Inspire. Educate. Empower.
In recognition of Women’s History Month, Albert Leonard Middle School collaborated with community partners to create an event to Inspire, Educate and Empower girls and their parents.
The ALMS Girls Leadership Conference was a huge success! Young women from ALMS and Isaac E. Young Middle School attended the event with their parents and guardians. The morning started off with a high-energy performance from the Team Joy step team – their first live performance in two years. Shante Dixon, the advisor for Team Joy, which was started by the late Karen Johnson, who was a teacher at the school, beamed with pride as she looked on from the sidelines.
After the opening remarks by ALMS Principal Camille Edwards-Thomas, the parents met in the library for their panel discussion entitled “The Truth About Raising Girls.” Panelists included a mix of clinicians and mothers, including Dr. Adowa Akhu, Dara Joseph, Dr. Audrey Brotus, Linda Olivierio, and Camille Banks-Lee.
Student workshops focused on the following topics: healthy relationships, SMART Girls, being the only girl in a male-dominated industry, and success in high school. Workshop facilitators included members of the New Rochelle Police Department, the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle, New Rochelle High School students Skye Hill, Natalie Chang, Emma Farley, and Aislynn Pineda, and One Love Foundation members.
While the parents participated in a heartfelt discussion about raising strong girls, the girls attended a “GirlTalk” panel discussion moderated by Edwards-Thomas. Panelists represented numerous backgrounds, including STEM, entrepreneurs, and social and environmental services.
The culminating activity consisted of all participants gathering in the cafeteria for lunch. DJ Jelani, otherwise known as seventh-grader Jelani Chambers, provided the music. The Youth Bureau Team sponsored and served lunch from AJ’s Burgers.