Day 2 - Asha McElroy
The Fannie Lou Hamer Institute of Advocacy & Social Action welcomes our Pauline Williams Gooding & Gladys Cere Simmons Policy Research Fellow. The Pauline Williams Gooding & Gladys Cere Simmons Policy Research Fellowship named lovingly after P. Angelicia Simmons grandmothers’ memory of their enduring legacy for higher education. The fellowship is a five-month paid opportunity created specifically for Black Women collegiates and/or post-graduate collegiates to conduct research, write, present, and report on the status of Black Women and Girls in North Carolina.
Growing up
I imagined society on a leveled playing field
Now I know the truth
The reality is communities of color receive less than and are treated as such
It is up to us to be the change we want to see
We have to be self-reliant on each other not the system
Self-liberation is cooperative economics
Collaboration
Community Building
Coming together as one to build communities that are for us by us
Cooking together
Eating together
Having conversations over food cooked from our soul
This is where the real work starts
This is how change begins.
I have always had a passion for food. Growing up I enjoyed cooking different types of food for my family. My passion for cooking led to my decision to pursue a degree in Food and Nutritional Sciences at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. While at North Carolina A & T SU, I became involved in numerous extracurricular activities including the President of the Food and Nutritional Sciences Club. President of Midwest Aggies, Historian for the Council of Presidents, and I was named the 2019-2020 Go Boldly Scholar for Thrive Women’s Empowerment Incorporated.
My ultimate career goal is to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. Working in community health settings implementing nutrition education programs to improve health behaviors of communities of color.
My involvement in extracurricular activities helped me gain a better understanding of the impact of the effects of food insecurity on college students and residents of Greensboro, NC. My experiences as a student motivated me to get involved in different service projects in Greensboro. Dudley High School hosted a garden clean-up to improve students learning experience in the garden. This project inspired me to create my own garden in my hometown in Detroit, MI. My garden helped improve my sense of self- sustainability and ownership. I wanted to help others grow their own food by documenting my journey as a new gardener on Instagram (@ashthesciencekid). I hope that I can educate other young people about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and demonstrate sustainable gardening practices to release stress and heal communities.
I am also passionate about making connections between politics and the food system. While serving as the Social Media Coordinator for the Fannie Lou Hamer Political Action Committee. I use my platform to help young people understand the importance of voting in all elections. I currently work as the Pauline Williams Gooding & Gladys Cere Simmons Policy Research Fellow for The Fannie Lou Hamer Institute of Advocacy & Social Action. I will be the change that I want to see by understanding the reasoning behind the discipline and drop out rates statistics of Black Women and Girls in North Carolina. I hope to learn more about how policy can create a better society and improve educational experiences for Black Women and Girls everywhere.
#RevolutionaryBlackWomen #31daysofRevolutionaryBlackWomen #Revolutionary