iamME Girls

This month's organization feature for Black Line News - Salisbury is iamME Girls (ME). The founder shares with The Info Hub (TIH) about her mentoring program and services. Read below to learn more about this local youth organization.

TIH: Thanks for agreeing to share with our Black Line News readers! Please introduce yourself and your organization. 

ME: My name is Latesha Smith and I am the founder of iamME Girls mentoring program. Our program is based on Holistic mentoring that allows us to identify inner issues that prevents us to create success for ourselves socially or academically. We create a network of girls from different schools to discuss issues through inspirational book readings or our focus points of the group, that are Knowing ME, Loving ME, Inspiring ME, and Strengthening ME.

TIH: So, what brought you to the Salisbury/Rowan County area? 

ME: I attended Livingstone College where I received my Bachelors in Business. I also have a M.B.A. from Strayer University. I have been a educator for many years through special needs class, high school, prison re-entry (Davidson County Community College) and currently middle school. I am originally from New York. I met my better half Quintous Smith in college and now married for over 20 years with two boys in high school. I came to Livingstone because I had a relative that attended the school and I wanted something different besides the city life.

TIH: What type of services do you provide through your mentoring program? 

ME: We provide services for girls starting at the middle school level through high school with academic support and self-reflection issues. See our program objectives below. 

        • Teach youth respect themselves and others
        • Promote community service and stewardship
        • Build self-esteem while creating a sense of sisterhood
        • Offer activities that are exciting, entertaining and educational
        • Create an environment where youth can talk freely and be themselves
        • Encourage our youth to embrace their unique qualities and identify their God given
          talents

TIH: Black Line News is an advocate of uniting and empowering the black community. What do you believe is the best way to accomplish this with our local community? 

ME: Create a network of communication for youth to have a outlet to help deal with issues that our within our society. Be a visible person in our schools to help with students to become successful. This generation is needing to find ways to create that foundation to prepare themselves for the future. Students are lacking structure, stability, and positive social connection because the home life is a battle for them to get the support they need.

TIH: Is there anything else you would like our readers to know about you or your program? 

ME: I am happy to say that the group of girls that I have mentored since 2016 are successful academically and socially. I have several seniors that I have been accepted into college with academic scholarships and general acceptance. We are moving forward this year to start the process of becoming a non-profit and connecting with other community groups. Our services is all about understanding who you are through self reflection. We stay connected via chats in our group snapchat, social gatherings, and our monthly topic conference call discussions.

TIH: Where can our readers connect with your program at?

ME:  Website: www.iammementoring.com
        Facebook - facebook.com/iammegirls
        Twitter - iammesmith
        Snapchat - iammesmith
        Instagram - lateshasmith08

Our youth is our future and it's imperative that we sow into their well being. I'm thankful for programs such as iamME Girls. Black Line News readers, be sure to support this program when they host events and fundraisers. Also, if you or someone you know would like to have their business or organization featured please contact Black Line News - Salisbury for more information.

The Info Hub - Black Line News - Salisbury