Jeter's Leaders
New York Alumni Bios
Are you still in school? If so, what school are you attending? Yes, John Jay College. In what ways have you maintained involvement with the Jeter's Leaders mission? I am involved by staying active within the Jeter's Leaders Program. I'm working for the program and at the same time living a healthy lifestyle. Thinking back when you were in the program, how did your experiences shape who you are today? When I was in the program, the first-time experiences helped me break my shell. They helped me become more confident and allowed me to develop my leadership qualities.
What are your professional plans or goals? I want to receive my Masters Degree on Forensic Psychology.
Are you still in school? If so, what school are you attending? Yes, Syracuse University. How do you think you can help contribute to the Jeter's Leaders now that you are an alumnus? Mentoring current leaders. Thinking back when you were in the program, how did your experiences shape who you are today? It made me more outgoing and confident, as well as improved my public speaking abilities.
What are your professional plans or goals? Becoming an engineer.
Are you still in school? If so, what school are you attending? Yes, I am attending Rutgers University. In what ways have you maintained involvement with the Jeter's Leaders mission? I have been able to participate in conference planning with current Leaders. What was your most significant moment while in the program? Why? While at the Leadership Conference in Arlington, Texas, I taught students about healthy relationships. I felt as though I greatly impacted my peer's lives.
Thinking back when you were in the program, how did your experiences shape who you are today? My experience greatly helped me learn how to work well with all types of people.
Are you still in school? If so, what school are you attending? I am a graduate of Hunter College. I am planning to continue my education, achieving a master's in social work. I am also considering going into Early Intervention - Stages Birth to Age 3. What was your most significant moment while in the program? Why? One of the most significant moments in the program was volunteering with Toys for Tots and the Christmas party for young mothers living in transitional housing. Thinking back when you were in the program, how did your experiences shape who you are today? Jeter's Leaders helped me to become more social and open to different aspects of life that I don't think I would have come across on my own.
Are you currently involved in leadership or mentoring activities? I am currently involved in mentoring at the YMCA.
Are you still in school? If so, what school are you attending? I graduated from Alfred University in 2005. I am also planning to attend law school in the future. How do you think you can help contribute to the Jeter's Leaders now that you are an alumnus? By encouraging young leaders to pursue their dreams and not allowing anything to stop them. Are you currently involved in leadership or mentoring activities? Yes, I am the dance ministry leader in my church. I have also been involved with the Big Brothers, Big Sisters Program.
Are you employed? If so where? Yes, I am a paralegal at The Legal Aid Society Juvenile Rights Practice.
Are you still in school? If so, what school are you attending? I am a graduate of Medgar Evers College. What was your most significant moment while in the program? Why? The first Leadership Conference. It set the mark for future Leadership Conferences. Thinking back when you were in the program, how did your experiences shape who you are today? It made me a strong and experienced person.
Are you employed? If so where? I work as the Program Coordinator for the Jeter's Leaders Program.
Are you still in school? If so, what school are you attending? Yes, SUNY Oswego. What was your most significant moment while in the program? Why? The public speaking skills learned in the program because I have really used them during college. If it wasn't for the program, I wouldn't have done as well. Thinking back when you were in the program, how did your experiences shape who you are today? It helped me become more professional. With that I have approached things in the business field in a different way.
Are you currently involved in leadership or mentoring activities? Yes, I am the President of Latino Student Union in my school. I am also the President of my chapter in my sorority Omega Phi Beta.
Are you still in school? If so, what school are you attending? Yes, Emerson College. In what ways have you maintained involvement with the Jeter's Leaders mission? I have maintained my involvement by promoting social change and healthy lifestyles, participating in Conferences and being elected Vice President. How do you think you can help contribute to the Jeter's Leaders now that you are an alumnus? I can contribute to the Leaders now by continuing to reinforce the mission statement and importance of the Turn 2 Foundation and Jeter's Leaders program.
Are you employed? If so where? Yes, I am an Office Assistant at the Center for Diversity.
How do you think you can help contribute to the Jeter's Leaders now that you are an alumnus? I can contribute by speaking to kids about what to do and what not to do. What was your most significant moment while in the program? Why? The most significant part of the program was the Leadership Conference in Philly and the college tours. What did you like most about the program? I liked the communication we had with the youth that we mentored.
Are you currently involved in leadership or mentoring activities? Yes. I teach basketball at a recreation center.
Are you still in school? If so, what school are you attending? Yes, I am attending Carnegie Mellon University. In what ways have you maintained involvement with the Jeter's Leaders mission? I still maintain a healthy lifestyle free of alcohol and substance abuse. What was your most significant moment while in the program? Why? Graduation from the program was a bittersweet moment. It helped me realize the amount of influence the Jeter's Leaders Program had on my life and that I was more than prepared to take on college and the world.
What are your professional plans or goals? I plan to become a laboratory scientist and, essentially, enter the realm of public health.
Are you still in school? If so, what school are you attending? Yes, John Jay College. How do you think you can help contribute to the Jeter's Leaders now that you are an alumnus? I can help to contribute by continuing to mentor the current Jeter's Leaders. Thinking back when you were in the program, how did your experiences shape who you are today? I was always great, but the program helped to concentrate my goodness to influence other leaders in a positive manner.
What are your professional plans or goals? I want to be a Forensic Scientist.
Are you still in school? If so, what school are you attending? I am attending Howard University. In what ways have you maintained involvement with the Jeter's Leaders mission? I am currently in a mentoring group called Street Bid’naz. Street Bid'naz is a grassroots organization comprised of community activists who were called to inspire change in their local community. Street Bid'naz mentors provide services at low-performing high schools that meet the needs of the population and surrounding neighborhood. What was your most significant moment while in the program? Why? My most significant moment in the program was our summer Leadership Conference in Texas. The students who we spoke to learned a lot from our presentation. My group worked really hard and I believe it showed at the Conference. What did you like most about the program? The Jeter's Leaders program prepared me for college and inspired me to continue making a difference in my community through mentoring and community service. I also loved the college tours because they helped me not only make my decision on attending Howard; but allowed me to experience a lot of different places.
What was your most significant moment while in the program? Why? My most significant moment was simply being able to meet people and being exposed to others that have achieved such greatness in their lives. That was motivation to show me that I too can make it. What did you like most about the program? I liked the team-building experiences we had and the fact that we were able to work with Derek at times on our goals and were treated with the utmost respect. Are you currently involved in leadership or mentoring activities? I am currently an ambassador for Newhouse at Syracuse University. I am also an involved role model in the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.
What are your professional plans or goals? I plan to move to Europe for a year in December 2009. There, I will be working with children, teaching them English and traveling to different countries to film documentaries that I will be filming, producing and editing myself. When I have finished with that aspect of my life, I will be moving back to New York or Los Angeles and hope to be hosting a Travel Channel show or an entertainment show.
Are you still in school? If so, what school are you attending? Yes, Dickinson College. In what ways have you maintained involvement with the Jeter's Leaders mission? I have remained drug-free, I'm still involved in community service and I remain positive. Are you currently involved in leadership or mentoring activities? Yes, co-ed National fraternity and community service projects.
What are your professional plans or goals? To become a Child Adolescent Psychologist and possibly opening a theatre for children.
Are you still in school? If so, what school are you attending? I recently graduated from Tisch School of the Arts at NYU. Thinking back when you were in the program, how did your experiences shape who you are today? The program sparked my interest in film and television and helped me land my first media-related job at DCTV. What did you like most about the program? The mentorship, supportive staff and fellowship with the JL family.
Are you employed? If so where? I work for a production company called Zero Point Zero Production, Inc. We produce the TV series "Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations" for the Travel Channel and shows such as "Gourmet's Diary of a Foodie" and "Gourmet's Adventures with Ruth Reichl."
Are you still in school? If so, what school are you attending? Yes, Binghamton University. In what ways have you maintained involvement with the Jeter's Leaders mission? I have maintained the involvement with the Jeter's Leaders mission by adding the 10 Pillars to my life. What did you like most about the program? What I liked most about the Jeter's Leaders program was how much community involvement there was.
What are your professional plans or goals? To get my PHD in Psychology.
Are you still in school? If so, what school are you attending? I attend Syracuse University. What was your most significant moment while in the program? Why? The Leadership Conference, because I was able to step up and prove myself as a leader. Thinking back when you were in the program, how did your experiences shape who you are today? My experiences allowed me to be more outspoken, confident and helped me shatter personal boundaries.
What are your professional plans or goals? I plan to become a computer engineer.
Are you still in school? If so, what school are you attending? I will be attending Spelman College in the fall of 2009. In what ways have you maintained involvement with the Jeter's Leaders mission? I have maintained involvement with Jeter's Leaders and the mission by continuing to promote healthy lifestyles to my peers through mentoring. I currently act as a big sister to many teenagers younger than me, and, through personal relationships, I encourage them to live healthy lifestyles and stay focused in school. Thinking back when you were in the program, how did your experiences shape who you are today? My experience shaped me into the person I am today in so many ways. My outlook on life is different; I look for what the crowd is not doing. I am an individual, and my morals are even higher. In addition, being in a diverse program, I hang out now with people that I probably would not have interacted with before I joined the program. I also have a more open mind when it comes to traveling, since I have been to a lot of places while a part of the program.
What are your professional plans or goals? My professional goals in life are to become a famous television sports broadcaster or top broadcaster in the entertainment field. In addition, while attending college, I plan on studying abroad exploring various places.
Are you still in school? If so, what school are you attending? Yes, I am a senior at Georgetown University. In what ways have you maintained involvement with the Jeter's Leaders mission? I have maintained involvement with the Jeter's Leaders mission by continuing to live a healthy lifestyle, helping and acting as a role model in my community and being active on my college campus. How do you think you can help contribute to the Jeter's Leaders now that you are an alumnus? Now that I am an alumnus, I can help contribute to the program by providing help and assistance to current leaders with the Leadership Conference and other activities the leaders engage in each year.
What was your most significant moment while in the program? Why? The Leadership Conference in Chicago. Not only did it allow me to research and speak at length on a topic that was of interest to me, but also more importantly, when it was all said and done, I genuinely felt like I had made a difference.
Are you still in school? If so, what school are you attending? Yes, Hunter College. In what ways have you maintained involvement with the Jeter's Leaders mission? I intern and volunteer on trips and Jeter's Leaders events. Thinking back when you were in the program, how did your experiences shape who you are today? It helped with public speaking and cooperative effort and group work.
Are you employed? If so where? I am a College Intern at the Turn 2 Foundation.
Are you still in school? If so, what school are you attending? Yes, I am currently attending Farmingdale State college of New York. In what ways have you maintained involvement with the Jeter's Leaders mission? Throughout college there have been many opportunities to use drugs or alcohol, but staying true to the Jeter's Leaders mission, I have turned down all offerings. What would are some projects/events the alumni and current Jeter's Leaders can work together on? I think that the current Jeter's Leaders and the alumni can work together on having a meeting together to discuss college and the different experiences we have all had.
What was your most significant moment while in the program? Why? My most significant moment in the program was performing the skit for the children at the mentoring sites. I enjoyed this because I felt like I was delivering a positive message to all of the children about how the media affects their lives.
Are you still in school? If so, what school are you attending? Yes, New York University. In what ways have you maintained involvement with the Jeter's Leaders mission? I maintain a healthy lifestyle and I have worked hard on unifying Jeter's Leaders and NYU. What did you like most about the program? The Teen Summits, which taught me how to properly solve different issues that arise among the youth.
Are you currently involved in leadership or mentoring activities? Yes, currently I am involved in community service with another program at NYU.
Are you still in school? If so, what school are you attending? Yes, Wagner College Thinking back when you were in the program, how did your experiences shape who you are today? It made me wiser, smarter and more caring. What did you like most about the program? It gave me an opportunity to be with people who care about the same thing.
What are your professional plans or goals? My goal is to become a music composer.
Are you still in school? If so, what school are you attending? Yes, Fairfield University. In what ways have you maintained involvement with the Jeter's Leaders mission? I have made wiser decisions. I'm not afraid of being myself and try to avoid making negative decisions. What was your most significant moment while in the program? Why? The Leadership Conferences, where I was able to teach teenagers about important issues.
Thinking back when you were in the program, how did your experiences shape who you are today? I am more outgoing, more assertive and outspoken.
Are you still in school? If so, what school are you attending? I am currently taking online courses at Allied School for Business. I am learning about real estate. Also, I still have 14 credits left to earn toward my Bachelor's Degree at John Jay College for Criminal Justice, majoring in Justice Studies and minors in English Honors and History. I put this on hold when I joined the Air Force, but I fully intend to complete it. In what ways have you maintained involvement with the Jeter's Leaders mission? I have continued being involved in my community no matter where I live. Like Jeter's Leaders, the Air Force encourages community involvement and community service. How do you think you can help contribute to the Jeter's Leaders now that you are an alumnus? I have learned what happens next. When you graduate, there are a lot of things that can happen that no one prepares you for. I think that the many lessons I have learned since graduating would make me a great mentor to younger people that are where I was back then. Thinking back when you were in the program, how did your experiences shape who you are today? I think that when I was younger I didn't appreciate the opportunities Jeter's Leaders gave me as much as I should have, but I have learned now that without the Leaders I may have gone down a different path.
Are you still in school? If so, what school are you attending? Yes, I attend Le Moyne College. What was your most significant moment while in the program? Why? At the Leadership Conference at Wagner College in 2003 we had many successful workshops which helped our peers and it felt good to make a change. Thinking back when you were in the program, how did your experiences shape who you are today? The program helped me grow as a person and become more outgoing. It gave me the strength to give my opinion and influenced me to help people.
Are you currently involved in leadership or mentoring activities? Yes. I am currently involved in leadership and mentoring activities through tutoring, helping at a local community center, doing awareness walks, being very active on my campus, and hosting workshops.
In what ways have you maintained involvement with the Jeter's Leaders mission? I have continued to encourage my peers to pursue healthy lifestyles and maintain leadership roles. I have also attended some of the more recent Jeter's Leaders events. What was your most significant moment while in the program? Why? I enjoyed career days when we visited organizations like Essence magazine and the National Institute of Health. NIH was by far the best most influential trip for me. I enjoyed the up-close-and-personal tour of NIH and how informative it was for those interested in pursuing health-related careers. Thinking back when you were in the program, how did your experiences shape who you are today? My experience definitely shaped who I am today. The skills that I gained in teamwork, leadership, planning and public speaking were all key in my development. It also instilled a deep connection to my community and using my skills to make it better. What are your professional plans or goals? My career goals include a career in Public Health. I am interested in pursuing a Master's in Public Health at Emory or Columbia University and using this degree to do a Peace Corps mission. I would hope to play a role in healthcare policy reform at either a state or government level, and eventually pursue a medical degree. Ultimately, I plan on using my degree to give back to my community and others like it.
Are you still in school? If so, what school are you attending? Yes, Buffalo State University. In what ways have you maintained involvement with the Jeter's Leaders mission? I have maintained involvement with the program by staying drug and alcohol free and helping others. How do you think you can help contribute to the Jeter's Leaders now that you are an alumnus? I think that chaperoning on trips and being a role model to the current Jeter's Leaders would be a contribution.
What did you like most about the program? I liked bonding and meeting people I thought I would never meet and discovering my second family!
Are you still in school? If so, what school are you attending? Yes, Binghamton University. In what ways have you maintained involvement with the Jeter's Leaders mission? I have maintained my involvement by living a healthy lifestyle. How do you think you can help contribute to the Jeter's Leaders now that you are an alumnus? I can contribute by offering college advice to current Leaders.
What did you like most about the program? Developing the mission and values for the future Leaders. I enjoyed the emphasis that was put on college.
Are you still in school? If so, what school are you attending? No, I graduated from Fordham University. Thinking back when you were in the program, how did your experiences shape who you are today? I learned how to interact in groups and realized that what's popular isn't always right and that what's right isn't always what's popular and that's where leadership comes in. What did you like most about the program? The workshops and professional trainings taught me many valuable skills and the program gave me hands on opportunities to work with younger students.
Are you employed? If so where? Yes, I work as the Development Assistant for the Turn 2 Foundation.
Are you still in school? If so, what school are you attending? Yes, Mercy College. How do you think you can help contribute to the Jeter's Leaders now that you are an alumnus? I can contribute through events and supporting the current Jeter's Leaders. Thinking back when you were in the program, how did your experiences shape who you are today? It made me comfortable to speak in public outlets and media events.
What did you like most about the program? I like developing the mission and values for the future Leaders.
Are you still in school? If so, what school are you attending? Yes, Princeton University. In what ways have you maintained involvement with the Jeter's Leaders mission? I maintain my involvement by being a role model to those younger than me, holding information sessions on college and college applications at my Middle School in Far Rockaway, and being a leader in over a dozen extra-curricular activities. What was your most significant moment while in the program? Why? The Leadership Conference. It allowed me to do a lot of research and work on a topic of interest and present it. I also LOVED spending quality time with my fellow leaders
What did you like most about the program? The family atmosphere.
Are you still in school? If so, what school are you attending? Yes, I am currently attending Fordham University and will graduate in 2010 with a degree in Marketing. After graduation, I plan on working in the sales field. How do you think you can help contribute to the Jeter's Leaders now that you are an alumnus? I can contribute to the Jeter's Leaders by being available as someone to come to for advice, being that I have been through what the current leaders are currently going through. I can also contribute by assisting with their upcoming events. Thinking back to when you were in the program, how did your experiences shape who you are today? The program helped me build my confidence. When I first entered the program, I was very shy and soft-spoken. However, I eventually learned to speak up and take more of a leadership role because of everything the program offered me. Are you currently involved in leadership or mentoring activities? During the course of the school year, I occasionally visit my former elementary school, and I talk with the current students there about my journey as a way to inspire them to work hard to achieve their goals. Are you employed? If so, where? I am currently a college intern at the Turn 2 Foundation.
Are you still in school? If so, what school are you attending? Yes, Long Island University. In what ways have you maintained involvement with the Jeter's Leaders mission? I have stayed involved through my current employment at the Turn 2 Foundation Afterschool Program located in the Jackie Robinson Center where I influence the children to live a healthy lifestyle and influence them to make positive impacts in their communities. What was your most significant moment while in the program? Why? The Leadership Conference in Chicago, it helped me develop as a person.
What are your professional plans or goals? Youth Advocate, Children's Attorney, or a Social Worker.
Are you still in school? If so, what school are you attending? Yes, I attend Valley Forge Military Academy. Thinking back when you were in the program, how did your experiences shape who you are today? The Leadership Conference helped me learn to be more involved with others. Are you currently involved in leadership or mentoring activities? Currently I am a sergeant at the Valley Forge Military School.
What are your professional plans or goals? I am planning to become a business lawyer.
Are you still in school? If so, what school are you attending? Yes, University of Connecticut. What was your most significant moment while in the program? Why? I like the college tours because I saw different parts of the country. I also enjoyed the retreats because I bonded with my fellow leaders. Thinking back when you were in the program, how did your experiences shape who you are today? The program has helped me become more outspoken and social, as well as prepared me for college.
Are you employed? If so where? Yes, I work in the chicken farm and at my school at the center for students with disabilities.
Are you still in school? If so, what school are you attending? No, graduated from Penn State. In what ways have you maintained involvement with the Jeter's Leaders mission? Keeping up to date with what is going on with the program and helping others. Thinking back when you were in the program, how did your experiences shape who you are today? Helped me to become a leader.
What are your professional plans or goals? I would like a career in sales & marketing.
Are you still in school? If so, what school are you attending? Yes, I am currently attending Howard University. In what ways have you maintained involvement with the Jeter's Leaders mission? I have maintained involvement by staying true to a healthy lifestyle and keeping my education important. Thinking back when you were in the program, how did your experiences shape who you are today? I have become more prepared to be a better leader and I am now more confident as a student.
What are your professional plans or goals? I would like to start a not-for-profit organization for minority youth with a passion for media arts and leadership.
Thinking back when you were in the program, how did your experiences shape who you are today? The program helped increase my awareness about the needs of the community. What did you like most about the program? The program introduced me to ways of getting involved with community service. Are you currently involved in leadership or mentoring activities? I volunteer as a Big Sister and help to create a community service trip.
What are your professional plans or goals? My goals are to establish a non-profit organization and work with juveniles.
In what ways have you maintained involvement with the Jeter's Leaders mission? I have been involved by helping the community and always having a heart to help kids. How do you think you can help contribute to the Jeter's Leaders now that you are an alumnus? I can help by being a role model for the current leaders and other kids. Thinking back when you were in the program, how did your experiences shape who you are today? I realized how lucky I am because many people are as not fortunate and I don't take for granted what I have.
What did you like most about the program? Meeting new people who I wouldn't normally hang out with and getting long with them.
In what ways have you maintained involvement with the Jeter's Leaders mission? I have committed my entire life to promoting healthy living among young people as a full time youth pastor. Thinking back when you were in the program, how did your experiences shape who you are today? I now have an enhanced comfort level in public speaking, a greater awareness of dynamics involved in creating social change, and a passion for community. Are you currently involved in leadership or mentoring activities? I am currently involved in leadership through my church, "Turning Point Ministries" and I am hoping to start a Community Development Concern Center.
What are your professional plans or goals? I plan to be the next Barack Obama or hope to influence minds and impact hearts.
Are you still in school? If so, what school are you attending? Yes, Temple University. In what ways have you maintained involvement with the Jeter's Leaders mission? I try to do well in school and try to be a positive influence among my peers. What did you like most about the program? I liked the family orientation, where I felt a new sense of community and family in the program since I was an only child.
Are you currently involved in leadership or mentoring activities? Yes. Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated, President of Rho Epsilon real estate, community assistant for university village, and Big Brothers, Big Sisters.
Are you still in school? If so, what school are you attending? Yes, Troy University. What was your most significant moment while in the program? Why? What is most significant to me is that I have made life-long friendships. Thinking back when you were in the program, how did your experiences shape who you are today? The program made me more of an outgoing person.
Are you currently involved in leadership or mentoring activities? Yes, I am currently in the army.
Tiffany Gordon
Are you still in school? If so, what school are you attending? Yes, I attend CUNY Queens College. In what ways have you maintained involvement with the Jeter's Leaders mission? I went to Florida in July 2009 with the staff of Elementz of Life Magazine to promote my poem "Open Your Eyes" and to discuss the seriousness of drugs and alcohol. How do you think you can help contribute to the Jeter's Leaders now that you are an alumnus? By continuing to reach out and speak out against substance abuse through programs. Also, to spread the word of what the Turn 2 Foundation is and my experiences as a Jeter's Leader. Thinking back when you were in the program, how did your experiences shape who you are today? I learned the hard way how important having time management and organizational skills are. I am definitely more "on the ball" when it comes to those aspects.
5. What are your professional plans or goals? I plan on earning a master's degree in creative writing on a professional writing track. My goal is to become a publisher/copy editor, managing my own clientele.
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 Keep track of homework assignments, projects and other important dates with your official Turn 2 calendar. More »
 Two Jeter's Leaders alumnae, Suewayne Burke and Jaleesa Diaz, have received UNCF scholarships. More »
 Since its launch in 1996, the Turn 2 Foundation has awarded more than $10 million in grants. More »
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