Today's Date: March 29, 2024
Amerex Group Unveils Red Carter Swimwear's Revitalized Collection   •   Jamieson Wellness Publishes Inaugural Sustainability Impact Report   •   Re:wild and Colossal Biosciences team up to leverage revolutionary technology to save critically endangered species on the brink   •   YMCA of the USA Partners With Old Spice To Increase High School Graduation Among Boys And Young Men Of Color Through Mentorship   •   Carnegie Learning Named 2024 SIIA CODiE Award Finalist for Best Educational Game and Best AI Implementation in Ed Tech   •   Suffolk Kicks off 2024 “Build With Us @ Suffolk” Program in Boston for Trade Partners, Opening Doors for Minority-,   •   Empire State Realty Trust Receives WELL Health-Safety Leadership Award; Becomes Among the First Commercial Office and Multifamil   •   Visit Visalia Recognizes Autism Awareness Month in April   •   Chosgo K23: One of the Best Bluetooth Hearing Aids for Seniors   •   Sypher Secures Strategic Partnership with FAIA to Fuel Growth   •   Make-A-Wish and celebrity wish granters announce goal to recruit 1 million people to become "WishMakers"   •   VIRGIN HOTELS CHAMPIONS INCLUSIVE TRAVEL FOR NEURODIVERSE TRAVELERS   •   Parkland Corporation Announces the Results of the 2024 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders   •   Coachella Concerned That People Have Sex, Says AHF   •   Equalpride Partners with TransLash Media for Trans Day of Visibility, Amplifying Voices of Black Trans Femmes in the Arts   •   Anaergia Announces Delay in the Filing of Its Audited Financial Statements and Related Disclosures   •   Midea Group releases its first-ever ESG brand story with an unexpected VIP visit highlighting its commitment to sustainability.   •   Fosun Management on 2023 Annual Results: Focusing on Core Industries with Established Advantages   •   National University Receives 2024 Military Friendly® Gold Designation   •   Anaergia Announces Escrow Closing of Second Tranche of the Strategic Investment
Bookmark and Share

Inspiring Young People To Be All They Can Be

 WASHINGTON - The following is part of the Celebrating Black History Month series, which highlights the work of African Americans from across the Administration who are contributing to the President's goals for winning the future.

As Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of Policy and Special Projects for the First Lady, I help oversee the broad issue portfolio of the First Lady, including her work on childhood obesity, military families, mentoring, and work-family challenges.  This role provides a unique vantage point from which to advance the President’s vision, particularly the goal of improving and strengthening the lives of young people.  In our Let’s Move! initiative, we focus on educating youth about living healthy lives and making healthy choices.  In our military families work, we focus in part on ways to improve the eduBlack News, African American News, Minority News, Civil Rights News, Discrimination, Racism, Racial Equality, Bias, Equality, Afro American News, Women News, Minority News, Discrimination, Diversity, Female, Underrepresented, Equality, Gender Bias, Equalitycational opportunities and experiences of military children, and ensure they have the supports they need with one or both parents serving in the military.  In our mentoring initiative, we focus on exposing young people to new educational, career, and skills-building opportunities.  In all of this work our goal is to inspire young people to be all they can be, to take advantage of every educational opportunity, and to remind them that they are not defined solely by their circumstances but have unlimited potential.

As a native of Washington, DC, working in the White House today is a special privilege -- something I dreamed about doing as a young person but was never quite sure truly would be possible.  My greatest influences growing up were my parents, both of whom worked for the federal government like so many in DC, and family members.  All believed in a strong work ethic and the power of education.  My parents made huge sacrifices to give me a wonderful education, from the National Cathedral School here in Washington, to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and Harvard Law School.  Along the way I met teachers and professors and colleagues who encouraged and challenged me and helped open my eyes to new opportunities.   

What sustained me then --  and now -- were those values instilled by my parents early in life.  Those that stressed the importance of fairness and mutual respect, commitment to community and our obligation to give back, having a healthy dose of humility and recognizing our own imperfections, and reaching for your dreams.   

Black History Month often prompts me to reflect on these core values because they define so much of the African American experience.  The month helps showcase the important role of African Americans in the life of our country, but it also reminds us that this history should be celebrated throughout the year as an integral part of our American story.  I try to celebrate Black History Month by taking advantage of special programs in the community, or learning about figures that are not necessarily widely recognized.  One of the best parts of my job is that I have had the opportunity to shape a Black History Month program for participants in our mentoring program.  This year the mentees attended a performance by the groundbreaking Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre at the Kennedy Center; last year they toured the Capitol and saw the bust of Sojourner Truth, and the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site.

For those looking for advice, I would say there is no magic formula for landing a particular job or opportunity.  There certainly was not one for me.  Take advantage of every opportunity that presents itself no matter how insignificant it may seem, and value and nurture the relationships you build in life.  You never know who will be part of your future.  Ultimately, everyone has to map out their own course.  No one should feel compelled to follow the same career path as others.  Figure out what excites and interests you and seek out opportunities that allow you to tap your own potential.

Jocelyn Frye is Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of Policy and Special Projects for the First Lady

STORY TAGS: Black News, African American News, Minority News, Civil Rights News, Discrimination, Racism, Racial Equality, Bias, Equality, Afro American News, Women News, Minority News, Discrimination, Diversity, Female, Underrepresented, Equality, Gender Bias, Equality

Video

White House Live Stream
LIVE VIDEO EVERY SATURDAY
alsharpton Rev. Al Sharpton
9 to 11 am EST
jjackson Rev. Jesse Jackson
10 to noon CST


Video

LIVE BROADCASTS
Sounds Make the News ®
WAOK-Urban
Atlanta - WAOK-Urban
KPFA-Progressive
Berkley / San Francisco - KPFA-Progressive
WVON-Urban
Chicago - WVON-Urban
KJLH - Urban
Los Angeles - KJLH - Urban
WKDM-Mandarin Chinese
New York - WKDM-Mandarin Chinese
WADO-Spanish
New York - WADO-Spanish
WBAI - Progressive
New York - WBAI - Progressive
WOL-Urban
Washington - WOL-Urban

Listen to United Natiosns News