By Chanel, former member, Young Women of Color Leadership Council

Growing up in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn, my biggest concerns were avoiding pregnancy, maintaining my "thugged out" persona, and earning money. This mentality led to my involvement in the negative street activity that characterized my neighborhood. However, I got involved with the CityKids Foundation, a nonprofit organization that uses the arts to engage youth. This provided me with options not available to many of my peers. The program taught me about ongoing local and global issues and encouraged me to play a role in improving these conditions.

I shared my feelings and experiences through art. I was empowered to believe that my world did not have to be dictated by the hustle of the streets. I became confident that my destiny was bigger than my circumstances. I knew that I could achieve what I determined on because I possess a creativity, strength, energy, and imagination. I knew that I could be a vibrant and active force to make a constructive difference in our world.

With my new-found confidence, I ventured on to college. Admiring the incredible work done by CityKids, I sought similar venues and started working closely with the National Organization for Concerned Black Men's Educated Choices for Healthy Outcomes (ECHO) Project. As a health trainer, I facilitated workshops with middle school and high school students on sexual health topics. I taught the students about their life choices and challenged them to avoid always taking the easy road.

My time as a health trainer was amazing. I felt strong connections with my students; our sessions were full of emotion and self-disclosure. The students knew that they could count on me for encouragement and support, and some came to me, asking for advice and/or assistance with extremely personal situations. I felt honored that they chose to confide in me, and I valued my experience with them, not so much for what I had taught them, but for what they taught me. Knowing that I can positively affect the lives of others gives meaning to my existence, and I have decided to pursue a career in youth development and adolescent sexuality.

After graduating from college, I went to work at The Door, a comprehensive youth development organization in New York City, where I led counseling and reproductive health sessions with youth. Currently, I am working at the Institute for Labor in the Community with its Girls Project. I design and facilitate a curriculum that addresses issues that are most relevant to the lives of 7th grade girls (i.e., body image, reproductive health, conflict resolution, etc). I am also pursuing my Masters in Public Health at Columbia University.

Taking on these responsibilities has been awesome. I have learned so much about myself and about the power I have to affect positive change in my community. In the future, I plan to establish a community-based organization to empower young people. I look forward to the day when I return to the streets of Brooklyn and share with others the feelings of purpose and worth that were given to me.