KHARIYYAH SHABBAZ
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR-HIGHER GROUND
This dynamic young woman and I first met at a breakout session of a workshop on fundraising about a month ago, or if my memory is to be trusted, about two years ago at community information fare for non-profits in Oakland.
What the founders, she, the entire staff and participants at Higher Ground is not just an after-school program, it reverberates out into the community. Khariyyah is the assistant director of the program founded by Amber Blackwell and Tiffany Gibson as well as its Workforce Development Director.
She and I sat down for a chat at the Madison Park Academy, listen in to Real Talk to find out why I am enchanted with the work that is happening here and at the four other sites where the program is in effect.
HIgher Ground Neighborhood Development Corporation is a non-profit which provides services that address the intellectual development of children through behavioral health treatment, after-school enrichment, professional development, service learning projects, and school/community based service. Each day begins with the participants reciting the credo below.
HIgher Ground Neighborhood Development Corporation is a non-profit which provides services that address the intellectual development of children through behavioral health treatment, after-school enrichment, professional development, service learning projects, and school/community based service. Each day begins with the participants reciting the credo below.
MY DESTINY
I AM A GREAT AND IMPORTANT
PERSON
I HAVE BEEN GIVEN THIS LIFE FOR A
VERY IMPORTANT REASON
TO CLAIM MY DESTINY.
I MUST DEVELOP MY OWN UNIQUE
AND SPECIAL TALENTS TO SERVE
MYSELF, MY FAMILY, MY VILLAGE, MY
PEOPLE, AND THIS WORLD.
EDUCATION IS THE TOOL TO
DEVELOP MY TALENTS
AND POWER TO SERVE. EVERYDAY I
PLEDGE TO DO MY PERSONAL BEST SO
I CAN SERVE WITH MY TALENTS AND
LIVE UP TO MY GREATNESS
THIS IS MY DESTINY.
TODAY I CLAIM MY DESTINY!