Meet Shekinah: Youth of the Year for A. Worley Brown Boys & Girls Club

Shekinah

1) How long have you been a member of Boys & Girls Club of Metro Atlanta?

I have been a member for 3 years.

2) Why is your Boys & Girls Club important to you?

The Boys & Girls Club is important to me because they are like my family. They accept all that I am as a person and nurture my talents. Without the Boys & Girls Club, I would not have become the person that I am today.

3) What is your career goal? What do you want to do, be when you grow up?

I want to become an artist in the music industry.

4) How has your Club supported your goals for college, post-secondary education, and career?

The Boys & Girls Club has supported me in building my resume for college. They have given me opportunities to volunteer for my community like working at State Farm Arena for the summer. Also, they have been producing me as an artist with my music.

5) Who has been a major influence in your life? Why?

My mom has always been a major influence in my life. My mom has always believed in me and taught me to be a role model and to be confident. She has mentored me in becoming the artist that I am growing up to be and has encouraged me on doing what I love.

6) What is a success you achieved through the support of your Club?

I have performed live in front of people outside Boys & Girls Club with my music and inspired other kids in Boys & Girls Club to make music.

7) What is a challenge that your Club helped you overcome?

Before I came to Boys & Girls Club I was closed off to everyone around me. I was timid and didn’t know how to express myself. Boys & Girls Club helped me come out of myself and pursue my passion for music in the studio.

8) Do you volunteer in your community or at the Club? Can you share a few examples of this?

I have volunteered outside of Boys & Girls Club by joining the National French Honors Society. With my hours at the National French Honors Society, I would mentor some students to understand French and I would have to help my French teacher with some tasks around the classroom. In Boys & Girls Club, I have volunteered with helping kids be engaged in different activities. Also, I have volunteered with helping one of the staff cleaning up.

9) Why do you believe is it important for teens to use their voice in today’s society?

One reason why it is important for teens to use their voice in today’s society is because of social media. Social media has taught the youth that we are not good enough or that we need to be perfect. Social media has taught the youth that we need to look a certain way for the world to accept us and I feel like we teens shouldn’t let the norms of society take away our right to be who we are. That’s why it is significant for teens to use their voices so that they can be heard.

10) What are you doing, what can you do to spark positive change in today’s society?

I am inspiring America’s youth through my music by motivating them and building their self-esteem. I feel like one thing that America’s youth go through is depression and looking down on themselves. I would want them to know how important they are and how they are special and gifted too.

11) What moment or moments in your Club do you believe have shaped you to serve as your Club’s Youth of the Year

Spending time with my staff has given me the motivation in being comfortable with my artistic side. Boys & Girls Club has sent professional speakers to mold me into a leader through the decisions I make. Boys & Girls Club has caused me to be persistent in being successful academically and helped me persevere under pressure. Boys & Girls Club has also helped me to be independent and determined to strive for improvement through my faults.