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“You have what it takes to be a victorious, independent, fearless woman.” ­–Tyra Banks Let her know that she can be anything she wants! Shop now! girlzbsweet.com #girlpower #motivationalquotes #inspiration #girlsfashion #independentwoman #girlzbsweet

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“...fight for that dream and finish well. My Motto: Focus. Faith. Fight. Finish.” - Dianne Jamerson, Community Activist

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Inspiration for the Masses

Girlz B Sweet caught up with community leader and retired health administrator, Dianne Jamerson to ask her about her passions. This amazing woman will keep you on your toes because she’s just that involved in community building and leadership.

Originally from El Dorado, Arkansas, Dianne found a unique path in life that led her to California. Her courage to live life to its fullest potential stems from a love for learning, a love for reading, and a love for writing. “I grew up in Southern rural Arkansas and they desegregated our schools when I started 6th grade. They had to bus us an hour to the White school. They began to turn the Black elementary schools into learning centers. Middle schools were consolidated into one and the secondary/H.S. was closed. My 1st grade teacher, Lois Meekens, was so encouraging to me and supportive to me. She would say, ‘You just gotta do what you gotta do. You’re so smart. You’re so bright’, and I believed that.”

Besides Mrs. Meekens, Dianne experienced encouragement from another teacher who during the time period of desegregation would be the least likely person she would expect encouragement from - Mrs. Barbara Haynie, the first Caucasian teacher that Dianne ever had. “She was warm, loving, and nurturing. She was so encouraging to me. She had us do research on a state, and I chose California. I stood before the class and gave my report. I said when I graduate from high school, I am going to college on scholarship and am moving to California. The kids laughed me to shame, but Mrs. Haynie said, ‘You are going to do what you want.’” Dianne proved Mrs. Haynie right! She did just as she set out to do and made a life in California. Dianne is retired from Riverside County previously serving as a Hospital Admissions Supervisor and Hospital Safety Officer and Certified Trainer. Because of her love for education, she continues to serve as a part time adjunct faculty at the University of Phoenix, teaching courses in the health services, while currently earning her Ph.D. in the field of Health Services and Leadership. She is also a published author with a featured journal article entitled, “Insurance Verification Done Right: A Success Story”, published by the National Association of Healthcare Access Managers Association (Dec. 2009).

Dianne’s accomplishments aren’t by happenstance. As a young girl, she was encouraged by not only her teachers, but first by her mother. “My mom was my first source of inspiration. She worked hard and only had a 10th grade education. Her father passed away when she was in 10th grade, and so she had to drop out of high school to help her mother put the others through school. She always said, 'I work hard with my hands, but I want you to work hard with your heads.’ She worked two and three jobs to support us.” Girlz B Sweet asked Dianne who is the source of her inspiration now. “My mom and my children. Every time I go home to see my mom who is 81 years old, she asks me, 'Are you in school?’ She asks me all the time. Children/grands…Letting them see that the sky is the limit. If we can dream it, we can achieve it.”

Dianne’s inspirational life has a positive impact on her community. She is very involved with her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. and does excellent community outreach on a regular basis. Dianne shared with Girlz B Sweet some of the community programs she’s involved in. “Growing and Empowering Myself Scholastically (GEMS) program – mentor high school girls. Mentor them on academics, discipline, anti-bullying, combating teen violence and human sex trafficking. We [Delta Sigma Theta, Inc.] take them to Youth State to allow them to develop a program that will bring about social change in the community. We provide transportation and lodging and food. We meet every 2nd Sat. from 9-12 at Cal Poly Pomona (Sept. – May). The focus is on sisterhood, scholarship and service. Our sorority partners with March of Dimes, House of Ruth, and Habitat for Humanity – helping to rebuild and improve housing.Also, we incorporate a College Life program – mentor them on college aspirations. We help them research possible colleges and put on a program where college reps come out and speak to the girls about college life. Career Day – professionals come out and speak to the girls about various careers that focus on S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) and educate them in this area. Also, I am an Associate Pastor at Loveland Church - my focus is on mentoring the teen, young adult and adult women; I am the church clerk and secretary to the board for the Sunrise Senior Citizens project.”

Wow!!! What an amazing community activist!!! Although Dianne is busy doing great work, she definitely finds time to keep up with her sports. Girlz B Sweet inquired about her side hobbies. “I am a die-hard sports fan. My favorite teams are the Dallas Cowboys and the Spurs. We are a big time sports family. I love to travel and I like writing, particularly freelance writing.If anyone is in need of some inspiration, Dianne Jamerson is a source of strength. She is well rounded, gifted, and has a history of overcoming obstacles. Her message to young girls now who need motivation to achieve is "Listen to your parents. Pay attention in school; do your very best in school. Just focus on what it is you want to do in life, and go for it. And fight for that dream and finish well. My Motto: Focus. Faith. Fight. Finish.”

And to top off our interview, Dianne left us with this quote to ponder: “Our destiny is not written for us, it’s written by us.” – President Barack Obama

Thank you, Dianne, for an amazing dose of inspiration!

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Just like me, you have to have a plan and dream big. Don’t dream small, dream big. Don’t let anybody, whether your family or close friend, tell you that you can’t do it. If you have a vision in your head, find a way to make that vision come true.

Melinda Curtis, Secondary Educator/Mathematician

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The Square Root of Inspiration Equals Success

Math!!! What's the big deal? "On behalf of Change the Equation, Ogilvy PR conducted a survey to gauge Americans’ attitudes toward their math skills.

Three in ten Americans (29%) report that they are not good at math.

Women are significantly more likely than men to say that they are not good at math (37% vs. 21%).

Younger Americans are the most likely to believe that they are not good at math (18-24 years old, 39%; 25-34 years old, 36%).

Further, over a third of Americans (36%) admit that there have been many times that they’ve found themselves saying they can’t do math.

Women are significantly more likely than men to agree with this statement (43% vs. 29%).

Younger Americans are the most likely to report that there have been many times that they’ve found themselves saying they can’t do math (18-24 years old, 53%; 25-34 years old, 53%)."

Okay, okay! Enough with the statistics!!! Girlz B Sweet interviewed a successful female mathematician who, despite the odds, found success in the perceived difficult subject.

Melinda Curtis is Math teacher at Beaumont High School, located in Beaumont, CA and has been teaching math for almost a decade. Originally from Riverside, CA and currently residing there, as well, Melinda has made a successful career from having such a strong background in math. The apple doesn't fall too far from the tree. Her mother is a retired math teacher.

Through hard work and dedication, at a young age, Melinda's parents led by example and told her to always have a plan and to make sure that she was setting up that plan and executing it, but most importantly, not to give up. This is what helped her conquer the myth that math is hard. In the interview, Melinda emphasized that her parents always reiterated that even if it takes you a little bit longer to execute that plan, always have a Plan B. "I was in AVID [Advancement Via Individual Determination program], but I knew I was going to go to college, and I knew that I was going to graduate. When I first started college, I was a liberal studies major, and I ended up switching to Math. #1: I always loved different types of math and #2: It gave me a waiver that exempted me from a particular test to become a credentialed teacher. My classes were a substitute to the test."

Her family made such a positive impact in her life that spending time with them is what she enjoys most. "We travel and go on vacations together – immediate and extended."

Girlz B Sweet asked Melinda who inspired her to achieve when she were a girl. "My family, more specifically my mom because my mom was a math teacher. I saw first hand the different stuff she was doing. She was an all-around person. She would take care of us, taking us to different activities. I saw how she interacted with my dad. She took care of everyone. My dad would give me pointers. He would always say, 'finish what you started and don’t give up.'"

Melinda continues to draw on that inspiration from her children. "Before I had my kids, I felt that I did it for myself, and I also wanted my parents to be proud of me. Now, I want my kids to see me as a strong woman being successful while being an integral part in their lives. I still rely on my parents’ help, and I am still thankful and blessed that they can see me being successful, knowing that I can take care of myself and my family."

Her community connection is made using her gift of math. "When I was younger, I was involved in the church more, but now I am connected through my community through teaching. I’m not only teaching mathematics, but I’m also teaching my students to be better citizens in their community. For instance, one of my students’ came up to me and wanted to start a hiking club. I knew it would be hard for me to commit, but I said yes. Through that, I’m teaching that student to be a leader and start something that’s not there - starting something themselves for their community."

Her message to young girls now is, "Just like me, you have to have a plan and dream big. Don’t dream small, dream big. Don’t let anybody, whether your family or close friend, tell you that you can’t do it. If you have a vision in your head, find a way to make that vision come true."

Melinda's final thought for us is "always put God first in your life and anything is possible through Him."

Consider a career in math. It can open up a lot of doors and the opportunities will be endless.  

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I don’t believe that anybody does anything without someone else’s help. There is going to be someone in your path that is going to help you.

Kya Johnson - CEO/Owner of Rainbow Me Kids

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At the end of the day, I knew that she loved me and cared about me, and she made me feel like I mattered. She is a mother figure to me.

Tiffany Cagle-Schrift is the operator and owner of A Brighter Mind, PLLC

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"Rainbow Me" Inspires "Girlz B"

Girlz B Sweet, had the rare opportunity to interview the CEO/Founder of Rainbow Me Kids, an entertainment destination for kids ages 2-12, focusing on diversity and main characters of color.

Kya Johnson is ambitious and thoughtful, making her the perfect example of how to flex your girl power! Originally from Greensboro, NC, Kya currently resides in Durham, NC, but continues to work in her hometown. She practices Worker's Compensation and Social Security Disability law by day and works diligently on ideas for Rainbow Me Kids during the rest of her time.

We asked Miss Johnson what she likes to do for fun. Traveling and trying different foods were at the top of her list. She loves to travel to any place tropical with water and white sand. Aruba happens to be her favorite. When it comes to food, she considers herself a novice foodie, who enjoys anything Asian. Whether it be Vietnamese, Thai, or Japanese food, she's willing to try it all.

In speaking with Kya, Girlz B Sweet appreciated her passion for her work to bring more diversity to kids' programming through her company, Rainbow Me Kids. She explained that Rainbow Me Kids was first publicly launched April 30, 2016, and is currently adding over 900 additional episodes at only $4.99/mo. Parents and educators can access the app in the Google Play store, and will be able to access it on other platforms in the future. In addition, these resources can be accessed directly at rainbowmekids.com

Girlz B Sweet, asked Kya how she got to be where she is today. "I received a lot of support. I come from a very supportive family, and I’ve always been that kid that had crazy ideas, and my family and siblings encouraged me to try it." She emphasized the importance of getting in front of the right people in order to leverage your success. "I don’t believe that anybody does anything without someone else’s help. There is going to be someone in your path that is going to help you."

That is exactly what happened for Rainbow Me Kids. A former Vice President of HGTV, TV One, and Discovery Channel crossed her path and was very interested in the idea, at the time. It was through his knowledge and connections that helped Rainbow Me Kids get to the next level. "It’s always important to emphasize that there are more days where nothing is happening and you may question why you are doing this. It is definitely a roller coaster in getting to a successful place…hard, difficult, sacrificial work." Miss Johnson reiterated the point that people must recognize the fact that it takes a lot of effort to work as a company and build a company from scratch. She noted that she was very fortunate to receive several breaks by being recognized by the right people, which led to national notoriety. Before they even had a product, Rainbow Me Kids was featured in USA Today. At that time, the company was just an idea. Despite the pressure that came from being thrust forward into a larger platform, she and her colleagues were encouraged to live up to the challenge set before them, and they continue to live up to the challenge every day.  

Girlz B Sweet asked Kya about her inspiration. When she was a girl, her family was her biggest inspiration. She stated that as she's gotten older, she now realizes the privilege she had when she was younger. She was surrounded by excellent role models within her own family, and did not have a need to go beyond her own family to see excellence manifested daily. Miss Johnson earned her undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, where both her parents also attended. She earned her law degree from North Carolina Central University in Durham, NC, and began practicing law, following in her father's footsteps. Although her father was an attorney, she noted that he's always had the "entrepreneurial bug" and was a huge supporter of her goals and dreams of becoming an entrepreneur. Her mother, who was the first African-American physical therapy major at UNC-Chapel Hill, also supported her ventures prior to passing away, but her mother's passion and legacy continues to live within her.

Currently, Kya draws inspiration from powerful women in entertainment, specifically, Issa Rae, an American actress, writer, director, producer and web series creator. She is best known as the creator of the YouTube web series Awkward Black Girl. Miss Johnson explained to Girlz B Sweet that Issa Rae's struggle stood out to her. Initially, major networks weren't interested in Rae's idea, so she built her own audience and now she now has a show on HBO. "She [Issa Rae] inspired me to know that I can build my own audience, and that I don’t necessarily have to reach out to anybody. Any woman who is really doing her thing in the entertainment business, particularly behind the scenes, is inspirational."

Kya  connects with her community mainly through social media. Rainbow Me Kids has also been involved in local events, such as hosting multicultural fairs at local elementary schools in Greensboro, NC. At the fairs, the Rainbow Me Kids app was made available for the kids to use. In addition, diverse groups entertained the kids, which included a Latino dance group and a Caribbean drum performance.

Girlz B Sweet asked Kya what she would say to young girls today who need motivation to achieve. "Always look outside of the box. I think we kind of get stuck with what’s put in front of us all the time - what we should do and what we should be. Be proactive by trying to find what all is out there and what’s available to you. Look for your passion. If you like to be outside, look for opportunities that involve the outdoors, like being a biochemist. Take a moment to look out there and don’t just wait for it to come to you." So girls, you must go to it.

Kya  shared such a profound statement at the end of our interview. "You can only do what you can imagine you can do." We find it evident that she lives up to this herself. Learn more about Rainbow Me Kids at rainbowmekids.com/

Follow them on Social Media:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/RainbowMekids/ Twitter: @RainbowMe Instagram: @RainbowMeKids YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/RainbowMeTV Pintrest: www.pinterest.com/rainbowmeincorp/

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"Don’t give up. No matter what people tell you. Keep going. I fell down 10 times, but I got back up.

Brandy, owner of Eye Candy By Brandy Day Spa