Part Time Program Staff
During each camp we hire temporary staff members to lead the camp experience. The program staff ranges between 4-8 people. The program staff usually consists of 2-3 college student leaders, 2-3 high school peer mentors, and 1-2 guest instructors. Click on their pictures to be linked to the camp webpage.
Peer Mentors
Maya
Peer Mentor for 2015 Winter Break Camp
Temple
Peer Mentor for 2015 Winter Break Camp
...I first signed up for Big Hair Bigger Dreams summer camp after complaining to my mom there was nothing for black girls to do in Colorado. My mom knew I had an interest in journalism but all the camps for that were really expensive. When mom told me about it she also said there was going to be a technology part. I didn’t really like technology but still gave it a chance. And now I am more than glad I did because now I know what I want be when I grow up. Read more here.
Hi my name is Temple, I attend DSST: Cole High School and I am currently in the ninth grade. I want to attend the winter camp as a mentor, because I want to help and inspire other young ladies to love the program and have fun. This experience will help me become a better leader because I’m going to be learning from the girls attending the winter camp and I am also going to learn about myself and my capabilities as being a leader. Read more here.
Hashaqueena
Peer Mentor for 2016 Spring Break Camp
Hashaqueena Earth has recently received a certification in Ecology. She is also a singer and plays piano and guitar. She loves theater and she is a Dancer. She is also passionate about animals. She loves fashion and poetry. She joined Big Hair Bigger Dreams to meet other girls like her and to build up her confidence as a girl and become a stronger young woman. Read more here.
Jazmyn
Peer Mentor for 2016 Spring Break Camp
My name is Jazmyn Smith, I’m 15 years old and in 10th grade at East High School. After graduating from high school I plan to attend a university majoring in psychology and one of my biggest dreams is to open my own psychiatric clinic and teach dance. I am a peer mentor to take the next step in my social justice leadership. Read more here.
Diaraye
Peer Mentor for 2016 Spring Break Camp
Diaraye Diallo is a freshman at DSST: COLE and she aspires to receive a degree in Civil Engineering and Political Science. She hopes to return to her home country, Guinee, and make a positive impact. She loves to read, spend time with family and discuss controversial issues (she’s a huge social justice freak!). Read more here.
Camp Leaders
Jamica
Instructional Facilitator Winter '15 & Spring '16 Camps
I’m Jamica Zion, a recent Sociology and History graduate from Colorado State University....I am excited to work with Big Hair, Bigger Dreams because I wish that I would have had the opportunity to participate in an amazing organization like this when I was in high school. Click here to read more.
Bria
Logisitics Manager 2015 Winter Camp
Bria May is currently a senior at the University of Colorado – Boulder. She is an English major while working towards a Leadership Certificate in the CU Boulder Ethnic Living and Learning Residential Academic Leadership Program.Bria joins Big Hair, Bigger Dreams as an Events Coordinator and Instructor/Intern. Click here to read more.
Morgan
Logisitics Manager 2016 Spring Camp
My name is Morgan and I am a graduate student at University of Colorado-Denver. I am studying Public Administration. In my free time, I like to spend time with my husband, cook, ski, and hike. I joined Big Hair, Bigger Dreams because I am passionate about social justice issues. After graduate school, I hope to work for a non-profit that does social justice work. Read more here.
Jennifer
Instructional Facilitator Summer & Winter '15 Camps
Jennifer Khat is a graduate student from the University of Colorado Denver with a BS in biology and MD in integrated science. She teaches and facilitates programs in Denver for CompuGirls of the Center of Gender Equity in Science and Technology...She has a passion for teaching, loves working with children of all ages, and hopes to make an impact through this winter program. Click here to read more.
2016 Summer Staff
Bria
Logisitics Manager 2016 Summer Camp
Bria May is currently a senior at the University of Colorado – Boulder. She is an English major while working towards a Leadership Certificate in the CU Boulder Ethnic Living and Learning Residential Academic Leadership Program.Bria joins Big Hair, Bigger Dreams as an Events Coordinator and Instructor/Intern. Click here to read more.
Mattie
Logisitics Manager 2016 Summer Camp
My name is Mattie Walker and I am a multi-racial Black Woman who is 25 years old. I grew up in Denver, Colorado in a large low-income family made up of 11+ people. When I was was little I wanted to be a writer. Now I have graduated from Colorado State University with a Degree in Sociology. And I have traveled throughout China and South-East Asia. Currently, I am working on my own Online English Tutoring business. In the future I want to start my own non-profit and travel more.
Sandina
Logisitics Manager 2016 Summer Camp
My name is Sandina Tanguma and I am a Latina Woman who is 29 years old. I was born and raised in Denver, Colorado. I was raised by a single mother along with my grandfather. When I was little I wanted to be a dancer. In 2013, I graduated from the University of Colorado-Denver, with a degree in theatre, film, and TV. In the future I want to have my own film/theatre production company and get my master's degree in Education or Forensic Media.
Makalah
Intern Manager
2016 Paid Internship
My name is Makalah Emanuel and I served as the 2016 Summer Internship supervisor. I chose to teach this summer internship because I love working with young people. For the last six years I have spent my summers supervising kids, ages 12-18, for a nonprofit organization called Groundwork Denver. I have a bachelor’s degree in journalism, with an emphasis in public relations and advertising and a double minor in Psychology and Africana Studies from the University of Northern Colorado.