Mentors

The Black Girls' Corner (TBGC)

Mentors

The Black Girls' Corner, Inc.™ (aka "TBGC™")
for minority girls, ages 10-15

The Black Girls' Corner™ (TBGC™), Charlotte, NC, was founded in June 2010
by Vickie L. Hughes, J.D., M.A., aka "Miss Vickie".

"TBGC™ is a mentoring organization for female minority youth;
focusing on leadership."

Currently, eleven Volunteer Mentors and four Intern Mentors
assist Miss Vickie with mentoring the girls, affectionately called "Debutantes;"
as well as other aspects of non-profit operations such as purchasing art supplies,
setting up refreshments, brainstorming ideas, and planning/facilitating workshops
and/or fundraisers. Additionally, in 2011, over twenty-five women (Volunteer Mentors) in our community
agreed to serve as one-on-one mentors to our Debutantes.
While we've had a mentor program in place since TBGC's inception in 2010,
we implemented a more formal mentor program in July 2012.

"I would like to thank my Volunteer Mentors and Intern Mentors
(available to assist with our Saturday morning bi-weekly sessions,
monthly community service projects,
monthly social activities;
and/or to mentor Debutantes)
for donating money, items, time, and ideas to The Black Girls' Corner™.
Thanks also for supporting me
and the non-profit vision that birthed "OUR" baby."
Signed, Miss Vickie

Miss Vickie
Founder/Executive Director,
Lead Facilitator of the Debutantes' bi-weekly sessions.
June 2010 - present

Miss Vickie is a Milwaukee native. She is single with NO children,
so when she is questioned as to why she works with children,
her response is always, "I believe that God means for this to be my calling... My legacy.
I've developed a passion for it!" And amazingly, everyone can feel her passion
when she talks about the youth of today, the leaders of tomorrow...

In her spare time, Miss Vickie
enjoys motivating others, golfing, watching sports events,
traveling, writing poetry,
listening to jazz, and attending cultural events.

Her personal motto is:
"Always strive to make a positive difference in others' lives."

We have three new AWESOME JCSU Intern Mentors!
The advice/knowledge that they are willing to share
with our TBGC Debutantes is priceless.
March 2012 - present

Miss Keita
Volunteer Mentor
January 2012 - present

Miss Passion
Intern Mentor Director;
Facilitator of the Debutantes' bi-weekly sessions;
Lead Volunteer Mentor.
June 2010 - present

Volunteer Mentor, Miss Mecia (right),
and her friend (left, a first-time visitor)
April 2012 - June 2012

TBGC™ Mother, Marina
Volunteer Mentor.
June 2010 - June 2011
Lead Facilitator of the Mothers' bi-weekly sessions.
October 2010 - April 2011

Miss Tenisha
Volunteer Mentor;
Facilitator of the Debutantes'
bi-weekly sessions.
July 2010 - June 2011

Miss Yasmeen
Intern Mentor;
Facilitator of the Debutantes'
bi-weekly sessions.
June 2010 - June 2011

TBGC™ Mother, Marina, and Miss Vickie

Miss Passion and Miss Vickie

TBGC™ Mother, Marina, and Miss Yasmeen

Miss Passion and TBGC™ Mother, Patricia

Miss Passion and Miss Yasmeen

Miss Vickie and TBGC™ Mother, Marina

A serious moment for one Volunteer Mentor and
two Intern Mentors (Miss Elisha, Miss Yasmeen, Miss Qwatosha)
during our DV workshop. January 2011

Miss Vickie reciting
her poem, "I Dream...©",
to our TBGC Debutantes™
and the rest of our TBGC™ family.
April 2011

TBGC™ "elders" waiting to begin
their journey down the "Praise Line".
February 2011

Miss Vickie with Volunteer Mentor, Miss Passion,
and her 3 Intern Mentors.
TBGC™ representing at the
Ridge Road Middle School Teen Summit.
Bullying workshop, Healthy Relationships workshop
March 2011

Miss Vickie and TBGC™ Mother, Evanie,
shedding some light on this
"Light-Skinned/Dark-Skinned" issue.
"Lovin' the Skin You're/I'm In!" workshop
April 2011

Everyone is listening to TBGC Mother, Janayia,
talking about her desire to mentor a TBGC Debutante,
while her daughter enjoys TBGC membership as well.
Such dedication to the development of our young girls. Wow!
February 2012

Minister Erika talks to our Debutantes/Budding Debutantes
about knowing their worth.
"The Value of Human Life" panel discussion
June 2012

TBGC™ Mother, Evanie, supervising
our Debutantes' self-esteem/self-perception
painting exercise.
April 2011

TBGC™ Mother, Evanie, closing out
our bi-weekly session
after the Talent Showcase.
April 2011

Miss Aza at the podium
while Imani waits patiently to begin
her "Facing My Fears" speech.
February 2011

Miss Vickie engaging two girls
in a bullying role-play,
during our TBGC™ "Bullying" workshop.
Ridge Road Middle School Teen Summit
March 2011

Miss Vickie fielding questions after
Debutante Mikayla's
"It's Your Voice™" Speech.
April 2011

Miss Vickie with her TBGC family.
February 2012

Ms. Christine talks to our Debutantes/Budding Debutantes
and their Mothers about suicide, the signs and its effects.
"The Value of Human Life" panel discussion
June 2012

Miss Vickie reciting a poem she wrote in honor of her

Debutante Mentee, Kenya. July 2010

TBGC™ Mother, Marina, reciting a poem she wrote as a gift to
her Debutante Mentee, Alon. July 2010

Staff (volunteer):

Miss Vickie

Vickie L. Hughes, J.D., M.A.

Founder/Executive Director
Vickie L. Hughes began this youth empowerment mentoring organization (now a 501c3 non-profit organization) in June 2010. She has a genuine passion for mentoring young people in positive youth development. She has devoted the rest of her life to assisting youth/young adults because as she says, "They are crying out for help and so desperately need us."

Miss Vickie, as she is affectionately called, holds a Bachelor's Degree (Major: Psychology, Minor: Biology) from Spelman College, a Master's Degree (Industrial Psychology) from Roosevelt University, and a Juris Doctor (Litigation, Constitutional Law & Civil Rights) from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. She is a seasoned professional, with a diverse background in business, management, training, and civic advocacy. You can contact Vickie directly at vickie@theblackgirlscorner.org.

Miss Passion

Valeria Passion Carmichael

Intern Mentor Director

She is a recent graduate of Johnson C. Smith University with a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies, Concentration: Education and Psychology. Passion is a proud member of Swing Phi Swing Social Fellowship, Inc. She loves working with the TBGC Debutantes™, and is definitely in demand with the TBGC™ Mothers! She was requested to serve as a Volunteer Mentor to TWO Debutantes in 2010! Passion is known for being a reliable, punctual, and caring person.

Miss LaToya

LaToya Hicks
Volunteer Mentor Director (one-on-one mentoring program)
After growing up in the inner city of Chicago, IL, LaToya decided that she wanted to help found a mentoring program (new chapter) while at Spelman College. She brings her expertise to us in The Black Girls' Corner™. She recently planned and executed our FORMAL mentoring program (with mentor training). LaToya holds a B.A. in Psychology from her alma mater, Spelman College. LaToya enjoys working with female youth.

2012 Intern Mentors:
Qwatosha Bessellieu
Typhani Short
Shaniqua Tucker
Nicole Smith
2012 Volunteer Mentors:
Valeria Passion Carmichael
LaToya Hicks
Valissia Allen, Esq.
Tiffany Hollis
Rhonda Brooks, Esq.
Katrina Robinson
Nicole Spruill
Keita Baba
Mecia Moore
Asheligh Thompson
Yasheka Robinson

Mentor/Mentee List
(one-on-one mentoring)
January 2011

Kenya Reed - Kenya

Marina Thomas - Alon

Valeria "Passion" Carmichael - Deijah

Yasmeen Abdullah - Shayla

Tenisha Jones - Mikayla

Vickie Smith - Seraiah

Shadora Thomas - Sariah

Cassandra Adams - Tiara

Tia Bullett - Jair

Katrina Robinson - Suniece

Qwatosha Bessellieu - Imani

Elisha Phillips - Mariah

Aza Shukura - Makayla

Sophia President - Adrianna

Tenia Turner - Mauresha

(These are the APPROVED one-on-one mentoring arrangements, from January 2011-June 2011. TBGC™ releases itself from any liability resulting from any other unapproved mentor/mentee arrangements. Signed, Vickie L. Hughes, J.D., M.A.)

***UPDATE: We will begin a formal mentoring program in July 2012, with new, approved assignments.

Mentor/Mentee List
(one-on-one mentoring)
July 2012
Vickie L. Hughes, J.D. - Kenya

Rhonda Brooks, Esq. - Tyeast

Tiffany Hollis - Amari

Nicole Spruill - Maya

Katrina Robinson - Taylor