“Seeds to Success” teach the girls how to cope with problems and gain skills to be productive while addressing topics like etiquette and bullying among others.

By RHONDA CROWDER

Staff Reporter

In their third year, Making a Difference Consulting LLC, held their “Seeds to Succeed” summer camp from June 13 to July 1 at the Otis Moss Jr. Medical Center to provide youth leadership development, health and wellness, self-esteem, career development, and entrepreneurship.

With that, each week contained a different focus including HIV prevention, diets, risky behavior, relationships, art therapy, and more. Additionally, representatives from the Rape Crisis Center and different professions came in to speak to the group.

Panelists made up of various business owners shared with the campers how and why they chose their careers. The speakers typically emphasized the importance of education, having a passion for achieving success, preparation, persistence, and connecting one self with winners who can one day become mentors and advisors.

DeZine for Success, an entrepreneur incubator targeting Northeast Ohio high schools that trains and teaches motivated students to develop their own businesses as a catalyst for financial independence, provided the entrepreneurship portion of the program.

“We want to thank Making a Difference Consulting, LLC for inviting DeZine for Success to participate in the last session of their summer camp, “Seeds to Succeed,” said Cheryll A. Bellamy, founder of DeZine for Success.

During the entrepreneurial session, the girls proved to everyone that not only can they create products for businesses but also learned some fundamental business concepts, said Bellemy. Products included everything from dolls to bejeweled fashions.

“The enthusiasm and energy among these young students told us that, from the creation of their products and with some working knowledge, these ingredients were just enough to capture the true spirit of entrepreneurship,” Bellemy continued.    

“We discovered the educational backgrounds of the girls and schools they attended, that many had diverse learning skills. Observation of the girls gave us insight on how each absorbed all the entrepreneurial activities and challenges that were set before them.”

“The girls were fearless,” she added. “They understood the importance that their gifts and imaginations were just some of the tools needed to create their own products.”

Making A Difference Consulting, LLC, and the “Seeds to Success” camp is run by Angela Flowers, Meleika Wadley, and Dakota King White although White was unable to participate with the camp this year.

Flowers said, because the camp didn’t receive grant funding to support this year’s program, DeZign for Success also provide scholarships for a number of the girls to attend. Others had to pay out of pocket.

She was more than grateful for their participation.  

Flowers went on to explain that they generally target girls ranging from ages 11 to 17 years but this particular group of girls ranged in ages 12 to 16 years. 

“Seeds to Success” teach the girls how to cope with problems and gain skills to be productive while addressing topics like etiquette and bullying among others.

It also provides breakfast and lunch, daily, as well as gift bags upon completion.

Flowers said many of the girls have dealt with issues such as molestation and self-mutilation but they leave the camp with positive affirmations.

“We’ve noticed a lot of change and growth in them. They blossomed a lot,” said Flowers.

Participants Carmen Callahan of St. Martin DePorres School and Centilyae Morris of Cleveland Central Catholic prove of Flowers’ statement.

Both have interest in writing but Morris mentioned that she wants to be a pediatrician as well. They talked about how they enjoyed the program and viewed it as an opportunity to meet new people. “I learned a lot,” said Callahan.”

“I developed self-esteem and learned anything is possible,” said Morris

Kani Johnson, 15, a student at Cleveland School of the Arts, was probably the most outspoken of the group of approximately 16 girls.

She wants to be a sports agent.

“I’ve learned all the necessities to becoming an entrepreneur,” she said. “I learned that you can start your own business as long as you have the passion, investors, and work hard.”

She also met new girls her age and created friendships.

And, when speaking of the program’s supervisors, she said, “They care and are really a blessing. I definitely want to come back. I really enjoyed it. ”