Women Who Make a
Difference (continued)
PATRICIA WILLIAMS
For Patricia Williams of
Columbia,
Maryland,
community service has been a longtime passion. At the core of that passion is
GapBuster Learning Center (www.gapbuster.org), a non-profit
organization dedicated to closing the learning gap between at-risk youth and
their counterparts.
When Williams’ daughter
Cherrelle, 17, was in middle school, she needed something to do after school.
They found GapBuster, and Cherrelle has been involved in the agency’s
programs ever since. The more Williams came to know about GapBuster and its
mission, the more she became involved too.
A GapBuster volunteer for
the past four years, Williams is now able to volunteer at GapBuster full
time, thanks to Xerox Corporation’s Social Service Leave program – believed to
be the oldest of its kind in American business. For six months, Williams will
work at GapBuster while her full salary and benefits continue from Xerox.
As part of the Social
Service Leave project, Williams – a systems network analyst at Xerox – will
help market the learning center to public schools in Montgomery and Prince
Georges counties. She will also help with fundraising and grant writing and
offer training and technical assistance to youth in the Leaders in Training
after-school program.
“We are so grateful to
Xerox for allowing Patricia Williams to dedicate this time to GapBuster,” says
Dr. Yvette Butler, executive director of the non-profit. “Her business skills
and fresh ideas are invaluable to us, and she has a real knack for motivating
youth.”
Williams, who helped secure
XCIP funds to help create GapBuster’s Leaders in Training program, adds,
“Serving my community has always been my passion. For 15 years, Xerox has
always offered me the opportunity to serve my community, first through its
XCIP program and now through Social Service Leave.”
Patricia Williams has
previously served as an advisory board member for GapBuster and has been an
NAACP parent representative. She clives in Silver Spring, MD, with her
husband, James, and four children ages 21, 17, 14 and 11.
ARNITA A. WISE
Arnita A. Wise is a native
Washingtonian who has given her entire life to serving her community, and
allowing others to reach their dreams with her unselfish business advice.
After graduation from Cardozo High School in 1959, Wise attended Washington
Technical College. While in college she married and become a mother of two
sons.
The need to find a second
income to help support her family led Wise to leave college and pursue a
trade. She enrolled in cosmetology school and began a career as a licensed
cosmetologist.
Convinced that academic
achievement as a way to financial stability Wise took advantage of an
educational program that allowed her to complete paralegal certification
classes taught at the Antioch School of Law at night.
Later, the opportunity to
achieve additional education was offered in the form of a scholarship to
American
University
for minorities seeking their Associate Arts degrees. Wise completed, and
accepted her degree in general studies in May, 1981.
In May 1987 Wise received
her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology, from the University of The
District of Columbia.
The need to own her hair
salon was her catalyst to become a part owner of LeSalon Hair Salon where Wise
mentored young hair stylists. This experience would become invaluable for her
future, as a full-time owner of a full service hair salon.
When Wise opened Metro Hair
Station in May of 1991 it was the completion of a life long dream to become an
African-American female entrepreneur.
With her business savvy,
Metro Hair Station in Prince Georges County, Maryland became an instant
success. Wise established an apprentice program at Metro Hair Station to
assist young ladies to work under her license, and enable them to be gainfully
employed during their two-year educational process.
Under her direction, Metro
Hair Station established a direct product marketing business with Dudley
Products, an international African-American hair care, spa, and cosmetic
industry giant.
She was chosen as a Dudley
Ambassador in 1996, and was selected to represent the company touring Brazil
training aspiring cosmetologists.
Wise has received many
accolades from industry insiders for style, and presentation; the list of
certificates, medals, and trophies dating from over a decade ago are
numerous. In 2004, Wise was nominated for the Dudley Products Humanitarian
of the Year Award. In 2005 Wise she received the President’s Volunteer
Service Award from the President’s Council on Service, and Civic
Participation from President George W. Bush.
In the midst of earning
raising a family, earning a college degree, and growing a business, Wise
managed to work in the Prince Georges County School system as a special
education teacher.
Wise has taken on the task
of building a business supported by accomplishments, and dedication to
providing quality service to clients in her community. Her motto, “Customer
First In Service,” has helped her create a competent, courteous, and caring
professional salon in the beauty industry.
Arnita A. Wise has devoted
her life to serving her community, and allowing others to reach their dreams
with her unselfish business advice.
1
2
3 4
