UrbanGirlz.org
Keeping Urban Girlz and Teenz in the Know
Keeping Urban Girlz and Teenz in the Know
Real Girlz, Real Issuez
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| Vinita Reed Co-Owner - Vice President Frisco Thunder IFL Football Team |
| Community conscious and smart, Vinita Reed embodies the true spirit of an urban hero. As the Co-Owner and Vice President of the Frisco Thunder IFL Football Team in Dallas, Texas, Vinita continues to excel in a male dominated field. The wife of Jake Reed, a 12-year veteran of the National Football League, Vinita shares the responsibility of not only building a successful football team but also impacting the community where she and her family live and serve. Located in the suburbs of Dallas Texas, the Frisco Thunder play 14 games away and at home, to audiences that are growing in size and enthusiasm. The Frisco based football team seeks to recruit local talent and to partner with community organizations to increase awareness about diabetes, high blood pressure, and breast cancer. In addition to their community involvement, the Reeds emphasize to players and dancers the importance of portraying a positive image in their lives and in representing the team. Being a real model, Vinita's desire to impact the lives of urban girlz and teenz means doing your best, working hard, and being consistent. Those are the words of wisdom from an urban girl who lives her life as an example not only in her home, but also in her business and community. To check out the Frisco Thunder IFL Football Team click on the following link. |
A woman full of purpose and destiny, Monica Johnson is an UrbanHero who is quickly making her mark on the publishing world. As Co-Owner and Vice President of EPITOME magazine, Monica and her husband, Todrick Johnson, provide a fresh perspective of the gospel community with cutting edge articles and interviews of today's leading gospel figures. "Not Gossip, JUST GOSPEL," is the theme that EPITOME embodies because their goal is to provide life impacting information useful to everyone. No stranger to leadership, Monica earned her MBA from the University of Dallas, and currently serves as Finance Manger for UPS. Called by her husband to take a step of faith, Monica and her husband began EPITOME with a dream, a few phone numbers and great work ethic. Now a beacon in the Gospel community, EPITOME's appeal is broadening as others are taking notice of the quality and relevance of this progressive publication. Overcoming hardship and personal loss in her youth, Monica identifies first hand with many of the experiences of urban girlz and wants all girls to know that "God is their role model." Her strong faith is an example for urban girlz who think it is not possible to succeed. Monica Johnson is living the impossible dream by living in faith. To receive your daily dose of GOSPEL, click on the following link, EPITOME Magazine. |
| Kertrina Dauway is a publisher, singer, songwriter and all-around Urban Hero. Overcoming low self-image, she is now a premier speaker at women's conferences, and more importantly, she is the Editor-in-Chief of "You Can Live Again Magazine," - a magazine that gives hope to women across the world. Kertrina is a tireless community organizer who works to build up women through her "You Can Live Again," conference which began as an outbirth of her desire to let women know that in spite of their past, "God controls the future." The message of hope and dealing with past pain led to her founding and publishing the "You Can Live Again," magazine which encourages women to rise from the ashes of defeat and live the life God destined them to live. This inspiring and beautiful UrbanHero continues to stretch her wings in areas that compliment her desire to lift the esteem of women. Kertrina is currently working on a story which will air on Insights a Dallas Fox 4 Channel affiliate in the Fall of 2008. Insights will deal with low self-esteem in urban girlz and teenz. Click in the following link and listen to Kertrina's newest music CD. Also read a excerpt of You Can Live Again magazine, or just read all about this extraordinary UrbanHero in "You Can Live Again." |
| UrbanGirlz.org Presents 2008 UrbanHeroes "touching the lives of urban girlz and teenz" After receiving nominations throughout March and April, the following women have been selected as 2008 UrbanHeroes for their outstanding work in the community, and in their personal, family and business lives. We salute the 2008 UrbanHeroes for their commitment to making it a better world for all urban girlz and teenz. |
| Monica Johnson Co-Owner/Vice President Epitome Magazine |
| Kertrina Dauway Publisher/Speaker You Can Live Again |
| Arlether Wilson Victim's Assistant/Author Houston Constable's Office |
| Candace Rene Clark University of Arlington Graduate |
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Candace Rene Cooks is the youngest Urban Hero honored this month, and it is all because of her tenacity and will to overcome her circumstances. A native of Waco, Texas, Candace embarked upon a life of education early on, when she relocated and started attending college. Soon thereafter, Candace began to deal with financial difficulties, family illness and loss of friendships. Despite the trying times, Candace volunteered with the local women's and children's shelters and began to channel the pain from her past into working with shelter residents. The time with them gave her a renewed hope for her won life. As a result of her volunteering efforts, she decided that Sociology would be her major course of study. UrbanGirlz salutes Candace for her determination to succeed; and living up to her college title "Most Likely to Succeed." For her ability to inspire other urban girlz who may be facing difficult times with no desire to complete their education, we salute you for being an inspiration and a testimony for what God can do in one's life. |
| Carol Daugherty Foster Editor, Minority Business News |
Chances are, if you have ever read a school book, you know this urban hero. Carol Daughtery Foster, is a powerhouse in the publishing industry and has demonstrated how the love of reading and writing pays off. A native of Camden, New Jersey, Carol attended Rutgers University with a New Jersey State Scholarship and received a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Librarianship from the University of Denver. As the editor of the Minority Business News, Carol has been instrumental in the editing of educational resources for both high schools and colleges across the country. An avid community investor, Carol is currently a member of the Board of Directors for the African American Museum of Life and Culture in Dallas, Texas. She was also a Founding member of the North Dallas Links, Inc., and was a member of the North Suburban Dallas chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. Carol is an awesome woman and has dedicated a lifetime to strengthening urban communities and building young men and women. Look out for Carol's new book which chronicles the wisdom of mothers and will be available in the near future. |
Homelessness, teen pregnancy, foster care and overcomer are all three words synonymous with this extraordinary UrbanHero. Arlether Wilson is truly a sister with a story worth telling. After spending more than ten years in foster care and returning to the poverty stricken community in Houston, Texas where no one was expected to excel, her drive, determination and will to survive transformed that hopelessness to service. In 1998, Arlether graduated first in her class to become a law Enforcement Officer. Shortly thereafter, she earned the highest achievement that a police officer can obtain, the Master Peace Officer certification. In 2001, Arlether graduated Cum Laude from the University of Houston and later earner her Master's Degree in Behavioral Science. Most striking about this powerful woman is her work as a Child Abuse and Family Violence Investigator where she has not only gained a wealth of knowledge, but where she has been able to give back in an area with which she is all too familiar. Arlether's greates project to date, other than her two children, is her inspirational memoir, Rewriting the Script. Her story was written to heal those who are now experiencing what she has now overcome. UrbanGirlz salutes Mother, Officer, Author, and Survivor, Arlether Wilson. You can read excerpt from her book on her website at rewritethescript.com. |
UrbanHeroes 2008
| UrbanGirlz thanks Karen Griggsby and Jessica E. Jones for their special contributions to the 2008 UrbanHeroes Month |