Building

a Better

America Today,

With AMOA!

2nd Annual D.E.I. Youth Empowerment Program

“Building A Better America Today with AMOA!” Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion youth empowerment program introduces EBR community members to a diverse array of curated online courses specializing in Empathy, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity, all available for FREE through your East Baton Rouge Parish Library (EBRPL).

This interactive program consists of self-paced online courses that award certificates of completion  at one’s own pace anytime between January 15th to June 31st. Coordinated by the America, My Oyster Association (AMOA) & EBRPL, this transformative program is designed to engage, enlighten, and educate middle & high school students, college students, young professionals, and lifelong learners who want to enrich their understanding of the fundamentals of diversity, cultural competency, and empathy.

Students and community members were able to Join us for Our monthly D.E.I. Orientation sessions at the Main Library at Goodwood. At these events, we hosted a brief orientation session along with a “Community Connections” networking session where interested D.E.I. participants met community leaders who support diversity, equity, and inclusion within their professional careers and daily lives.

From January-July, the America, My Oyster Association’s D.E.I. youth empowerment program was featured in the Source newsletter, A publication That is FREE and available at ALL library branches in East Baton Rouge parish.

Pick up your copy of the Source newsletter or download a copy TODAY!

The 2022 Recognition Ceremony was held Saturday, July 23, 2022, from 12:30-3:30p.m. at the Main Library at Goodwood, 7711 Goodwood Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70806

The Target Audience for this program included Middle School Students, High School Students, College Students, Young Professionals, Adult Learners, and Lifelong Learners of All Ages.

Service Areas: Youth Empowerment; Equity & Justice

AMOA D.E.I. CLASS OF 2022 GRADUATES

AMOA Diversity Champions

Brooke Engel

Cheri Mareno

Dr. Natasha Whitton

Elizabeth Briggs

Jamie Bourg

Jill Leonard

Joan Garner

Jonathan Jackson

Joshua Mitchell

Julio Ardon-Sosa

Ka'Laiyah Dillard

Kaci Reeves

Katrina Denman

Keisha Dewey-Sanders

Kendall White

Kristen Ambeau

Laurie Sherman

Sharvon Batiste

Theresa Haynes

Trent Dunkin

AMOA Diversity Advocates

Jelessia Alderman

AMOA Supporters of Diversity

Darius Jones

Kerry Jenkins, Jr.

Aidan Brimmer

Alvriona Wilson

Andrece Davis

Asia Davis

Bari Oregron

Blakeleigh Linder

Chloe Porche

Chrisalyn Cannon

Chynna King

Deoandre Stepter

Desmond Leban

Diamond Jones

Feyzeon Williams

Hermessia Porter

Imani George

Irvin Frederick

Isaiah Jackson

Jakyia Porter

Jalia Coleman

Johslyn Spears

Julio Castilo

Kadence Harrell

Kashayla Dunn

Keith Kent

Logan Rivet

Malayshia Gross

Myia Batisite

Quineshia Joseph

ReaJean Thomas

Shaniya Johnson

Ta'Laiaih Stewart

Theriona Batisie

Tray Clark

Victoria Goodwin

Yohance Jones

Zion Johnson

Ziona Smith

Past DEI Orientation Sessions & Community Connections Events

Jump Start Orientation: Building a Better America Today with AMOA

Saturday, January 15, 2022 at 3 p.m. - Main Library at Goodwood, Large Meeting Room

Program Orientation: Building a Better America Today with AMOA

Sunday, February 27, 2022 at 4 p.m. - Main Library at Goodwood, Large Meeting Room.

~Speakers: Mya Jacobs of Bright Moments, LLC & Dr. Joyce M. Jackson of LSU~

Community Connections with the Junior League of Baton Rouge

Sunday, March 27, 2022 at 4 p.m. - Main Library at Goodwood, Room 102

~Speakers: Tristi Charpentier, JLBR President; and Mary Churay, Chair of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging (DEIB) Committee of the Junior League of Baton Rouge~

Community Connections with the Mid City Development Alliance

Saturday, April 30, 2022 at 12 p.m. - Main Library at Goodwood, Room 102

~Speaker: Symphony Malveaux of the Mid City Redevelopment Alliance ~

Community Connections with I AM

Sunday, May 15, 2022 at 4 p.m. - Main Library at Goodwood, Large Meeting Room

~Speaker: Executive Director Christy Mensah of I AM~

Community Connections with The 821 Project

Saturday, June 25, 2022 12 p.m. - Main Library at Goodwood, Large Meeting Room

~Speaker: Director Jahi Mackey~

AMOA's Diversity Ambassadors Program

The America, My Oyster Association seeks to motivate our nation’s youth to become the future leaders of tomorrow who have a firm foundation in diversity, equity, inclusion, and empathy training. Our AMOA Diversity Ambassadors are graduates of "Building A Better America Today with AMOA" which is a D.E.I. and Empathy youth empowerment program.

SlideShow: A Glimpse into AMOA’s Diversity Ambassador Training Program

2022 D.E.I. Program (Completed)

The America My Oyster Association is proud to Have Completed Its second year of offering an online certification program in conjunction with the East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library. “Building a Better America Today with amoa” is designed for high school students, college students, and recent graduates who want to learn more About diversity, cultural competency, empathy, and equity. 

This initiative is a part Our “Together We are America” program that encourages America’s students and graduates to have An understanding of the diverse experiences and individuals that comprise our nation. 

Registration required Is Required. participants must have an East Baton Rouge Parish library card (if you live outside of the parish please check here for ways to get an EBR library card). 

Featured on the EBRPL’s digital Library, This program features completely free online courses through Lynda.com (Now Linkedin Learning) and Gale Presents: Udemy Courses.

How Does It Work?

Step 1: fill out the Program Registration form listed below.

Step 2: Make Sure You Have an Active EBR Library Card or Contact your Parish Library to receive permission to take these courses.

Step 3: the AMOA D.E.I. Syllabus will be E-mailed to you once the program becomes available.

Step 4: be sure to take the mandatory courses that are detailed below.

Listed below is the ranking system to be recognized by AMOA and the East Baton Rouge Parish Library system at our Annual recognition ceremony! (Past)

AMOA Diversity Supporter

Take this Class:

1) “Communicating with Empathy” (Mandatory Course on LinkedIn Learning)

AMOA Diversity Advocate

Take These Three Classes:

1) “Communicating with Empathy” (Mandatory Course on Linkedin Learning)

2) “Unconscious Bias: Fuel Diversity and Become a Better You” (Mandatory Course on Udemy)

3) ONE Class of YOUR choice within your category/classification (Please see course syllabus)

AMOA Diversity ChAMPION

Take the Mandatory Hours for your Classification:

1) “Communicating with Empathy” (Mandatory Course on Linkedin Learning)

2) “Unconscious Bias: Fuel Diversity and Become a Better You” (Mandatory Course on Udemy)

3) Take the remaining designated hours for your classification (1 and 2 are already included in the course hours requirement)

Program Registration Form

Academic Endorsements

"Diversity, equity, and inclusion training is more important now than ever-not only are we witnessing phenomenal change in our country and around the world, but also we have the ability to positively shape outcomes of that change, based on our actions. These DEI courses are an incredible resource to guide learners on a path to creating change and a culture of lifelong, supportive learning. This program is more than a value proposition for area businesses, it represents a path toward positive growth in Baton Rouge.”

- Dr. Nina McCune, Ed.D., Director of the Equity Institute at BRCC