In celebration of Black Women’s History Month we asked our staff at AACF some key questions: Who inspires you? How did you come to do what you do here? Do you have a favorite Black Woman leader, entertainer, athlete, etc. - In what ways does she inspire you? How do you recharge yourself? Here are their answers:
Precious Manney, Case Manager
Who inspires you?
I have a ton of people who inspire me, but I would have to say my educators over the years. I came across a lot of teachers that poured into me regularly. Those teachers saw me heading down a questionable path and took me under their wing.
One teacher was my high school English teacher named Mrs. Sullivan. We initially bumped heads due to me being a class clown, and often disrespectful. But despite that behavior, she saw it pass and still embraced me, and never gave up on me. When I told Mrs. Sullivan I got into Cleveland University in Ohio (Her hometown). She suggested we take a road trip to visit the university. She literally coordinated the entire trip and made it happen. Even though I didn’t end up going to that university, the experience and effort left a major impact on me.
Mrs. Sullivan opened my eyes to new opportunities and showed me that I didn’t have to stay a product of my environment. Because Mrs. Sullivan believed in me, I applied to other colleges, got accepted and earned three degrees. She is the reason I’m passionate about helping “challenging kids.”
I believe a lot of challenging kids can be helped, they just need to have someone in their lives that won’t give up on them .
C.S., Senior Case Manager
Who inspires you?
My mom - she is a great business woman, has great work ethics, and has taught me everything I know. Women that I work with at AACF. Being the youngest person on the staff, I learn a lot from everyone here.
How do you recharge yourself?
Piano lessons - I began playing in junior high school for my mom and grandparents. I learned to to play the piano to help my grandfather, who had dementia. I also take pottery classes, and cooking classes with friends and family members.
Monique Knight, Job Developer
Who inspires you?
Honestly, I inspire myself. I am driven by my personal desires. I set goals, I create a plan that works, and I go after it. By the end of the year, I always have a list of accomplishments regardless of how big or how small. You have no idea how many times someone told me I can’t do something. Or how many times someone tries to convince me that I am not ready for something. Or how many times someone tried to stir me in the wrong direction. If I believed what people said, I wouldn’t be who I am today. Anything I want in life, I get. Anything that’s for me, no one can stop that. I walk by faith and not by sight. Hebrews 11:1 state Now, faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Do you have a favorite Black Woman leader, entertainer, athlete, etc. - In what ways does she inspire you?
Honesty, I come from a line of successful people regardless of gender. But one of the women who inspires me is my cousin Dr. Sheila Ford. She inspires me because she goes after anything she wants. She is literally the definition of the sky’s the limit. Recently, she received her paperwork for her non-profit organization, and she named it after her mother, my auntie. Later in life, she plans to start a foundation and a real estate company in her mother’s name. She is always educating herself and she never limits herself. But that’s my entire family.
Monica Baafi, Housing Program Manager
How did you come to do what you do - in terms of work?
That is passion - if you love what you do, you keep doing it.
What do you do as Housing Program Manager?
I look for housing. I help the people living in shelters, who are experiencing homelessness to find permanent housing.
I want to inspire people with the things that I do. To help people to get what they need/want, that will create the idea - that will make me feel like I have done what I need to do - to invest in people - to help people come out from neediness. Gain apartments, become stable, do something for their life, for them to also feel that they are stable.
What recharges you?
I like baking, listening to music, and reading. I like helping people.
Do you have a favorite Black Woman leader, entertainer, athlete, etc. - In what ways does she inspire you?
Oprah Winfrey and Michelle Obama: they didn’t come out from a silver platter, they pushed themselves to be what they are now. Perseverance - if they wanted something they persevered, so that inspires me.
Evelyn Mensah, Executive Director
Do you have a favorite Black Woman leader, entertainer, athlete, etc. - In what ways does she inspire you?
Shirley Chisholm, the first black woman elected to congress. She had to break down barriers. She was tough and took no nonsense from any of the men there.
How did you come to do what you do - in terms of work?
I worked with my father [Dr. Kwadwo Anti-Mensah, who founded AACF]. He was a man of service, education, I just wanted to continue his legacy. It kind of fell into my lap but I absolutely love it.
What is one of your big Life Goals?
Make this place a success beyond myself.
What recharges you?
I like to cook - travel - I like cooking the most, it’s adventurous, I like to play with ingredients, I like to be able to substitute ingredients and see what comes out of it. Yogurt instead of oil makes cakes nice and sweet!