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I used my my connections in the entertainment industry and elsewhere to bring in dynamic guest speakers every week into the 8th grade classroom of the St. Aloysius School in Harlem where I ran a youth mentoring program. Here I am in the classroom with guest speakers Deon Richmond and Merlin Santana (1976-2002) |
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I ran the mentoring program in 1992 and 1993, until I moved to Los Angeles. The program received quite a bit of attention in the press. Here are Merlin and Deon with the entire 8th grade class. I had co-starred with Merlin and Deon in an episode of The Cosby Show where I played the zany and very pregnant Mrs. Minifield. |
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Here I am in the classroom with my husband (then boyfriend) Franklin Ferguson, during his day as a guest speaker. At that time (1992), Franklin was a law student at NYU. To the left is Sister Catherine, the teacher who made the initial contact with me. |
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Franklin at the chalkboard, giving his talk. I instructed the guest speakers to talk on their background, their accomplishments and the steps they took in arriving at their careers. The student to the right is holding a tape recorder. We tape recorded every session. |
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My dear friend Deborah Gregory ("Cheetah Girls" Author/Creator) talks about her career in creative writing and journalism. |
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Mel Davis, executive of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and former Nicks legend brought NBA caps for all the students. |
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Music Industry Lawyer and co-author of "Bling", Reggie Ossé, took a break from his post as attorney for Def Jam Records to come mentor the children for an afternoon. |
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Professional comic and robotics engineer Wil Sylvince does a robotics demonstration for the children. Thereafter, he sampled some of his stand-up routine. |
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| Joe Brewster, MD (Psychiatrist and filmmaker) captivated the kids. |
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Sybil Anderson, MD, talks to the children about medical school. |
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After the children graduated from 8th grade, I continued the program in my home. Here I am with a fellow mentee and guest speaker actress/writer/producer Joie Lee (Spike Lee's sister) at my home in Harlem. |
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Here's Joie in my home with the St. Aloysius children. Joie was in development for her wonderful film "Crooklyn" which she wrote, produced and starred in. |
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| Kim Barker, Esq. speaks to the children about law school. |
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I kept in touch with the children after I moved to Los Angeles. Here we are in 1995, during one of my visits back home to Harlem. |
