DID YOU KNOW?
- 44,498 Black students were suspended from Tennessee K-12 public schools in a single academic year.
- Blacks youth were 23% of students in school districts across the state but comprised 58% of suspensions and 71% of expulsions.
- Black children are 5x’s more likely to be incarcerated.
WHAT IS F.L.Y.?
The F.L.Y. Girl program empowers middle and high school girls of color by using gender-specific, culturally relevant, strength-based programming designed to provide them with a sense of ethnic pride and "connectedness". By building on their strengths, gifts, and talents services provided promote self-awareness, cultural expression, school/community engagement, and advocacy-resulting in real-life internal and external gains. And “while it is important that our girls develop a sense of confidence in their capabilities and come to accept and to love themselves, it is equally as important that black and brown girls come to see and like themselves as who they are - bearers of a rich, historical heritage, and shouldered with a unique responsibility” (Winners Sankofa Intervention, n.d.).
Empowering to F.L.Y. with a Broken Wing.
We want to be intentional about being clear on our slogan. Our program emphasis not that our girls are broken, but the systems that were supposed to support them, include them and embrace them are broken. Our goal is to reiterate the notion that, when a girl of color has a safe space that doesn’t penalize her for who she is, a stronger sense of "self" and identity, support from positive peers and role models, and an environment of learning and expression, she’s been given the permission to be the “F.L.Y Girl” she was birthed to be; champions for herself, her school, her community, and especially for the girls that are coming behind her.
F.L.Y. Focus Areas
Embracing Identity
Healing through Connections
Healing through Connections
- Promoting Ethnic Identity and Expression
- Safe Spaces to "Be"
- Cultural Relevant Program
- Healthy Sense of Self.
Healing through Connections
Healing through Connections
Healing through Connections
- Kuruka ("Swahili for F.L.Y.) Weekly Support Groups
- Mentoring
- Case Management Services
- Parent/Caretaker Engagement
Engaging in Community
Healing through Connections
Engaging in Community
- Advocacy and Civic Engagement
- Leadership and Presentation Skills
- School Engagement
- Increased Educational Outcomes