sitting down to dinner is just the beginning daddy daughter

SPRING 2014
sitting down to dinner is just the beginning
POWER DINNERS INSPIRATIONAL FOR YOUNG GIRLS AND THEIR HOSTS
Take 10 young girls and serve them a meal at
a fancy restaurant with 10 professional women
and what do you get? If you come up with 20
dessert orders, you’re taking the short view.
fun talking to the women about what they do at
work and how they got started in their careers,
and they were seeing what we were interested
in and gave us tips on how to get started.”
To be sure, the girls and women who attended
the recent Girls Incorporated of Memphis
Power Dinner at Napa Café in East Memphis
ate well—but the bigger picture for the
gathering was to share stories, ideas and
experiences to better equip the girls for their
journey to college and career.
Their hosts were 10 women employed at CB
Richard Ellis Memphis. To start, COO Mary
Sharp shared stories from her own career
journey and broke down the basics of
commercial real estate. Kelsey Hodges
spoke about what she’s gained as a Girls Inc.
participant. And since it was fine dining,
Girls Inc. president and CEO Lisa Moore
took an entertaining stab at imparting what
she’d learned about etiquette from Google,
including making the right impression at a
business meal.
“It was amazing,” said Kirby High School
sophomore Tensia Leakes. “We all had a lot of
Then it was time to eat—and talk. Small
group conversations about life, challenges,
opportunities and planning for the future
was a perfect accompaniment to the cuisine,
and the success of the evening was evident
in the visible smiles and audible laughter.
CBRE COO Mary Sharp swaps stories with
Kelsey Hodges.
The Power Dinner series is just one of the many
ways Girls Inc. works to inspire all girls to be
strong, smart and bold. CBRE human resources
director Cynthia Wimberely said meeting the
girls and learning how each girl had become
involved was inspiring. “The excitement they
displayed for their futures was contagious,” she
Tensia Leakes (l), pictured with Rae Jean Davis,
Cynthia Wimberely and Georgette Peterson, says her
first Power Dinner showed her and nine other girls
how successful women got their start.
said. “They obviously do an excellent job of
mentoring these students. The level of
self-awareness was wonderful to see. I was
most impressed with their willingness to try
new things—to put themselves out there!”
Maybe you're inspired to put yourself out there
for the sake of young girls in Memphis. If you
or your organization is interested in hosting a
Power Dinner, please contact Andrew Israel,
Director of Development at 901.523.0217 or
aisrael@girlsincmemphis.org.
daddy daughter: go adventure
MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR MARCH 1
Daughters and their fathers (or other favorite father figures) are
encouraged to show off their best (or worst) moves on the dance floor,
have a ball on the rock wall, goof off in the photobooth and enjoy
delicious dinner and dessert from East Memphis bakery Frost. Your
attendance will support Girls Inc. – and make memories that will last a
lifetime!
1 Daddy & Daughter pair: $50
($5 per additional daughter)
10 Daddy & Daughter pairs: $450
(Buy more and save!)
Reserve your spot
Call: Andrew Israel 901.523.0217
Email: aisrael@girlsincmemphis.org
Thanks to our Smart Sponsor!
Thank you to all of our supporters who are inspiring girls to be strong, smart and bold.
To give online, visit girlsincmemphis.org
determined dancer turns dream to reality with sheer will
GIRLS INC. GAVE IMAJIN LIAS THE CONFIDENCE TO MAKE IT HAPPEN
It sounds just like it looks—and her first name
happens to fit her perfectly. Imajin Lias, a
14-year-old freshman at White Station High,
has been driven by an ability to imagine herself
as a dancer since she was 2.
“She imagines beyond her dreams,” her mom,
Johnican Lias, says.
Imajin learned ballet and tap early at the
Mid-South Dance Academy, and at 6 she
took up cheerleading and gymnastics and developed acrobatic and tumbling skills. But
her mom will tell you that it was the skills
and confidence she gained as part of the
Girls Incorporated Eureka Program that
helped her start putting flesh on her dream.
“It gave her confidence,” Johnican said. “With
Eureka, they teach them to be independent and
think for themselves. Before, she was shy and
kept to herself.”
After attending a performance by members
of the Collage Dance Collective at Buckman
Performing Arts Center with her Eureka
classmates, she gained a new focus. She
researched the group, applied and got accepted.
“I was like, ‘Wow,’” Imajin says of the
Buckman experience. “They were amazing.
It was the first time I had seen black women
dancing in a diverse dance company. I wanted
to do that.”
After completing a year or so with Collage,
Imajin found herself back at Buckman—
this time on the stage as part of the Collage
production of “Rise” on Feb. 1 and 2. Can you
say “full circle?"
“It was crazy,” Imajin said. “It was like I was
sitting there in the audience and looking up at
them and thinking how much I wanted to do
that. And then I was doing it.”
Eureka, a program that grounds girls in
science, technology, engineering and math skills
is just one of many ways Girls Inc. inspires girls
to be strong, smart and bold. Do you know a
girl who could benefit from an extra dose of
confidence and encouragement? Contact us at
901.523.0217.
Fuel her fire and she can change the world!
art by frayser center girls gets to the point on race
LOCKER PROJECT EXHIBIT A “MUST SEE” AT PINK PALACE
established to challenge students to consider
their own ideas about race and racism.
Displayed in a free-standing traditional school
locker, the art reflects the girls’ thoughts on
themes of race ranging from “What is race?”
and “What is racial justice?” to “How has your
life been affected by race?”
The results include:
Make plans today to attend Race: Are We So
Different? in the coming weeks at the Pink
Palace Museum. The exhibit features art created
by Girls Incorporated members at the Frayser
Center and is part of The Locker Project,
• A mirror intended to cause viewers to consider what they see in their own reflection inside.
• Words on a shelf that reflect the girls’ answers
to various questions about race.
•Images of women below the shelf represent
success and beauty in our community because
of their talent, philanthropy and ability to
overcome obstacles. The images are
accompanied by reports based on research
on each woman pictured done by the girls.
The content of the project was agreed upon
and created by the girls and springs from the
message they felt compelled to convey as
females as it relates to their views on race in
today's society. And, as if we weren't proud
enough, the Girls Inc. locker placed second out
of 200 entries in the agency category. Go see
the project through May 4 at the Pink Palace.
every girl needs a mentor
VETERAN MENTOR TOUTS LISTENING SKILLS AS KEY TO HER SUCCESS
The why: “I became exasperated by the media, religious groups, schools and the justice
system complaining about everything that’s
wrong with today’s youth. I took inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi and decided to
‘be the change I wish to see in the world.’”
The how: “I’ve always been an active listener, with an ability to communicate well with
younger females. I strive to provide an advantageous example of how to be a productive,
respectable, courageous, disciplined, creative,
intelligent, responsible individual.”
Want to know why Sharlene Williams (right) is
smiling? Call 901.523.0217 to become a mentor.
The what: Sharlene Williams has been
mentoring for about 15 years, more than
three of those with Girls Incorporated. She’s
currently mentoring Sommer Jackson, a
12-year-old in sixth grade at Craigmont
Middle School.
The payoff:
versing with
ies, the mall
ebrated her
Pizza with a
communicate
“I enjoy interacting and conSommer. We go to the movand out to eat. I even cel12th birthday at Incredible
host of her friends. We also
via phone as well as texting.”
The reality: “It’s not always fun and games. She
knows I’m an advocate for education. She calls
when she receives her report card. We discuss
what areas we need to focus on and I celebrate
her for all her accomplishments, small or large.”
The payoff, part II: “She was recently
acknowledged for reaching the highest level
in her math class. She’s funny and loves to
talk and ask questions. The development of my
relationship with Sommer could not have been
successful without the encouragement and
support from her mom, Tammy. We’re an
awesome trio!
The call to action: “You CAN make a
difference in a girl’s life and the rewards far
outweigh the challenges. Change starts with
YOU!”
To learn how you can become a Girls Incorporated mentor, contact Britnee Mckinney at
901.523.0217 or bmckinney@girlsincmemphis.org.
Thank you to all of our supporters who are inspiring girls to be strong, smart and bold.
To give online, visit girlsincmemphis.org