Cross-posted from the FlashReport
We're very excited to have a member of the Benoit team highlighted in the Riverside Press-Enterprise. Kenya is an exceptionally bright and talented woman and it's great to see her extraordinary efforts recognized by our local paper.
Corona history teacher is 'Renaissance woman'
After only two years in Riverside where she
teaches American history at California Baptist University, Davis-Hayes
can't sit still. She's a Kiwanian, active in local Republican politics
and the World Affairs Council of Inland Southern California. Velma Davis, her mother, is an administrator at Southgate in the Los
Angeles Unified School District. Her father, Everette Hayes, is a
retired aerospace engineer.
So it's not
surprising that she's devoted most of her 27 years living up to its
meaning through scholarship, political work, community service and
prayer.
Her latest triumph: the governor appointed her to a three-year term
with the California Council for the Humanities, the nonprofit affiliate
of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Governed by a volunteer
board of up to 26 members, the group aims to create a state identity by
funding diverse multi-media projects of residents -- from gay war
veterans to Latino bridge builders -- sharing their stories. "We bring people together to answer the question, 'What does it mean to be a Californian'?" Davis-Hayes said.
As the only child of professional parents, it meant a childhood in
Downey sheltered from R-rated movies but filled with connections to
everyone from inner-city children to Muslims to AIDS' victims. "We always had all kinds of
people in our house," Davis-Hayes said. "I learned about tolerance and
acceptance." Because of strong religious values, she
pursued her bachelor's and master's degrees at Campbell University, a
small Christian school in Buies Creek, N.C. Two years ago she earned
her doctorate in American history. "While I was barely
keeping up with my graduate student schedule, Kenya was writing her
dissertation, going on job searches, enrolled in art classes and taking
salsa dancing," said friend Erin Kempker, 29. "Networking and
socializing are her forte, even when she's really busy."
Both were doctoral candidates together in history at Purdue University
in West LaFayette, Ind. Davis-Hayes commutes from her Corona home to
Cal Baptist, where she teaches four classes. Senior Daniel Boatright,
22, described her U.S. history course, which he took last year, as
"amazing." "I learned how politics changed from decade to decade," he said, adding that she made history "come alive." Davis-Hayes said she cracks "horrible jokes" to wake up her students.
At 5-foot, 8-inches tall, she carries herself as the dancer she is,
often in high heels. Her hair is woven with dozen of tiny braided
extensions. Gold rimless glasses lend a professorial mien, although she
considers every day a costume party. Whenever she peers into her
closet, she'll wonder: "Is it Donna Reed today, '60's mod or a sexy
librarian?" Fond of vintage clothing, she bought a 1950s crinoline to
wear under skirts. Style and fashion sense aside, what
sets Davis-Hayes apart is her willingness to mentor, said Chris
McHorney, chairman of Cal Baptist's History, Political Science and
Criminal Justice Department. For the past two summers,
she and 11 volunteers from the college spent three weeks tutoring
students in English and promoted HIV awareness at National University
of Rwanda. Davis-Hayes infuses the same intensity of joy
and passion into her personal as well as her professional life, said
friend Lindsey Carnick, 26, who studied with her at Purdue. "She's a Renaissance woman," Carnick said.
At the moment, Davis-Hayes is passionate about the Circle City Kiwanis
Club's educational projects and working on the state Senate campaign
for Assemblyman John J. Benoit, R-Bermuda Dunes. "I love the community," Davis-Hayes said. "I love my students."
In Swahili, the lingua
franca of Southeast Africa, Kenya Davis-Hayes' Christian name
translates into "one of understanding."

