Student Profile: Maya Williams

Maya J. Williams, C'2011, has been crowned Miss Black New Jersey 2009. An economics major with a double minor in management and organization and dance, Williams will soon compete for the coveted title of Miss Black USA 2009.
A nonprofit organization dedicated to providing educational opportunities to young women of color and developing the whole woman, mind, body and spirit, the Miss Black USA Pageant and Scholarship Foundation Inc. celebrates scholastic achievement and believes that education is the key to lifelong success and empowerment. The pageant promotes education and leadership by providing scholarship opportunities to its winners, and is committed to addressing health and education, two leading social issues in the African-American community. Winners of the official Miss Black USA state pageants will use their civic platform to promote awareness of these issues during their respective reigns.

A native from North Brunswick, New Jersey, Williams chose the civic platform of "Save the Arts", which aims to incorporate art programs in local schools that do not have artistic outlets. The program will have artistic programs including dance, drama, music, vocalization, and visual art.
Williams became well connected to various artistic programs at an early age, and she is passionate about promoting art. She is on the leadership team for Spelman's Esther's Circle, a Christian ministry where she serves as the acting treasurer and co-social chair. She is also part of the leadership team for Spelman's Economic Empowerment Initiative (eei), which promotes financial literacy to college students.
Additionally, Williams is a member of various dance groups including Movements of Praise, and also choreographer for CAEDC (Christian Actors & Entertainers Development Corporation) and other teams in the metro-Atlanta region and in New Jersey. She regularly demonstrates her passion of learning by interning and volunteering with companies including InterVarsity and Noelle-Elaine Media Inc. In her spare time, she tries to give back by participating in various community service projects with Esther's Circle and other outside organizations.
Even though Williams stays busy, she continues to keep a positive attitude and helps others in need. She says, "I am grateful for everything God has provided me already this year. I am continuing to develop as a leader, and will serve as a model for others."

Lauren McAlpin, C'2011, spent her summer working with other teens to change the world. As a 2008 Youth Ambassador in the U.N. Association of USA's HERO campaign, McAlpin traveled to South Africa, where she built schools and homes, taught in Zulu-speaking schools, and assisted with medical exams. In January, McAlpin will be recognized for her efforts in a "20 Under 20" feature by Atlanta INtown newspaper.
At Spelman, Lauren is a contributing writer at her college newspaper and serves as an admissions ambassador. Chosen from thousands of applicants to be one of 21 HERO students, McAlpin also participated in the National Youth Leadership Forum and Global Young Leaders Conference where, this spring, she will attend the International Scholar Laureate Program in South Africa.
She currently volunteers at the Fulton County Pet Shelter and serves on the executive board for Invisible Children, which organizes efforts to send funds to child soldiers in Northern Uganda.

The Youth Ambassador program is a six-week program dedicated to the care of orphans and vulnerable children in Africa. The program's mission is to empower teens around the globe to embrace their role as global citizens. Check out www.beingagirl.com/hero

Co-Founder of Barackawear, Inc.
Twenty-seven year old Lorielle Broussard’s first entrepreneurial endeavor was selling candy on the bus to and from elementary school in Houston, Texas. She continued to develop her business and networking skills while throwing parties as a student at Spelman College, and in recent years, as a stylist/costume designer for TV, film and music for acts like Ciara.
She gives her alma mater, Spelman College, a lot of credit for developing her skills. She believes that her Spelman experience has helped shape who she has become today, and has also helped her realize all of the things she is capable of doing. She admits that Spelman prepared her for things that she never knew she would ever face in her life and career.

“I realized my senior year that no matter what people tell you, if you believe you can do something, then you will. I believe this is why I have been successful in my career and have never given up on my dreams and aspirations.”
In August 2007, her older brother Brandon called on her fashion savvy, creativity and design skills to create a graphic in support of then presidential hopeful Barack Obama, and inspired by MTV’s “Rock the Vote.” The result was “Ba-rack the Vote,” and formally sparked the Broussards' foray into the business world.
After selling 250 t-shirts with the eye-catching logo to friends and family, Lorielle and Brandon saw the value their creation had in generating awareness of the candidate in whom they believed. They founded Barackawear and Lorielle set to work in developing the Web site and securing partners in printing and distribution.
Eighteen months and 40,000 t-shirts, hoodies and tank tops later, Barackawear donated more than $30,000 in cash and goods toward grassroots campaigning. In addition to contributing the maximum financial contribution to "Obama for America," the Broussards bought meals, provided BTV gear, and paid for transportation and accommodations for volunteers who traveled with them to South Carolina and Philadelphia during the primaries; and Las Vegas and Chicago during the general election.

Miss Spelman Leads
and Serves by Example

(Erin, center, and her Court: Second Attendant, Cornelia Robinson, left; and First Attendant, Lauren Sullivan-Larke, right)

Erin, who has a passion for the performing arts, has been professionally trained in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, African, and hip hop dance styles for the past 16 years. Combining her zeal for dance and her love of children, Erin has served as an assistant dance teacher and choreographer for her church dance ministry and local communities in Charlotte, North Carolina. Erin volunteers as an assitant to her former kindergarten teacher and has facilitated workshops with the Mecklenburg County Council against teen pregnancy.
"To whom much is given, much is required."
Erin, the daughter of Willie and Victoria Barksdale, has served Spelman and the Atlanta University Center (AUC) community with passion and a spirit of sisterhood. She was the vice presidential advisor to the First Year Class Council of 2007 and publicity chair for the 2004-2005 Miss Spelman College. Last year, to reach out to her Spelman sisters, Erin created and coordinated Spelman’s first ever domestic violence awareness week entitled, “When Love Hurts: Answering the Silent Cries of Domestic Violence.”
A proud graduate of Spelman’s 2005 Women of Excellence Leadership Series, Erin has developed and refined her leadership skills. She has interned on Capitol Hill with the Congressional Black Caucus in the office of Representative Melvin L. Watt, chairman of the Black Caucus. This past summer, as a member of the INROADS internship program, Erin interned with Wachovia Corporation in Community Development and Corporate Communications.
With her platform “Sisterhood Personified: A Two-fold Endeavor,” Erin has created the Royal Engagement Association, which is a support system for the royal courts of the AUC. Along with her court and advisory board, she has presented a resume writing workshop, coordinated service projects such as the Suicide Prevention Walk, worked with the WISDOM Center and Sisters Chapel in co-sponsoring events such as the Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, PraiseFest 2005, and a lecture series.
She is currently developing a mentoring relationship with the young ladies at University Homes and planning a philanthropy campaign for Morris Brown College. Erin seeks to use her reign of service to implement programs of sisterhood, substance, and service.
While a student David W. Butler High School in North Carolina, Erin assumed numerous leadership roles and was the first African American to be inducted into the Daughters of the American Revolution Society.

Following the mantra, “To whom much is given, much is required,” Erin hopes to follow in the faithful footsteps of those who have come before her by assuming the mantel of leadership while uplifting her brothers and sisters.

Ouleye Ndoye Selected as BMW Scholar for Spelman

Oulèye Ndoye, a junior international studies major, has been named the BMW Scholar for the Spelman Class of 2007. Each year, BMW Corp. scouts the sophomore student body, looking for a woman whom they feel best personifies the qualities -- drive, power, creativity, and intelligence evident in their high-performance, luxury vehicles. After several competitive rounds of interviews, the selection process culminates with the delivery of marketing presentations to the board of BMW representatives.
“The BMW presentation date I was given conflicted with my study abroad travel plans during the fall semester,” Ouleye told us. “I was literally at the JFK International Airport ready to board an airplane for Senegal, when I made the last-minute decision to fly back to Atlanta to present my ideas in person for the 3-series to BMW’s scholarship board.”
The gamble paid off -- as the BMW Scholar, Ouleye receives a full tuition scholarship for her junior and senior years at Spelman, and the opportunity to benefit from a paid internship within BMW’s marketing division this summer.

“The most difficult decisions in college are the ones you make alone; so it feels great when you listen to yourself and end up making the right decision... especially if that decision helps you reach a goal you’ve set for yourself,” Ouleye recommends. “But either way, we learn something about ourselves in the end. I truly believe that, ‘Everything happens for a reason!’”
Raised by a father born and raised in Senegal, and a mother who hails from a Midwestern farming community, Ouleye grew up with a keen understanding about lifestyles literally worlds apart; but she now feels most at home at Spelman where she has flourished both academically and spiritually. In addition to Spelman College’s Dean’s List and Honor Roll, Ouleye is an Ethel Waddell Githii Honors Program Scholar and sat on the Executive Board of the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society. She is also a 2005 graduate of Spelman’s Women of Excellence and Leadership (WEL) Series.
Ouleye is testing out the waters of a future career in law and politics as a named Fellow with the Institute for International Public Policy (IIPP). The IIPP's mission is to enhance U.S. national security and global competitiveness by promoting excellence, international service and cultural competence among a broader, more diverse cross-section of the American citizenry. As an IIPP Fellow, Ouleye participated in the Public Policy Institute last summer. In the fall, she enjoyed her study abroad experience at Suffolk University in Dakar, Senegal. “Studying in Senegal allowed me to perfect my French and Wolof language skills, while studying the colonial history of Senegal and its impact on current Senegalese society.” (She wrote extensively about her experiences living abroad in her editorial column for The Jaguar Print, Sept-Dec 2005 editions).
A driving force in Spelman’s Student Government Association (SGA), Ouleye helped implement the first student alumni fundraising event in 2003; and assisted in bringing the first “Relay for Life” event ever hosted at an HBCU to Spelman’s campus in 2004. The event supports the American Cancer Society's efforts to raise money for cancer research.
Ouleye served as SGA Secretary her sophomore year, and as the current Presidential Advisor, she is involved in the effort to rewrite the SGA constitution. While serving as SGA Secretary her sophomore year, Ouleye founded The Jaguar Print, which made its debut on Spelman’s campus in 2004. She has served as Editor-In-Chief since it’s founding, and watched carefully as. The Jaguar Print has expanded to serve as the sounding board for all events held by student organizations chartered by the Office of Student Activities.
“Through SSGA, I get involved in many community outreach events, but some of my most rewarding moments have come as a tutor and mentor to a young girl at the KIPP West Atlanta Young Scholars Academy.” Ouleye adds, “It is a great feeling knowing how she looks up to me, and that because of our relationship, she plans to attend Spelman College when she grows up.” Ouleye is also active in the community service initiatives organized by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, Eta Kappa Chapter, of which she is a member.
Upon graduation, Ouleye plans to complete the IIPP experience with a language institute in Vermont, an internship in Europe, and a combined doctor of jurisprudence and MBA program. When speaking of the future, however, she is quick to caution, “As much as I like to plan ahead, I live by the motto, ‘Let go and let God!’ I know that I have reaped the benefits of His guidance, and none of what I have accomplished thus far would have been possible without Him.”

Thomas Wins Prestigious Gilman Scholarship

Junior drama major Keosha Y. Thomas fell in love with London, England many years ago after receiving a postcard from one of her middle school teachers. Now, the Atlanta native will have the opportunity to spend an entire semester in the United Kingdom thanks to the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program.
Thomas recently won the $5,000 Gilman Scholarship to study at Goldsmiths College of the University of London through Arcadia University. She expects to spend a great deal of time at the theater while in London, and is very excited about expanding her horizons and experiencing another culture.
This fall at Spelman, Thomas appeared in the drama and dance department's season opener, the Freddie Hendricks Project entitled "State of Mind." She also worked behind the scenes as the costume coordinator for the play, "Blues for an Alabama Sky" which was written by playwright, novelist and Spelman's 2005-2006 Endowed Cosby Chair, Pearl Cleage.
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program provides grants for U.S. undergraduate students of limited financial means to pursue academic studies abroad. The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs sponsors the scholarship program, and the Institute of International Education assists with the program’s administration.

Fulbright Winner Goes Global

Sarah Thompson, an Elkhart, Indiana native, is a scholar-activist who says she loves Spelman College because she is daily inspired by the fabulous, courageous, and determined young black women around her. As a 2006-2007 Fulbright Scholar, she will travel to Argentina where she will serve as a teaching assistant in English at a university; and in her free time start a young girl's soccer team.
The Fulbright grant supports Thompson's continued interest in scholar-activism through popular peace education and community organizing. Her year in Argentina is directly influenced by her exposure to scholar-activist opportunities through the Women's Research and Resource Center, the Sister's Chapel WISDOM Center and the International Affairs Center.
Thompson, whose motto is: "Ask not only what Spelman can do for you, but what only you can do for Spelman," has made a significant impact on the Spelman community. She co-founded the Atlanta University Center Peace Coalition, which has lead hundreds of students in protest of the war in Iraq since early 2003; and currently serves as president of the Student Government Association. On any given day, she can be found zipping around campus on her bike, talking with students in the cafeteria, or advocating for student's concerns to administrators.
The recipient of Glamour Magazine’s Top Ten College Women of 2005 and a member of the Phi Beta Kappa, Mortarboard and Golden Key Honor Societies, Sarah double majors in Comparative Women's Studies and International Studies and holds a minor in Spanish.
She played varsity soccer for Spelman College and was the Scholar-Athlete with the highest GPA (3.95) for the 2003-2004 school year. Thompson is also active in many school and citywide organizations such as the Spelman Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance, SisterFire, the Georgia Peace and Justice Coalition, Atlanta Mennonite Fellowship.