Ayanna Cole is approaching her final year at Columbia University’s School of Social Work where she is studying Social Welfare Policy and International Social Welfare. Ayanna holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Morgan State University, and an MBA in Media Management from Fordham University. At Columbia, Ayanna is working on national fatherhood initiatives, and her area of focus is related to intergenerational poverty reduction.
Prior to attending Columbia University, Ayanna worked for A&E Television Networks, producing community outreach related programming for teens and young adults. Ayanna co-produced an Emmy Award winning special for middle and high school students illustrating the life altering impact of drug additions. Ayanna’s post graduate plans include combining her media training with her academic work in social welfare to begin national educational outreach initiatives to promote and prepare students from the poorest American communities for higher education.
In commemoration of South Africa’s Women’s Day, which recognizes the influence and sacrifices of women, Ayanna published this article in the South African news media.
