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Recognizing and Congratulating the 2014 Next Generation of Leaders: Rising Stars.
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WHEREAS, Since 2005, Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown has honored the Next Generation of Leaders: Rising Stars; and
WHEREAS, The celebration honors women between the ages of twenty one and thirty nine, who are on the incline of their careers and making a difference in their respective communities; and
WHEREAS, In 2014, Councilwoman Reynolds Brown will recognize ten young women who embody leadership and exemplify being a Rising Star in their field of employment and community service; and
WHEREAS, Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown is pleased and proud to announce the 2014 recipients of the Next Generation of Leaders: Rising Stars award;
WHEREAS, Ajeenah Amir continues to nurture a growing career as communications strategist, policy enthusiast and public servant. As Communications Director with the Majority Leader of Philadelphia City Council, Ajeenah strategizes and leads all communications and marketing efforts for the office, and serves as constituent services liaison to three civic organizations. Her work has led to increased recognition for the Majority Leader among key stakeholders in Philadelphia policy and politics, an enhanced and exponentially expanded social media presence, and a refined brand of thoughtful, active and engaged leadership. Ajeenah also currently serves as Democratic Committeeperson of the 21st Ward in Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, Alaysha Claiborne was the youngest Pennsylvania Delegate to the 2012 Democratic National Convention, for her faith and commitment in the political process. Ms. Claiborne was introduced by Senator Bob Casey who shared the honor of announcing Pennsylvnaia's 242 delegate votes for President Barack Obama. Ms. Claiborne is the daughter of two Navy veterans and is a student at Temple University; and
WHEREAS, Katherine Correa was born and raised in California but moved to Philadelphia to continue her higher education and jump-start her career in 2012. As a Marketing and French student of Latino heritage, Katherine is interested in gaining experience in international business development and marketing, global networking, event coordinating, and community outreach. Katherine joined the Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GPHCC) team in March of 2013 and has enjoyed working in the fast-paced world of a highly productive non-profit. The GPHCC has helped develop Katherine into a well-rounded professional with invaluable experience in creating professional business relationships, planning events, and technical assistance. On her free time, Katherine enjoys working out, dancing, singing and playing the piano; and
WHEREAS, Visionary, ambitious, and tenacious are just a few words used to describe Ms. Danielle P. Jeter. Jeter's a 2010 graduate of Spelman College where she majored in History. After serving as Director of Marketing with several Atlanta based companies, Danielle decided to take her leadership skills and develop her business. Jeter founded Affairs of Isis Events in 2009, a full service communications firm in Philadelphia, PA, which specializes in event production and public relations. As a sought after social innovator and civic leader in Philadelphia and South Jersey, she's instrumental in founding Impact Hub Philadelphia, a part of a international network of collaborators focused on making a global positive impact. The African American Chamber of Commerce of PA, NJ, and DE named Jeter The 2014 Young Professional of the Year, where she serves as the Young Professional Lead. Jeter was instrumental in founding the Young Professional Network at the AACC. Passionate about social change, Jeter is devoted to developing the next generation of leaders, women's empowerment, and making sure good stories about great people doing impactful work is shared; and
WHEREAS, Diana Jih is the Community Relations Specialist at New Kensington Community Development Corporation. Diana manages community relations and digital media. It's an honor for her to tell the stories of the inspiring residents, clients, and staff, who work tirelessly in the 19125 & 19134 neighborhoods. Prior to NKCDC, Diana worked on community greening at the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society as well as in New Orleans where she built and designed a community garden for an arts center and community space. She has also published pieces as an arts and culture blogger for TheArtBlog in Philadelphia and assisted a talented ceramicist and molecular gastronomy chef. She is originally from San Francisco; and
WHEREAS, Jennifer Kates is an attorney and Legislative Assistant in the Office of Philadelphia City Councilwoman María Quiñones-Sánchez. She is a graduate of Penn Law School and Temple University, and studied at Bard College at Simon's Rock and Oxford University. Her work in City Council primarily focuses on the law and policy of housing, community development, land use, and equitable property taxation. She advocates for increased access to justice for low-income Philadelphians and the City's immigrant communities, and is a member of the Philadelphia Bar Association committees on Real Property, Civil Gideon, and Fraudulent Conveyance. She serves on the boards of the Philadelphia Land Bank, the Friends of the Free Library of Philadelphia, and Historic Fair Hill; she is a past board member of Finanta, a Community Development Financial Institution; and
WHEREAS, Alysia Lee is a singer with a mission! In 2012, Lee founded Sister Cities Girlchoir, the girl empowerment choral academy serving girls in low-income communities in Philadelphia and Camden. SCG builds communities of music makers that empower at-risk girls to occupy their unique advantage in transforming our world; and
WHEREAS, Zeyna Rodriguez is a graduate of the Philadelphia Public School System and Eastern University. Ms. Rodriquez has more than fifteen years experience in the non-profit and government industries and served Philadelphia City Council for several years. Ms. Rodriquez is a valued team member at Aspira PA High School - Olney where she has expanded her skills to the educational arena. Ms. Rodriquez is the proud mother of two children; and
WHEREAS, Dominique Dom Streeter won season 12 of the Emmy Award-winning television series Project Runway. Her fashion-forward designs made use of bold and daring color and prints, taking her straight to the top of the competition. Dom's aesthetic is defined and inspired by both the natural and urban worlds around her, combining a symphony of graphic prints and chic silhouettes. Dom was born and raised in West Philadelphia and earned a bachelor's degree in fashion design from Moore College of Art and Design. She currently designs for her self-titled line and freelance clients from her studio in Philly; and
WHEREAS, Stephanie R. Taylor, MBA, the Director of Client Resources and Solutions at Dunleavy and Associates, has a keen ability to implement organizational change initiatives within various leadership capacities. Equipped with analytical and financial management acumen. Experienced team leader with success directing the execution of strategic visions, producing desired results. Effective and persuasive with diverse audiences through invaluable interpersonal skills. Successful in developing profitable relationships to solve problems and increase value. Highly capable presenter, trainer and writer; and
WHEREAS, Gloria Yu is an attorney in the Philadelphia region and currently works for Aetna in their Compliance and Regulatory Affairs Department. Her previous positions include Staff Attorney at the Pennsylvania Health Law Project -Philadelphia Office and Legal & Policy Researcher at Solutions for Progress. Gloria is currently President of the Asian American Women's Coalition, a non-profit dedicated to the advancement of Asian American women in the Greater Philadelphia Area. She previously served on the Executive Committee of the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Pennsylvania and on the board of the Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia. She received her B.A. from Cornell University and her J.D. from Temple University Beasley School of Law; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby recognize and congratulate the 2014 Next Generation of Leaders: Rising Stars.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to each Next Generation Leaders: Rising Star (11) as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.
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