So Our Youth Aspire (SOYA) began as an LLC in 2005 by Dr. Khadijah Z. Ali-Coleman. Since then, SOYA has served nonprofit organizations as well as educational institutions and corporations in need of youth development programming, training for employees and curriculum development guidance. In 2016, an off-shoot of SOYA was formed called StudentMediaOnline.com. Visit StudentMediaOnline.com for courses, events and workshops for youth, families, educators and practitioners.
This blog is a resource for educators, youth practitioners and parents. In recent years, Dr. Ali-Coleman has used the site to share resources specific to homeschooling Black children as she is a homeschooling mother and a researcher who focuses on college preparedness, dual-enrollment and homeschooling.
SOYA is guided by principles found in the Advancing Youth Development (AYD) theory developed by the BEST Network. Our mission is to integrate best practiced methods to help young people enjoy opportunities that help facilitate positive youth development.
To schedule a consultation, email soyascholars@gmail.com
Maimouna Youssef aka ‘MuMu Fresh’ Talks About Life as a Homeschooling Mom
In 2011, when I was a freelance writer for SoulTrain.com, back when it was owned by Magic Johnson, I was assigned to write music reviews and Q and A’s with new artists. One of the artists I interviewed was Maimouna Youssef, also known as MuMu Fresh. This multi-talented artist presents brazen intelligence and undaunted confidence. … Continue reading Maimouna Youssef aka ‘MuMu Fresh’ Talks About Life as a Homeschooling Mom
Infusing Reiki into Your Homeschooling Practice
Before I homeschooled my daughter for high school, she was in public school for middle school. When I was homeschooling her for sixth grade, she had wanted to audition for the local magnet program that offered performing arts and she got in. She had been homeschooled for fifth and sixth grade and returning to public … Continue reading Infusing Reiki into Your Homeschooling Practice
Creating a Mission Board to Jump Start Your Homeschooling Year
I love making vision boards to start the new year. For me, they are an art project that puts affirmations in motion. I also love collage art in general and find them to be soothing to create. As a homeschooling parent, I suggest to other homeschooling parents to create a mission statement for their homeschooling … Continue reading Creating a Mission Board to Jump Start Your Homeschooling Year
So Our Youth Aspire (S.O.Y.A.) 