MARIETTA - Listeners may know Rashan Ali as co-host of V-103 FM's popular Ryan Cameron Show, but she is also the founder of Sporty Girls Inc., a nonprofit aimed at providing minority girls the opportunity to participate in sports not traditionally offered in public schools.

Since 2006, Sporty Girls Inc. has worked with nearly 100 girls, said Ali, 35. On Friday, she spoke about her organization at InfoMart's annual black history program. The theme was "Life, Freedom, Diversity."

"Giving is something that we should not be forced to do. It should be embedded in our DNA. I am responsible for answering my higher calling and the direction was given to me to start Sporty Girls Inc.," said Ali, an Atlanta native and member of Marietta's Destiny Metropolitan Worship Church.

Ali began competitive swimming at age 5 and eventually earned a swimming scholarship to Florida A&M University.

"I want to see more diversity in these sports and at the same time help reduce childhood obesity," she said.

Through its Camp Elite, Sporty Girls Inc. provides up to 40 girls with a weeklong camp at Clayton State University, focusing on sports activities. A Sporty Saturdays program offers monthly meetings to engage girls in sports clinics and workshop discussions meant to develop lifestyle skills. This fall, Sporty Girls Inc. plans to start two new mentoring programs.

For six years, employees of InfoMart have hosted black history programs. Tammy Cohen, president of the Marietta background check company, said diversity is one of the cornerstones of the company's success.

"When we celebrate black history, we are celebrating the success of us all," Cohen stated. "From inventions to literary contributions to the hard lessons learned from the struggle for civil rights, black history has made all of our lives better and deserves to be celebrated by us all."

During the program, musical selections were performed by artists Maya Tolbert and Will Gravely. Pastor Jonathan W. Davis of Atlanta's St. John Overcoming Church Ministries led a lunch prayer.

A check for $1,030 was also presented by InfoMart to Sporty Girls Inc. Cohen said she planned to personally match the company's donation.

InfoMart is also a sponsor of Brumby Elementary School in Marietta, which provided artwork at the program. Principal Dr. Amanda Richie thanked the company for its work with her school.

For more information about Sporty Girls Inc., visit its website at www.sportygirlsinc.org.