Meet a Young Entrepreneur

Dashia

Even as a shy and quiet third grade girl, Dashia knew that Metanoia was different.  She also knew that through Metanoia she could make a difference.  As a rising sophomore in high school, Dashia has learned that it is okay for her to care about her education, to achieve in school, and to be different than her peers.  She believes that she has grown because “Metanoia has so many expectations for me as a leader.”  She continues, “I cannot help but be that leader that they see in me.”

While she started as a quiet leader in elementary school, Metanoia’s Youth Entrepreneurship Center has  equipped her with business skills to continue to grow as a leader.   This upcoming year, Dashia is most excited about furthering Isoke Sisters Handmade Jewelry, a business she along with other Metanoia students started afterschool.  She looks forward to “bettering the business and working towards the business goals we set.”

Dashia tested her leadership skills in the summer of 2010 as a Junior Servant Leader (JSL) Intern with Metanoia’s Freedom School.  “This was my first real job,” she said.  “They [Site Directors] made me nervous with the interview and making a resume.”  She notes that this JSL position was the first leadership position outside of my school, but she felt she was able to be very giving of herself in the classroom.  “Every day, I put myself aside to help others and to help the children in my classroom with reading.”