Our mentees learned how to create workmarks on Adobe Illustrator and they were able to create their own wordmarks! The mentees had fun creating and exploring their personal style in wordmarking. Carlos did an amazing job explaining the importance of wordmarking has in any industry.
Thank you Carlos for leading this workshop!
During this workshop the mentees were led by our friend and board member Deon. The mentees were able to learn directly from someone who owns a Brand Agency and they were taught about the importance/impact that branding has in our everyday lives. Deon showed the mentees effective ways on how to create a brand that stands out!
Thank you Deon for coming in and leading an amazing workshop!
We’re so excited to share the six projects that our spring mentees were able to accomplish during our 12 week mentorship program.
At the food distribution our mentees was designated different roles some did photography and some took part in the food distribution. This was a good way for them to learn how to tell a story through photography.
We joined Maywood’s annual community clean-up event by going to the Peace Garden led by Barbara Cole. We got to capture some behind the scenes of the community as they worked together to beautify the garden. We are excited for a possible future collaboration on redesigning the mural, we look forward to deepening our connect and our relationship with Barbara Cole.
Each mentee had a role in building Mariah’s website between capturing pictures for her website and modeling for her. This was truly a collaborative effort between the mentees which allowed them to show off their personal creative sides.
For Amanda’s project we split up the mentees into two groups. One group took lay flats of her work while the other group took part in taking the lifestyle pictures of Amanda in the environment they created for the pictures. It was so neat to see them have complete creative control over taking photo content.
In the fall Mariah will be studying to become an esthetician/make-up artist and she had a scholarship opportunity that would help with her tuition. For this project Jeremy Lopez and the mentees got together to help Mariah with her scholarship opportunity that required a video submission. This was an opportunity to teach them the three parts of making a good film: pre-production, production, and post production. While they weren’t able to do post-production together, the mentees did get to write the script and were able to film the project. We are excited to share that Mariah was selected for the scholarship! Yay we’re so proud of Mariah and what’s to come for her.
Our mentees hosted a photo campaign where they got to photograph and share the stories of their peers. Mariah provides make-up services that day as well. Check out their stories below!
We recently decided to shift our language from internship to mentorship. Part of listening well means that we also listen to the feedback of grant-makers and foundations. There appeared to be a disconnect between what we are doing because of the word “internship.” We were able to identify that the word “internship” associated us with growing our staff by using interns . . . . And that’s not at all what we do or what our program is. Although we do have interns, our mentorship program is so much more! So collectively as a staff, along with our youth and board, we decided to call it a mentorship program and officially name it: The Collective.
Why The Collective?
Because together we can smash big goals, and honestly this mentorship program is only successful with the partnership of other creatives and entrepreneurs. So as a collective we learn and grow while sharing and amplifying the stories that collectively impact us and weigh ever so heavy on our hearts!
Photo By: Jessica Rivera
Makeup By: Mariah Frank
What is your story?
I sat uncomfortably in my gray hospital room, anxiously looking around at the walls that seemed to slowly draw closer. The slow passage of time was torturous, days felt like months, and given the absence of a working clock, my only means of gauging time was the slow, sad drip of the IV. Countless doctors and physicians tried to determine the source of my pain; the theories were endless. One day I had intestinal problems, the next, I had cancer, other days, the theory was mental illness. No one seemed to be able to figure it out. All I knew was that I wanted to go back to normal; to the hospital, we went.
Finally, an ultrasound technician found something. She showed the doctors that there was a large mass in my pelvic region. I was shocked such a mass could grow in anyone’s body, and why mine? Although my pain seemed endless, I felt safe with my doctors. These doctors were dedicated and made me feel like their top priority. I was grateful for their commitment to helping me feel better. Even though their words sounded foreign, I dreamt of learning their jargon and figuring out human illnesses. They offered patients and families like mine solutions to what felt unfathomable. The doctors were heroes in my eyes.
Jarred from these thoughts, the doctors sent me into surgery. A mature cystic teratoma was removed from my left ovary. Fortunately, it was a ball of hair and teeth, not cancer. I will always have scars but I am fortunate to be alive and cancer free. After weeks of seeing them in pain, I saw the light of hope from their eyes. As I left my hospital room, I gained a new passion to help others, and learn more about the mysterious human body.
After the surgery, my love for science, anatomy, and biology has continued to grow. I hated not knowing the source of my pain, which fueled my passion and curiosity to study science. This experience also sparked my interest in working in the medical field. I would like to bring comfort to people by taking courses to prepare for medical school. As my family has struggled with both my sister's and my medical expenses, I feel I am allowed with this job to pay them back. Both my sister and I have had a cystic teratoma in the same spot. I have seen the pain my parents went through with me while my sister was in my spot. I also understand the struggles faced by families that have debt due to medical misdiagnosis. I want to be the person who can inform them of a correct diagnosis promptly. I want to be a trustworthy doctor who helps children through their health challenges, especially because I am unsure if I will be able to have children of my own. I empathize with children who feel insecure or are hesitant towards doctors and nurses. I want to help families find their answers by researching and explaining patient’s problems, just as my doctors did.
What do you racially identify as?
African American and Caucasian
How can you use your story to make an impact in our community and beyond?
As I made my way through highschool, my motivation of being in the medical field only grew. Still, I began to struggle with my identity. Being biracial almost felt like a nuisance or a disadvantage. I always felt I had to choose my white or black side due to constant ethnic differences. Especially in healthcare, forms still do not list Biracial as a race, leaving me to conform to one half of myself. My social life has also been influenced by being biracial. Friends made me adjust to one race, making me feel as if my identity was not valid. There was a constant battle between myself and reality, yet I used this as motivation. There is still a lack of representation in the medical field of biracial people. I realized I would use my differences as an advantage.
As a minority woman, it is important that I have the opportunity to pursue my passion for medicine and health. Only 34.5% of doctors in the United States are women (OECD), and only 2% are minorities (Forbes). My passion to help others is also driven by the underrepresentation of women in my desired field. Additionally, the amount of discrimination minorities experience in health care is reprehensible. The Tuskegee experiment, Henrietta Lacks, and sterilization of innocent Native American women all come from the eugenic superiority of white Americans. Many health specialists demonstrate their privilege as they fail to recognize the disadvantages faced by minorities. I want to change the standard of black and brown people being marginalized by being a relatable and dependable doctor. My uncertain, pre-teen self had no idea why she was in constant pain, but she will always be grateful to the technician who found that teratoma. Today, I am proud of myself for being certain in wanting to pursue a career that unravels mysteries to help people live their healthiest lives. I remain educated about current societal issues, which I plan to include in my studies. My studies are crucial to give others the help they deserve.
What encouragement would you give to someone who shares a similar story?
I often struggle with telling myself I am good enough. Becoming a doctor is hard, and sometimes my negative thoughts harm my potential. To someone with the same dreams as mine, I would tell them to go for it. Of course there will always be barriers in the way, but the important part is getting around them. You are good enough. You are strong. You are blessed. Only you stand in your way of success.
Photos By: Jessica Rivera
Makeup By: Mariah Frank
