Black Jewels Ladies Golf Association.

It's no secret that developing your golf game can catapult you into the league of the big boys and onto the golf course where lucrative business deals are often negotiated. With this in mind, Rasheena Wilson headed to golf school where she quickly fell in love with the sport. But with her new golf skills under her belt, Wilson found precious few African American female golfers in New York with whom she could play. From this need sprung her concept of Black Jewels Ladies Golf Association. Wilson says, "I wanted to create a relaxed, non-intimidating atmosphere in which women of color could be themselves, learn, and play together."

Since its August 2004 launch, Black Jewels now boasts a membership of forty-five women from the New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut area. Sixty women attended the first event at New York's Chelsea Piers and from there Wilson knew she had a hit. "It was phenomenal to see such interest and enthusiasm. We were surprised that there were so many African American women itching to play golf!"

News of the association spread rapidly throughout her circle of friends and beyond. Determined to garner more widespread support for her fledgling nonprofit, she threw herself into honing her golf skills and augmenting her business savvy. Wilson researched how to organize golf outings and how and where to secure funding. She also ramped up her efforts by networking with long-time, black, female golfers at golf events in Kentucky and Canton, Ohio. "I met with Renee Powell, the first African American member of the LPGA, who now runs a historically black golf course in Canton."

During the winter, Black Jewels celebrates events in Westchester County and at Chelsea Piers. Wilson explains, "Many of the women are brand new to the game and that's the best part. They are all excited and so I put in 120% to sustain that momentum and entice more women." Black Jewels also holds monthly winter networking events at which women discuss their business ventures. Classroom-style events include Golfing for Women, which focuses on how to successfully execute business transactions on the golf course.

Next up for Wilson and her Black Jewels is establishing a junior golf mentoring program for teen girls. Wilson says, "I would like to impact a young person's life through lessons such as patience and responsibility, lessons that are incorporated in the game of golf and that can be utilized throughout their daily lives to conquer today's world." Visit www.blackjewelsgolf.com.