We were lucky to catch up with Rasheda Williams recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Rasheda thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

I am an accidental social entrepreneur. My intentions were to write a book to help youth who’ve experienced drama – especially bullying/cyberbullying and other social challenges. But instead, I realized my true purpose: to help youth and youth advocates live above life’s drama to make a powerful difference in the world.

Rasheda, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a driven communications consultant, speaker and author with a passion for empowering youth and inspiring adults to consider mentoring. In 2010, after mentoring girls and young women for over 10 years, I founded Empowered Flower Girl, a social enterprise on a mission to transform the way young people relate to one another and themselves.

I use the challenges I faced as a teen as the springboard for a lifelong commitment to help young people cultivate their own personal power.

Growing up, I watched my father battle addiction and mother struggle to make ends meet all while I was being ruthlessly teased and bullied at school.

When classmates called me “different” and “weird,” I didn’t let their words defeat me. Instead, I embraced my uniqueness and leveraged it to become the woman I am today. That is what I want for all of our young people.

Over the years, Empowered Flower Girl has evolved to not only help youth but also those who care about the – from parents and educators to mentors and afterschool program directors.

I have nearly 20 years’ experience in the education, non-profit and philanthropic sectors having worked with several national and global organizations and institutions. But being a mentor is what really drives me to do the work I do.

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

How the pandemic pivot inspired growth

When I launched Empowered Flower Girl in 2010, I was focused on empowering youth through programs and workshops that combat bullying, cyberbullying, relational aggression and other social/communications challenges they face. But over the years, our mission has evolved. We are now focused on building partnerships and facilitating programs that support North American schools and youth-serving organizations as well as global partnerships.

Even before the pandemic, I worked with educators and after-school professionals in facilitating programs that increase empathy and self esteem among youth. However, since March of 2020, I saw an even greater need to help youth advocates break down barriers and engage students, especially our girls who are 3 times more likely than boys to experience online harassment and increased anxiety.

Many schools and organizations in remote areas or those with limited budgets need access to online professional development. In August 2020 (on a shoestring budget), I launched Girl World Peace Academy, a virtual course for teachers, counselors and others who work to empower youth.

That pivot has helped us not only serve more youth and youth advocates, it’s helped us gain visibility nationally.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Empowered Flower Girl actually got our first 100 social media followers by leveraging a media opportunity. In March of 2011, I responded to a media query I received via Help a Reporter Out. The query was from an editor seeking sources for an article for Cosmopolitan magazine. The article “How Being Bullied Changed My Life” was published in May 2011 and it sparked interest in my story as well as the work of Empowered Flower Girl.

I believe that having an integrated traditional and social media strategy is important. They go hand in hand in helping increase your reach and in amplifying your brand.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.empoweredflowergirl.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/empoweredflowergirl
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/empoweredflowergirl
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/empoweredflowergirl
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/efgempowered