In the eloquent words of the poet, Langston Hughes, life for Ms. Sharese K. York, “ain’t been no crystal stairs.” 

Born on June 9, 1983 in Hinesville, Georgia, Sharese has risen from the depths of growing up in an educationally and economically disadvantage community with her mind set on one goal: exemplify the change she wishes to see in the world.

In May 2006, Sharese received her Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and African American Studies from Seton Hall University. She uses her leadership abilities and attitude of empowering youth to mobilize students by facilitating seminars on Leadership Development, Entrepreneurship, and Sexual Harassment/Abuse.

            Inspiring many youth to learn from their past while forging into their future with confidence and creativity, Sharese has served as a creative writing instructor for Arts 4 Kidz and is currently a teacher for Florence Avenue After-School Program in Irvington, N.J. She is the author of Through My Eyes, an autobiography in poetry and spoken word, which seeks to heal the broken hearts of young women while promoting self love and social change.

Sharese is determined to teach youth it does not matter from where one emanates, but where one is going, and the road that one chose to arrive at their destination. She strives to always be a constant source of inspiration, while displaying integrity and grace to future generations.