Motivating One Young Lady at a Time

 DIVA Coaches & Consultants in the SPOTLIGHT 

Sheila Shelton

DIVA CONSULTANT

2009-Current

Mrs. Shelton is a woman of strength, perserverance and 'in your face tell it like it T-I IS' swagger!  In addition to working full time as a lead managing hairstylist at DJ's Art of Hair, having three sons (one of which is a newborn) and being a full-time criminal justice student, Sheila has also been with us weathering the storms and celebrations with the young ladies of Project DIVA. 

Her passion, commitment and spiritual wisdom has really made each young lady feel safe and at home in Project DIVA.  We look forward to seeing her in a juvenile detention system working with youth and giving them that unconditional love and support that she gives to her clients, family, friends and especially Project DIVA!

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The Value in a DIVA Consultant...

For some reason our generation believes that you have to 'make time' to give back when in reality giving back is something that we MUST make time for! 

The babies that we witness being loud on the bus & disrespectful at the mall, the ones cussing and being ghetto as they walk down the streets and (the utmost disheartening) the young lady pushing the stroller with a baby on her hip are ours essentially.......our cousins kids, our friends kids, our sisters/brothers kids or the 'I grew up with their Daddy' kids.  Yeah Yall...they are ours at the end of the day. 

That's where Diva Consultants come in!  We are every day women who choose to share our trials and triumphs from where we are at in our lives with young ladies where they are are at in their lives.  We don't put on a mask like we got it all together.  We are transparent to them so that they can see that YES this life is hard but if we can get through it SO CAN YOU!  We share with them tools that we currently use to make it through our daily trials and triumphs!  (If we were to wait until we got it together we would have to come back from the dead!!!!!!!!!!)

These babie are ours and our DIVA Consultants are dedicated every Saturday from 10 - 1:00 p.m. at the Sumner Library to sharing breakfast, hot topics, laughter, tears, lunch, as well as, resources, speakers and words of wisdom with young ladies who just want some conversations on how we as every day women are making it happen!

Project DIVA is looking for Mentors for the 2011-2012 program year.  To be part of our DIVA Consultant Team please feel free to contact us at 763.280.DIVA.

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OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM

Neda Kellogg ~ Founder, CEO and DIVA Consultant

I founded Project DIVA because statistics show that in the Twin Cities suicide, depression, pregnancy and STD rates are extremely high among youth between the ages of 13-19.  As well, our poverty rate in the next generation is climbing at an alarming rate.  This signifies to me that there is a high need for genuine conversations and interaction with our babies.  Project Diva is that catalyst for me and I envision this program empowering and motivating millions of young ladies around the globe.  I commit to taking a stand and truly walking through life holding the hands of as many girls as possible through Project DIVA. 

Etosha Cook, Co-Founder & Chief of Operations

I am a part of Project DIVA because d to Project Diva because I love to empower young women to know "Who they are", "Who they can become" and "How to make all there goals and dreams come true".  My desire is to demostrate and show them love, compassion, respect, honor, and understanding through talks and teachings.  I believe they can wear many faces that represent them and still acheive their dreams and goals.  I want them to know that confidence can take them into the future so that they can accomplish the complete plan of God.  I stand firm on believing their environment will not shape there tomorrows and Integrity is a must.

                                                                                        Sheila Shelton, DIVA Consultant    

I decided to join Project DIVA because I wanted to be able to share with the young ladies how not to experience some of the things I did as a teen.  After attending the annual fashion show last year I understood more of what it meannt to give back to our next generation.  I thought I would have to give up my life, as well as be perfect while mentoring, when in fact it is sharing my time, family and experiences whether bad or good with young ladies who might never have someone to let them know the 'deal'.  Since being involved they have inspired me to motivate them more!  I have recently re-enrolled into college as a result of wanting to achieve my long term goals and show them that even though life can get you sidetracked, and that no matter how old you are, its never too late to achieve your goals.  I look forward to growing with them as I spend more time with these young DIVAS.

 Katrina Adams, DIVA Consultant 

I had been wanting to find somewhere to share my time by volunteering.  So when I heard about Project DIVA I knew right away that I wanted to share it with the young ladies in this program.  I have created an endearing relationship with the young ladies on my team and enjoy being there for their triumphs and sharing my spiritual wisdom with them during their trials.  They have so much potential and seeing them realize it with my guidance is a feeling like no other.  I am excited to see them mature into adulthood and am truly satisfied about being that extra adult in their lives.

Monique Overstreet                  DIVA Consultant

I joined Project DIVA to make an impact on the lives of todays teen girls.  It's fulfillment for me to assist them in realizing their own destiny and the potential they truly have to excel and exceed!

Keeya Allen                        DIVA Consultant

I joined Project DIVA to share my spiritual journey & Premium DIVA - Jewelry & Image Consulting  Business with the young ladies of Project DIVA.  To have your 'house in order' on the inside then to enhance it with with the knowledge of how to acquire affordable clothing & accessories for the outter beauty is key to having confidence in all that you do!  I am pleased with the relationships that I am building with our young ladies and am excited to see what God has in store for them this year!  

Kiara Brown, Jr. DIVA Consultant  I transitioned into college this year out of Project DIVA and have come back to be here for my young DIVA Sisters.  Project DIVA has had a major impact  on my life.  I learned that I can be myself without the mask through Dignity, I learned that Integrity is important to others trusting my word, I learned that I am of great worth through Virtue and I know that I needed to come back to make myself Available.   I would not be succeeding my first year in college the way I am without my 'other mamas' in Project DIVA!  I LOVE Project DIVA!

DIVA Consultants Not Shown:

Tracy Wofford, DIVA Consultant - I joined Project DIVA to be able to give back to the young ladies in our community who are growing up in need of someone who cares.  I want to see our next generation flourish and believe that they too can make their dreams come true!

Danielle Docka, DIVA Consultant - I joined Project DIVA because I see the need to help our young ladies succeed in preparing for their college lives during high school and succeeding in college once they get there!  We always say our children are 'grown' once they get 18 years old, when in all actuality that is an important time in their lives when they need to be hand held just a bit longer into adulthood.  With my love and expertise I plan on being that 'extra hand' for our young ladies in Project DIVA!

Writing Coach - Angelicia Roberts, Published Author - After meeting Neda whose compassion for the young ladies is contagious, I joined Project DIVA.  I wanted the opportunity to volunteer in the community and to work with youth/young ladies.  I am grateful that I am able to be apart of, share my resources and serve.  I find tremendous satisfaction being a witness to and a part of the young ladies of Project DIVA's creative writing process.  I believe that having the outlet to write/journal and be published is important to the emotional growth in our young ladies lives throughout the year.  As I guide them and they pour out their hearts on paper I am proud to see the committment that they make to themselves each year.  Also, knowing that our young ladies get to have a full experience when we actually publish it and they can then say that they are 'Contributing Published Authors' I am fulfilled in my heart knowing that I too am on the right track along my journey.    

COACHES NOT PICTURED:

LIFE COACH - Pam White, Health Empowerment Resource (HER) CENTER 3333 4th Ave North, Mpls, MN - I joined Project DIVA because the love of God is needed to be seen through me as a Nurse Practictioner who understands the young ladies from many aspects!  As a teen mom, I have made strides in the healthcare industry and in my own personal life I am proud to be apart of such an amazing sisterhood that believes in standing in truth and taking the young ladies to a higher level mentally and physically. 

HEALTHY EATING COACH - Stayci Bell, Parents of Jordan Bell & Labreaya Bell (participants) - I joined Project DIVA to not only give my girls a place for an unconditional sisterhood but to also uplift me in areas of need in my life.  Project DIVA has rallied around me as a parent and supported me in helping to raise my daughters the best way I can.  I am in the loop with what my daughters are thinking and doing and this has opened a door for a healthier relationship with my girls.  I also have been appreciative for the Financial classes given by Community Action.  It has blessed me to understand my finances better and now me and my daughters can talk about it together at home because we both have the class through Project DIVA!

OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Community Action of Minneapolis - Our Financial Coaches

 Wanda Walker, Christine Thompson & Brianna Carlson

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OUR PHOTOGRAPHER (not shown)- Eugene Nichols, Crave Productions

Eugene Nichols has been Project DIVAS photographer since its inception 4 years ago!  All professional pictures of the young ladies and the adult team are compliments of him!  We whole heartedly thank Eugene for his commitment and seeds of love that he pours into creating phenomenal portraits of us at Project DIVA! 

Project DIVA                                    Sumner Library                               611 Van Memorial Boulevard Minneapolis, MN     

For more information on becoming a DIVA Consultant, please leave us your information.