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Wells International Foundation on Impacting Young Readers, Writers, and Artists From Halfway Across the World

In Art and Culture, Education, Empowerment, Features24, Youth by Mary Kurek

The first thing you notice about Monique Wells is the smile that lights up an entire room.  Texas-born Monique is now in the place she dreamed of as a child – Paris, France.  She first arrived in Paris as a young reader who only imagined herself there – later to make it her home. It’s that imagination that she wants …

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Naphtali Bryant Innovates the Higher Education Experience for Students and Parents

In Education, Features24 by Mary Kurek

Naphtali Bryant, as the Founder of Spark-Ed University, comes to his role with the dual experience of current student and school administration professional.  Add to that, the extraordinary event of being hired by a school that he’s attended.  While seeking out educational opportunities, Naphtali literally built his own experience making the most of both educational and leadership opportunities, and he …

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Clare Overmann Helps Higher Education Create Global Partnerships

In Education, Features24 by Mary Kurek

Clare Overmann is the Head of Higher Education Initiatives at the Institute of International Education.  Her goal is to help campuses worldwide to connect with others for partnerships that could create mutual benefit and spread a culturally healthy perspective within all stakeholders.  The goal is lofty, but, so is the mission of the Institute: “IIE’s mission is to help people …

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Professor Princess, Rosemary Ogochukwu Igbo, PhD: National Academy of Education Nigeria

In Africa, Africa Innovators and Influencers, Education, Gamechanger19 by Mary Kurek

“To produce a great teacher that inspires, that stands tall and above the superior and the good teacher, first we create an effective classroom manager who makes students know what they are doing, while showing them why and how.” “As a practitioner who has committed the most to education in Africa, I want to see education achieve the best outcomes …

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Her Highness, Princess (Dr.) Dato’ Seri Romona Murad (Malaysia)

In Diplomat, Education, Empowerment, energy, Health, womensempowerment by Mary Kurek

Princess (Dr.) Dato’ Seri Romona Murad is Malaysia’s Ambassador of International Peace Her Highness Princess (Dr)  Dato’ Seri Romona Murad comes from an illustrious lineage that includes Alexander the Great and continues back to Isaac, the son of Abraham.  Her royal bloodline, she says, is on her father’s side (through his father’s side) and is documented and archived at the …

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Ambassador, United State of Women, Dr. Khalilah Shabazz (US)

In Education, equality, Game Changers 15, womensempowerment by Mary Kurek

Dr. Shabazz is Promoting Equality For Women of Color in the Education Pipeline Dr. Khalilah Shabazz likens the transformative journey of the butterfly to her own life of challenges, resilience, vulnerability, and change. An Indianapolis, IN native, Shabazz started college as an 18 yr. old single-parent purposed to shatter the stereotype of the uneducated and unproductive teenage mother and later …

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Game Changer: Erna Grasz (United States & Africa)

In Africa, Education, Empowerment, Game Changers 14 by Mary Kurek

Erna Grasz is Educating East African Youth to Thrive in a Global Economy Erna Grasz was raised by an immigrant father and an orphaned mother in the deep south of Mississippi and Texas. She developed a passion for education at a young age through her teachers and Girl Scout leaders despite her family background of not attending college. She quickly …

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The United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network is Empowering Youth as Change Agents

In Education, Employment, Empowerment, Features 14, Stakeholders 14, Youth by Mary Kurek

In 2015, the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) launched its official youth initiative (SDSN Youth) to empower youth globally to create sustainable development solutions.  SDSN Youth educates young people about the challenges of sustainable development and creates opportunities for them to use their creativity and knowledge to pioneer innovative solutions for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In addition, …