This Spelmanite will represent our class with a speech to set the tone for Reunion 2020: Sisterhood Magic. Our goal is inspire our fellow Spelman Sisters!
Raised in the Chicago housing projects by parents who battled drug addiction, I went to Spelman searching for home. It gave me so much more. Since graduating in 2010, I’ve lived in New York City as an educator and have continued my healing work. I’ve traveled to over 30 countries, including South Africa, Ghana, and a three month backpacking adventure throughout Europe. As a life coach, speaker, and talk show host, I‘ve created a platform for others to share their stories of overcoming adversity and living with audacity. Recently, I moved to Atlanta, GA to continue my work in education, hosting, coaching, and healing.
Gaybrielle LeAnn Gant, Class of 2010 is a Proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., and member of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women. Gaybrielle is known for her infectious energy and is the Chartering chapter President of the Phoenix Chapter of the National Alumnae Association of Spelman College. Gaybrielle is the Creator of Black Girls Brunch and founder of a nonprofit organization, She is Infinite Inc., she is also the Owner and CEO of Dream Māvyn LLC and is the Co-Founder of Black Girl Thrive.
A native Atlantan and a recipient of the Robert Flanigan Scholarship, Jamila McGill strives to inspire her community just as she was uplifted by Spelman College. After graduating summa cum laude, she became an elementary school teacher in Brooklyn, NY. While pursuing her Masters in Early Childhood Development, Jamila rose to become Dean of Students. Later, she took an education consultant position at NYC’s Dept. of Ed.
In 2017, she co-founded Brooklyn Tea, opening one of only two black-owned tearooms in NYC. Her company empowers people to explore healthy alternatives, build strong community through safe space, and promote generational wealth.
Lauren Sills, is a fourth generation Spelman Woman, living in New York City. Lauren, currently works for Nike, leading Nike’s philanthropy and community partnerships for the East coast. Before joining Nike, she served as Senior Associate with the JPMorgan Chase Foundation overseeing JPMorgan’s largest employee volunteer program. Prior to JPMorgan, Lauren was the Youth Advocacy Manager for Generation Progress, a national organization in Washington, D.C. that works to create political solutions for Millennials. Previously, she was a high school teacher with Teach for America in Los Angeles and has a Masters in Education from Loyola Marymount University.
Bethany White is a native of Atlanta, GA and grew up knowing she would attend Spelman College. After graduation she went to Georgetown University Law Center and received her JD. During law school, she was active with the Black Law Students Association and other organizations. Bethany later returned to Atlanta and was admitted to the Georgia Bar. She is now Assistant Regional Counsel at the General Services Administration. Bethany also maintains a thriving trademark business. She enjoys sports, music, improv and serving as a mentor in the Spelman Sister 2 Sister program. She loves spending time with family and friends.
This Spelmanite should be lively and upbeat! They will be responsible for getting the crowd excited as their reunion year is called!
Ashley Cleveland is an actress, writer, director and educator with a passion to educate and inspire others through the arts. Ashley is a proud alumna of Spelman College where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Drama. While at Spelman, Ashley was afforded the opportunity to study abroad at the British American Dramatic Academy (BADA) in Oxford, England. Ashley went on to earn a Masters of Fine Arts in Acting from UCLA. Ashley’s community involvement includes teaching theatre to youth and teens at the Southwest Arts Center, working with the National Black Arts Festival, and mentoring students from Tri-Cities High School and Spelman College.
Since graduating in 2010, I’ve lived in New York City as an educator and have continued my healing work. As a life coach, speaker, and talk show host, I‘ve created a platform for others to do the same through owning their own stories. I’ve traveled to over 30 countries, including a three month backpacking adventure throughout Europe. I recently moved to Atlanta, GA to continue my work in education, hosting, coaching, and healing.
A native of Newark, NJ, Eriqah R. K. Vincent is a 2010 departmental honors graduate of Spelman with a B.A. in Comparative Women’s Studies. Currently, she is the Just Energy Manager at Partnership for Southern Equity. At PSE, Eriqah manages all aspects of the Just Energy Portfolio including the functionality, work plan, and growth of the Just Energy Circle. Additionally, she is currently managing the creation of PSE's youth engagement initiative, "Keep That Same Energy". Eriqah loves public speaking and the performing arts. She intends to begin a Master’s program in 2020 to receive her MPA in Non-profit Management.
A native of Sacramento, California, Regina F. Graham’s passion is being an effective and strategic communicator. Regina is currently living and working in New York, NY as a Communications and Social Media Strategist for the City of New York. In her position, she writes speeches/brief remarks, manages social media accounts, and oversees the logistical planning for internal and external speaking events.
Previously, Regina worked for over ten years as an experienced multi-platform journalist with CNN, CBS, CBS Radio, The Daily Mail, and The Cape Times in Cape Town, South Africa. She’s reported on hundreds of stories that ranged from politics, law enforcement, celebrity news, breaking news, and sports.
Regina graduated in 2012 from the University of Southern California Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism earning a Master of Arts degree in Journalism.
Jillian Macklin is an Actor and Voice Over Artist who resides in New York. She holds a M.F.A. in Acting from the New School for Drama and a B.A. in Theatre from Spelman College. Her select credits include voiceovers for Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas, Goodwill/Ad Council, Ideal Images and IHOP radio. She was seen as Portrait #9 in “Self-Portraits” written by Phillip Howze and directed by Stevie Walker-Webb at Bric Arts Media in Brooklyn. She was also featured in the short film “Student Loan Dreams: Debt and Determination” for First Republic Bank.