Hidden Figures Panel: Taylar & Panel

On Friday, March 5, 2021, DonCARES and Mr. Forrest's classroom hosted two phenomenal panelists for a Hidden Figures Panel Discussion for Women's History Month. Taylar Enlow and Talaya Pollard, both Seniors at Temple University and business leaders shared information regarding their academic experience, professional endeavors with students in Mr. Forrest's 9th-grade Literature class.

Hidden Figures No More is an initiative started by DonCARES in 2018 that aims to introduce high school students in North Philadelphia to young black women in their community who are leading enterprises, pursuing an education, and giving back to their communities.

Taylar is a current student at Temple University and the founder and director of Sonku Collective, a literary organization inspired by Sonia Sanchez, an American poet, writer, and professor. Sanchez was a leading figure in the Black Arts Movement and the former Poet Laurette of Philadelphia.

Sonku is a community organization for black, brown, indigenous people to come together with a love for literature, creative writing, and more. During the panel, Taylar shared the importance of pivoting when initial plans don’t work out; emphasizing that denial or delay doesn’t mean you won’t be successful.

Talaya Pollard is a Senior at Temple University and the Founder and Owner of Exhaustive Events, LLC, an event planning company that services people in multiple cities along the east coast.

During the panel, Talaya shared the importance of getting a good night’s rest; and that self-care is the best care.

All in all, both Taylar and Talaya inspired 9th-grade students in Mr. Forrest's Literature class to think outside of the box for what is possible for black women. Both panelists shared expert knowledge about college life, business management, and entrepreneurship.