Miss SUNO 2008-2009 (7617 hits)

Jakia Nishon Clay (jah-KEY-ah nih-SHON) is a twenty-three year old senior majoring in Social Work. Jakia was born in New Orleans, Louisiana and grew up in Kenner, Louisiana. She is the daughter of Joan C. Chaney and the late Rev. George Chaney, and she is also the granddaughter of the late Dr. Arthur Paul Clay, civil rights activist as well as the niece of Rev. Byron Clay, National Vice President of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). With a rich history of civil rights activists in her life, Jakia has been inspired to keep the tradition going by becoming a civil rights activist as well. In the summer of 2007, she had the opportunity to help coordinate the SCLC 50th National Convention.

Upon graduation from Southern University at New Orleans, the determined scholar will be a third generation social worker. Her plans are to open a twenty-four hour child development and recreation center for children in her community.

Jakia’s love for staying active on campus is exhibited through various organizations. She is an active member of the First Fifty Knights and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; and Jakia also serves as a student ambassador for the Thurgood Marshall Foundation. As a Thurgood Marshall ambassador, Jakia has traveled to New York and Washington D.C. to represent SUNO at the Thurgood Marshall Leadership Conference and the Congress Conference also sponsored by the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Foundation. Most notably, Jakia has been a member of the homecoming court for three consecutive years.

Jakia is a faithful member of the Little Zion Baptist Church of Kenner, where she enjoys singing in the choir and serves as the Youth Coordinator satisfying her passionate love for children. Jakia is a graduate of Myrtle Magee Christian Academy, where she ranked fourth in her graduating class. Posted By: Eddie Francis
Friday, November 21st 2008 at 10:31AM
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