ROCKINGHAM — In keeping with Leak Street Cultural Center’s broad mission to provide space and programs addressing the needs of the community, M.A.T.T.E.R. Foundation, Inc. CEO and Richmond County native Kenya Moore-Kerr devoted a week there to life-coaching several high-school-age girls.

The Pearls M.A.T.T.E.R. Leadership Academy for High School Girls ran Monday through Friday and focused on teaching leadership skills, self-esteem strategies, financial literacy and goal motivation.

Richmond Senior High School teacher Cherice Washington assisted Moore-Kerr, paying close attention to all aspects of the academy’s structure in preparation for a second session in the fall.

“It definitely helps having my first year as a teacher, as well as following the steps of my role model and cousin, Kenya,” she said. “It’s been so special to me having worked at the high school. Most of the girls here weren’t in my class, but they would come and hang out in my classroom after school. Kenya has a vision of having 30 girls: 10 from each grade level from 10th to 12th.”

Friday featured a reception for the girls, who Moore-Kerr bestowed with pearl necklaces she fastened herself along with gift bags and final words of wisdom.

“You control your destiny,” she said. “You were built to be great, so, be great. If you think repeatedly about negative things, you will put out negativity. Focus on positivity, and you will be a positive influence on the world.”

Moore-Kerr, who teaches the academy in the Raleigh area where she now resides, said offering the free class to Richmond County youth gives her something special back.

“This was different,” she said. “This was giving back to my community. In just the short week I had with them, I got to know these girls. Bringing it to a close has been emotional.”

Several parents came to the reception honoring their daughters.

Caroline Strong, mother of 15-year-old Tyra Strong, said she learned of the program through Washington.

“She said it would help her with her self-esteem, job interviews and just how to go out in the world,” she said. “This is giving them a head start, and it’s great.”

NyQuaisha Nicholson’s father, Koiron Drake, said he understood the importance of the academy for his daughter and that he drove her to and from each session.

“She was looking into some other programs, but decided on this one,” he said. “I noticed every day when she came home, she would look into the assignments she was given that day. She always thinks she has something to prove, but I tell her she doesn’t. If she feels good about herself, no one can bring her down. When your self-esteem is low from the start it’s easier to be pulled down.”

Zaria Young’s mother, Cherie Young, said another parent referred her to the leadership academy.

“I liked the information I received,” she said. “So I brought my daughter in. Zaria said, ‘Okay, I’ll go.’ But within an hour she texted me at home and said, ‘Mama, I love it!’ On the way home every day we talked about what they did here. She’s definitely going to be back in the fall.”

Young went on to say the gifts imparted to the girls in the class by Moore-Kerr apply equally to all girls.

“It’s important for them to learn to just be themselves,” she said. “To know their worth and their value and to continue to grow and learn. Zaria said she is going to wear her pearls and the shirt from the academy to church on Sunday at Ebeneezer Missionary Baptist of Rockingham where we attend.”

Moore-Kerr summarized her wishes for the girls before wrapping things up for the summer.

“There are a lot of negative things today that I didn’t have to face,” she said. “I want them to focus on the positive. If they get nothing else, I want them to get that.”

She also offered special thanks to the parents, Cherice Washington, Leak Street Alumni, Inc. board of directors, Al Kerr Insurance, Lillie Washington, Patricia Holiday, Ms. Pratt, Tiffany Covington, Subway of U.S. 1 North, KFC of Rockingham, Walmart Deli of Rockingham, M3&Co., and presenters Eddrina T. Clark, Kelly Cunningham, New Horizons, Michi McBride-Feemster, Destinee McCrea, and Kim and Ben of the State Employees Credit Union.

Reach reporter Melonie McLaurin at 910-817-2673 and follow her on Twitter @meloniemclaurin.

Melonie McLaurin | Daily Journal Kenya Moore-Kerr, executive director of Pearls M.A.T.T.E.R. Leadership Academy for High School Girls, treated her students to a reception Friday at the Leak Street Cultural Center in Rockingham, marking the end of their summer session.
https://www.yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/web1_matter.jpgMelonie McLaurin | Daily Journal Kenya Moore-Kerr, executive director of Pearls M.A.T.T.E.R. Leadership Academy for High School Girls, treated her students to a reception Friday at the Leak Street Cultural Center in Rockingham, marking the end of their summer session.

By Melonie McLaurin

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