2016 Empowerment Experience
On September 25, 2016 in Harlem, The Power of You Teens, we held the 3rd Annual Empowerment Experience event for teenage girls, ages 12-18.
The 3rd Annual Power Of You Teens Empowerment Experience.
In 2016, POYT was blessed to be able to connect with the Harlem community yet again with its 3rd annual POYT Empowerment Experience. This year we wanted to make the event as much about the teens as possible. We engaged in more self-esteem workshops and showcased the gifts and talents of our PowerGirls more than ever before.
We also used our growing presence in the Harlem community to thank the women in the area who had supported our efforts to empower young girls over the years.
The PowerGirls Dance Team
Our PowerGirls once again took center stage to kick off our day with a powerful dance performance choreographed by none other than our Power Woman, Shauna Graham.
The Power Woman Awards
We congratulated and paid homage to the women in our community that are working to not only support POYT, but create spaces for our teen girls to thrive academically, professionally, socially, politically, and artistically.
Awards were presented to:
Honorable Gale Brewer – Manhattan Borough President
PowerGirls Kindness and Courage Award – Chloe Njapa
PowerGirls Young Innovator Award – Tyyan Raye Williams – Teen Fashion Maven
PowerGirls Young Leader and Philanthropist – Ciara Howard
PowerGirls Young Performing Artist – Emerald Young
PowerGirls College Scholarship Recipient – Alexandra Christopher
PowerGirls Appreciation Award – Cathy Davis
The Granddaughter of Hip-Hop Performs!
Lea Robinson, granddaughter of the esteemed, Sylvia Robinson, founder of The Sugar Hill Gang, performed her latest hit for Power Families.
Communication for the 21st Century
Communication Specialist Robyn Hatcher facilitated a workshop to teach out girls how to address bullying and speak more effectively to family and friends. Patricia Robinson of Emmis Communications also talked to our teen girls about how to be a success in the world of Media.
Let’s Move!
Azaria Ulmer hosted a hip-hop/Zumba style dance session for all of our guests to let loose and have fun! Health and fitness is a hallmark of POYT, so we wanted to give everyone an opportunity to break a sweat and burn off the cares of the world in order to live more fearlessly.
PowerGirl Star Power
Our very own PowerGirls Alexandra Christopher and Aja Jewett performed for our POYT Empowerment Experience audience. They each proved that their participation in the year-round POYT programming pays off! They exhibited such poise and passion that it brought everyone to tears.
Girl Chat with Ashley Mac-Buie
Co-Director and Power Woman, Ashley McFarlin Buie hosted an intimate “circle-time” with the young girls present to teach them about discovering their voices and the power of loving themselves.
Back To School Fashion Show With Pinky Sez
Esteemed fashion designer, Tyyan Williams, who started designing and modeling as a pre-teen, showcased the hottest gear from her line, Pinky Sez, with our very own PowerGirls as models. Each PowerGirl made their mark on out Back To School Fashion Show Runway, announcing to the world: “I am Powerful!”