In college we learn to be active, practice moral vigilance and challenge our peers to seek change in the world and develop policies for socio-economic change. Mohandas Ghandi said “Be the change you want to see in the world” and as a sophomore at Rutgers University in 2006 Nigerian-American Amanda Ebokosia embodied that spirit. While working on her undergraduate degree in Biology, Ebokosia’s mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her focal point after learning of her mother’s illness was an effective means on how to inform and educate her classmates about invasive breast cancer. She started the Traveling Awareness Exhibit which at the time of its inception promoted awareness of breast cancer in youth, women, and men. Since the outset of this program Gem has educated over 900 people and has hosted over 30 program since its formation in 2006 and operates entirely on a volunteer base.
Ebokosia explains that Gem has “youth and young adults initiate roles as community organizers and well-informed leaders, by assisting them in carrying out educational enrichment programs that our team develops — which address the affairs of their community and their own youth issues”. Primarily working out of Newark, New Jersey Gem runs their programs through schools, youth centers, libraries and their programs are built but not limited to “3 step interactive literacy program, community-based awareness luncheons, college campus awareness marches, autism quilt building, community networking/mini educational summits, and traveling.” Inspired by her younger autistic brother Michael Ebokosia, Amanda is expanding on the quilt building program which was co-founded by the Guardian Fellowship. They “develop instructional and interactive workshops to create dialogue and educate youth and young adults about autism. Every participant receives a puzzle to decorate. In result, the Gem Project assembles all pieces into a portrait to as a gift a to an institution.”
“The Gem Project is gifting Rutgers University School of Public Affairs and Administration on April 25, 2012. They will work with the organization, “My Goal, Inc.” and will have guest speaker, Dr. Genevieve Kumapley (Founder of My Goal, Inc.) panel. The Gem Project’s autism quilt can seen at Rutgers Magazine Winter 2012 .”
Her organization will visit various sites in Newark, New Jersey as part of her Gem’s three step interactive literacy program. Gem is fueled by the kindness and generosity of community members who strive for social ratification and render services to those in need. This delightful organization also hosts entrepreneurial contests, community organizer lecture series, and the Define Real Beauty Campaign. In light of times where our nation is seeking various changes, one constant is the awareness of public service. In Ghana they say “you never know who is going to take care of you one day”, we have a lot to learn and even more to take from the good deeds of Gem.
BCG Salutes Amanda for her work with the Gem Project and official names her a BCG Change-Maker!
