od, where a short film was shown as thought of doing that.” Marguerite St. Julien appreciated the 7th. The ladies enjoyed a tour of an extension of her art in motion. the Vizcaya Museum along with a Modline Philistin “liked how we got a “magnificent art they had to offer. It guided tour by Naomi Fisher chance to see all the different rooms was amazing.”

Art with Museum of Contemporary Art: Women on the Rise session

Left to Right: Kimberly Larosiliere, Shakia Rankin, Aaliyah Rankin, Marguerite St. Julien, Samandie Douceur, Magdala Charles

Edison Eduplex and Booker T. Washington SHS Fourteen young ladies participated in a session lead by MOCA on featured artist Lorraine O’Grady. Lorraine O’Grady’s artistic style utilizes miscegenation and juxtaposition in her art work by taking risks through satire of racism to create works of art that ele-

vates the critical consciousness of racism in America. Destiny Smith commented, “I like that she emphasized on not appealing to white people’s eye, but helping Black people see their art as beautiful in their own eyes. Black people need not be afraid to express themselves and not be ashamed of who they are.” After the

discussion of the themes in Lorraine O’Grady’s work, the young ladies created their art called Cutting out the Times where they had to cut out words and/or phrases to form a personal statement or poem.

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Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month PresidentObamaProclaimsFebruary NationalTeenDatingViolenceand PreventionMonth During National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month — and throughout the year — let each of us resolve to do our part to break the silence and create a culture of healthy relationships for all our young people. Adolescents in controlling or violent relationships may carry these dangerous and unhealthy patterns into future relationships. The time to break the cycle of teen dating violence is now, before another generation falls victim to this tragedy,” said President Obama.

There’s no excuse for abuse.

Statistics * 1 in 4 teenage girls who have been in relationships reveal they have been pressured to perform oral sex or engage in intercourse. (Liz Claiborne Inc. study conducted by Teenage Research Unlimited; February 2005.)

Please refer anyone who may be experiencing domestic or teen dating violence to:

More than 3.4 million people are stalked each year.

18-24 year olds experience higher rates of stalking through tweeting and online messaging. Textual harassment is when someone constantly texts you 2030 times an hour inquiring about what you are doing and who you are with.

“ONE IN FIVE HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS HAS BEEN PHYSICALLY OR

Florida Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-500-1119 www.fcadv.org

SEXUALLY ABUSED BY A DATING PARTNER.”

National Dating Abuse Hotline: 1-866-331-9474 www.loveisrespect.org

Black History Awareness Month Features Artist Kadir Nelson The Story of America and African Americans is a culmination of a divided America by Jim Crow laws, education, injustice, education, wealth, color blind systemic barriers and some transformaKadir Nelson, Author and Illustrator of “Heart and tive events. This story invites you in Soul: The Story of America and African Amerifrom an ‘every woman’ voice to capture cans.” your heart and soul. A must read story 2012 Coretta Scott King author's and to be read aloud, shared and discussed. illustrator’s award recipient Pull up a chair, listen close, open your heart and let this story fill your soul. leries, and museums. Nelson earned a Bachelor’s degree from Pratt InstiKadir Nelson is an award-winning American artist whose works have been tute in Brooklyn, New York and has exhibited in major national and interna- since created paintings for a host of tional publications, institutions, art gal- distinguished clients including

Sports Illustrated, The Coca-Cola Company, The United States Postal Service, Major League Baseball, and Dreamworks SKG where he worked as a visual development artist creating concept artwork for feature films, “Amistad”, and “Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron”. Many of Nelson’s paintings are in the collections of notable institutions and public collections, including the U.S. House of Representatives and the National Baseball Hall of Fame, as well as in the private collections of actors, professional athletes, and musicians.

See more of Kadir Nelson’s art work at: www.kadirnelson.com

Link Urgent, Inc.’s Core Values to become eligible for Summer Paid Internship Paid Internship Requirements:

APPLICATION ACCURATELY

SUBMIT 1-3RD TERM GRADES, NO D’S OR F’S

DEMONSTRATE PHONE AND BUSINESS ETIQUETTE

POLISHED TYPED RESUME,

COMPLETE EMPLOYABILITY READINESS FORMS AND RESEARCH ATTEND 12 EMPLOYABILITY SESSIONS

COVER LETTER, THANK YOU LETTER COMPLETE INTERNSHIP

DEMONSTRATE ALL CORE VALUES:

Innovation

Patience

Compassion

Responsibility

ReciprocitY

Learning-

Teamwork

COMPLETE PORTFOLIO BY APRIL 30, 2012

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Snaps! Poetic Expressions You know me but not so much.

Our relationship was good before you changed from being a young man but not a good one.

People have to tell you every time over and over to not change just be you. You don’t have to care just be you like a real young man. People get their heart broken like mine before you change.

This can be over it’s up to you.

By Alecia Denny The Right Relationship & The wrong One If you keep asking him if he’s cheating on you and all he can say is um with a stupid look and stand there. Best believe you’re not the one girl he’s been with. If you don’t love yourself and love everybody else you don’t understand that you’re a mistake in everybody’s book. If you keep to yourself and don’t have sex with the young men you’re suppose to love and he keeps pushing you, he just wants what he can get and then bounce and we find you hanging like a chicken. All I can say is make sure y’all together forever. If he’s not worried about you. If girls talk about him all the time one of them has to have what you didn’t do yet. If his homeboys tell you about him he’s just nasty and only care about how he feels and what he wants.

By Ashley Hill A poem on Advice Your trust and his trust are important. Respect should be mutual indefinitely. Love conquers all things. Loy-

alty should be above everything, Fidelity shouldn’t be excluded. I say this because it’s certainly true after all I’ve been through. If you’re unaccustomed to courage then I advise you to stay away from those liars. Liars will tell you they love you when they don’t really mean it. So be a fighter, run away from those abusers who manipulate you emotionally and physically. Last but not least, the famous cheaters.

They’re conniving and untrustworthy so be careful my friend and don’t get yourself in such a mess, never let fools fool you.

By Jessica Antoine Tips Always trust your guy no matter who may tell you other wise. But don’t be fooled always check him before you get with him. A good young man is hard to find. Wait! Before you want to look for a young man to love, you need to love yourself with unconditional love.

Respect is the most important tip I can say . Respect you ! If you don’t who will?

By Tapera Parrish Love is a feeling Love is hope Love is when someone Holds you when you mope Love is power Love is near Love is when my Knight In shining armor appears Love is sweet Love is kind Love is unity One peace of mind

By Magalie Gabriel

I love my style People stare at my outfit as if I have on a wedding gown walking down an aisle.

My eyes, their chocolate color and their ability to see your fake truth as lies.

My singing voice, soprano voice, alto voice sounds beautiful whatever the choice. My lips, one kiss will leave you with the most unforgettable memory that you will never forget me.

My self-confidence, I don’t need to be told I’m pretty because I’m already convinced .

My hair, whether it’s weave or natural try to catch to catch it a mess. I dare you with my eyelashes. I bat them, you like them I love them. My thighs, I don’t have to show them, you can look but don’t touch. My drive, how I thrive to succeed on a big screen you will see me.

I hope you’re looking down with a smile R.I.P. Ricky

By Destiny Smith I am beautiful thanks to my... eyes lips humor cheeks All the compliments & smiles they give Thanks to them I can stand today Not with a frown but with a smile I can truly say I am beautiful In every single way!

By Anonymous

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Dear Blue Rain...

Dear Blue Rain, How do I know if a guy really loves me?

Sincerely, Infatuated Dear Infatuated,

one and get butterflies in your

know that healthy

stomach every time you see

relationships involve open com-

them.

munication, respect, courtesy,

Practical Love: Choosing a partner based on rational decisions about whom they fit best with.

Unconditional Love: to be there

Telling he loves you is one thing, for them no matter what bebut it’s what he does to prove it cause they’re your family to makes all the difference. Like if

provide your support, under-

he carries your books, gives you

standing, time and energy (ex.

flowers, compliments you when

family, friends or steady long

you look a hot mess, walk you

term relationship with a part-

to work or home. He gives you

ner)

all the attention you need. But you don’t have to have sex to prove that you love him.

Conditional Love: to expect someone to consistently do, say or prove themselves to meet

Set respectful boundaries of

certain needs like “You’ll do this

how you want to be treated

if you love me.”

when no one is around, in front of your or his family and his and your friends. Be sure he gives you space without it being an issue. He cares about you for who you are and not what he wants you to be or do for him.

There’s at least seven types of love such as: Infatuation: to crush on some-

kindness, trust and appreciation.

Value yourself without lowering your standards.

Sincerely, Blue Rain

Dear Blue Rain, Why do some guys give insulting compliments? Like he said, “you don’t throw like a girl.” What’s that supposed to mean? But he said he likes me.

Sincerely, Frustrated Dear Frustrated, That comment may not be intentional and he may really like you without realizing he’s insulting you. It depends on the tone,

In-love: passionate feelings for

whether it was sarcastic or not.

someone.

This kind of comment is called

Mania Love: obsessed with someone that often includes jealousy, possessiveness, a lack of communication and leads to domestic or teen dating violence.

Ludus: is love that's a game.

micro-aggression. Maybe you could have a clever response like “you’re smart for a jock.” See if he laughs or not, so he gets your point. If he really likes and respects you he’ll apologize. Guys are not going to know if they

These feelings may be a little

hurt your feelings, so you have to

confusing. However, please

tell them in a nice way.

Sincerely, Blue Rain

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Rites of Passage Academy Girls Club Meetings Rites of Passage Girls Clubs!

Where: B. T. Washington, Sr. (BTW)

For Who: Girls ages10-18

When: Mondays Time: 6:30-8pm

1200 NW 6th Ave. Miami, FL 33136

Closed: Holiday and Spring Break, Teacher Planning, Early Release Days and inclement weather

When: Monday—Thursday Time: 2:30-5:00pm

*For more information:

6161 NW 5th Ct. Miami, Fl 33127

Room: 329

Work America, Inc.

Call (305) 586-6694

Where: Edison Eduplex SHS When: Wednesdays and Thursdays Time: 3–5pm Rm: A-121

430 NW 9th St. Miami, FL 33136

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Thank you for re-funding

THANK YOU COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Hands 2 Help, Inc.: Passage to Womanhood 2nd year partnership Sierra Club Miami Inner City Outings 7 year partnership Dade County Bar Association Horizons Committee, 6 year partnership

Mi-Lola—Miami International Latinas Organizing Leadership and Advocacy, 3rd year partnership IT Women— Information Technology, 3rd year partnership 9 yr partnership

Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA): Women On The Rise Booker T. Washington SHS, 7 year partnership

Rites of Passage for 2011-2012 The Rites of Passage Program is generously funded by The Children’s Trust.

The Children’s Trust is a dedicated source of funding created by voter referendum in 2002 to improve the lives of children and families in Miami-Dade County by making strategic investments in their future – because all children are our children.