On Sunday, May 3, 2026  Empowerment Resources, Inc. gathered to celebrate the 22nd annual Journey Into Womanhood Celebration. This event brought together community volunteers, sponsors, family, and friends to honor and reflect on the positive changes and growth fostered through the Journey Into Womanhood (JIW) program. 

This year’s theme, She Believed She Could So She Did was shared throughout the afternoon as guests enjoyed the program that included a dynamic emcee, Michelleta Taylor, Licensed Corporate Speech-Language Pathologist and Ms, Black Florida US 2025. Guest and JIW girls were encouraged as keynote address Ms. Brenda Jackson spilled the tea on what it took for her to become a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author. At the conclusion of the program she provided a book signing to include her newest book, Spill the Tea.   

This year’s awards also included The Flowers EmpowerHer Scholar Award, a special presentation to one of the JIW girls who is a rising senior. This Award was founded by Dr. Mia Flowers, a proud JIW alumna of the Class of 2013, and her mother, Carla Flowers, as a way to give back to a program that played such a pivotal role in shaping the woman and pharmacist Mia is today.  This award assists rising juniors with cost for college application and or college standardized testing. Nadia Darity was this year’s recipient. Other awards included Pearl of Wisdom award, which honors girls who apply what they learned from the JIW program. This year’s recipients were Akila Ponds and Nia Johnson, who both received a pearl embellished jewelry.  

The audience enjoyed a treat as girls who participated in the JIW clubs shared what they learned from each of the three clubs; sewing and fashion, podcasting, and hair and skin. Four JIW alumnae from various graduating classes joined us to commemorate the event. 

Journey Into Womanhood is a 25-week rite of passage program that helps young girls make the healthy transition from girl to young woman. The program includes workshops, enrichment trips, and community service projects to introduce young girls to the “12 Vital Aspects” of life. The annual celebration marks a culmination of the program year. 

Over the past 22 years, Empowerment Resources has awarded more than $35,000 in college scholarships and awards to participants in the Journey Into Womanhood program. For more information about Empowerment Resources or the Journey Into Womanhood program call 904-770-5488 or visit www.EmpowermentResourcesinc.org.