| Soror Jamilah K. Adkins
Founder Diamond Jamilah Adkins was born on January 22, 1974 in Newark,
New Jersey. The oldest of three daughters,
she was always in a position that required leadership and responsibility.
She learned early in life how to take care of herself and others.
Jamilah Adkins spent her elementary school years at Blessed Sacrament School
in Newark and her teen years at University High School, a magnet school
in Newark for the gifted and talented where she was very active.
Soror Adkins was a member of the Drama Club, president of the Spanish Club,
Editor of the Literary Magazine, a member of the Cheerleading Team and
the Chess Club. She also met her best friend, fellow founder Alycia
L. Banks at University High School. Founder Jamilah Adkins also attended
the N.J.I.T. pre-college program and the Seton Hall University Upward Bound
Program. Upon high school graduation,she received the Presidential
Award for Athletics and Scholarship and a Commision to the United States
Naval Academy Preparatory School in Newport, Rhode Island where she was
training to attend the United States Coast Guard Academy. After her
stay in the U.S. Coast Guard, she decided to attend college as a civilian.
Founder Adkins now attends Rutgers University in Newark, New Jersey where
she is completing a Bachelors Degree in Accounting and a Masters Degree
in Business Administration.
Soror Alycia L. Banks
Founder Diamond Alycia Banks was born on November 19, 1973 in Millburn,
New Jersey. The youngest daughter of Professor Robert Banks and fellow
founder, Mrs. Cassandra Banks, she was always very friendly and sweet natured.
She attended United Academy in Newark during her elementary school years
and University High School in Newark during her teen years where she met
founders Jamilah and Kamirah Adkins. Founder Banks was very active
at University High School. She was a member of the Track Team, the
Debate Club, the Chorus which also boasts University Alumna Faith Evans
and the Yearbook Staff. She was also active in the NAACP Act-So Program
and Inroads of New Jersey. Soror Alycia Banks graduated with honors
from Bentley College in Waltham, Massachusetts with a Bachelors Degree
in International Economics. She is also a member of the National
Council of Negro Women.
Soror Kamirah A. Adkins
Founder Diamond Kamirah Aminah Adkins was born on March 22, 1975, sister
of founder Jamilah Adkins. Founder Kamirah Adkins has always been
very candid and outspoken. She was said to be a "tom boy" as
a child, but she later blossomed into a very charming young lady.
Her elementary and high school years were almost identical to her older
sister. She attended Blessed Sacrament Elementary School and University
High School where she was on the Cheerleading Team, the Drama Club, the
Chorus and the Literary Magazine. Soror Kamirah has a Bachelors Degree
in Psychology from Rutgers University where she was on the Literary Magazine
Staff, the Student Government Association and the Secretary of the
Black Organization of Students.
Soror Cassandra Banks
Mother of founder Alycia Banks and two others (son James and daughter
Cassandra), Founder Diamond Cassandra Banks is very wise and loving.
She gives sage advice, moral support and love overflowing to almost everyone
she meets. Candidly caring, she pulls no punches when telling people
what they need to know. She is the proud proprietor of the Cribs
and Rattles Daycare Center in Newark, New Jersey. Soror Cassandra
is very active in the community. She serves on several committees
at her church, is an active member and a former
president of the National Council of Negro Women.
Soror Lola Pendleton Adkins
Grandmother of founders Jamilah and Kamirah Adkins Founder Diamond Lola
Pendleton Adkins is said to be "the personification of sweetness".
She is lovingly called "Nana" by almost everyone in close circles.
Soror Lola was born in an undisclosed year on October 26th in Bainbridge,
Georgia. She is a loving wife, mother of four and the grandmother
of seven. She is a volunteer substance abuse counselor and a current
undergraduate at Rutgers University in Newark, New Jersey where she is
acquiring a Bachelors Degree in Social Work.
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Our Beloved Founders