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HAPPY WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH and welcome to our March 2020 edition of our online newsletter (LAP) The Learning Academy Post
On Wednesday, February 26th, DonCARES Mentor Anisa and her 12th grade mentee Dior enjoyed dinner at The Dandelion Pub in Rittenhouse Square. Since being matched in Sept 2019, both Anisa and Dior have worked on numerous classroom assignments, talked about life, & created a documentary on mass-incarceration.
Mentee of the Month: Zyquell Watts
Zyquell Watts is recognized as the February 2020 DonCARES of Philadelphia, Inc. Mentee of the Month. Zyquell was selected because of his commitment to obtaining his education, his excellence in music production, and his perseverance in overcoming life's challenges. Zyquell is currently a Senior at The U School and has been a member of DonCARES of Philadelphia, Inc. since September 2019. 

Zyquell, a 12th Grader at The U School is a talented musician, a good friend, and a great person to be around. After high school, he plans to focus more on his love for music and enter trade school. Both Zyquell's mentor Randell, DonCARES Assistant Director Cameron, and DonCARES Executive Director Donovan are proud of him and his recent accomplishments. Congratulations, Zyquell!
Mentor of the Month: Nayanka Paul
Nayanka Paul is recognized as the February 2020 DonCARES of Philadelphia, Inc. Mentor of the Month. Paul was selected because she has shown outstanding commitment to our core values and has built an admirable relationship with her mentee. 
 
Nayanka is a graduating senior at Temple University majoring in Account Management Technology. DonCARES Executive Director Donovan Forrest met Paul in the summer of 2019 shortly after she applied to be a mentor.

Nayanka chose to become a mentor for DonCARES of Philadelphia, Inc. because she believes: "people change people." Nayanka says: "mentoring work has has influenced me to be a better leader, and has helped to show me the importance of being surrounded by a community and the power of working others."
Black History Month Bingo: 2/13/20
On Thursday, February 13th, the ladies of DonCARES of Philadelphia, Inc. facilitated a Black History Month Bingo Game for high school students at The U School in North Philadelphia. 
 
Facilitated by Cameron Battle-Bradshaw, DonCARES of Philadelphia, Inc. Assistant Director, Mariah Green, Match Support Specialist, Natalia Garay, DonCARES Board Secretary, and Annalise, Vice President of Progressive Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, U School Students were able to test their knowledge of black historical figures. 

Also, DonCARES of Philadelphia, Inc. granted Dunkin Donuts and Chick-fil-A Gift Cards to two winners of the bingo game who are both students at The U School: Nyheem and Emily (Not shown). 
  
Man Up Discussion: 2/26/20
On Wednesday, February 26th, the men of DonCARES of Philadelphia, Inc. and Strong Men Overcoming Obstacles Through Hard Work (S.M.O.O.T.H), Temple University Chapter hosted a Man-Up Discussion for male-identifying high school students at The U School. Man Up is a specified initiative targeting male high school students at The U School. 

Members of both organizations talked to the students about each member and U School student's definitions of success and manhood. Nasir a member of S.M.O.O.T.H Temple and Temple's Chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) encouraged students to think about their definitions of manhood and how respecting others is one aspect of true manhood. 

Coordinated by DonCARES Assistant Director Cameron Battle-Bradshaw, the Man Up conversation for male-identifying students was co-facilitated by DonCARES Mentors Joel and Ramond and S.M.O.O.T.H Members Narayan, Evan, and Nasir. 
Second Annual Sadie T.M. Alexander Social Justice Essay Contest Winner
Congratulations to our winner of the second annual Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander Social Justice Essay Contest. This inspiring young activist earned a certificate and a $100 Visa Gift Card. We are thrilled to have high school students at two schools in the North Philadelphia Community participate in an initiative that promotes literacy and encourages them to think about their definitions of activism, justice, equity, and fairness. 

Sequoi, Age 16 and a student at The U School wrote an eloquent and well-constructed essay that explained his reasoning for supporting a cause that advanced civil and human rights. 

Each year, DonCARES sponsors a social justice essay contest named after 20th Century luminary, Sadie T.M. Alexander. A black woman, economist, attorney, member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and an Alumna of the University of Pennsylvania, Alexander is well-known for her academic accomplishments. Being both the first black woman to earn both her Ph.D. in Economics in the United States, and her Juris Doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, Alexander championed both women's, civil, and human rights over the course of her life. 

"I had a very, very interesting childhood, but, oh my, education was the primary focus in our family."

-Katherine Johnson