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Adrienne continues, "The program helps build self-esteem by presenting positive messages and teaching them to appreciate the unique beauty and strength of Black women, which is not always celebrated in the images they see in advertisements, movies, and magazines.”

In past years, the girls and mentors met weekly at Central High School and enjoyed educational/cultural field trips both locally and to New York and Washington, D.C. This academic year, due to COVID-19, the program kicked-off with a nature scavenger hunt in Roger Williams Park, followed by virtual meetings and complemented by an interactive website which hosts surveys, hands-on activities, and games.

Esmeralda Cheriza, who has graduated from high school and the program, shares her enthusiasm for the program, noting, “I have formed more healthy ways of sharing and expressing how I feel to others. My mentors have been a very big part of my evolving process, helping to expand my ways of thinking and viewing things from different and much clearer perspectives. I will forever remember LEAD as one of my favorite parts of high school.”

As a mentee in the middle school program, Mercy Sayon, the daughter of a former mentee and sister of a current mentee, explains, “I made new friends and learned a lot about Black history by being in the LEAD program. It taught me not to be afraid to express my opinions and to stand up for myself. I feel like I have become more grown up because of participating in this program.”

Parents/guardians are asked to pay a $25 membership fee, although girls are not turned away if families cannot pay. The balance of the program, Adrienne shares, is paid for through grants such as this one.

Another 2020 grant recipient is Community MusicWorks (CMW) which serves young people in seven historically underserved neighborhoods of Providence. Its Youth Music Program includes individual and small-group lessons, group music activities, mentoring, and leadership programs. The Program seeks to strengthen students’ sense of personal power, to build their sense of identity, and to prepare them to achieve ambitious goals for themselves and their communities. While activities traditionally are in-person, because of COVID-19 most are held virtually or, weather permitting, outside.

Natasha Rosario, who participated in the program from age seven through high school, returned to serve as a mentor after graduating from Brown University. “Being a mentor is another chapter in my development. I’ve always thought of Community MusicWorks as my second home. It’s where I joined in weekly discussions, played chamber music, and shared a meal each week. It provided me the opportunity to build community and camaraderie with other students.”

Jannessa Ya also became involved with CMW at age seven. Now a junior at Rocky Hill Country Day School, she agrees, saying, “I really like the discussions about social justice which are helping prepare me for life and how to work together as a team.”

Roma Taitwood, a CMW student since the age of eight and now a senior at Classical High School, adds, “We’re playing music together in a world with lots of problems that we need to learn about and talk about. There’s a strong community aspect here.”

Natasha refers to grants and donations CMW receives as “incredibly valued.” Aside from a $10 registration fee, all programs - including instruments - are provided free to participants. CMW relies on contributions and grants for its program expenses.

Other grantee organizations and supported programs: