Mentors

Camellia Boyd

CyberNavigator

A Hip Hop artist and singer, Camellia currently serves Chicago's Englewood community as the YOUmedia Cyber Navigator, at the Thurgood Marshall Library. As a child she was very fond of nature, animals, and her peers. Her education began at the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, where she enjoyed science and art the most. As a teenager, Camellia struggled with her behavior, became involved in Chicago's street life, and eventually dropped out of high school during her Sophomore year. Camellia turned everything around after she voluntarily participated in a 6-month military leadership development program with the National Guard, and graduated high school a year early.

At 17, she discovered her interest in digital media when she interned with Free Spirit Media at the Gary Comer Youth Center, where she worked as a camera operator, actress and video editor. At 18, she began mentoring with the Chicago Youth Centers, completed two more internships, one technology and the other business; and developed her first digital media program model- a four year, global, peer-to-peer mentorship program under the supervision of Think Global School.

At 19, Camellia began recording her original songs, and left Chicago to pursue music, performing in New York City, and opening the stage for artists like Nas, Damian Marley, and the Dirty Projectors.

Because of her own journey, she has a special way with children, especially troubled teens and our at risk youth. Things on her radar: a college education, her first album, and more traveling. Camellia's hobbies include reading, walking at the lakefront, motivational speaking, and really-- just spreading knowledge and Love.