SISTER S.A.G.E. MISSION STATEMENT - THE ROAD TO SISTERHOOD
As diverse sisters, our mission is to become responsible, open-minded women. We are training to become the future educated leaders in all aspects of life. In this process we are discovering our purpose in life. By coming together we express the views and exercise the rights of young women everywhere. In SAGE, everyone has a safe haven to share experiences in life as well as discuss controversial subjects at hand. We do not use profane language or call other people out of their name. Such behavior is not reflective of our maturity and intelligence in expressing ourselves. We do not insult others who are different from us. We respect other religions, beliefs and honor diversity. We are strong but we have our ups and downs, yet we never let it break us apart. If hardships are to befall upon us, we open up our arms to support our sisters when they fall. We will use our intelligence to thrive, fulfill our destinies and manifest a strong belief in other young women and girls. We have a voice & we use it for good. SAGE creates a field of positivity that blocks out negativity. This field starts in BROOKLYN & extends throughout the world. We touch the hearts of those who look up to us. We are accountable for our actions & face our challenges with pride. SAGE is a family. We are African Queens and Princesses. We are the past creation of great women, present learners and future teachers. We are Sister S.A.G.E. Strengthening Advocacy for Girls’ Empowerment. A Sister is.. A Great listener, friend, team member that is responsible, honest and trustworthy. A sister is not hypocritical nor is she a traitor. She has your back and is very honorable. Sisters are supportive. A Woman is…. An educated individual and thinker who takes care of herself as well as others. A woman strives to be financially secure and makes sacrifices. A woman has perseverance and stands up for herself and her family A Leader is.. Someone ambitious that can be put on the edge and still pull it together. A Leader is courageous and makes conscious decisions. Leaders are independent and better the lives of people around them. COLLECTIVELY WRITTEN BY PARTICIPANTS, 2006 |
ABOUT ME
Tyese Brown is a student in the doctoral program in social work at City University of New York, The Graduate Center. She completed a BA in psychology at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, a MA in educational psychology at New York University and an MSW in social work at Hunter College. Ms. Brown works as clinical director of a community based organization for youths in Brooklyn, New York, where she supervises a staff of prevention educators, counselors, and interns in the provision of evidence-based substance abuse prevention, mental health counseling, and early intervention services to youths aged 5 to 20 years. She is also founding director of the Brooklyn based program Sister SAGE (Strengthening Advocacy for Girls' Empowerment). Ms. Brown’s areas of behavioral health research/services are prevention and early intervention services to Black youths, particularly Black girls, who are at risk for substance abuse and mental illness. After doctoral degree completion she would like to serve as an executive in a nonprofit organization to further enhance, create, and evaluate substance use prevention and health promotion programming for Black girls and young women. Ms. Brown is licensed in the state of New York as an LMSW and is second year Council for Social Work Education Doctoral Fellow. |
|
I AM AN INFINITE BLACKGIRL
I entered the world as a Blackgirl baby and will leave as a Blackgirl woman. My Blackness is fused with my Girlness = Blackgirl I Am An Infinite Blackgirl I have been profoundly inspired by other Blackgirls and Blackwomen my entire life. As daughter, sister, granddaughter, auntie, othermother, friend, soror, colleague, classmate and mentor my life has been filled, fueled and fired by a Divine passion that has always led me back as an advocate for Blackgirls. I Am An Infinite Blackgirl As I entered undergrad, I never planned to join a sorority. I thought that they were all elitist snobs yet I was drawn to a group of Blackgirls who made up the Mu Kappa chapter Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated. As a historically Black Greek sorority they had the highest collective GPA out of all sororities on the yard, were the flyest (this was the 90's) and did the most community service. I was accepted & forged a lifelong sisterhood with the women. They taught me not only how to be a good friend but how to be a good Blackgirl sister. I Am An Infinite Blackgirl At the age of 19 I was told by a church elder that my lifelong Divine purpose would be to help girls and women. Despite my efforts to deny that, I was lead at the age of 26 to establish Sister S,A.G.E. in response to the needs of Blackgirls in Brooklyn and have been doing so ever since. I Am An Infinite Blackgirl As a practitioner/academic I will keep one foot in each geographic space. Blackgirlhood is the nexus of my work and the work I do is how I worship the Divine Creator who in Her Infinite Wisdom created me in Her own image as an Infinite Blackgirl |
Site Designed/Maintained by Carmen Kynard
|