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c i Alumna Spotlight Bi andalyn Idodgels Class of2007 Margaret West Spelman College gives the charge to change the world to every student upon entering Spelman Col lege. Brandalyn Rodgers, Class of 2007, is still challenging herself each and every day to be the catalyst that sparks innovation and touches the lives of the Dallas community. Rodgers has set the bar high since graduation, leav ing Spelman with an internship and a job at Southern California Edison as a Legislative Assistant in Sacramento, CA. Rodger’s love for politics and prowess to translate political actions into effects distinguish her from her peers. Elected officials and community members from California to Texas can attest to her work ethic, dedication to excellence, and genuine empathy ac tion in the community. Her passion for service pro pelled her into the world of Non- Profit organizations. In the past, she was Program Coordinator of United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, where she touched the lives of many citi zens in the Dallas Metroplex and set a standard in her office that forced her colleagues to go above and beyond re quirements to make an extraordinary impact. Currently she gives her time to the youth of Mount Moriah Mission ary Baptist Church in Dallas, TX and is involved in Big Brothers Big Sisters. Her successful career has garnered membership in the Greater Dallas Urban Young Professionals and she is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Soror- ^ ity, Inc. She has received numerous awards for the work she’s done profes sionally and personally. She received the 2009 Sacramento Unified School District Outstanding Mentor, and was recognized as one of the 30 Remark able Young Professionals Under 30 in Sacramento, CA. She now works for the City of Dallas as Legislative Assistant, moni toring legislation that can possibly affect the City of Dallas. Her efforts in combating bills that can change Dal las for better or worse require close relationships with elected officials and other influential members of the com munity. She works closely with Dallas City Council and United States House of Representatives Member Eddie Ber nice Johnson. Her impact extends far and wide, and her different endeavors have inspired young girls to strive for the best in whatever their field of inter est may be. She has a passion for educa tion, and plans on furthering her expertise by obtaining a law degree from an institution in Texas. Her love for education and providing equal op portunities for those who not afforded a chance at success by their communi ties are two areas of interest she wants to become involved in during her lifetime. Her choice to attend Spelman College provided her with the educa tional foundation to go forth and con quer inequality, pursue her passions, and maintain a healthy, admirable work ethic that all of her colleagues can attest to. She enjoys spending time with her family and enhancing her quality of work by staying informed with the political climate of country. Brandalyn Rodgers is an example of the Spelman Women we all aspire to become, and staying true to ourselves despite our career field is a vital part of success that she has mastered. She is among the number of Spelman sisters who answered the call to change the lives of communities around the coun try, and eventually, the world. Student Spotlight Rabiah Elisa feiMlat environment with people who are striving to Desiree Booker, the daughter of express themselves in a more positive light Stephanie Booker, a native of Philadelphia, and bring progress to their communities and Pennsylvania, a freshman of Spelman College furthermore the nation, is empowering and a rising revolutionary; rapper of the AUC and the future. Booker’s passion for rapping began at the early age of 9. She belonged to an activist group Rhythm and Rhyme Education and enlightening. The atmosphere truly in- '^’Spired Desiree and gave her more hope in the possibility of a better future not only for her- v ., ( self put for her generation as well. Booker came to the AUC already with Booker’s mother and sister have continued to encourage her to practice and perform her craft and her fans, ranging in age, ethnicity, and lifestyle, give her the fuel to keep writing and improv (R.A.R.E). The group consisted of seven artists a strong support system from both her im of which Desiree was the only female. R.A.R.E .mediate family and her growing fan base, performed at various local venues to raise awareness for different causes such as pro education and anti violence, which were particularly problematic topics in Philadel phia. It was at this age that Desiree met her mentor Jeffrey Weaver who gave her the jump- start to her rapping, career. He introduced Desiree to her stage name and personality, Myrikal, which Booker still uses today. Weaver also wrote music for Desiree while encouraging her seM^dfflfhce and confidence to enter in to the rap world. Desiree eventually branched out and found her own voice. At the age of 14, Desiree was writing her own music and by 15 she pro duced her first album, The Evolution of a Revolution, as an independent artist. How ever, at the age of 16, Booker took time away from rapping and only recently picked it back up in order to reinvent her image. In March 2010, Desiree was hired to do a 21st annual National Youth Leadership Conference in San Jose, California for a four day plenary centered around youth innovation. Kids came from all over the coun try and displayed/ presented the service learning projects they did in their hometowns, j Booker was hired to have her own workshop based on creative writing and ex pressionism. After the workshop, Desiree closed out the convention with a song “A Face of Innovation,” which can be found on YouTube. This performance gave Booker the chance to travel without pay. But comes from a place heavily saturated with violence and wrong doings and going to an ing. However, Booker is also faced with opposition from extended family members who haven’t ever been supportive of education and being bigger and going further than Philadelphia. Furthermore, Booker receives a great deal of criticism as she is only 18 and some people tend to doubt her ability as a strong lyricist in the genre of black conscious rap. Booker has not let this deter her though and has brought her talent down to the AUC with the utmost confidence and fervor. Bookerfias performed at multiple , events so far such as Spelbound, New Student Orientation, and the Mr. Freshman pageant. Most recently, Booker will be in an upcoming Larry Alexander documentary filmed by the Morehouse Film Crew called AUCypher: A Conscious Hip Hop Documen tary. Prior to the filming, auditions were held for rappers throughout the AUC. Of ev eryone who audtioned, four were chosen: one man of Morehouse, two Clark students, and Desiree- Spelman’s representative. The four collaborated on three cyphers. The first top being legends of hip hop. The second cypher regards the exploitation of women in hip hop and the third is a freestyle that still reflects the critical thinking and critical con sciousness topic. Originally, there was two be a fourth cypher however Clark objected to filming taking place on their campus. The subject of this documentary falls completely in line with Booker’s focus as a rapper. She has a passion for expressing the needs of the black culture and a call to arms to combat iff the problems in our community that keep us | from progressing as a people. She finds that , a great deal of these issues are also reflected in contemporary rap and intrinsic with the rap industry in general, which has left Booker' disheartened. When being compared to rappers such as Nicki Minaj, Booker aims to disassociated with her use of profanity and exhausted sexuality and explicit concepts. Booker is excited for the documen tary’s release as it is her first official produc tion thatcould possibly go mainstream. A few big names are expected to be present at the premieras well, which will surely be great exposure. Booker is finally receiving the rec- ognitionshe has wanted in the light that she has wanted it. She has been doing conscious hip hop her entire life but has been booked for events that were not focused on this idea. Thus,this opportunity has revived Booker’s love for hip hop and has even almost solidified Desiree’s desire to pursue music as her occu pation. Literacy for and Financial Cipating Opportunity Chelsea Williams This past winter break I embarked on an experience that has undoubtedly changed my life. I took part in a winter study abroad pro gram focused on ‘Microcredit and Economic Development ‘in Bangladesh through South ern Illinois University at Carbondale. Unsure of what to expect from the program, I stepped out in faith with only a beginner level under standing of microcredit and its impact in the developing world. Having a genuine passion for financial lit eracy education I was surprised to discover the parallels between the microcredit practice and helping to build financial saviness amongst women of color. Financial mismanagement, a major problem in the United States, also serves as a problem in the developing world. Financial mismanagement or lack there of, negatively impacts everything around us from housing and transportation, to education and environmental sustainability. My experience in Bangladesh refocused what it means to be financially literate through understanding microcredit, a practice designed to empower those most needy through the power of entre preneurship. The word microcredit did not exist until the seventies yet today, microcredit is known to provide credit as a human right (Grameen). Through microcredit those who may not have been able to receive loans through traditional banking institutions are provided an opportu nity typically through non-governmental insti tutions, or one similar to the Grameen Bank. Microcredit focuses on helping families; par ticularly women work there way out of poverty and create future opportunities that may not have otherwise existed. The practice of mi crocredit has swept through the developing world impacting families within Africa, South America, and Asia. Recently the microcredit practice was introduced in the United States through the Grameen Bank and provides credit to women in New York City, Indianapo lis, and Omaha. Though there is controversy over the impact microcredit practices leave within a community, it cannot be denied that women borrowers receive a dynamic benefit from being able to individually sell their own products, gain money that goes directly into their pockets, and meet the diverse needs of their family. Additionally, women build confi dence, extraordinary organization, and effec tive communication skills that are critical in growing their social enterprises. While in Bangladesh I visited a number of villages and observed first hand the income generating activities of women. I also heard testimonials from Grameen Bank and Bangla desh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC) women borrowers who used microcredits towards agricultural and furniture social-en terprises. The microcredit practice is just one example of a system put in place to break the cycle of financial illiteracy by providing unique resources to underprivileged individuals. Is there a product or service that you feel would best solve issues around financial lit eracy, particularly amongst women of color? If so, what are the biggest challenges and op portunities? Could the proposed initiative be evaluated here at Spelman and transformed into something dynamic? If there is one thing Bangladesh taught me it is the importance of innovative thinking to solve social problems. There is no one “right” idea, nor will everyone support the ideas you put forth however, when it is all said and done at least a sincere effort has been made to contribute towards making the world a better place. Spelman prides itself in producing women who have a choice to change the world. We are given all the traits and qualities we need however we often left our dreams slip away right in the palm of our hands. We are what we need to solve social injustices that plagues are communities and those of the majority of our world’s population who live in complete poverty. Please join me in pledging financial fitness by first making a change in your personal life to effectively manage finances and begin taking the steps to save (even if only $! a day) and then working to positively impact those around you. If interested in learning and lead ing in the financial literacy space please join the Spelman College Golden Purse Group! Golden parse Group