I am watching the special as i write this. It compelled me to look up the 9 strong women concept. My heart went out to Jayda especially. I was very impressed how she put aside her differences to help females stay away from street life. Because of her efforts, I believe jayda and her family will be truly blessed. I wish i had someone to care about my friends and myself when we were coming up in Southside, Jamaica Queens. At 32, 3 kids and a husband I have just begun to love myself. Only because God saw fit to allow me to be happy, unused, respected, appreciated and so forth. I have lost alot of friends to the street and plan on not losing my kids to the streets.
Jayda...my prays go out to you and your family for making the time to show these young women how to love themselves first. They need to learn that what they have are treasures and should be treated as such. Not to be pretty on the outside and poisoned on the inside. I will continue to follow the show and as soon as this economy gets better I really do plan to pledge a donation. God bless

I just finished watching episode number 3. I want to say thank God for a person like Jayda. I also grew up in Newark and wished I could have had someone that was real to talk to. The lesson she told the young lady in her apartment about watching the people you be around and being nice is all but too true. I would love to help out with the organization and can even give an example of my personal struggles of having the wrong people in your circle.

I also just watched episode 3 and I want to say that is the real Newark. Jayda, Creep ,The Street Warriors and the other orgs are the reason Newark is going to strive in the future. I personally believe (Cory Booker) is not the one who is saving Newark. It's finally the people from Newark .We are tired and making changes from the streets and all the way to City Hall ! Being from Newark also I seen both sides from the good all the way to the bad . I want to say THANK YOU and keep up the good work . You guys are making Newark Proud!!!!

I am 37 and from Newark. While I did not turn to the life of crime, drugs, or violence...this is what my community is about. I was raised by a single woman and she taught her daughter how to be STRONG LEADERS!!! So being a follower was not an option. Times have changed. I have a 12 year old and a 6 year old, both girls. I comment Jayda for turning her life around and allowing God to use her as a vessel. As the mother of daughters, I thank you for getting a positive message out to our lost little girls. One of the girls in your group is actually a girl that goes to camp with my daughter. Its nice to see that she has asomeone she can rely and count on. Keep doing GREAT work and positive results will continue to follow. We need more people like you in this community. We must remember that it DOES take a village to raise a child! God Bless!

I appreciated the series ending with the baby's birth. As a metaphor to grow on, the City needs a re-birth. Jayda's efforts are commendable but we need it to multiply from 9 to 90. We need to tap into one another and become mentors for groups and groups of children so that we can turn this City around for the best. It was mentioned on 9/23/09 at the town hall meeting, to look and make connections with others in the room so that a broader base can be built. I am here, I have friends who are willing to help. We don't share the same story as Jayda but our successes can be inspirational as well. Please make the group and others like it part of the City's "general information" so that it can grow and multiply. Thanks

MY WHOLE FAM FRM BRICK BUT OUR PARENTS RELOCATED US TO FLA. UNFORTUNATELY MY NIECE SPENDS HER SUMMERS UP THERE AND EACH TIME SHE COMES HM ITS ANOTHA BATTLE, MAY BE PREGNANT, GANG BANGED SUM HOEZ, BLAH BLAH ALL DAY... BETWEEN ME AND MY SISTAH MY NIECE FEELS MORE COMFORTABLE CONSULTIN' IN ME N ALTHOUGH I NOE I CANT CONTROL E'RY MOVE SHE MAKES I CAN PLANT DAT SEED JUST AS UR DOIN 2 THESE YOUNG WOMEN WHO ALSO MAY NOT HAVE SOMEONE TO GIVE IT 2 EM RAW...I'M GLAD U STARTED THIS PROGRAM BLACK WOMEN REALLY DO NEED TO OVASTAND THEY WORTH. MADD LUV 2 U AND GOOD LUCK I PRAY UR PROGRAM INFLUENCES IN OTHER STATES JUST AS WELL

KEEP IT BRICK

I JUST WANT TO COMMENT ON JAYDA AND CREEP'S PORTRAYL ON THE BRICK CITY DOCUMENTARY THAT I HAVE LOYALLY BEEN WATCHING. HOW BEAUTIFUL AND WONDERFUL YOU TWO ARE TO ALJAHMER AND TIANNA (GREAT NAME CREEP!!) IM SO PROUD AT THE MATURITY AND THE PROGRESS YOU BOTH BRING TO THE STREETS OF NEWARK AS ACTIVISTS AND PARENTS. I SINCERELY HOPE THAT NINE STRONG WOMEN IS AS SUCCESSFUL AS IT LOOKS LIKE IT WILL BE. PLEASE DONT QUIT THE WORK YOU ARE DOING NO MATTER HOW MANY OBSTACLES YOU FACE. NEWARK TRULY NEEDS YOU BOTH!AND DEFINETLY KEEP IT BRICK!!! P.S. STAY ON KAYLA JAYDA...SHE NEEDS YOU TOO PEACE AND LOVE-TIANA

I watched the documentary on "Brick City." I saw the city in a new light and saw one of my dreams realized right before my eyes. Jayda, we come from different worlds, but have experience life in a similar way. It has always been my dream to work with young girls and keep them on the path to success. I would love to assist you by starting a chapter of your organization in my area. Let me know how that can be done or if you have other chapters. You organization is small right now, but I think that it can be useful nationally if not worldwide. I look forward to seeing the last episode in the series. I am praying for you and your family. You are very brave and an inspiration to many. You are doing what GOD put you here to do.

Thank you Jayda.

Do you get how many people's lives you've inspired and educated?

So generous and brave to share so much with us - .

I wish I could write words that would really show how deeply affected I am, but all I can come up with is "thank you".

My very best to you, your family, and the people of Newark that are working so hard to better your community.

May God bless you always.

Jayda i would like to say big ups to u and ur heart thanking your fiance for supporting u in this effort that means alot in what ur doing and not forgettin your little man and princess #1,#2 in the documentary i have family n friends in newark i hang in da many places uve shown not as heavy now i even lived in newark at one time in my life i know what it is like to get caught up in da game da bullshit but my son who is 17 now made me realize its not bout me and what i want continue what u do GOD BLESS U N UR FAMILY PEACE

I love what you are doing, but I beleive your continued affiliation with the Gangs sends a mixed message. On one hand , you denounce the foundational priciples the gangs stand for- violence, drugs, destruction, etc.. Yet, when asked on Tom Joyner, you would not definitively withdraw your membership with them. I don;t get it. As a Middle School Counselor deeply concerned about my girls, but when you stand before them, adn don;t seem to have the will to distance yourself and Creep as well from the Gang, you loose your credibility in my eyes. I beleive this observation is shared with many who listen to you speak, znd then watch your actions. "Doesn't add up".

i agree with ms cooper. while i find ms jayda to be inspirational as well being on a mission from God, withdrawing from all affiliation with the "gang" would give backbone to her message.

think of it this way,

father talking to his son whike rolling a joint, "son, i dont ever want you to smoke dope. it has caused me nothing but pain. it has robbed me of what i wanted to do with my life, my passion, my dreams.... pass me the ligher son...now where was i ? oh yeah, we need to make better choices with our lives, so dont smoke pot..." inhales... hold smoke...

love what your doing i think more mother s need to be involved i would let me know your next event

Hello All,

I am a former resident if Newark formaly known as Brick City. As Jayda said there are alot of things that I am not proud of but I can honestly say I am happy and proud that I was able to over come some of the triumph that I had gone thru. If there is anything that I can help or assist with please contact me via email. I am still always in newark and would love to meet these women.

I just finished watching the first 3 episodes of Brick City and was compelled to research Jayda and the 9 strong women movement. Jayda, you are truly called by God to be an ambassador for a time like this! I am praying God's love, protection, and strength will surround you and your new family. Have you considered expanding 9 string women? I would love to see this movement in my city, Baltimore. See you at the top!

Jada, I paused the Brick City documentary for a few minutes to say how impressed I am with who you are and what you are doing. The moment your face was shown, I could tell there was something special about you - even before I heard you speak about 9 Strong Womem, I knew.

I wish you well!

I respect Jayda's mission, but at the same time beleive it is pointless unless she stops participating in the bloods gang! Even when she was on the streets with the mic she said her name was " Jayda Ru", openly advertising her gang ties. Jayda if you are reading this I hope that you set the message that you lead by example and those girls know you are active in a gang, they might adopt the logic that I can be a "good" gang banger. Jayada, sweetheart, think about the message you are sending those girls!

Much love and respect,

NEEK

Jayda I have so much respect on what you have created for the girls in your city. I live in Fayetteville North Carolina and even though they call us a quiet city our little women are following the foot steps of our men and are not being the positive leaders that they can be I want to do what you are doing. Even though I don't know you personally watching Brick City I have cried with you and I have stood up and clapped my hands and applauded you on everything you have done. Have you ever thought of taking your organization everywhere. Im on some real talk type. please contact me through email. You give girls hope and a leg to stand on and I thank you. You are a blessing.
Marlene Mz Peachezz Hale

I just watched the episodes of Brick City and am amazed. Jayda is an amazing woman. I wish there were more of her out there. I don't believe that she should cut all ties with her gang - that right there would make her fake. It's her honesty and her gang life experiences that give her the ability to relate to these kids on the level that she does. She's real and she's keeping it real. That is life in Newark and that's what it's residents are dealing with. Newarks residents have the opportunity to be part of something AMAZING the potential is there in each and every one of them. Keep up the amazing work - the guidance you are giving to these young woman is profound and the example you are setting for your own children is priceless.

Hi Jayda first of all I would like to say that you are doing a great job one that,s been needed for a very long time I just pray that GOD continue,s to give you the strength you need to continue this wonderful work that your doing. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR BEAUTIFUL FAMILY.

I am from newark and my mother relocated the family to south jersey when i was 17 *6 yrs ago* & although i love my home town, it is very much so time for a change & i LOVE what i am seeing on the documentary Brick City I am so excited someone has stepped up to the plate and done what should have been done YRS ago. People one the show only want to point the finer @ what corey booker isnt doing but how about You stand up as Jayda,Creep & Jiwe are doing to actually make that difference happy as they say "dont talk about it, be about it" Actions Speak WAY louder than words & to get through to these kids You have to show Action, not Just arrest them & let them back out a couple a months or a few yrs later b.c they might not learn their lesson. If your surrounded by negativity that is your outcome, but when you have Nine Strong Woman & People being you to back it up then you will have success ... God Bless Everyone who is trying...There is a God

I say your journey on Brick City and all of the things you all are dealing with and it seem this is a reaccuring theme in our communitiies. But i have created a Community Development Corporation(CDC)that can help us all. We have grants, services, and programs for the community. We are a young company we great potiential that will change our community with in the year.i would love to talk to you and partner with you all in the future to help each other grow and help the people of our community. you can reach me at the emails that i have provided.

I just started watching the series and i live in Newark, i just wanna tell Jada keep up the good work, and i admire how much of a good mother you are to all three of the kids,and you dont show no favortism to your kids over your step child.may God continue to bless you all,i will continue to watch the show,and Aljahmir looks just like you but Layla is Creep all the way!(lol)!keep up the good work love yall!!!

God has truly blessed you. With a great Husband and very beautiful Children. My husband was the same a crip and he loves unconditionally so be very proud of your choice and a great protector and provider. My reason for writing this is to expand 9 Strong Women to the Las Vegas area. I would really like to get with you about this. The idea of uplifting our young women to be very strong ladies and independent is an idea that has touched my heart and given me a new view on how to help. I truly hope your family will continue to be blessed and that your gift of love will come back to your family ten fold.

I admit that I did not read each and every comment, but I wanted to address a few of the comments that I did read.

I have had several gang members -good and bad people- cross my path. The one thing that I know for sure from talking to them is that a gang is a permanent family.

The only true way out is in a body bag.

Yes, gangs are full of violence and destruction. And if that violence needs to be used inside of the 'family', it will be.

I think by watching these gangs on tv, people forget the fact that gangs are not all hugs and 'accidental deaths' of friends. Props to Jayda for doing the best with the situation she is in.

Dea