GrassROOTS Expands SuperCamp

GrassROOTS’ Super Camp program had a major expansion this year with the addition of SuperCamp Philadelphia site. With two themes and one mission, GrassROOTS’ SuperCamp implemented a culturally rich summer program directed at improving black girls’ leadership skills and guided by the core principles of Maat.

In New Jersey, SuperGirls were introduced to the concept of Liberty. SuperGirls explored the historical meanings of freedom, how societies have defined freedom and how Africans across the diaspora have endeavored to achieve freedom. In addition, campers engaged in activities that helped them learn to apply the context of liberty in their lives: its purpose and its boundaries, the way it shapes our choices, and how it creates responsibilities to ourselves and others – both to family, in community and those in the world.

In Philadelphia, the theme of Awaken was geared toward helping our newest group of girls understand and develop a sense of self. The theme builds on the idea that once the soul awakens, the search begins and you can never go back.  This experience offered an opportunity for girls to discover the best of themselves in a nurturing, rigorous and fun environment.

Special thanks to all our SuperGirls, Caregivers and partners for helping to make 2016 SuperCamp a very special experience.

New Jersey Special Thanks to:

Team: Ali Scott, Lisa Maxwell Anekwe, Tenisha Malcolm

Junior Wellness Coaches: Dominique Scott & Jaelyn Stewart

Special Assistant: Kai Raymond

Parent Volunteer: Sonia Fergus

Youth Volunteers: Jordan Scott & Kumra Khalfani

All generous donors to our SuperCamp Scholarship Fund

The Episcopal Church of Saint Andrew & Holy Communion; The Reverend Canon Dr. Sandye A. Wilson and Patrice Henderson

All New Jersey Partners/Presenters/Trailblazers:

• Alexandra Hill, Journalist, WBGO Radio
• Antoinette Ellis-Williams, Professor, New Jersey City University
• Balanda Atis, Manager of Global Women of Color Laboratory and US Foundation Laboratory, L’ Oreal USA
• Cornell Caines, Senior Litigation Consultant
• Erin Young and Lillian Jones, EMQ Networks
• Haile Thomas, Founder & CEO, Happy Organization
• Ib’nallah Kazi, Educator, Medicine Lifestyle
• Jamaica Gilmer, Founder & Co-Director, The Beautiful Project
• Janit London, General Manager, Purple Dragon Food Co-Op Inc.
• Jeannine Frisby LaRue, Senior Vice President, Kaufman Zita Group
• Joye Allen and Sheryl Coleman, Children’s Learning Tree Child Care Center
• Karen Miles, Director, Zawadi Dance
• LaChell Miller, Registered Dietician, ShopRite of West Orange
• Lauren Mims, Assistant Director, White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans
• Lisa Charles, Health & Wellness Speaker & Instructor, Embrace Your Fitness
• Marjorie Perry, Presidents & CEO, MZM Construction
• Naa Oyo A. Kwate, Associate Professor, Rutgers University, Department of Human Ecology & Department of Africana Studies
• Sabrinah Mubarak-Lindsey, Greater Newark Conservancy
• Stephanie M. Thompson, M.D., Endocrinologist and Infertility Specialist in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at RWJF Barnabas
• Tai Cooper, Chief Policy Advisor, City of Newark
• Vanera Aponte, Owner, M.A.D.E. Stars
• Vonda McPherson, Owner, Vonda’s Kitchen
• Wendy McKenzie, Owner, In the Wink of An Eye
• Yahya Kamate, Owner, Kamate Drummers

Philadelphia Special Thanks to:

Team: Diana Gonzalez & Jeanelle Lawson

Wellness Coaches: Morgan Pettus

Parent Volunteer: Jeanine Williams

Junior Wellness Coaches: Simone Marant & Taryn Miles

Volunteers: Takeya McLeod and Tynesha Williams

All Philadelphia Partners/Presenters/Trailblazers:

• Adrian Bohm, Professor, Delaware County Community College
• Aja Graydon Dantzler, Grammy-Nominated R&B Singer, Kindred the Family Soul
• Anthony Soto, Member of Cordau de Ouro Group
• Cynthia Hall, Environmental Geochemist and Associate Professor of Geosciences, Department of Earth and Space Sciences, West Chester University
• Leslie Marant, Owner & Founder, Temple Building Fitness, LLC
• Norma Porter Anthony, Dance Instructor
• Jeannine Kayembe, Co-Executive Director, Philly Urban Creators
• Ra Hall, Photographer, Art Thru The Eye Ov Ra
• Rakia Reynolds, CEO & Founder, Skai Blue Media
• Sandra Welch, The Underground Yogi
• Shir-Rhea Watson Moore, Financial Leadership Coach, Stewart Financial Group
• Tiffenia Archie, Assistant Vice President, Diversity at Temple University

Community Partners Needed

We are seeking community partners in Germantown so we can evaluate the feasibility of our social action and wellness curriculum. If you are located in zip code 19144 and service a large population of girls, please contact Diana Gonzalez at dgonzalez@grassrootscommunityfoundation.org.