Al-Khadija Women’s Empowerment Program

With the support of Five Points Youth Foundation, Inc., this program uses a faith-based approach that is encompassing, tolerant and empowering to achieve spectacular results for matriarchal development.

Al-Khadija Women’s Empowerment Program hopes to provide a space for youth, specifically women, to not only identify the societal impediments to their success, but also to strive for their own liberation within the context of economic stability, educational freedom, and personal relationships.

Our intent is to contribute to the unification of the community through a socially stimulating program consisting of workshops on issues and topics relevant to the lives of young women of color and ultimately create a co-operative that will support an empowerment scholarship fund. This approach is rooted in the Islamic philosophy and concept of Ummah, which can be understood as a form of community organizing, or unification that allows the participants to work toward empowering each other regardless of race, class, and religion.

About the Founder, Raeesah Reese

Originally from Inglewood California, I am a senior screenwriting major and theology minor from Loyola Marymount University. My academic interests involve examining the impact of the formation of cultural myth, religious identity, and political and historical development on women’s social movement. I am deeply passionate about channeling my professional aspirations into further developing my work with young women of color in low-income neighborhoods of South Los Angeles. Through founding the Al-Khadija Women’s Empowerment Program, I have been able to create a space in which young women are able to explore storytelling and community arts in a way that allows them to engage their communities and develop skills as organizers. I am also invested in bridging struggles of women internationally, as I am currently designing an educational trip to Northern India that will allow LMU student participants to focus on the politics of food and faith in India with regard to ecofeminist movement.

AL-KHADIJA WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT WORKSHOP: MARCH 8TH 2014

On Saturday March 8th, the Al-Khadija Women’s Empowerment workshop held its final session on jewelry making, lead by Joanna Cain, MFT. The participants were split into two groups based on level of skill and participation in previous jewelry workshops. The 1st group was able to revisit previous instruction on color coordinating for bracelets and necklaces as well while the second group learned the art of wire wrapping for various styles of jewelry.
Participants were delighted by Joanna Cain’s instruction on jewelry making techniques and were inspired to use them in their own entrepreneurial efforts. The session concluded as each participant proudly displayed their pieces to the whole group.

The next workshop for the Al-Khadija Women’s Empowerment Program will take place on Saturday, March 29th at Loyola Marymount University in the Leavey 4, 1st floor conference room. We will be holding a session on t-shirt silk screen printing as well as unveiling the design and logo for the program. We hope to see you there!

AL-KHADIJA WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM: FEB 8TH WORKSHOP RECAP

On Saturday, February 8th, the Al-Khadija Women’s Empowerment Program continued with a two part workshop at Loyola Marymount University. The day commenced with a healthy breakfast, prepared by Diane Todd of Wholesome Sweets Bakery. Following the meal, Linda Whiteman led a session on financial goals and entrepreneurship. Her presentation sparked much needed conversation about the importance of financial planning and literacy. The participants were able to ask her questions about planning their futures on a personal and financial level as it pertained to pursuing their passions. They also learned how to create a budget and set realistic and healthy financial goals for their future as college students and graduates.

Dr. Amina Humphrey returned for a session on vision boards. She led the participants in an exercise on imagination and goal setting through the creation of vision boards. Each participant shared the inspiration behind their work at the conclusion of the workshop.

The next session of the program will be held at Loyola Marymount University on Feb. 22nd (9am – 1pm) and will feature a lesson on wire-wrapping jewelry by Joanna Cain, MFT.

AL-KHADIJA WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM: JAN 18TH WORKSHOP RECAP

This past Saturday, the Al-Khadija Women’s Empowerment Program held a two-part workshop on educational goals and jewelry making.

The session was filled with beneficial and thought-provoking discussion about educational goals and passion. Each participant discussed ways in which they hope to fulfill their academic and personal potential.

Dr. Amina Humphrey returned to lead the session as she gave the participants, ranging from elementary to college students, tools to tackle their apprehensions of pursuing their goals and inspiration for making their own paths. The group realized the power of setting intentional goals and cultivating habits of success. The participants also recognized their ultimate passion for contributing to social justice by becoming their best selves.

The second half of the workshop focused on jewelry making and was led by Joanna Cain, MFT. She continued the lesson from the previous workshop on bracelets, necklaces, and earrings. Several pieces were made and will contribute to the participant’s efforts to sell their creations at Leimert Park’s ‘Art Walk’.

The workshop was concluded with a healthy lunch made by Diane Todd. The meal which featured homemade enchiladas, also included a salad made from the lettuce from Five Points Youth Foundation’s regenerative community garden. The participants were able to see the fruits of their labor, as the lettuce was harvested from a previous workshop in November on community gardening and sustainability.

The next workshop will be on February 8th (9am-1pm) at Loyola Marymount University, and will focus on issues of financial literacy.

AL-KHADIJA WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM: DEC 14TH WORKSHOP RECAP

On December 14th, the Al-Khadijah Women’s Empowerment Program held a workshop on jewelry making and basic entrepreneurship. Lead by Ms. Joanna Cain, the girls made pieces of jewelry that they plan to sell in the upcoming “Art Walk” at Leimert Park and at Loyola Marymount University during a convocation hour.

The convocation hour, which will take place in March at Loyola Marymount University, will feature a wide range of food vendors and attracts a large selection of the student body. In the past, non-profits such as the women’s group “Mujer” have raised money selling their jewelry during this same event. The girls will be able to sell their product and gain valuable entrepreneurship experience.

The jewelry featured is made by hand with carefully selected beads and stones.

All proceeds will go towards sustaining the program. If you would like to purchase any piece or set, please contact Diane Todd at 818 274 9368.

Joanna Cain, MFT, provides individual and family therapy as a School-based Mental Health Specialist and Marriage, Family, Children Therapist, with primary focus being on children with emotional disturbances and their families. Joanna is completing a doctorate degree in Education & Organizational Leadership.

AL-KHADIJA YOUNG WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT WORKSHOP: OCT 12 RECAP

The women’s empowerment session featured a workshop on Brazilian dance as well as an exercise on Theater of the Oppressed, a system of games and techniques developed by Augusto Boal that aims to give those who face oppression a way to use theater as an instrument of concrete social transformation.

Laila Abdullah led the dance session, which also incorporated a lesson on geography and culture.

Jessica Viramontes followed her with a Theater of Oppressed workshop in which the participants got a chance to express their frustrations and concerns about the inner-city public and charter school system through performing skits.

The program ended with a lesson on dressing for success by Okera Banks, a prominent stylist in Los Angeles.

Presenter Bios:

OKEERA BANKS has established herself as one of the leading costume designers and celebrity stylists in the industry. Possessing a body of work that ranges from TV, film, music and sports to red carpet appearances and photo shoots,

Her current work is evidenced by her versatility and Avant-garde spirit with clients that include Garcelle Beauvais, Mary J. Blige, Jamie Foxx, Robin Givens, Niecy Nash, Bill Bellamy, Larenz Tate and Chris Tucker, to name a few. Banks has been recognized for her unique celebrity style intervention, making numerous entertainers picture-perfect for red carpet events, award shows, campaigns, and press and publicity appearances. Banks also joined ranks with fashion bible Cosmopolitan Magazine and Bioré skincare for the Bioré Style Swap, a roving event throughout the US that invites stylish women to become even more fashion forward. She is the Cosmo recommended stylist for Los Angeles, and has been interviewed by E! Online, CNN, The Style Network, and SheKnows.com.

Banks’ personal views regarding the fashion industry are simple: “For me, style is all about what makes you feel comfortable, confident and sexy; whether you’re on the set or on the red carpet.” She also adds, “The key lies in building trust with your client so that you’re creating a look and designing an image that enhances their overall persona.” To compliment this philosophy Banks, has created Okera Banks LIGHT ESSENTIALS, her name sake clothing line geared towards women of all walks of life. Banks’ warm persona coupled with her business savvy and fashion expertise, is certain to solidify her as a leading industry standard and stylist fashion expert of choice for years to come!

LAILA ABDULLAH is a mother, dancer, teacher, and choreographer, with an extensive dance background. She is currently teaching Dance and Leadership at West Adams Preparatory High School, adjunct faculty member at Los Angeles Valley College, Santa Monica College and West Los Angeles College.

Her dance training includes: Dunham Technique, West African, Haitian, Afro-Brazilian, Hip-Hop, Tap and Ballet. Laila began dancing at the age five with the Katherine Dunham Youth Company under the direction of Ruby Streate and Theodore Jamison.

In 2003 she received her Bachelor Degree in Dance from Loyola Marymount University; and in December of 2009 she received her Master’s Degree in Education: Secondary Credential in Physical Education. She has studied and performed with Diane DeFranco-Browne; Rosangela Silvestre, Titus Fotso; Pan African Film Festival, Zani :Recording Artist, Kenny Hudson and World Beat: Disneyland and Los Angeles Zoo, Winifred R. Harris’ Between Lines Modern Company: Scholarship Program, Micaael MizeranyDance Co. and currently with Viver Brasil Dance Company.

In 2005, Laila was nominated for a Lester Horton Dance Award for Best Female Performance for Yabas /Queens.

In 2007, she traveled to Salvador, Bahia with Viver Brasil for intensive study of Afro-Brazilian dance and music and conducted a master class in the Dunham technique at the Escola de Dança/State of Bahia Cultural Foundation. She has been invited as a member of Viver Brazil to participate in dance residencies with Inner City Arts and has assisted artistic director Linda Yudin in collaborative efforts for the Skirball Teachers Professional Development Workshop in 2010. Laila has volunteered her time to teach at Kittsville Youth Foundation’s Dance & Cultural Arts Program for well over 9 years, and continues to donate her time to charitable events and programs throughout Los Angeles and Ventura County.

The Al-Khadija Flyer- Women Empowerment Project October 12 2013 (1)