We recently connected with Lauren Kelly Scott and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Lauren thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Is there a heartwarming story from your career that you look back on?

As a dedicated educator, I have always found immense joy in the classroom since 2012, shaping young minds and helping them realize their potential. But, deep down, I knew there was more I could do, a broader impact I could make beyond the walls of a traditional classroom. That’s when the idea for FLY Girlz Academy was born in 2021—an organization committed to empowering young girls with the tools they need to soar in life.

The decision to take the leap from a secure teaching job to start a nonprofit organization was not an easy one. I had a loving and supportive partner in my husband, Evin Scott, who believed in my vision and agreed that we would give it one year to prove itself. It was a year of relentless dedication, countless late nights, and a whole lot of faith.

My “why” was, and continues to be, deeply personal. It’s the faces of my daughter, London, and my nieces, Gabby, Leah, and Layla. They are the reason I embarked on this journey. I saw in them the potential, the untapped brilliance that could flourish with the right support and guidance. I also saw their struggles with self-confidence, social-emotional learning skills, and the challenges surrounding mental health—challenges I could relate to all too well because I had experienced them as an adult.

Growing up, I, too, faced self-esteem issues, grappled with social interactions, and navigated the complex landscape of mental wellness without proper guidance. I realized that I could be the Genesis and Generational Blessing for these young girls, providing them with the mentorship, skills, and resources I wish I’d had when I was their age.

So, with the unwavering support of my family and a determination fueled by love for these remarkable young girls, I decided to take that leap of faith. I left the classroom to step into a broader, more impactful arena. FLY Girlz Academy became my mission, and London, Gabby, Leah, and Layla became the faces of hope that continue to drive me forward.

Through FLY Girlz Academy, I’ve witnessed incredible transformations. Young girls who were once hesitant to speak up have found their voices. Those who struggled with self-doubt have grown into confident leaders. Our programs have become a safe space where they can explore their potential, develop emotional intelligence, and build resilience—all skills they can carry with them throughout life.

The journey from the classroom to the community has been challenging, but the rewards have been immeasurable. It’s a testament to what’s possible when you follow your heart and your calling, and when you have the unwavering support of your loved ones. FLY Girlz Academy is not just an organization; it’s a dream realized, a vision nurtured, and a promise to the next generation that they, too, can fly as high as their dreams can take them.

Lauren, 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?

Hi there, I’m Lauren Kelly Scott, and I’m on a mission to empower young girls through FLY Girlz Academy. Let me take you on a journey through my life, how I found my purpose, and the incredible work we do at FLY Girlz Academy.

My journey began in the classroom, where I had the privilege of educating young minds. While I cherished every moment spent as an educator, I knew there was more I could do beyond the traditional classroom setting. The idea for FLY Girlz Academy was born from this desire to make a broader impact.

At FLY Girlz Academy, we’re all about empowering young girls aged 7 to 18. We provide mentorship, workshops, and experiences that foster leadership skills, emotional intelligence, and community engagement. Our goal is to equip these girls with the tools they need to thrive in an ever-changing world.

We address critical challenges facing young girls today, such as self-confidence issues, a lack of social-emotional learning skills, and the growing need for mental wellness support. Through our programs, we help them build resilience, develop self-esteem, and navigate the complexities of growing up.

What makes FLY Girlz Academy unique is our unwavering commitment to our core values: Respect, Growth, Purpose, and Royalty. These values underpin everything we do, from our mentorship approach to the content of our workshops. We’re not just an organization; we’re a family, and our girls feel that sense of belonging.

I’m most proud of the transformations I’ve witnessed in the girls who have been a part of FLY Girlz Academy. Seeing them grow from shy and uncertain to confident and fearless leaders is incredibly fulfilling. It’s a testament to the power of mentorship and empowerment.

Potential clients, followers, and fans, I want you to know that FLY Girlz Academy is more than an organization; it’s a movement. We believe in the potential of every young girl, and we’re here to support their journey towards becoming the best versions of themselves. Our brand stands for empowerment, resilience, and growth, and we invite you to join us on this inspiring journey of transformation. Together, we can help our girls spread their wings and soar to new heights.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Certainly, here’s a story that illustrates my resilience on the journey of founding and growing FLY Girlz Academy:

Early in the development of FLY Girlz Academy, I faced a significant funding setback. We had planned a critical leadership development program for a group of girls in an underserved community, and we were counting on a grant to make it possible. The grant application process had been rigorous, and we had put in months of hard work to craft a compelling proposal.

However, the news came back—it was a rejection. The disappointment was palpable, and I felt a deep sense of frustration. We had invested time, energy, and hope into this opportunity, and it seemed to have crumbled before us.

But I knew that resilience was key to our mission. I couldn’t let this setback define the trajectory of FLY Girlz Academy. So, I took the initiative to embark on a journey to find alternative funding sources. With some help of talking to felllow nonprofits, reading books, and getting feedbck for our FLY parents, we organized local fundraisers, reached out to individuals in the community, and sought partnerships with local businesses who believed in our mission.

The path forward wasn’t easy, but we refused to give up. We knew that the girls we aimed to serve depended on us. With each setback, we found new resolve to keep pushing forward. We reimagined our programs, expanded our outreach efforts, and turned every “no” into motivation to strive for a “yes.”

Through sheer determination and the support of our community, we were able to secure the necessary funding for that leadership program and many more to follow. The resilience we demonstrated during that challenging time became a defining trait of our organization.

This experience taught me that setbacks are not failures; they are opportunities for growth and adaptation. Resilience isn’t about never facing obstacles; it’s about finding the strength to overcome them. FLY Girlz Academy is a testament to the power of determination and resilience, and it continues to empower young girls to face challenges head-on, knowing that they have the support and tools to rise above them.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn was the idea that success is solely defined by external achievements and societal expectations. The backstory behind this unlearning is a personal journey of self-discovery and redefining what truly matters.

For much of my life, I had been conditioned to believe that success meant following a linear path: excelling academically, securing a stable job, climbing the corporate ladder, and accumulating material wealth. I pursued this conventional definition of success diligently, becoming an educator and working in a classroom setting.

However, as I witnessed the struggles and challenges that many of my students faced, I began to question whether this traditional path was indeed the key to fulfillment and purpose. My experiences with young girls who lacked self-confidence, emotional intelligence, and a sense of purpose made me realize that there was a profound need for mentorship and empowerment beyond academic achievements.

This realization led to the founding of FLY Girlz Academy, where I shifted my focus from external achievements to fostering inner growth and resilience in young girls. I learned that success should be defined by the positive impact we have on others and the lives we touch, rather than by societal norms or material wealth.

Unlearning the traditional definition of success was a transformative process. It required me to let go of preconceived notions about what a successful career and life should look like and embrace a broader, more meaningful perspective. Today, I measure success by the growth and empowerment of the girls we serve at FLY Girlz Academy and the positive change we bring to their lives. This unlearning has allowed me to find deeper fulfillment and purpose in my work, emphasizing the importance of making a difference over conforming to societal expectations.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.flygirlzacademy.com
• Instagram: @flygirlzacademy
• Facebook: @flygirlzacademyinc
• Linkedin: Lauren Kelly Scott