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WINSTON-SALEM, NC (September 13, 2023) – LEAD Girls of NC, a non-profit organization based in Winston-Salem for at-risk middle-school girls, is launching a new STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) program. The pilot program, which will run from September 2023 to April 2024, focuses specifically on Engineering with future programs planned for other STEAM components.

“Our STEAM activities are always very popular with our LEAD participants, so it made sense to dig deeper into that interest with this new pilot program,” said Joy Thomas, LEAD founder and executive director. “We want the girls to not only have exposure to STEAM topics but begin to envision how they might pursue this field beyond high school.”

Zha’Nyia Bryant Jones, a former LEAD participant and current engineering major at North Carolina A&T University, worked as a LEAD fellow this past summer to help research key components of the pilot program and identify potential experiences for the girls to access.

“LEAD has played a pivotal role in shaping my journey towards pursuing engineering,” said Bryand Jones. “Through the program, I discovered my passion for STEM and gained the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in this field. The support and connections I developed during my time as a LEAD participant gave me the confidence to pursue a future career in engineering. As a LEAD fellow, I was able to contribute to the program pathway, enabling me to give back and help others embark on their own transformative journeys in the world of engineering and technology.”

LEAD plans for the STEAM pilot program to have 18 participants, and each girl will receive her own laptop as part of the curriculum thanks to the generosity of WinstonNet, Inc. and the Kramden Institute. “We are so fortunate to live in a community that not only directly supports our work, but also provides a real-world perspective on the many pathways to a STEAM career,” said Nelson. “We want the girls to see the amazing work happening here locally so that they might grow up to be our STEAM community leaders of the future.”

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WINSTON-SALEM, NC (June 22, 2023) – LEAD Girls of NC, a non-profit organization based in Winston-Salem dedicated to supporting and empowering at-risk girls, is hosting its annual

LEAD-A-THON community field day on July 15 at the St. Peter’s World Outreach Center in Winston-Salem. The event promotes movement and teamwork with a fun-filled schedule of games, fitness activities and music.

“Active movement is vitally important for our young people and our community to connect with one another in a positive way,” said LEAD founder and executive director Joy Thomas. “The LEAD-A-THON will have activities for every age group and ability with an emphasis on wellness and fun.”

LEAD-A-THON also is a major fundraiser for LEAD Girls with all proceeds going toward the nonprofit’s community and school-based programs. LEAD Girls recently announced that it has added two additional middle schools to its partnership with WS/FCS and is adding another week to its popular Fashion Entrepreneurship Camp later this summer.

“When we started LEAD Girls in 2016, we served 66 girls across our community. Now that number has grown to more than 300 girls with still more applicants than we can currently serve,” said Thomas. “Our annual LEAD-A-THON is key to raising the monies we need so we can say ‘yes’ to every girl who raises her hand to be part of the LEAD program.”

The LEAD-A-THON raises money through event sponsors as well as individual and team participants. Some of the LEAD-A-THON event sponsors include Forsyth Woman Magazine, American Moving & Hauling, Sheets Smith Wealth Management, Goforth Marketing and Chick-fil-A Thruway Shopping Center. Sponsorship opportunities still remain and information is available at the LEAD Girls website, www.leadgirls.org.

Registration information for individual participants and teams also is available on the LEAD Girls website. Included in the registration fee is a full day of activities from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. as well as snacks and refreshments. Fitness activities led by local instructors will include yoga, Mixxed Fit and Xtreme Hip-Hop Step. For those who enjoy a little friendly competition, the LEAD-A-THON will host Kickball, Tug-of-War, Sack Races, Giant Connect Four and Giant Jenga. A DJ and bounce house round out the field day extravaganza.

The LEAD-A-THON is free to all LEAD Girls participants and one accompanying family member. Children aged 4 to 12 are $10. Adults pay $20, and there’s also a Family FUN Deal to include 4 family members starting at $40. Team registration for up to 8 participants including shirts is $175.

This summer, LEAD will host several community-based camps and activities, including Fashion Entrepreneurship Camp. Information and registration details for LEAD’s summer programs are available at www.leadgirls.org. Scholarships for camp attendees are made possible by LEAD donors and other generous partners.

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WINSTON-SALEM, NC (June 1, 2023) – LEAD Girls of NC, a non-profit organization based in Winston-Salem that works collaboratively with local schools to support at-risk girls, is growing program facilitation team alongside important work to develop guiding principles around Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

LEAD announces that Jasmynn Blackshear has been hired as a Program Facilitator. In her role, Blackshear will be responsible for the LEAD programs offered through local middle and high schools as well as LEAD’s community-based initiatives. More than 300 girls participate in LEAD programs each year. Blackshear will oversee the implementation of activities using the LEAD Girls curriculum to deliver programming that provides encouragement and fosters leadership.

“Jasmynn is an outstanding addition to our growing LEAD team as we expand our community footprint,” said LEAD Executive Director Joy Thomas. “She brings a vibrant fresh perspective and energy to our organization as well as experience having served as a LEAD intern during her senior year at Winston-Salem State University. As a recent graduate, Jasmynn is building strong rapport with our LEAD girls while also demonstrating inspiring leadership and professionalism.”

Blackshear is a 2023 graduate of Winston-Salem State University with a bachelor’s degree in Social Work. She is pursuing a master’s degree in Public Affairs with a concentration in Nonprofit Management.

“Each of us has the voice to change the nation,” said Blackshear, reflecting her passion to impact and change the lives of youth. “We should never sit back in fear but instead believe firmly that we possess the power to make a difference. We have youth full of dreams, and we need to fight so their dreams can be their reality.”

In support of its expanding team and footprint of service in Forsyth County, LEAD received a grant from The Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust to foster conversation and professional development around Diversity, Equity & Inclusion for its professional staff.

“This grant has made it possible for our team to embark on important internal and community conversations around our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion principles,” said Thomas. “We want to reflect an organization that is fearless and empowered to take on difficult topics as some of the very same qualities we seek to instill in our LEAD girls.”

As its school-based programs finish for the summer, LEAD will host several community-based camps and activities, including its popular Fashion Entrepreneurship Camp. Information and registration details for LEAD’s summer programs are available at www.leadgirls.org. Scholarships for camp attendees are made possible by LEAD donors and other generous partners.

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Funding for expanded space made possible from Goldman Sachs’ One Million Black Women: Black Women Impact Grants initiative

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (Apr. 13, 2023) – Winston-Salem based LEAD Girls of NC is officially opening the doors to its new downtown program hub. “LEAD Girls exists to ensure that every girl in Forsyth County is heard, seen, valued and equipped,” said LEAD founder and executive director Joy Thomas. “By modeling and instilling unstoppable leadership, we’re creating boundless impact in this community.”

Since its founding in 2016, LEAD has operated out of three small offices with no room to host programs, provide training for LEAD facilitators or enable the girls to access resources such as books and computers. In 2022, LEAD was one of 50 national recipients of the Goldman Sachs’ One Million Black Women: Black Women Impact Grants initiative to fund Black women-led and Black women-serving nonprofits. With that grant, LEAD will now have almost 2,000 square feet of space to serve as a program hub for the more than 200 LEAD Girls participants and provide much needed space for its trained facilitators and community volunteers.

Previously, LEAD had to secure different spaces around Forsyth County for its community weekend programs and its summer camps through partnerships with Forsyth Technical Community College, Salem College, Fearless WS and the Mazie Woodruff Center. The new space, located on the ground floor of the Loewy building on 4th Street in Winston-Salem, provides a consistent home base that also reflects LEAD’s signature identity. Bright pink and teal colors adorn the walls, chairs and décor along with inspirational sayings and imagery.

“When the girls walk into this space, they are truly embraced by all that LEAD represents,” said Thomas. “We want each girl to see, feel and know that there is nothing she can’t do.”

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WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (Feb. 16, 2023) – LEAD Girls of NC, a local nonprofit focused on empowering at-risk/low-income girls, was named one of 50 recipients of a national Black Women Impact Grant from Goldman Sachs One Million Black Women. The organization was chosen from more than 800 applicants of Black women-led and Black women-serving nonprofits. LEAD (Learning Everyday Accomplishing Dreams) is using the two-year general operating grant for training, staff expansion and a larger location. LEAD currently serves more than 300 girls annually in Forsyth County through in-school programming with partner WS/FCS schools in addition to weekend and summer offerings.

“It’s an incredible honor for LEAD to be recognized as a Black Women Impact Grant recipient,” said LEAD founder and executive director Joy Thomas. “These funds are making it possible for us to realize our vision of LEAD as a dynamic community resource impacting and inspiring the lives of hundreds of girls each year in Forsyth County.”

In 2023, LEAD expanded the number of partner schools where it offers programming led by trained LEAD facilitators to include Philo-Hill Magnet Academy and Paisley Middle School. LEAD already offers programming at Mineral Springs Middle School, Wiley Magnet Middle School, Cook Literacy Model School, Flat Rock Middle School, Middle Fork Academy and Carver High School. The Goldman Sachs One Million Black Women grant is enabling LEAD to hire additional facilitators to serve its expanding community footprint.

A key priority for the LEAD team in 2023 is to have a larger location for the LEAD girls to access outside of school. While they look for space, LEAD is moving to a larger, interim location at its current location on Fourth Street. “We’re excited that our interim space will give us the room we need for a computer lab and lending library,” said Thomas. “The lab will allow the girls to hone their computer skills and we plan to stock our new LEAD library with books that tie to our programming priorities including STEAM and entrepreneurship. We want the girls to fuel their love for reading and technology right here at LEAD.”

Expanded training for staff and volunteers throughout the year is another focal area for LEAD that will be funded through the Goldman Sachs grant. “Understanding and responding to trauma and ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) is critically important to our success in having positive and sustained impact on the lives of the girls we serve,” said Thomas.

Selection criteria for recipients of the Black Impact Grant includes a focus on supporting Black women and girls along with a proven record of success in delivering effective solutions. In applying, LEAD highlighted its seven years of service and overwhelmingly positive results from regular surveys with participants to evaluate impact. Among the organization’s strengths are the strong relationships it has built with the principals at LEAD partner schools to ensure the programming meets their expectations.

“Our partner school principals along with the girls and their parents are LEAD’s biggest cheerleaders,”
said Thomas. “They let us know that the work we are doing is changing lives in very real ways. I love how proud the girls are to be participating in LEAD. In many of our partner schools, more girls want to participate than we have room for, so it’s an honor for them to be chosen which makes the LEAD experience very special.”

On March 12, 2023, LEAD Girls will celebrate its seventh year of service to the community at its annual Soiree. This year’s event theme is “Hear Her Roar” and the event will take place at ROAR on Liberty Street in Winston-Salem. Event details will be available at leadgirls.org.

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