Council Announces Funding in Support of Black Girls
[Columbus, OH] Council is excited to announce funding for organizations supporting black girls in Columbus, as part of The Commission on Black Girls.
The Commission on Black Girls, which focuses on girls between the
ages of 11-22, was created to help the City develop a better understanding of
the issues impacting Black girls in our community and to provide
recommendations to enhance their quality of life. Since its inception in
July 2018, The Commission has participated in fact-finding presentations
regarding issues impacting Black Girls - hearing from subject matter experts on
topics such as physical health, behavioral health, education, juvenile justice,
child welfare, social media, and programs for Black girls and more.
“I believe that we can change the trajectory of the lives for
Black women in this community, but to do so, black girls must be given the
resources that they need to improve the quality of their lives,” said
Councilmember Tyson. “Moreover, they must be given the tools that they
need to make the long-term, strategic decisions necessary to keep them moving
forward.”
Information received by the Commission has demonstrated that
services which provide mentorship, and leadership development, along with
educational opportunities to enhance academic growth are important elements to
help Black girls thrive. In order to support programs offering
these services Councilmember Tyson is sponsoring legislation to fund:
-
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Alpha Sigma Omega Chapter - The
Alpha Sigma Omega Leaders in Training program;
- Brown Girls Mentoring;
- Columbus Ohio Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
- The Delta Academy and Delta Gems programs; and
- Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.; Gamma Zeta Zeta Chapter & Gamma
Zeta Zeta Education Foundation - The Archonette Club, and Zetas Helping Other
People Excel (ZHOPE) programs
Summary of the
Programs Receiving Funding
The Alpha Sigma Omega Leaders in Training program
The Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Alpha Sigma Omega Chapter
offers the Alpha Sigma Omega Leaders in Training program for middle school
girls, grades 6th -8th. The goal of the program is to teach girls the
importance of becoming leaders within their schools, communities and
families. Its focus is to introduce leadership development and help girls
believe they can be leaders now and in the future. Opportunities for community
engagement and leadership growth will be explored through service projects;
participation in arts and culture events; and the annual Girls Leadership Expo
which will showcase what the girls have learned while participating in the
program.
Brown Girls Mentoring
Brown Girls Mentoring is a leadership development program that is
designed to help Black Girls find their voices; teach them how to withstand
adversity; introduce them to other Black women who are making changes in their
communities; and equip them with tools and resources to lead themselves and
others well.
Key areas of the program focuses
on the following:
- Inner
Confidence
- Leading
Yourself Well
- How
to Lead Others
- Effective
Communication Skills
- Overcoming
Adversity
- Respecting
Yourself and Others
- Building
Trust
The Delta Academy and Delta Gems programs;
The Delta Academy curriculum is centered on activities for young
women ages 11 to 14, and focuses on social and emotional development,
physiological transitioning and exposure to global ideas and learning objectives.
The curriculum focuses on self-awareness and is designed to develop young women
with positive attitudes towards themselves and others, and who are effective
and optimistic problem solvers, that are confident about their future.
Delta GEMS is an acronym for Growing & Empowering Myself
Successfully. Since its inception in 2004, the Delta GEMS youth
initiative has served as a catalyst for young African American women between
the ages of 14 to 18 to enhance their abilities in order to achieve academic
excellence. The national curriculum focuses on programs and activities
that sharpen as well as enhance their leadership skills by promoting high
levels of academic success and emphasizing decision-making and planning for
college.
The Archonette Club, and Zetas Helping Other People Excel (ZHOPE)
programs
The From Girls to Pearls Rites of Passage Program objective is to
provide a program for female adolescents of color to prepare them – physically,
socially, emotionally, intellectually, spiritually, and culturally for passage
from childhood to teen. Targeted constituencies: girls age 13 or in the 8th
grade. However, 7th and 9th graders can participate.
Archonettes are high school-aged young ladies who demonstrate an
interest in the goals and the ideals of scholarship, sisterly love, and
community service. Archonette groups are a nationally recognized auxiliary of
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated.
ZHOPE offers ACT Preparatory Courses, Adopt- a-
School literacy & mentoring, and quarterly initiatives.