Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Alexis Abdulraheem. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alexis, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. One of the most important things small businesses can do, in our view, is to serve underserved communities that are ignored by giant corporations who often are just creating mass-market, one-size-fits-all solutions. Talk to us about how you serve an underserved community.

Absolutely, Daring Daughters serves an underserved community, focusing on uplifting young Black and Brown girls who face systemic challenges in education and entrepreneurship. We are committed to creating a pipeline of mentorship and resources that these communities often lack.

Black girls, in particular, are disproportionately affected by inequities in education. Studies show that Black girls are 3.6 times more likely to be suspended than White girls, often for subjective offenses like “defiance” or “disrespect,” which highlights systemic biases in school discipline. These suspensions create a ripple effect, leading to lower academic performance, fewer opportunities, and a greater risk of entering the school-to-prison pipeline.

Moreover, research indicates that only 37% of Black women complete their college degrees within six years, compared to 44% of Hispanic women and 63% of White women. This gap isn’t due to a lack of ambition but often stems from inadequate support in schools and at home, as well as financial barriers that disproportionately impact communities of color.

At Daring Daughters, we are addressing these disparities head-on by providing mentorship programs, workshops, and resources designed to foster academic success, leadership skills, and entrepreneurial aspirations. For example, one of our participants, a high school junior named Maya, shared how our mentorship helped her turn around her academic performance after being suspended multiple times for minor infractions. With the guidance of her mentor, she not only raised her grades but also secured an internship with a local business owner, building confidence in her entrepreneurial dreams.

Our mission is rooted in the belief that every girl deserves the chance to thrive, regardless of her zip code or circumstances. By equipping these young women with the tools, they need to overcome systemic barriers, we’re not just changing individual lives—we’re helping to create a future where equity is more than just a concept, but a reality.

Alexis, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Alexis Abdulraheem, and I am the founder of Daring Daughters, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to uplifting young Black and Brown girls to break generational cycles and step into their full potential. As a mother, entrepreneur, and advocate for equity, I created this organization out of a deep understanding of the systemic barriers many young women face—barriers I have personally experienced and overcome.

Daring Daughters provides mentorship, educational resources, and entrepreneurial training to underserved communities, focusing on holistic development. We aim to address the gaps in support systems for young girls of color, tackling issues such as limited access to mentorship, the absence of entrepreneurial resources, and the unique challenges these girls face in school systems that often overlook or undervalue them.

What sets us apart is our unapologetic focus on community-driven solutions and our belief in the power of representation. We offer workshops, mentorship programs, and events that help young women navigate challenges like self-doubt, financial literacy, and educational inequities. For example, we recently hosted a financial literacy boot camp where girls learned practical skills like budgeting and saving, tools they can use to build brighter futures.

I’m most proud of the way Daring Daughters creates real, tangible change in the lives of these girls. One of our participants, a shy high school sophomore, was at risk of dropping out due to family struggles and low academic confidence. Through our mentorship program, she found a supportive network that not only helped her stay in school but also inspired her to apply for college—a dream she once thought was out of reach.

What I want people to know about Daring Daughters is that we’re not just a nonprofit—we’re a movement. We are here to uplift, inspire, and equip the next generation of leaders and changemakers. Our work is about more than providing resources; it’s about creating a sense of belonging, building confidence, and showing these young women that their potential is limitless.

If you’re looking to support or collaborate with an organization that’s making a difference in the lives of young Black and Brown girls, we’d love for you to join us. Together, we can help these daring daughters write their own success stories and create lasting impact for generations to come.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

There was a pivotal moment in my journey with Daring Daughters that completely reshaped not only the mission of the organization but also my outlook on life and leadership. When I first started Daring Daughters, my focus was solely on mentorship for young girls of color. I thought if we could just provide guidance and encouragement, that would be enough. But life has a way of showing you when your vision isn’t big enough.

A few years ago, I met a young woman named Amara. She was 17, brilliant, and full of potential, but her life was falling apart. Her mother was juggling multiple jobs, and Amara was essentially raising her younger siblings while trying to finish high school. She came to one of our workshops, not for mentorship, but because there was free lunch, and she needed something to eat that day.

That moment hit me like a ton of bricks. Here I was, teaching about entrepreneurship and leadership, but I realized that these girls often faced challenges far more fundamental: hunger, instability, and lack of access to basic resources. It wasn’t enough to inspire them; I needed to help them survive first.

That’s when I pivoted. Daring Daughters expanded from a mentorship program into a holistic organization. We partnered with local businesses and nonprofits to provide meals at every event, created resource guides for families in need, and started workshops on financial literacy, college readiness, and mental health. We even began offering scholarships to remove financial barriers for education.

Amara’s story didn’t just shift the trajectory of Daring Daughters—it shifted me. I learned that serving a community means meeting people where they are and understanding their immediate needs before asking them to dream bigger. Today, Amara is in college, majoring in social work, and she’s one of our most active alumni, mentoring girls who are walking a path similar to hers.

This pivot taught me the power of adaptability and empathy in leadership. It reminded me that our greatest strength as an organization isn’t just our programs or workshops—it’s our ability to listen, evolve, and truly serve

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

When I started Daring Daughters, I didn’t have a financial safety net or investors lined up. I believed so deeply in the mission that I took a leap of faith and used everything I had in my bank account to bring the vision to life. It was a moment of pure determination—I knew that if I didn’t invest in these young girls and their futures, no one else would.

After launching, I quickly realized that passion and purpose alone wouldn’t sustain the organization. I began applying for grants, spending countless late nights researching opportunities and perfecting applications. With every “no,” I refined my approach, and eventually, the “yeses” started coming. Each grant felt like a win not just for me, but for the young girls and families we serve.

Now, as we’re growing and looking to acquire a dedicated building space for Daring Daughters, I’ve taken the next step and started actively fundraising. It’s humbling to ask for support, but it’s also empowering to see how many people believe in our mission. This process has reminded me that building something meaningful often requires community and collaboration.

What makes this journey so special is knowing that Daring Daughters was built from a place of pure intention and sacrifice. Every program we run, every girl we inspire, and every barrier we help break down is a testament to the power of perseverance and believing in something bigger than yourself.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://daringdaughtersinc.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daring.daughtersinc
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DaringDaughtersInc