We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Zamariya Clemons a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Zamariya, thanks for joining us today. So, let’s start with a hypothetical – what would you change about the educational system?
If I had the influence to alter anything about the educational system, I would make consumer science part of the curriculum rather than an optional elective. When I was fifteen, some of my friends and I got our first jobs at the YMCA. I recall sitting down with HR at that time, feeling ready to fill out my tax paperwork because my mom had shown me how to fill it out, but also seeing how freaked out my peers were, and HR saying they were sorry they couldn’t help. At that time, I realized that we needed to be prepared for scenarios that arise in the actual world on a daily basis.
Zamariya, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
In Greensboro, North Carolina, I started a nonprofit organization called “VOW” Village of Women after working as a long-term second grade substitute at a nearby NHA school and encountering youth of different ages who were in need of a safe place to express and decompress. Consequently, Village of Women was established in the clubhouse of my student apartment. VOW provides life skills through play in the areas of consumer science, STEAM, performing arts, and career exploration to girls aged 8 to 13 who we mentor throughout the academic year. We meet on the first Saturday of each month. The girls get to meet one minority woman and explore her career through activities that give them a day of life experience. In order to inspire our students to consider career alternatives, we host a week-long summer camp during which we introduce up to 17 minority women in the community and their “day in the life” experiences at work. All the while taking part in a simulation game that mimics the LIFE board game, which the ladies take on the role of a “adult” with a job and financial obligations! This encourages acquiring practical skills like budgeting and cooking.
How did you build your audience on social media?
I knew I wanted VOW’s page to seem uniform, so before I started, I double-checked the number of our brand colors and ensured there was a translucent logo on everything we posted and the colors matched. Everything we post is often personalized with our logo and brand colors. My advice is to be authentic while keeping your page clean and simple; less is more.
How do you keep your team’s morale high?
Communication is a central priority. I was so accustomed to doing things on my own that I had to learn that good leaders delegate and trust that whoever they assign the task to will complete it effectively and according to the village’s standards. I believe in being transparent and being accountable maintains high morale.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Vowvillageofwomen.com
- Instagram: Vow.villageofwomen
- Facebook: VOW-villageofwomen
- Other: If you’d like to donate, please send an email to [email protected] for further information about donation receipts and other details.
Image Credits
Village Of Women
Pixels By Am