In June, ten girls from Empowerment Resources Inc.’s JIW program, along with their parents, traveled to Atlanta, Georgia, to attend the Black Girl Dream Conference. Designed for attendees ages 12 and up, the conference featured powerful speakers, dynamic change-makers, hands-on STEAM activities, creative expression, and impactful networking opportunities.
Empowerment Resources, Inc. was proud to attend as a 2024 Dream Fund grant recipient, awarded by the Southern Black Girls and Women Consortium (SBGWC). In addition to the grant, JIW received a $1,000 travel stipend to support the trip.
“We are truly honored to have the support of SBGWC—not only financially, but also through the resources they provide to small and mid-sized nonprofits like ours,” said Elexia Coleman-Moss. “The conference was electrifying—a true recharge. We returned with fresh ideas, new connections, and a renewed sense of purpose.”
Below, you’ll find a collection of short reflections from JIW participants about their experiences at the conference. To learn more about the event and the SBGWC, visit https://southernblackgirls.org/dreamconference.
Harmony E., JIW Girl reflects on her very first conference:
I had the opportunity to attend my first conference by the Southern Black Girls and Women Consortium (SBGWC). The conference titled Black Girl Dream Conference, took place in Atlanta, Georgia, June 6-8. I went with my mom and a few other girls from JIW, along with their moms. I decided to attend the conference because I thought it would be a fun experience. One surprising thing that caught my attention was the large number of girls in attendance from the South East Region of the US. Women and girls came from states such as Alabama, Tennessee, the Carolina and my state of Florida to name a few.
The theme of the conference was She Got Next, and included how to take care of yourself, how to make use of your creativity, leadership skills building, and mental health awareness. The vibe was fun. The schedule was you would go to a morning workshop of your choice and then a brunch with music and dancing,, then after brunch you would go to some more workshops, followed by free time, and then you would go to dinner with a DJ and panel discussion or inspirational speakers.
The first workshop I went to was the LUSH area. It was mostly about healthy skin care products and games with the use of their amazing products. I thought this was a very fun hands-on activity where I was able to make my very own LUSH bath bomb! The second workshop I went to was the “ BLACK GIRL MAGIC MUSEUM”. This area had a section that focused on connecting devices through STEM activities, incorporating electrical components to create sound and light effects. We also made our own lotion. I enjoyed all of these hands-on activities. My favorite workshop from the conference was the hair braiding workshop by DOVE. It was about how to add hair to a braid and how to braid your natural hair. I loved this workshop and how hands-on it was. The JIW girls and I met some new girls from other parts of the South East. We had a conversation with them, and it was very fun. We opened up more, and felt connected.
Three things that inspired me were 1) how many girls came to this event, 2) all the nice and wonderful workshops, and 3) the support of the people around me. My favorite quote was “ Dream big”. This had me reflecting on the way I think of things. I would highly recommend this conference to a friend to make sure more friends come and have fun and learn.
Shanelle C.B., JIW Girl writes about the She’s Got Next – Brunch in Blush:
Attending the lunch panel themed around Southern Black Girls was an experience that left a lasting impact on me. The people in the room were powerful with their ambitions and instilled pride, resilience, and an unshakable belief in the brilliance of Black girls from the South.
The panelists were nothing short of inspiring. Calcea Johnson and Ne’Kiya Jackson, both celebrated as mathematical geniuses, reminded me of the importance of honoring intellectual achievement and getting excited for those who excel in STEM. Their passion for problem-solving and discovery about the Pythagorean theorem was really amazing.
Trinitee Stokes, with her many careers as an actress, singer, and author, showed us how creativity and confidence can open countless doors, and she emphasized embracing every part of yourself.
Then there was Jasmine Carson, whose achievements as a member of LSU’s 2023 NCAA Women’s Basketball National Championship team highlighted how discipline, teamwork, and vision can create real success. Her words were grounded in experience, but also filled with encouragement for the next generation.
There was the common thread between them: a refusal to shrink in the face of doubt, and a commitment to dreaming boldly. It reminded me that dreaming isn’t just about hope—it’s about action, persistence, and community.
I walked away from the panel inspired by the brilliance of these young women and the reminder that Southern Black girls are not just dreaming—they’re building, leading, and changing the world around them.
JIW Girl Vicky P. shares an overview of her experience:
Attending the lunch panel themed around Southern Black Girls was an experience that left a lasting impact on me. The people in the room were powerful with their ambitions and instilled pride, resilience, and an unshakable belief in the brilliance of Black girls from the South.
The panelists were nothing short of inspiring. Calcea Johnson and Ne’Kiya Jackson, both celebrated as mathematical geniuses, reminded me of the importance of honoring intellectual achievement and getting excited for those who excel in STEM. Their passion for problem-solving and discovery about the Pythagorean theorem was really amazing.
Trinitee Stokes, with her many careers as an actress, singer, and author, showed us how creativity and confidence can open countless doors, and she emphasized embracing every part of yourself.
Then there was Jasmine Carson, whose achievements as a member of LSU’s 2023 NCAA Women’s Basketball National Championship team highlighted how discipline, teamwork, and vision can create real success. Her words were grounded in experience, but also filled with encouragement for the next generation.
There was the common thread between them: a refusal to shrink in the face of doubt, and a commitment to dreaming boldly. It reminded me that dreaming isn’t just about hope—it’s about action, persistence, and community.
I walked away from the panel inspired by the brilliance of these young women and the reminder that Southern Black girls are not just dreaming—they’re building, leading, and changing the world around them.
JIW Girl Akilah P. writes about her overall experience:
Being able to attend the Black Girls Dream Conference with my Journey Into Womanhood peers was truly inspiring. I was exposed to many opportunities and stories about the hardships women who look like me face in the workplace and in everyday life. I was glad to hear from many different panelists about their careers, how they got there, and even the advice they had for girls my age. There were so many workshops for all ages and interests, but my favorite would have to be the one I attended about building your brand. It opened my eyes to self-branding and how to present myself so that people are more interested in what I do and how it could benefit them. It gave me marketing ideas for when I start my business and taught me a little about communication skills as well. I also enjoyed being able to interact with girls of all different ages from around the South in various events they had, like the silent disco just for us girls! The conference ended beautifully with a dinner where they featured their last set of amazing panelists, dancers, and singers. This experience has shown me that my dreams are not only valid, but achievable. I would personally recommend this conference to anyone looking to expand their horizons, engage with new people, and have fun.
My mom even said, “Watching young Black girls light up as they explored a world of endless possibilities was a breath of fresh air. Their radiant smiles and excited conversations were a powerful reminder of what I already knew, each one is destined for greatness. I left inspired and full of hope. Can’t wait to witness it all again next year.” – Amakeda Ponds
