Shining Star on the Golden Path
Unlike the Scarecrow’s long journey on a yellow brick road for a brain, this young woman’s path in search for enlightenment was nothing short of extraordinary. Dr. Traymanesha Moore found the map and navigated to success. Her trip was not without hardship, but with guardian angels along the way, she too found her way back home.
Ms. Traymanesha Moore’s map showed her how important education is. Ms. Moore was born in Newark and raised in Irvington. She attended New Community’s schools and youth leadership programs all of her young years. This urban jewel sought to create change in her community by first empowering herself.
In 1999, upon high school graduation from Irvington High School, she left for Camden, NJ to attend Rutgers University where she majored in Psychology with minors in Childhood and African American Studies. Unlike many college students who return home to relax and spend time with family, she decided to connect with youth as a College Mentor with New Community Corporation.
Little did she know New Community Corporation would become a large part of her heart for years to come. She held multiple positions at NCC throughout her college career and beyond. Between May 2000 through August 2006, she formally held the positions of: College Mentor and Program Coordinator, and Program Evaluator.
As a New Community mentor, she was able to instill young, pliable minds with principles they could apply to their own lives. Youth were given high expectations from their college mentor, who also set the example of the importance of an education. Youth were provided with leadership skills that are to transform the Newark landscape.
Therefore, soon after Ms. Moore graduated from Rutgers University with honors, she immediately sought to continue her path in academia toward a doctoral degree. She now passed state lines to Michigan State University where she received her Ph.D. in Curriculum, Teaching, and Educational Policy in May 2008.
Ms. Moore may now be addressed as Dr. Moore, but she remains as passionate than ever before. Despite her travels she states, “New Community Corporation provided me with a way to remain grounded and connected with home. I have always believed that ‘Education is an empowerment tool.’ So I hope that I have done my part to pass that on so that youth understand that they can be leaders now. During her graduate study practicum, she implemented portions of her curriculum into Newark Youth Leadership Project and Teen Learn & Earn for New Community Corporation.
New Community Corporation also provided her with a support system that extended through her graduate studies. With mentors to advise such as: NCC Chief of Staff, Kathy Spivey and NCC Founder and CEO Monsignor Linder on her dissertation committee, Dr. Moore has walked the golden path and left footprints for other Newark youth to follow.
Dr. Moore has returned to Newark, continuing her work in Curriculum Development for Youth Leadership Programs in Urban Communities.
