Message from the President
Dear Valued Partners,
I hope this newsletter finds you and your family in good health during these turbulent times. As an organization, we remain focused on providing a pathway to higher education for disenfranchised African American girls (Torchettes) in South Los Angeles. Utilizing college as a springboard for future achievement, we hope that the girls will apply the knowledge they have learned to become productive global citizens. In order to achieve that objective, we have expanded our team. Please allow me to introduce you to Candida Mobley. She is the Chair of the Executive Board and brings a wealth of non-profit and marketing experience to the organization.
I am also pleased to introduce you to our Junior Executive Board. It has always been my goal to provide the Torchettes who have graduated from college, and have pursued their professional careers, an opportunity to continue the legacy of the organization. Fortunately, they all had an interest in the non-profit world and they invited their friends to join them.
This dynamic group of young professionals display a high level of enthusiasm and a diverse perspective to the board that has already proven to be invaluable to the organization. Please welcome our team!
Stay healthy, stay safe, and stay positive.
Sincerely
President & CEO
Board Chairperson Candida Mobley
Candida Mobley
Board Chairperson
Owner, Voices, Inc
I hope this newsletter finds you and your family in good health during these turbulent times. As an organization, we remain focused on providing a pathway to higher education for disenfranchised African American girls (Torchettes) in South Los Angeles. Utilizing college as a springboard for future achievement, we hope that the girls will apply the knowledge they have learned to become productive global citizens. In order to achieve that objective, we have expanded our team. Please allow me to introduce you to Candida Mobley. She is the Chair of the Executive Board and brings a wealth of non-profit and marketing experience to the organization.
I am also pleased to introduce you to our Junior Executive Board. It has always been my goal to provide the Torchettes who have graduated from college, and have pursued their professional careers, an opportunity to continue the legacy of the organization. Fortunately, they all had an interest in the non-profit world and they invited their friends to join them. This dynamic group of young professionals display a high level of enthusiasm and a diverse perspective to the board that has already proven to be invaluable to the organization. Please welcome our team! Stay healthy, stay safe, and stay positive.
Meet The Junior Executive Board
Miyoshi Price President Crenshaw High School B.A. University of California, Santa Barbara Miyoshi Price graduated from Crenshaw High School as the Student Body President in 2011 with a 3.98 GPA. Price worked under the leadership of Councilman Bernard Parks in 2009 to better public school education. In the fall of 2010, Price received early admissions into UC Santa Barbara Class of 2015.
Price declared her major in Film & Media Studies at UCSB. She invested time in learning how to direct, write stories, understand the history of cinematography & production. While studying abroad in Italy, she produced a mini-documentary. In 2015, Price received the Vice-Chancellor Award & earned her degree. Price started developing content for Crystal Cruises & transitioned into television, where she learned overnight programming at CBS Interactive. She is now an Entertainer for the LA Clippers & the Media Asset Manager for NFL Media.
Dedreiana Elliott Vice President George Washington Preparatory High School B.A. California State University, Channel Islands Dedreiana Elliott is a native of South Central Los Angeles. She attended George Washington Prep High School where she was first introduced to the From the School House to the White House Leadership Academy. She served as a Torchette for the program from 2011-2012. Shortly after transitioning out of the leadership academy, she attended California State University, Channel Islands where she received her Bachelors of Arts in Communication.
After graduating, Dedreiana accepted a job at California State University, Los Angeles as a Recruiter/Community Recruitment Specialist.
As an advocate of higher education, she is now currently pursuing her Masters in Communication at California State University, Los Angeles. She also co-host a podcast called Admit’n, to help introduce and educate professional and personal development options for African American students interested in achieving success.
She’s excited to be connected with the leadership program again and to be able to work toward one of her goals, which is to create pathways to pursue higher education for African American students.
Roc'kale Bowman Secretary, Washington Preparatory High School B.A. California State University, Long Beach Roc’kale attended George Washington Prep HS where she participated in the From the Schoolhouse to the White House Leadership Program from 2012-14. After high school, she attended CSULB and received her B.A in Human Development and Human Resources Management. During her time at CSULB Roc’kale created, coordinated, and implemented a teen conference for girls ages 11-18 titled You’re Worth It.
Roc’kale also worked for the National College Resources Foundation and lead the Young Black Achievers program in Lynwood School District. After graduating, Roc’kale went on to work with USC’s College Advising Corp to increase the college outcome for low-income, first-generation students.
As an advocate of educational equity and social change, she is currently pursuing her Masters in Social Entrepreneurship at USC. Roc’kale is passionate about uplifting her community - South LA. She’s excited to be a part of the leadership program again to pay it forward.
Dillesha Davis Treasurer Crenshaw High School Dillesha Davis aka “Dee Dee,” was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. She is a graduate of Crenshaw High School where she was a Torchette in the Legacy Ladies’ Leadership Academy. She attended college briefly only to find out her true passion was baking, which she learned from her grandmother at the age of seven. Everyone would go to her grandmother’s house for home cooked meals and desserts, especially during the holidays. Dillesha emulated her grandmother and felt the same joy and happiness.
After years of baking cakes, Dillesha became a cake designer and treat maker and would give them as gifts to her friends and family. Unbeknown to her, people outside of her close circle would start asking to purchase them for their friends and family, thus “Yes’n Dee Dee’s Cakes and Treats” was born. Dillesha now works on perfecting her craft by creating new cakes and treats for everyone to enjoy.
Kendra Green Director of Branding B.S. Missouri State University M.B.A. University of Kansas Originally from Kansas City, MO, Kendra began her career in Headquarter Sales and Brand Management at Nestle USA in Los Angeles and ConAgra Brands in Chicago. During that time, she led teams to develop strategies and product lines for major brands including Butterfinger and Marie Callender’s.
After leaving the corporate world in 2017, Kendra decided to finally pursue her passion - helping people create and build wealth through real estate ownership and investment. She earned her first Real Estate license in Chicago where she specialized in guiding new home buyers and new investors through the sometimes difficult Real Estate buying process. After relocating back to Los Angeles, Kendra earned her Real Estate license in California and is continuing to build on her goals of educating and assisting clients in building generational wealth.
Jasmine Jackson
Director of Social Media Crenshaw High School B.A. California State University, Monterey Bay
Jasmine Jackson is a 24 year old born and raised in the heart of Los Angeles, CA. After graduating from Crenshaw High School in 2013 she attended CSU, Monterey Bay where she earned her degree in Human Communications with a concentration in Practical and Professional Ethics and a minor in Spanish Language & Hispanic Cultures. Jasmine also studied abroad for an academic year in Spain at the Universidad de Jaén…..EDC. Jasmine is a Preschool Teacher and Recreational Assistant at Rustic Canyon Recreation Center
Harmony Perry Board Member Artesia High School B.A. California State University, Dominguez Hills Born and raised in Los Angeles, California Harmony Perry always had a passion for helping others. In elementary she served as a school yard manager for those in lower grades. Her leadership skills continued to develop over time involving greater responsibility. In high school Perry quickly noticed the unequivocal dollar balances between school districts, ultimately being the reason for her pursuit of higher education. Once Perry began her journey at California State University, Dominguez Hills she learned the importance of educational access.
While Perry served multiple roles at CSU Dominguez Hills as a student tour guide, orientation leader, and lead ambassador, she encountered her passion for helping students understand that higher education is attainable regardless of which route is taken to achieve an educational goal. Perry continues to take action by serving as an Admissions and Outreach Counselor at CSU Dominguez Hills for first time freshmen and transfer students.
Breanna Smith Board Member Culver City High School B.A. University of California at Santa Barbara M.A. Pepperdine University, Breanna is a Culver City native who attended college at UCSB after graduating high school. At UCSB, Breanna was an Executive Board Member and Outreach Coordinator of the Black Business Association and studied abroad in both Italy and Spain. For graduate school, Breanna attended Pepperdine University in Malibu, where she studied Clinical Psychology and emphasized in work with children, families and couples.
While attending Pepperdine, Breanna worked as a therapist with veterans and as a school counselor. Since graduating, Breanna has conducted research on Increasing Cultural Competency and Effectiveness of Therapy when Working with Black Americans. She has presented this research as a Guest Lecturer for the Pepperdine Graduate University of Education and Psychology. Breanna is currently an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and works in Long Beach where she conducts individual and group family sessions with children and families experiencing difficulties related to mental health issues.
Jasmine Speights Board Member B.A. Georgia State University M.A. Walden University Jasmine Speights is a Los Angeles native, and grew up in Atlanta. Now that she is back in LA, she’s ready to give back to the community that helped raise her and her family. Jasmine is on the Content Acquisitions and Strategy team at WarnerMedia / HBOMax. As a real estate agent, Jasmine specializes in helping investors identify and buy properties to expand their portfolio, as well as guiding first-time homeowners while looking to purchase their first home. In addition to her real estate business and media career, Jasmine enjoys traveling, playing/ watching basketball, and singing Prince songs at your favorite local karaoke joint.