Destinee graduated from the University of Illinois Springfield with a BS in Social Work. She is a licensed foster care coordinator, entrepreneur, advocate for underserved populations, member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, and a fashion consultant,. Destinee currently resides in North Carolina and has a fashion line called “Wear Your Destinee”.Destinee has experience with diverse communities, grants, curriculum development, social services, supervision, and the training of new employees. She has served at Unique Caring Foundation, Don Moyer Boys & Girls Club, Upward Bound, and Men’s Transitional Housing. Destinee has also served on the Supportive Services team for a Veteran’s Families Grant to provide services to homeless veterans, as a licensing coordinator at Dreams and Vision Group Home, as a case coordinator at Catholic Charities, as a coordinator for Movement Afterschool Program, as a Family Educator and Child Development Case Manager at Champaign-Urbana Public Health, as a program coordinator for Springfield’s Urban League’s 21st Century Program, and as an Individual Advocacy Group Direct Support Professional and DSP Trainer to provide services to individuals with disabilities. Destinee enjoys traveling, reading, sewing, giving back to the community, spending time with family, educating herself in fashion, and listening to motivational speakers (such as Les Brown). Destinee has volunteered with many organizations, including churches where she has served as the drummer. She has served as a volunteer with nursing homes, Rotary club, Don Moyers Boys and Girls Club, Urban League, Upward Bound, and Women of Purpose. Destinee continues to give back to her community. She currently serves on Genuine Intelligent Respectful Ladies Soaring (GIRLS) Marketing Team and the GIRLS Grant Committee. Destinee says, “The GIRLS program was influential by providing a positive environment with positive mentors, outings, and peers. I have built long lasting friendships and connections due to the GIRLS program. My most memorable experience would include leadership roles and community service, such as peer court”. “Positive role models, faith over fear and consistent goal setting all played a major part in where I am today. I would say my family motivates me the most. I am inspired to fulfill my purpose in life. I will always strive to make an impact, whether that involves mental health, youth, fashion and so on! “When setting your goals, take on those weaknesses, just as you would your strengths; because in the end, your weaknesses are what provides you strength” . Always remember, “You’re never to old to learn and you’re never to young to teach” - Destinee

Jessica is a dual graduate of Howard University after receiving both her Bachelors in Political Science and law degree focused on family law. Currently, she is working in Maryland under a clerkship for a Circuit Court judge. Her time at Howard was marked by her membership of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and Sigma Alpha Pi, the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. Jessica credits her success to hard work, dedication, a strong support system as well as a solid professional plan. This clear path was started within the GIRLS program where she developed the skills necessary to research various majors and career opportunities. Jessica looks to continue a legacy for both her family and community: “Not only does my family inspire me, but knowing that members of my community seek legal assistance also motivated me to go to law school. Jessica’s advice to current GIRLS participants: “Although you may not know exactly what you want to achieve at this moment, make sure to have the desire and drive to create a path that leads to your ideas of success.”

“Don’t tell me the sky is the limit when there are footprints on the moon.” - Paul Brandt “The girls program helped keep me motivated. It was amazing to be surrounded by other successful and determined women working towards bettering themselves,” said Camille Parsons. Camille graduated from Urbana High School in 2009. In 2016, She was inducted to the Urbana High School Hall of Fame for basketball and track and field. She majored in Athletic Training at Concordia University-Wisconsin. Shortly after graduation she passed the national board exam and became a certified athletic trainer. Currently, Camille is working as Orthopedic assistant. Camille words of wisdom for current girls participants - “As long as you put forth the absolute best effort you can in life; inside the of the classroom and outside in the world around you, you can succeed. For some the world maybe rockier than others, but that will only make you stronger in the end. Care for those around you and keep your eyes on your end goal, whatever that may be for you.”

Kahlilah graduated from the University of Illinois with a B.S. in Kinesiology. She is a certified lactation counselor and is currently continuing her education at DePaul University in MSc Family Practice. Khalilah is a registered nurse at Carle and continues to share her artistic abilities with the world. She has been involved in the local film and theater community. She co-directed “By the Way, Meet Vera Stark” by Lynn Nottage at the Station Theater and had the female lead in a pilot for a local web series “Writer’s Block” created by Elazia Key. She is very proud to have been a part of these projects written by Black women. She has also worked as a background performer for television in New York. Khalilah enjoys traveling and expanding her cultural horizon. She has traveled to several countries in Europe, South America, and the Caribbean. Her most memorable experience with GIRLS was how the program influenced her! A weekend trip to Chicago was her first time in the city despite living three hours away. We worked with younger children in a school and assisted in an event with an Afro-Latina artist. It was an opportunity not just to attend, but to play an active part in inspiring others. Additionally, it further influenced her by convicting her to spend two years in NYC’s entertainment industry. Khalilah said: “I had a lot of support along the way. Family members who motivated me mentally and spiritually. Instructors and mentors, including Ms. Neffie, who invested in my growth and encouraged me to accept the challenges in my life. All these people let me know that doubt is normal, but courage is action in the face of fear. It has been and will continue to be difficult to explore new avenues, particularly in situations when those I trusted were not available to give me immediate advice, however, the wisdom and love they provided along the way gave me the confidence to be brave and make my own decisions. For those blessings, I am thankful”. She encourages GIRLS participants to: “Try new things! Lots and lots of new things. Foods, experiences, cities, activities. Go horseback riding. Take a pottery class. Grab a friend, a cookbook, and try cooking a new dish together. There are many things where the stakes can feel high with a lot of pressure. Persevere in school, attend college (yes, it’s challenging) and go for that dream job. It helps to have those experiences where you do not need to be skilled and where you are doing something out of your comfort zone. That is where you discover new passions, new people, new things about yourself you never knew. It can be hard to try something different from the people around you, they may even discourage you or call you out. But you will have opportunities to find your tribe, people who will admire you for your experiences and opinions, the unique traits and the stories you have to offer. So, seek beauty in the world, love the beauty within yourself and ADD beauty to the world”.—Kahlilah

I feel the GIRLS program helped me learn the value of branching out. Sometimes in life, to achieve what you want or to go where you want to go in life, you have to come out of your comfort zone a bit. That’s the best way to learn how to talk and learn about new people and have new experiences. Through the GIRLS program, I was pushed to do more than I thought I could, and because of that, I feel as if a lot of things I would’ve been hesitant to do, I did! Don’t be afraid to try new things! You can’t go along in life focusing on the “what ifs.” In most cases (like college applications or applying for that job) the worst somebody can say to you is no. If they do, pick yourself up and on to the next thing! At the least you can say that you tried!

Troy Cobb is a 2018 Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville graduate. She received her Bachelors in Social Work. Currently, she is a graduate assistant at Illinois State University, where she will receive her Masters degree in Social Work Spring 2020. She has served as an American Reads tutor, an intern for First Star, and as an employee for Unit 5 schools. Troy credits her success to her faith in God, a strong work ethic, and networking. One of her most memorable moments from GIRLS was a camping trip. The camping trip consisted of team building exercises like tug of war, hiking, zip line, and horseback riding. This activity allowed her to become comfortable in an uncomfortable environment. “GIRLS always challenged me to step out of my comfort zone,” said Troy. Troy’s words of encouragement to current participants are: “The world is yours if you want it to be and you are the only person responsible for your outcomes in life.”