Change Agent: Cassandra Henderson, changing sex education

Every month, ALBC will highlight citizens who are serving as a catalyst for change in various civic capacities. Meet our first "Agent of Change", the multi-talented Cassandra Henderson. ALBC interviewed Ms. Henderson about her quest to change the way sex education is taught to students. In an era where the rules of engagement and the possible consequences have drastically changed, it has become even more important to properly educate our children on the facts about sex.

ALBC: What change are you currently involved in?
CH: As of July 2008, I incorporated my now growing entertainment company Yardi Entertainment Inc., and as the first major project, I am working to revamp the sex education curriculum, first in the United States and ultimately world-wide. It is a project I have been wanting to do for over 10 years.

ALBC: What made you interested in revamping the Sex Education curriculum?
CH: In 1996, Georgia had the nations highest rate of teen pregnancy. Having spent most of my life in Georgia, this was important to me. As a teenager at the time, I became involved in an organization founded by actor, activist, and advocate Jane Fonda called "The Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention" (G-CAPP). I served as one of the youth spokespersons of this organization for two years. I attended conferences, made speeches and promotional videos, but the most life-changing experience I had was being part of a "support group" for teen mothers at my high school. I had never had a child, so spearheading this group with one of the guidance counselors put me in a very unique situation to see the before, during and after effects of teen pregnancy. Ultimately, this experience opened my eyes to not only the consequence of unplanned parenthood, but other repercussions of unprotected sex and sparked an interest in me to learn about safer sex options--something it seemed my peers didn't really understand or know about. How do you make the best possible decision without proper information? Answer: you can't. It is my firm belief that revamping the curriculum for human growth & development will not only aid to inform youth, but will also be a bit more relatable to today's adolescent.


ALBC: Why is this change important to you?
CH: I am a filmmaker, producer, writer, director, actor and entrepreneur. With all of these titles under my belt I am very aware of the "magic of moviemaking" I know that the images of romance and the "fairy tales" of love, sex, romance, relationships, and life that appear in 1-2 hours or less shape young and older minds alike. It is important to have a balance between fiction and reality. It is important to be able to see the persona, and still understand that when the lights fade to black, the person in those roles returns to real life just as the viewer in the audience. This is why I am utilizing the headliners of today, the people behind the personas to use this opportunity to speak honestly to youth everywhere. I am inviting musicians, actors, artists, politicians and other public leaders to use this platform as a platform to tell their own stories to speak on drug abuse, date rape, eating disorders, teenage pregnancy, abortion, relationships, depression, curable and incurable STDs, etc. With the help of these celebrities and role models and the collaborative help of the Center for Disease Control (CDC), we can and will inform, entertain, enlighten and inspire awareness, provide real information and resources for young people. We are all here to live the best lives we possibly can, and to help others do the same. William Penn is quoted as saying "If there is any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not deter or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again." With the rise in cases of AIDS and HIV, it is imperative that we find ways of reaching young people, teaching young people, and providing young people with the most helpful resources available to help them learn, grow and achieve.

ALBC: What can other citizens do to be a part of this change?
CH: I am always looking for help. Grant writing, funding, researchers, community organizers, fundraisers, parents, young people are imperative to the continued development of this project. Educating young people is truly a collaborative effort. Equally as important are people who have stories to tell. Yardi Entertainment Inc.'s motto/slogan is "Find your voice...tell your stories" if you have a story that you feel may help a young person, or bring an issue to the forefront that may typically not be included in human growth and development curriculum, please send your stories to us yardient@yahoo.com. If you would like to help in any way, please send your contact information via e-mail to yardient@yahoo.com. I welcome both monetary and in-kind donations in support of this project as well as other current and future projects.

Find out more about Ms. Henderson and Yardi Entertainment at www.cassandrahenderson.biz

" Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

- Marianne Williamson