
Business is Delightful for Detroit-area Tweenpreneur



Event celebrates women, addresses issues impacting girls
March is Women’s History Month and Empowered Flower Girl LLC is inviting a diverse group of women to network and celebrate sisterhood while addressing the issues that impact girls and young women.
“Mentoring Girls & Inspiring Sisterhood,” is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 26, at the Skyline Club, 2000 Town Center in Southfield. The event is the third in the Inspired Professionals Series, which gives civic- and community-minded individuals a chance to connect with others who care about kids and learn about opportunities to make a difference.
“Mentoring Girls & Inspiring Sisterhood” features a preview of the documentary Redefining Beauty, chronicling the lives of Detroit-area girls who candidly share their fears, dreams, challenges and hopes.
“Our goal is to promote the power of sisterhood and encourage women to celebrate themselves and each other,” said EFG Chief Empowering Officer Rasheda Kamaria, a Royal Oak resident. “We want to make sure that our girls have positive role models to help them as they transition into womanhood.”
Attendees will be pampered and treated to appetizers, a drink ticket, and fabulous giveaways. Tickets are $25.
The first 25 guests to RSVP will receive a special gift. Register with the Skyline Club at 248-350-9898.

After facilitating Chica Chat workshops for the past three and half years, I noticed a common desire among participants: Girls actually want positive, cordial relationships with other girls.
However some don’t feel confident enough to break the ice. They have a desire to create lasting bonds, but fear vulnerability. Results of our surveys show that the higher girls’ ability in expressing their feelings to others the more likely they are to have satisfaction in friendships.
Who can blame them for their hesitation when popular reality TV shows depict women as drama queens engaged in cat fights, backstabbing and other devious behaviors.
But there’s hope. We can transform the way girls and young women relate to one another. We can be mentors and positive role models. We can turn off the TV and have real conversations with the girls and young women in our lives. We can surround ourselves with uplifting, encouraging and authentic people.
It starts with us.
Participants in the Youth on the Edge of Greatness (YOE) summer program on Detroit’s eastside experienced Empowered Flower Girl’s upgraded Chica Chat workshop “Inspiring Sisterhood.” Approximately 24 girls participated in the Chica Chat, which was offer in conjuntion with YOE’s Girl Talk session. The group of 8-14 year olds explored friendships, frenemies, cyberbullying and stereotyping while learning problem-solving techniques and new ways to relate and communicate with others.
The Chica Chat: Inspiring Sisterhood workshop will be offered again on Aug. 16, 2014 as part of the I Feel Good: Mind, Body and Soul women’s conference at Wayne State University. For more information, visit the event website.

Are you an educator, parent or mentor who cares about the wellbeing and livelihood of young people in your community? Are you concerned that they may be missing out on an inspired life because of challenges at school, at home or among their peer groups?
Those questions arise for many adults who work with youth. That’s why in 2010, Empowered Flower Girl was launched.
I was a mentor and youth advocate who wanted to do something to make a difference for middle and high school students – who like me – were teased, bullied and ostracized by classmates and even relatives. But I knew that in order to help those students who were bullied and harassed, I had to find a way to also help those who were the aggressors or perpetrators.
The prevention and treatment of bullying in both perpetrators and victims is vitally important.
Cognitive-behavioral interventions have shown effectiveness across educational environments, disability types, ethnicity, and gender.
Empowered Flower Girl’s programs equip youth with problem-solving techniques and encourage transformation and acceptance.
Ultimately, we believe that if students are equipped with the skills to peacefully and effectively problem solve as well as have the capacity for empathy, then they are less likely to be offenders of bullying, hazing or other disruptive behaviors.
Empowered Flower Girl offers engaging and interactive workshops and programs that inspire and entertain youth, teachers, parents and the community.
From workshops combating teasing, cyberbullying and cliques, to programs encouraging goal-setting and self-esteem, Empowered Flower Girl helps schools and organizations address critical social issues.
Schedule your workshop today!
info@empoweredflowergirl.com
248-629-0EFG
For Empowered Flower Girl, 2013 has been an eventful and inspiring year. Over the past 11 months, EFG has had the honor of facilitating workshops and programs throughout southeastern Michigan and Lansing. Approximately 225 girls and women participated in our Chica Chat and Mentoring Girls & Inspiring Sisterhood workshops.
Thanks to Detroit SOUP, we were able to offer Chica Chats to a diverse group of girls and young women, including teenagers struggling with challenging behaviors and addictions. Over the summer, we partnered with Detroit Parent Network to host the first Community Chica Chat.
We also celebrated our three-year anniversary with friends, family and supporters, including Detroit City Council President Saunteel Jenkins.
I’d like to thank everyone who attended an event, recommended us to a friend, “liked” us on social media or sent positive energy. Your support helps us help girls and young women live POWERfully.
Empowered Flower Girl’s reach and impact in 2013:
Hazel Park Middle School of Hazel Park, Mich.
Reach Academy of Roseville, Mich.
Serenity Program at Capstone Academy
Family Literacy Night, Detroit Parent Network
I Feel Good: Mind, Body & Soul Women’s Conference
I am Woman Expo
Parenting Awareness Michigan Conference
Women’s Weekend at Citadel of Praise
Girl’s Life Magazine
Black America Web
Tenacity Radio
C and G News
ColorBlind Magazine
BLAC Magazine
Metro Parent Magazine
CBS Detroit
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Empowered Flower Girl’s Rasheda Kamaria will present the Chica Chat workshop to more than 75 girls and young women ages 11-18 attending the “I Feel Good: Mind, Body & Soul” women’s conference on Saturday, Aug. 17 at Wayne State University in Detroit.
The conference, hosted by Super Woman Productions & Publishing, is family oriented and focuses on relevant issues that young women face in society. Moms and dads alike are asked to attend with their daughters.
“The purpose of the event is to educate and motivate women to live healthier lives; socially, financially and physically, beginning at a younger age. This conference will be the first of its kind,” said Super Woman CEO Angela T. Jones.”
“I Feel Good” features workshops covering topics such as self esteem, wellness, entrepreneurship, dating violence prevention and social networking etiquette. There will be giveaways, entertainment and a vendor fair.
For more information or to register, visit the official “I Feel Good” conference website.
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Meeting your mentee and her family for the first time can be an intimidating experience. You conjure up all kinds of scenarios in your head – a disgruntled kid, who is resistant or a suspicious parent, who questions your every move. These circumstances may play out like a drama in your mind’s eye. Thankfully, none of those happened for me. In fact, my experience was the opposite.
It’s been four years since I was introduced to my mentee Jordan. To this day, we’re still learning from each other. She’s an inquisitive, mature and friendly 12 year old. Being a mentor is one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had since graduating college. Interestingly enough, I became a mentor for Alternatives for Girls during my senior year at Wayne State University.
Jordan’s mom Carmelita had this to say about our mentor/mentee relationship:

“Having a mentor has introduced Jordan to different activities and experiences. She’s grown so much because of it. You all have done things together that I haven’t had the opportunity to do because of my unpredictable work schedule,” she says. “She looks at you like a big sister. She’s always excited and looks forward to the next meeting.”
Still not sure about mentoring?
Here are a few insights that may help you:
– You don’t have to be rich or famous or have super powers. Honestly, you don’t even have to be employed to be a good mentor. Kids just want to know you care.
– Most youth seeking mentors are good kids. While some youth may come from troubled backgrounds, many of them come from stable home environments. They may have challenges in school or socially. All children are different. Get to know them.
– If you have a big heart and a little time, then you’re a great candidate. Sometimes, a phone call is all it takes to make a difference.
When you feel inspired to pay it forward, consider donating your time to a young person. Visit www.mentoring.org for additional resources.
When asked what’s the most important lesson learned during the Thursday, June 13th Community Chica Chat, one confident 13 year old said “don’t be afraid to express yourself.”
That was one of the goals of the two-hour workshop facilitated by Empowered Flower Girl CEO and Founder Rasheda Kamaria.
“Chica Chat is all about promoting sisterhood while empowering girls’ self expression, uniqueness and personal power,” said Kamaria, who founded the social enterprise in 2010. “The cyberbullying, drama and cliques are just the side effect of a bigger issue – the lack of communication skills and tools.”
Nearly 25 girls participated in the workshop held in partnership with Detroit Parent Network. Earlier this year, Kamaria received a $2,100 grant to support Empowered Flower Girl and its workshops/programs.
In addition to the Community Chica Chat, Empowered Flower Girl has hosted two workshops at Capstone Academy, a program for adjudicated adolescent girls ages 12-19.
On Aug. 17, Kamaria will facilitate a mini Chica Chat as part of the “I Feel Good: Mind, Body & Soul” women’s conference.
For more information about the event visit www.superwomanproductions.com.
Learn more about Empowered Flower Girl’s workshops and programs at www.empoweredflowergirl.com.
Images courtesy of Bontisha Rose Photography