Unleashing Potential: The Exciting Journey of The blackgirlPOD - Get Ready for Something Extraordinary
- drheatherbhill
- Apr 11
- 3 min read
March was a thrilling time for The blackgirlPOD as we relaunched and opened new avenues
for community building and empowerment. Our first meeting of the year was filled with joy and excitement, bringing together both familiar and new faces. We remain dedicated to our mission: to inspire, educate, and uplift young Black girls by highlighting the heroes in and around us.
During our kickoff session, we engaged in meaningful discussions about superheroes—those real-life figures who motivate us within our families and communities. This newsletter includes a recap of last month's meetup and introduction to some of summer opportunities.
Celebrating Superheroes
Recognizing the superheroes in our lives extends beyond famous personalities; it involves honoring those unsung heroes who make a difference daily. Each girl was encouraged to share stories of people who are shaping their lives. The girls then worked with partners to review a picture book of their choice to learn about the achievements and contributions of Black women throughout history. We used a Noun-Verb-Adjective framework to help the girls generate robust language to characterize how and why they regarded these Black women in history as heroes. Discussing these beautifully illustrated works not only celebrate the legacies of these remarkable women but also encouraged our girls to dream big and recognize their potential while giving them practice in collaboration and public speaking.
Discovering Our Superpowers
After learning about Black women in history, we reminded the girls that before the Black women in history became notable women, they were first brilliant and beautiful blackgirls just like them.
One of the highlights of our gathering was a deep dive into the life of Mari Copeny, a youth activist known for her bold advocacy for clean water in Flint, Michigan. By learning about her journey, the girls were encouraged to reflect on their own abilities—both internal and external—that they can use to enact change in their communities. Inspired by Mari’s story, each girl identified unique traits and skills they possess. Whether it was their empathy, creativity, or leadership, we stressed the idea that they, too, can be powerful change-makers. Just like the courageous Black women in history, they are on the path to making a significant impact.
Building a Connected Community
Our event created a rich space for building strong connections. The girls engaged in "Speed Sisterhood" (think Speed dating, but not lol) providing opportunity for meaningful conversations that nurtured understanding and trust among them. With an environment conducive to open dialogue, friendships blossomed, and everyone left the meeting empowered and hopefully feeling surrounded by girls who shared their beauty, brilliance, and sense of belonging.
What’s Coming Up in The POD?
Next Month:
May Monthly SociaLit Meetup
The excitement of our journey continues! We are eager to announce that our next session is planned for April 13th from 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM at the Richmond Heights Library. We welcome all interested young girls for another inspiring gathering filled with enriching discussions and empowering activities. In honor of National Poetry Month, with study of Black women writers, our focus will be on using our voices, our words, and our whole bodies for personal expression. If you have not done so already, Please click the link below to RSVP to support adequate planning and preparation for this and next month's events. Feel free to invite girls you think might benefit from our community and our programming.
A Community Invitation
At The blackgirlPOD, we believe in the power of community. Each gathering is an opportunity for our girls to connect, grow, and support one another. Representation and empowerment are critical, and our monthly meet-ups serve as an excellent starting point. Let’s continue this exciting journey of unleashing potential together! By sharing our stories, celebrating our talents, and taking action, we can create a brighter future for ourselves and our communities.
We look forward to seeing everyone on April 12th! Let’s create waves of positivity and unlock the extraordinary potential that resides in each of us.
-Dr. Hill
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