The New Generation of Leadership: Siani-Simone Is Much More Than Talk – GDN Exclusive
by By Demetrius Haddock, Contributing Writer 12/09/2022Siani-Simone Ammons, Secretary of NC NAACP Youth & College Division
“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” This quote by Maya Angelou, one of the favorite writers of high school senior Siani-Simone Ammons, speaks to what it means to have a story inside of you. Siani however has many stories inside her and she is determined to live her passion for writing and telling them.
Siani developed her love for reading from The Land of Stories series that her grandmother used to read to her every night. Taking time to read to children makes books and reading into a strong, healthy memory. “Growing up, I kept my head in books,” she said. “Drinking in those words was like taking a vacation.”
Currently enrolled at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, Siani is on a personal mission to live a life of meaning and purpose. Watching the resilience of her mother, Felicia Ammons, inspired Siani and taught her about caring for others. “My mother is probably one of the most powerful people I have ever known,” Siani said. As the Secretary for the NC NAACP Youth & College Division, she is putting that care for others into action.
Preserve the Best, Change the Rest
A thinker and a writer, Siani-Simone has been thinking about the NAACP and how it can better serve and connect with young people. She wants to see more dialogue and support groups centered on moments like the Rittenhouse decision and George Floyd. Young people need to talk, be heard, and share their feelings. The NAACP Youth & College Division can help with that.
According to this young leader, the new generation must take control of telling the stories. Siani believes Black people need more representation and healthier imagery as it relates to various forms of storytelling. Although things have been improving, Siani remembers when “all of the desirable character traits were white. The Black characters were side characters when Blacks are complex people.”
“The reason why I write is to tell that complex story of marginalized people as whole human beings,” mused Siani. Any listener can hear the sincerity in her voice and glimpse the better world she sees with her vivid imagination. “This new generation must take control of telling the stories,” she said. “I love history” and from Siani’s perspective, we must emphasize history which, for Black people, does not begin with enslavement.
Siani understands that the dilemma of Black representation in the media is not simple. She really likes J-Cole, Kendrick Lamar, and Beyonce. While there has been a minstrel nature to entertainment for Black people in general and a long history of women as side characters, Siani acknowledges that “there has been good and bad in it.” She wants to preserve the best and change the rest. Maya Angelou blazed a trail for Siani and she would like to do the same for those coming after her.
“I want to use my words for good”
Her passion for writing will be used to help her community of Roxboro, NC which is majority African American with a high rate of single mothers. “I want to use my words for good,” Siani said. Thanks to women like Rena McNeil, YCD State Director, who recognized Siani’s talent for writing, the teen is well on her way.
Having already won several writing awards, when asked where she sees herself in 10 years (if money were not a concern), Siani quickly offered, “Getting several degrees.” With all the ambition of youth, she mentioned a medical degree, a Ph.D. in African American History, and a Master of Fine Arts. From her short stories, essays, screenplays, movie scripts, and more, to her many degrees, one cannot help but believe Siani will accomplish it all.
“No one believed my mom could finish nursing school,” Siani remembered. In the spirit of resilience that Siani loves, her mother did finish. It was not just her mom’s example though. “All of the women in my life are really powerful,” she praised. These women, from her mother Felicia and her grandmother to “the sweet memories” of her Aunt Ruth, little “Bessie” (as Siani’s Aunt Ruth called her) has been shown the meaning of family and community. Well, she has her first chance to ride in a limo because her Aunt Ruth bought dozens of candy bars to make it happen.
When her Aunt Ruth died about a year ago, it left a hole in Siani’s life and she intends to fill it with love – her love for writing, her love for family, and her love for community. A member for 3 years, this young lady has impacted the YCD of the NAACP. Currently working on a young adult novel, Siani-Simone Ammons, like the women in her life, is much more than talk. In the world of prose, she will definitely make her presence felt!
Oh…and like the teenager that she is, Siani thanks her mom for always buying her salmon steaks. She loves salmon steaks.
Supporters, volunteers, and others are encouraged to sign up for GDN’s free eNews @ greaterdiversity.com and register to post in The NBSM student “Think Tank” @nbsm.greaterdiversity.com