Go Back to School Empowered

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Across the country, students are experiencing their first day of school – some in new schools, others returning to a familiar place. No matter where they go, Empowered Flower Girl wants students to have a stellar school year, free of drama and full of enriching experiences.
Since June, we reached dozens of youth – and parents – who’ve committed to a shade-free summer. Others pledged to be drama free. We hope that this spirit of unity and positivity continue throughout the summer and well into the fall semester and beyond.
We encourage parents, mentors and educators to model good behavior on and offline. Youth are watching. They look up to the adults in their lives to provide guidance, support and advice.
Speaking of advice, here’s some for an empowered school year:
 Being successful in school already takes a ton of focus and energy. There’s no need to add social media drama to the mix. Avoid the temptation of engaging in online conflict and drama. Ignore the haters and break the internet with positivity. 

 

Inspired Professionals Series presents For the Love of (_____): Proclaim Your Passion

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Networking event unites community and civic minded professionals for a cause

After a successful launch in January with the Mentoring Month Mix & Mingle, the Inspired Professionals Series continues with “For the Love of (_______): Proclaim Your Passion” from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 26.

The series is hosted by Empowered Flower Girl (EFG) in partnership with the Skyline Club, 2000 Town Center, in Southfield.

“The Inspired Professionals Series brings together community and civic minded individual for purposeful networking,” said Rasheda Kamaria, EFG chief empowering officer and founder. “For the Love of attendees will have an opportunity to share what they’re up to in the world, build their dream teams and learn from others making a powerful difference.”

Admission is $15 per person and includes appetizers, drink ticket for the lounge after the presentation and giveaways. Reservations are required. Call the Skyline Club at 248-350-9898 to RSVP or email rkamaria@empoweredflowergirl.com for more information.

“For the Love of (_______): Proclaim Your Passion”​supports Alternatives for Girls and its mentoring program. Monetary and/or in-kind donations will be accepted.

Thinking about volunteering but don’t know where to start? Empowered Flower Girl’s Rasheda Kamaria offers the following tips to help you find and cultivate your passion:

— Research organizations that focus on the issues you care about the most or create opportunities for yourself to make a difference. Do you want to make the world a better place children and teens? Consider mentoring or tutoring. Passionate about saving the planet? Start a sustainability program at your workplace.

— There are numerous causes and charities in which to get involved. Websites like Idealist.org and Volunteermatch.org are great resources to help you find opportunities that touch, move and inspire you to take action.

For the Love Flyer

 

Chica Chat: Inspiring Sisterhood promotes empowering friendships

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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.

Empowered Flower Girl to celebrate National Mentoring Month during Jan. 25 event

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MentorUSpicDETROIT – In honor of National Mentoring Month in January, Empowered Flower Girl LLC will host a celebration and networking event for youth advocates and other adults interested in empowering children.

The Mentoring Month Mix & Mingle, scheduled from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014, at D:hive, 1253 Woodward Ave., is free and open to the public.

Attendees will have the opportunity to:

– Mix and mingle with other youth advocates, mentors and people who care about children.
– Learn about local mentoring organizations and opportunities to make a difference.
– Hear from “Mentor Me!” author Paula Dirkes, who will lead a fun and interactive exercise.
– Meet experts who will demystify what it means to be a mentor.
– Have fun exploring the “D” and learning about cool things to do in the city.

Rasheda Kamaria, chief empowering officer and founder of Empowered Flower Girl, encourages adults of all backgrounds to consider mentoring.

“Women, men, college students, entrepreneurs, single professionals, stay-at-home parents and everyday people all have something to offer young people,” says Kamaria, who has mentored six girls since 2001. “Sometimes we underestimate ourselves and think that we’re not successful enough or cool enough to have an impact. But all it takes is a big heart and a little time to be the change in a young person’s life.

For more information or to RSVP, visit www.mentormixandmingle.eventbrite.com. Learn more about Empowered Flower Girl’s “Be the Change. Be a Mentor” campaign at www.empoweredflowergirl.com/mentor-month.

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October is National Bullying Prevention & Awareness Month

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Anti BullyingIt is estimated that more than half of all American teenagers witness bullying at least once a day in school. An estimated 1.6 million kids in grades 6-12 are bullied once a week.

Chances are you know a young person who has been a victim of bullying. Chances are you know a young person who’s witnessed bullying. Chances are you know a young person who has been a perpetrator of bullying.

This October, as the nation observes National Bullying Prevention Month, Empowered Flower Girl asks that you take time to talk with the young people in your lives. More importantly, take time to listen.

Bullies and their victims have something in common – they both are dealing with some sort of pain. They both need someone to listen to their challenges, struggles, aspirations and hopes. Listening can empower victims and transform perpetrators.

The question is: How will you be the change in a young person’s life? Join Empowered Flower Girl in being an advocate for youth.

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for events, resources and tips for empowering youth, schools and communities. For more information about our workshops and programs, visitwww.empoweredflowergirl.com or call 248-629-0334. 

 

Cyberbullying prevention starts at home

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Reported incidences cyberbullying are all too common in the Digital Age. Even kindergartners have access to a world of information in the palm of their hands thanks to smartphones and other mobile devices.

While schools and communities across the nation are implementing programs to curb in-school and online harassment, prevention ultimately starts at home.

With the increase in bullycides and bullying-related illnesses over the years, parents should be aware of and engaged in their children’s online activities.

Tweens and teens may consider it snooping, but Rasheda Kamaria, Empowered Flower Girl CEO, considers it conscious parenting.

“Informed parents are better able to help their children identify safe spaces online and avoid those that are potentially harmful,” she said.

Knowing which social networks and electronic communications tools are out there and which ones your children are actively engaging in is the first step. A study from Wayne State University’s College of Nursing, which surveyed nearly 400 metro Detroit youth ages 10 to 18, found that on average, youth spend two hours a day online and send 189 text messages. Additionally, some youth reported having up to 25 email accounts.

Jemica Carter, Ph.D., who co-authored the WSU study with associate professor Feleta Wilson, Ph.D., recommends parents get tech savvy.

“Some parents are unintentionally unaware of their children’s online patterns because they may not have access to the same technology or have challenges using it. Many community organizations and libraries offer free or low-cost computer and social media training for adults,” she said. “Education is the first line of prevention.”

The following are additional tips to help parents prevent and address cyberbullying:

Ask questions. Take an active role by inquiring about your child’s relationships with peers on and off line.  Most children won’t volunteer the information. Parents should ask specific, preferably open-ended questions to get their children to open up.

Host a tech-free family night. Ditch the cell phones, laptops and tablets for dinner and conversation. For some teens, talking face-to-face may seem old-fashioned but it’s a great way for families to connect. It also reduces the temptation to go online.

Be a role model. Parents are their children’s first teacher and play an important role in influencing appropriate online behavior. Parents should be conscious of what they’re posting on social networks and make an extra effort to use technology responsibly.

Overall, the entire community – parents, schools, community groups, faith-based organizations – play an important role in preventing and ending cyberbullying.

Empowered Flower Girl receives $2,100 to fund workshops in Detroit schools

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Hazel Park students write empowering messages to girls during Chica Chat.

Empowered Flower Girl (EFG), a company that produces workshops and programs to inspire girls and young women to live powerfully, received more than $2,100 to fund Chica Chat workshops in Detroit schools and communities.

Detroit SOUP, which gives micro-grants to creative social entrepreneurs, hosted its three-year anniversary and monthly pitch session on Sunday, Feb. 10. After receiving majority of the crowd votes, EFG took home the cash donation.

“The support from the community was overwhelming and heartfelt,” said Rasheda Kamaria, EFG chief empowering officer and founder. “It’s encouraging to meet people who are making a difference in and around Detroit. I am truly inspired by all of the positive energy and people in this city. I look forward to working with local schools to bring the Chica Chats to the students.”

Over the next month, Kamaria will work with the community to identify schools that would benefit from hosting a Chica Chat session. The workshop fosters positive and empowering relationships among girls and young women. Participants have the opportunity to be self-expressed, heard and understood by their peers and adult mentors in a supportive, safe and accepting environment.  Additionally, girls learn the art of networking by participating in fun and engaging ice-breaking activities and have the opportunity to ask questions anonymously that are answered by their peers with facilitation by adult mentors.

On Wednesday, Jan. 30, EFG teamed up with Hazel Park Junior High to host a Chica Chat. Nearly 40 sixth through eighth graders participated in the event.

For more information or to suggest a school, email rkamaria@empoweredflowergirl.com or call 248-629-0EFG. Kamaria also is looking to partner with a local mentoring or nonprofit organization to host a community-wide Chica Chat for girls in the city and suburbs late this spring.

 

Empowered Flower Girl Workshops for Schools & Communities

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Booking spring and summer workshops!

Rasheda speaks with Communicating with Confidence workshop participant.

Empowered Flower Girl Chief Empowering Officer Rasheda Kamaria invites schools and community organizations throughout southeast Michigan and beyond to book an empowering workshop this school year.

Kamaria delivers engaging content that inspires youth, teachers, parents and the community. From workshops combating teasing, cyberbullying and drama, to programs encouraging goal-setting and career exploration, Empowered Flower Girl can helps schools and organizations address critical social issues in a way that empowers and entertains.

 

Workshops include:

  • Chica Chat – Empowered Flower Girl’s most popular workshop which fosters positive and empowering relationships among girls and young women. The two-hour program ultimately aims to combat teasing cyberbullying, girl drama and cliques. Participants have the opportunity to be self expressed, heard and understood by their peers and adult mentors in a supportive, safe and accepting environment.  Activities challenge stereotypes and “mean girl” behavior.
  • Goal Setting through Vision Boards – This workshop takes arts and crafts time to a new level. Participants learn the art of positive thinking and visualization as a method of goal setting. Each participant leaves with a vision board.
  • Communicating with Confidence –Teens learn new and effective ways to communicate with diverse audiences including the general public, potential funders and the media. The interactive workshop includes networking, mock interviews and an impromptu “talk show” culminating the training.

 

Empowered Flower Girl workshops are cost-effective for schools and nonprofits and are offered for as little at $5-10 per participant. As a social venture, Empowered Flower Girl is dedicated to supporting the community and gives back 25% of all merchandise sales to schools and organizations during cause campaigns throughout the year.

For more information or to book your workshop, email rkamaria@empoweredflowergirl.com or call 248-629-0334.

“The Communicating with Confidence workshop was fun, informative and engaging.  The girls really enjoyed the hands-on activities.  We received such positive feedback from the girls.  This was a learning experience they will truly remember.” Tonya Weary, Founder of Young Entrepreneurs Series