G.I.R.L. participants in an etiquette class. (Photo Courtesy of Jovon Gerald)
Jovon Gerald decided to launch a nonprofit in 2011 after he realized there was a need to create a haven where girls between the ages of 10 and 16 could come together and discuss their concerns.
G.I.R.L. (Got the Intelligence to Rule my Life) is hosting its second annual “Women’s Empowerment Day” from 1 – 4 p.m. Sept. 13 at The Loft, 600 F Street NW. “A lot of the girls that I worked with have either one or two things,” Gerald told the AFRO “They were acting out in class … or they were isolating themselves.”
This year, Gerald said he has plans to expand the brunch. For the second annual “Women’s Empowerment Day,” Gerald said he is looking into turning the brunch into more of a seminar setting, where the girls can interact one on one with the speakers.
The theme for this year’s brunch is “This is your season.” It will feature speakers who will touch on spirituality, balancing motherhood and relationships, financial freedom, and entrepreneurship. “They can see women that look just like them doing positive things in their community,” Gerald said.
G.I.R.L. holds meetings twice a month to discuss a variety of topics. According to Gerald, no topic is off the table. Some of the discussions include home situations, the girls’ presence on social media, giving back to the community, conflict resolution, body image, and more. “They just needed someone to talk to,” he said. “They didn’t have an outlet; they didn’t have anyone they could trust.”
Tickets are $20 and all proceeds will be used for the organization’s activities, Gerald said. He also said he hopes to raise a total of $3,000. The money raised will also provide financial assistance to girls who may need help in paying for college applications, educational trips, and more.