Please read my bio below. For more information about the event please visit our website. All girls, ages 14-17 wanting to partitcipate must have application turned in no later than May 1, 2009.

Hello! My name is Mandi Mohammed. I am the founder and executive director of My Sister’s Keeper. I am a former Jefferson County Public School Teacher who currently resides in Charlotte, North Carolina. I spend my summers in my hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, which will serve as the corporate location for My Sister’s Keeper. I graduated in 1998 from the University of Kentucky with a degree in Elementary Education, and began my teaching career that same year at Shelby Elementary School in Louisville.

During my brief tenure as an educator, I discovered that while I was teaching the core academic components like math, reading, writing, and science, much of my actual time was spent teaching basic life and social skills, as well as personal hygiene, which many of my students were unfortunately lacking. For many reasons, simple things I had been taught growing up like respect for others, using proper manners, and the use of appropriate language and behavior, were not important or even a priority for my students. It was frustrating and concerning and I began to feel ineffective as an educator. It became my utmost challenge to break the cycle and turn these mentalities around.

In the summer of 2001, I got married and moved to Atlanta, Georgia. Soon after, I began a family of my own and decided to be a stay at home mom. During this time, I missed my daily experiences with young people and often wondered about my former students. I decided that I wanted to use my time, talent and experiences as an educator to help young people outside of the classroom.

In 2007, I decided that I would begin a program that focused on empowering teenage girls in their formative years of development. I chose this focus simply because of the female role models in my life and the impact they had on me during my years of development. I am proud to say that I come from a line of strong, intelligent, and respected women. Beginning with my mother and grandmothers, to my sister, aunts, cousins, and one amazing fifth grade teacher. As I grew older, I was blessed to make a host of friends that would add to my list of amazing women that share in my vision. I attribute all of my successes, my commitment to my husband, children, family and friends, and my giving spirit to these women. If only all young ladies had access to and were able to see women in power positions, taking care of their families and being active in their communities like I had, maybe this would be just the boost they would need to set goals, overcome obstacles and become the positive and amazing woman I know is within.

Through My Sister’s Keeper, I hope to provide young women with a sense of empowerment. I want to promote a positive self-image, allow girls to recognize and appreciate their self-worth, and build up their self-esteem. I want to dispel the misogynous vibes in music videos, the unrealistic images they may see in magazines, and any negative portrayal of women on the news, at school and even at home or in their communities. I want them to know that it is OK, to be yourself, but to be the best self you can be, to carry yourself with dignity, and to take pride in who you are, what you are about, and who you aim to be. My Sister’s Keeper will strive to encourage confidence, character and positive change to all young women exposed to the program.

I look forward to many successful experiences of this program and the implementation of many more worthwhile endeavors.

Love, Peace and Blessings,
Mandi Y. Mohammed

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