MiKayla Smalls
Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Stacey Riemer
The purpose of my project was to conceptualize a partnership between academic institutions and mentoring groups to better enhance the academic and social experience of students that are disproportionately affected by exclusionary disciplinary policies. Seeds of Magic, a mentoring group at West Charlotte High School in Charlotte, North Carolina, aims to do this. The group seeks to inspire and motivate girls of color, specifically Black girls, to grow academically, interpersonally and be world changers. Through weekly meetings the group addresses relevant topics about gender, race, class, and the intersection of these identities. Examples of this are: colorism in the media, trauma healing, diversity, and community building. Observations, research, and student comments led to my conclusion that a partnership between mentoring groups and academic institutions would be a model program to better guide at-risk students.