Girl World Peace Graduates Making an Impact

Meet the course alumni positively impacting the world

It’s been over two years since Empowered Flower Girl launched Girl World Peace Academy (GWPA). In such a short time, our dedicated alumni (from the U.S. and Canada) have made an immeasurable impact in their communities. These trailblazers are changing the world one step at a time with every girl they empower, every woman they inspire, and every life they touch.

From Michigan to South Carolina, we salute a few of our incredible alumni:

Chantia-4Chantia Thompson- Girlz Empowered

Chantia, who joined our very first cohort of amazing participants, is inspiring girls and women to be well. We’re excited to announce that this spring, Chantia is opening her first wellness center in the Detroit metro area! “Our mission is to offer a safe space for the community to heal and grow into their authentic self.”  Services will include healing circles, yoga, meditation, literacy programs, doula services and more.

Profile pic 2 - Tameka Citchen-SpruceTameka Citchen Spruce – My Girl Story Documentary

Since enrolling in GWPA, Tameka has been out in the community making connections and a difference. Her award-winning documentary, “My Girl Story,” is now available on Tubi and she works as co-director of a leadership program for BIPOC individuals with disabilities and parents of children with disabilities. “I was selected for NACDD’s Betty Williams Champion of Equal Opportunity Award and Unlock Her Potential Mentorship program with W. Kamau Bell as my mentor.” 

7DFC97D0-79D8-4282-A0C5-2A56C372EECE - Breaking Barriers (1)Porshe Colts – Breaking Barriers No Boundaries Inc

These days, Porshe and BBNB are creating valuable and memorable workshops for girls in the Columbia, S.C. area. On April 14,2023 the organization assisted in hosting the first annual college tour in the area for middle and high school girls. “It was all of the girls’ first time visiting a college campus and they loved it! We are looking forward to growth and more partnerships in the near future.”

About Girl World Peace Academy

Girl World Peace Academy is a self-guided online course + coaching for youth advocates of all backgrounds – from teachers and counselors to after-school program professionals and mentors.

This course is especially for you if:

  • You aspire to make a difference in the lives of girls and young women. 
  • Girls in your school or community face social or emotional challenges (bullying, peer pressure, trauma, etc.) that impact their ability to thrive.
  • You seek empowering and interactive tools and content that complement your current or future SEL, prevention or after-school programming.
  • You can use help getting the word out about the good you’re doing (to media, sponsors and potential participants)

Questions about the course or general questions about the youth empowerment space? Book a free discovery call with Rasheda. Learn more by visiting www.girlworldpeace.com/info. We’re currently enrolling for our spring/summer cohort. 

Empowered Flower Girl one of three Detroit area organizations to win a $5,000 Social Impact Grant

The Consulate General of Israel to the Midwest announced winners of its Social Impact Grants during an awards ceremony on Friday, June 17, in Detroit.

Empowered Flower Girl was selected among three Michigan-based organizations to receive a grant.

Other organizations awarded include: Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice and Quartz Water Source.

“Out of the numerous applications that we received, these three grassroots organizations reflect a value that is also quintessential to Israeli society: taking care of our own and each other” said Yinam Cohen, Consul General of Israel to the Midwest.

Empowered Flower Girl will use the funds to host events this fall, including a Be the Impact Summit in honor of International Day of the Girl and service-learning showcase for youth.

“At Empowered Flower Girl, our tagline is be empowered, live powerfully and this wonderful Social Impact Grant from the Consulate General of Israel to the Midwest will help us continue our work with young people who are being the change in their schools, communities and in the world,” said EFG Founder and Chief Empowering Officer Rasheda Williams.

In 2021, the Consulate provided its first Social Impact Grants in Minneapolis. The Consulate General of Israel to the Midwest is charged with connecting to the following states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

Empowered Flower Girl founder named to MentHer’s Top 20 Social Impact Founders List

IMG-20211216-WA0003Rasheda Kamaria Williams, chief empowering officer and founder of Empowered Flower Girl, has been named among MentHer magazine’sTop 20 Social Impact Founders.” Rasheda joins 19 other women around the globe named to the first annual list featured in the December issue of MentHer magazine, themed “Make Your Mark.”

The announcement was made during MentHer’s virtual Social Impact Summit on Dec. 16. 

“While attending the summit, I was surprised and honored to learn that I made the top 20 list,” Rasheda said. “The women on this list are doing some incredible work across the globe. I was shocked, yet humbled to be included. Empowered women empower women and work to help others realize their power to create change.”

The MentHer organization and magazine were founded by Ntsiki Mkhize, a South African social entrepreneur, author and model. The Social Impact Founder’s List, celebrates female founders making an impact through their business or non-profit. The 20 finalists collectively represent a combined 90 years of social impact work, over 140 jobs created, more than $14 million in annual revenue or grant funding and over 171,000 lives impacted.

About Empowered Flower Girl

Empowered Flower Girl is a social enterprise on a mission to transform the way young people relate to one another and themselves. The company provides resources and tools to help youth and youth advocates live above life’s drama (from cyberbullying to societal pressure) and make a powerful difference in the world. 

View or download the magazine here

She’s EmPOWERed: Tulsa Teenpreneur Uses Greeting Cards to Inspire, Celebrate Girls of Color

Kolbi Lucas was introduced to the world of entrepreneurship as a tween after she noticed a lack of diversity in the greeting card industry. 

That introduction quickly became a passion when she discovered that she could also use her ideas to create and control her future. “I have received a lot of support from many girls and women who tell me that I have inspired them,” said Kolbi, 13. “Their words are affirming and make me feel like I am on the right path.”

That path was directed while Kolbi was out shopping for a birthday card for a friend. She realized there were very few cards with images of Black and Brown girls. 

So, at 10 years old, she started Kolbi’s Afromations – a company that designs handcrafted greeting cards and stationery.   
She hopes that her cards inspire, encourage, and affirm the beauty, intelligence and magic of being a Black girl.

Words of Encouragement
As a successful girlpreneur, Kolbi offers some encouraging advice to aspiring young business owners. 

“Be patient with your business. It is a process, and you won’t always see the success you want right away’” she said. “Prioritize your business by managing your time. As a business owner, you have to be willing to put in the time it takes to provide the best quality for your customers. Sometimes, this means sacrificing things you want to do, but in the end, it will help your business grow.”

Kolbi has aspirations of her own. After high school, she plans to attend NYU or Howard University and study art or fashion. The ambitious teen is interested in being a fashion designer, stylist, or chief editor for a high-end brand. She’s also interested in acting. 

We’re sure she will flourish in any career. Kudos to Kolbi!

Connect with Kolbi:
IG: Kolbis_afromations 
FB: Kolbi’s Afromations

Empowered Flower Girl to Host “Be the Impact” Service-Learning Training and If I Were President Campaign

On January 20, U.S. citizens will inaugurate their 46th president. And while presidents and other elected officials serve their country as leaders and policymakers, they aren’t the only ones who can affect change.  

Ordinary people make extraordinary contributions to our society every day.  

Empowered Flower Girl (EFG) is inviting youth and youth advocates to explore the impact they can have and the difference they can make regardless of age or occupation. 

As a social enterprise dedicated to helping young people live above life’s drama to make a POWERful difference, EFG will host “Be the Impact,” a virtual service-learning training and introduction to our “If I Were President” campaign.  

“We will explore ways youth can tackle and solve issues in their communities as well as support and resources available to them,” said Rasheda Kamaria Williams, chief empowering officer for Empowered Flower Girl.  

The campaign will culminate with an “inauguration” event on MLK Day, January 18, 2021, where participants will share their ideas and celebrate and support one another to make them a reality. 

Two participants will be randomly selected during the inauguration to receive a $100 gift card in honor of their ideas to make a difference in their communities. 

The training and inauguration event are being hosted as part of Youth Service America’s MLK Day of Service initiative. Empowered Flower Girl was among eight Michigan-based organizations awarded a grant from the Michigan Service Squad to carry out service-learning trainings and projects in honor of Dr. King’s legacy.  

Be the Impact Training 

Monday, January 4 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. ET 

www.betheimpacttraining.eventbrite.com

She’s EmPOWERed: Empowered Flower Girl salutes girls making an impact

There are kids in our communities and around the world tackling issues and championing causes – from climate change and racism to access to education and homelessness. Although it’s our job as adults to pave the way and solve these problems, I am still inspired by the courage, dedication and commitment of children and teens globally. 

Empowered Flower Girl is committed to showcasing youth making a positive difference and those who are using their gifts to bring joy to others.

Do you know a young social entrepreneur or change maker (who identifies as female) from 5 to 25, let us know. We’ll highlight her in the next issue of Be EmPOWERed. Email details (name, age, city and up to 100 words on why your nominee should be selected) to rkamaria@empoweredflowergirl.com.

Parental consent will be required for those under 18. Once we receive your nomination, an online form will be email.

Youth featured receive recognition via social media, Empowered Flower Girl swag, as well as a gift from partner companies or those empowering girls and young women.

Make sure you sign up to receive the Be EmPOWERed newsletter!

(Empowered Flower Girl reserves the right to reject incomplete or irrelevant nominations)