Girls Incorporated of the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area

I was born the daughter of hardworking, blue-collar parents in rural Mississippi on November 22, 1981. When I was six years old, my parents divorced. My mother, brother, and I relocated to Los Angeles, California.

Los Angeles was far more expensive than Mississippi, and my mother worked two jobs to stay afloat. For six years, my mother contemplated moving back to Mississippi. The course of my life changed at 12 years old, upon acceptance into the USC - University of Southern California Pre- College Enrichment Academy, and we decided to stay.

The “Academy” was a program that addressed structural inequality in the education system for low-income, low-wealth Black, and LatinX students. This public-private venture sought to undergird us “scholars,” as they called us, with the best teachers, after school tutoring, Saturday Academy, family financial supportive resources, and perhaps, the most valuable of all – the ability to reimagine our futures. The guarantee after participating in this program for six years, A  FOUR and HALF YEAR full-ride scholarship to USC.

See, the designers and developers, AKA POWERBROKERS of the “Academy” aimed to dismantle structural racism in education. The program designers were clear that the public sector was failing us and sought to achieve equity through targeted investments and intentional approaches that worked to dismantled structural barriers and sustainably expanded opportunities for us “scholars.”

And while I am grateful for this life-alternating implementation, I remind people that I am not a “black unicorn” and that a person of color should not have to have a “SPECIAL HALL PASS” to have a “FAIR SHOT” at building a financially stable life for themselves.

My fellow "scholars" attended Yale, UC Berkeley, Columbia, Brown, and USC. I received a scholarship to attend Stanford University, where I matriculated with my Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in four years. Because of the NAI program, I became the second college graduate in my family and the first to receive a graduate degree.

My life is a testament to the success of private-public partnerships working to build opportunities for low-income people. Education became my pathway out of poverty; the USC program was my vehicle.

I believe Girls Inc. DC can be a life-altering program for young black girls. It can impact the life of a young black girl like I once was. My life's purpose is completely aligned with the organization’s statement that "We recognize that poverty, prejudice, and inequality continue to hold some girls back and we work with girls to overcome obstacles caused by those systemic barriers."

I believe that Girls Inc DC can alter the life outcomes that are too often predicted by zip code for girls of color. My life outcome was shifted into a dimension that shattered the generational pattern of poverty for my family. It all started with my participation in a program like Girls Inc DC., aiming to make a difference in the lives of young black girls in Washington, DC.

This is why I joined the board of directors, and I will do everything to lift the organization and the young girls it serves.

Please join me in this movement to support the success of young black girls in Washington, DC.

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More information about Girls Incorporated of the Washington DC Metropolitan Area: Through the Girls Inc Experience, our research-based programming is delivered by trained professionals who focus on the whole girl, supporting, mentoring, guiding girls in an affirming, pro-girl environment. Girls discover and develop their inherent strengths, learn to navigate the challenges they face, live healthy, active lifestyles and are less likely to engage in risky behavior; they become women who are healthy educated, independent and ready to make their own contributions to society.

https://www.facebook.com/GirlsIncDC Our mission- " to Inspire  All Girls to be Strong, Smart and Bold" means being sure that support is available for our girls on academic, social and emotional levels so we can support their talents and aspirations and help  prepare them to become the  women leaders we need for a better world!  We've been serving girls in the greater DC community for over 10 years with some great outcomes that beat the odds for Washington, DC.  girls, where one in ten won't finish high school. 

Up to now- 100% of our middle school girls are promoted to the next grade, 100% of high school  girls are promoted and graduate!   Our high school group is growing - and proudly, 100 % of our seniors are  getting accepted into college!  Do you remember what a big deal that was for you?  For many of our girls, they are the first in their families to go to college. We think it's important to celebrate their hard work and success in overcoming the number one reason girls in our area give for dropping out of high school before they graduate  -  "family responsibilities." So it's a big deal that instead of a baby shower - we are giving them a college shower!

100% of our GoFundMe donations will support this celebration for all 20 seniors. We anticipate $250 per girl will provide a shower caddy filled with fresh personal items and a gift card to Target or Bed, Bath and Beyond!

Can you spare the cost of Starbucks for a week? Can you open a door to a corporate gift?  Does your company match? Can you organize a Happy Hour?  Can your organization/sorority/women's group adopt us for the cause? 

We hear so much these days about the need for women to take their rightful place in the leadership circles of every industry.  We agree.  And we also know that women leaders begin with girls who are in touch with their inner strong, smart and bold. It's what we do at Girls Inc DC every day! For these graduates, heading off to college means they are closer to reaching their dreams, achieving their aspirations and becoming educated, independent women,  ready to make their own contributions to our world. 

Help us say "we're so proud of you!" and give them a great send off!
Learn more about how we support girls.  Watch the video. Visit our website.  And help us "Fund Her Future! 

Thanks everyone!   www.girlsincdc.org