Is It Teasing, Bullying or Something Else? Experts Across the Country Make the Distinction

Posted on by empoweredflowergirl

In an effort to help parents and caregivers identify and address bullying, WedMD recently published the feature “What Does Bullying Look Like?”

Patricia Agatston, Ph.D., International Bullying Prevention Association president, and others across the country, offered their expertise in defining what is and what isn’t bullying and what can be done to identify and support children who’ve been impacted by it.  Read the full feature here.

Agatston, a national cyberbullying, will be among the speakers at the Michigan Bullying Prevention Conference, scheduled October 1, 2016, in Royal Oak, Michigan.

Registration for the full-day event is $25 and includes breakfast and lunch. The conference will be preceded by a FREE social media workshop for parents.  Karuna Nain, Facebook global safety manager, will present “Navigating the Social World with Your Teens — Insights from Facebook,” on Thursday, September 29. Visit the Michigan conference website for details.

 

Get Noticed: No-cost tools to promote your program

Posted on by empoweredflowergirl

For many do gooders (especially social entrepreneurs, nonprofit directors and coaches), modesty and meekness are exalted virtues. But for those of you who want to expand your impact in the community and ultimately the world – silence isn’t golden.

There is no glory in your program being a best kept secret. After all, keeping secrets is rude.

Over the years, my company Empowered Flower Girl has garnered the attention of news writers and producers, bloggers and other journalists.

Why? Because we make a conscious effort to reach out to them.

I suggest you do the same to promote your program, especially if you offer services or products that make a difference for people.

But I’m not a PR person, you say.

Even if you have no clue how to contact a reporter, you can still gain coverage for your program or even your expertise.

How, you ask? HARO (Help A Reporter Out). I recommend anyone who runs a program – and doesn’t yet have a marketing and media relations team – to sign up for HARO. It’s FREE.

You’ll get daily inquiries from reporters and producers from a variety of media outlets.

Still not convinced you have what it takes? Contact me and ask about Empowered Flower Girl’s Unknown to Renowned media and community outreach program.

Rasheda Kamaria is a mentor turned social entrepreneur on a mission to transform the way young people relate to one another. She is a communications professional and founder/chief empowering officer for Empowered Flower Girl. A survivor of bullying, Rasheda was featured in the May 2011 issue of Cosmopolitan magazine in the article “Being Bullied Changed My Life.” Visit empoweredflowergirl.com.

Prom Season Savings: Frugal fashionistas, we’ve got you covered

Posted on by empoweredflowergirl

Nonprofits coast to coast are offering free dresses, accessories and in some cases hair and makeup services, to young ladies attending prom. With expenses (including promposals) ranging from $733 to nearly $1,500 – according to a recent survey from Visa – prom can be a huge expense, especially for lower-income families.

But many organizations and local businesses are helping families save money by collecting gently worn and even new dresses and accessories. No need to dip into college savings funds to look fab for prom.

Check out these groups offering free prom attire for girls (and even boys):

Paying for prom shouldn't involve dipping into college funds!
Paying for prom shouldn’t involve dipping into college funds! Get a dress for FREE.

Nationwide

Becca’s Closet

New York

Operation Prom

Detroit

Hope Closet

Denver

Bella Boutique

San Diego

Princess Project

Need additional cost-cutting tips for prom? Check out the article, “8 Ways to Save Cash on a Prom Dress,” from Metro Parent magazine.

Rasheda Kamaria is a mentor turned social entrepreneur on a mission to transform the way young people relate to one another. She is a communications professional and founder/chief empowering officer for Empowered Flower Girl. A survivor of bullying, Rasheda was featured in the May 2011 issue of Cosmopolitan magazine in the article “Being Bullied Changed My Life.” Visit empoweredflowergirl.com.

How to eff up your summer in 5 simple steps

Posted on by empoweredflowergirl

By Rasheda Kamaria

Don't be these girls, grounded and miserable for the summer.
Don’t be like these girls, grounded and miserable for the summer.

School’s almost out for the summer and Empowered Flower Girl wants you to make the most of it. But countless media reports have shown that some of you will mess it up even before it begins. From posting inappropriate pics to starting drama online, there are some surefire ways to have an effed up summer break. Don’t be that kid.

5. Cyberstalk your ex. As tempting as it may be to check your ex’s Instagram daily for new likes and comments from admirers, you should probably focus on something else – like yourself. Spare yourself the heartache.

4.Get in a Twitter fight with a celebrity. We all love to voice our opinions about celebrities who do crazy things, have wardrobe malfunctions or make fashion missteps. But resist getting into a battle with a famous person – especially Beyonce. The Beehive stings.

3.Put your BFF on blast via Facebook. Sure, best friends can disappoint us or even do jerky things from time to time. But, there is a better way to bring this to their attention rather than posting a shady status update. Pick up the phone, send an email or IM him or her and ask for your old friend back!

2.Post incriminating pics on Instagram. This is one of the best ways to kiss your potential summer internship or college acceptance good-bye. Even if everyone else is doing it, DO NOT post pics of drug or alcohol use, private parts or illegal activity online.

1.Do something productive. I know. This doesn’t follow the format of the other tips because you actually SHOULD engage in productive activities. Volunteer for a worthy cause, get a summer job or learn a new skill. Keeping yourself occupied will keep you out of trouble and give you a confidence boost.

You’re welcome.

Rasheda Kamaria is a mentor turned social entrepreneur on a mission to transform the way young people relate to one another. She is a communications professional and founder/chief empowering officer for Empowered Flower Girl. A survivor of bullying, Rasheda was featured in the May 2011 issue of Cosmopolitan magazine in the article “Being Bullied Changed My Life.” Visit empoweredflowergirl.com.

Life After Bullying

Posted on by empoweredflowergirl

Growing up, I was creative, social, mature and kind. Those were the adjectives I preferred to use to describe myself. But a group of kids in my class had a few other monikers in mind for me – weird, nerd, wannbe, Oreo and teacher’s pet.

I was teased, bullied and harassed almost daily from seventh to eighth grade.

In 2011 – five years ago this month – Cosmopolitan magazine published my story in the article “Being Bullied Changed My Life.” The article focused on women who were bullied as teens – before the digital age – and how the constant taunting impacted their lives both negatively and positively.

I shared my journey from excluded to empowered and the steps I took to overcome the drama.

After the story was published, I received emails and instant messages commending me for my courage. Empowered Flower Girl even gained 100+ Facebook fans/followers as a result.

I’m grateful for the opportunity to have shared my story publicly and encourage any who has overcome a challenge, obstacle or hardship to do the same. You never know whose life you might change or even save as a result.